(Posted 10th November 2026)
Ker & Downey Botswana’s new four-suite camp is now open, offering an intimate retreat overlooking the waterways and floodplains of the Okavango Delta.
Elephants move along the distant tree line. A mokoro slips through the reeds. Across the floodplain, the changing light gives the water a different character with every passing hour. At Kanana Nyana, the newest camp from Ker & Downey Botswana, these are the scenes that shape a stay.
Now welcoming its first guests, Kanana Nyana brings just four suites to a forested setting overlooking the Xudum Channel, within the company’s private concession in the Okavango Delta. Its appeal lies in the space such a small camp allows: time to linger over a wildlife sighting, guiding shaped around individual interests, and quiet afternoons with little to interrupt the view.
Drawing on more than five decades of safari experience in Botswana, Ker & Downey has created a camp that feels closely connected to its surroundings, from the trees that shelter its suites to the waterways guests set out to explore.
A LANDSCAPE BEST EXPLORED SLOWLY
The Kanana area brings together many of the landscapes that make the Delta so remarkable: open floodplains, shaded woodland, palm-fringed islands and channels threaded through beds of papyrus.
Exploring here means following the landscape on its own terms. Game drives seek out lion, leopard and African wild dog, while guided walks reveal the smaller details easily missed from a vehicle. Mokoro excursions offer a quieter perspective at water level, and motorboat outings open up the channels beyond camp. Night drives bring another cast of wildlife into view after dark.
The freedom of the private concession allows guests to experience the Delta from every angle, from exploring on foot to heading out after dark. Fishing offers another reason to linger on the waterways, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the bush.
For birdwatchers, the concession also offers private access to one of the largest heronries in the Okavango Delta. Pel’s fishing owl is among the area’s most sought-after sightings.
FOUR SUITES, FOUR INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERS
Each suite takes its name and design cues from a tree found in the surrounding landscape: Marula, Sausage Tree, Jackalberry and Sycamore Fig.
Their interiors draw out a different aspect of the forest. Warm yellows and light woods distinguish Marula; pink and red accents bring warmth to Sausage Tree; Jackalberry features deeper, near-black timber tones; and pale woods with gentle green accents give Sycamore Fig a lighter feel.
Designed by Archidea Architects, with interiors by Reflecting Africa, Kanana Nyana takes its character from the forest around it. Elevated decks weave between existing trees, protecting their root systems and allowing water to move beneath the camp. Thatched roofs and carefully positioned buildings provide shade and encourage natural ventilation, reducing heat and the demand for cooling, while solar power supports daily operations. Inside, natural timber, aged copper and marble echo the colours and textures of the Delta, complemented by botanical watercolours by Alison Ross and bespoke cabinetry handcrafted by Maun-based Woodland Designs.
Outside, private plunge pools and decks invite guests to settle into the view. Beneath thatch and the shelter of the trees, the suites offer privacy without losing the sense of being part of the Delta.
The main lounge, bar and dining spaces share the same connection to the landscape, with elevated views across open plains and water. A collection of botanical artworks and reading material encourages guests to discover more about the trees and habitats around them.
SMALL ENOUGH TO MAKE IT PERSONAL
With a maximum of eight guests, Kanana Nyana keeps the safari experience deliberately personal. Two dedicated safari vehicles carry no more than four guests each, allowing room to watch, photograph and follow the interests of those on board.
Between excursions, guests can enjoy in-room wellness treatments, use the small gym or simply spend an afternoon beside their pool as wildlife moves across the floodplain.
“Kanana Nyana reflects the way we believe safaris should be experienced: intimate, authentic and deeply connected to place. The camp has been designed to enhance the wilderness rather than compete with it,” says Kim Nixon, Chief Operating Officer of Chobe Holdings Limited.
At Kanana Nyana, that philosophy is now taking shape in the daily experience of its first guests: a small camp, an expansive landscape, and time to appreciate both.
| Rates: US$1,200–US$2,480 per person per night, fully inclusive, depending on season.
Further information: www.kerdowneybotswana.com New photography: Here Photography credit: Harry Skeggs |
