Ker & Downey to open new Okavango Delta lodge in Botswana

Ker & Downey Botswana will open a new safari lodge, Kanana Nyana, in Botswana’s Okavango Delta on Oct. 15, expanding its collection of small, high-end camps in one of Africa’s most sought-after wildlife destinations. 

The lodge will sit in a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Its name comes from the Setswana word for “small,” reflecting the property’s intimate scale: just four suites designed to host a maximum of eight guests.

Overlooking the Xudu River and surrounding floodplains, each thatched suite will include a private plunge pool and large deck facing the water. The main lodge area will feature a lounge, bar and dining space, along with a central pool.

A small gym and in-room wellness treatments will also be available amenities rarely offered at camps of this size in the Delta.

Small camp, private safari experience 

Kanana Nyana will operate year-round and offer a range of land and seasonal water activities. Guests will be able to join guided walking safaris, day and night game drives, and boat excursions when water levels allow. 

The camp will use four-seat safari vehicles, a setup intended to give each guest more space and unobstructed views during wildlife drives. Operators say the approach helps create a more personal safari experience. 

The lodge is located in the NG27A concession, also known as the Pom Pom Concession, in the southwest of the Okavango Delta.

The area was once known mainly for water-based activities, but natural shifts in the Delta’s waterways have opened more dry land in recent years. The result has been stronger and more consistent wildlife viewing, with a mix of land and water safaris depending on seasonal conditions. 

Part of Ker & Downey’s Botswana portfolio 

Kanana Nyana will join several established camps run by Ker & Downey Botswana, a safari operator with more than five decades of experience in the country. The company is known for small camps that focus on personalized service and close access to wildlife. 

Its portfolio includes Kanana, Shinde, Dinaka, Maxa, Okuti, Shinde Footsteps and Grays Eden, spread across key wildlife regions in Botswana. 

With only a handful of suites and a location overlooking the Delta’s waterways, Kanana Nyana is expected to appeal to travelers looking for a quieter safari stay in one of Africa’s most celebrated ecosystems.