Situated in the centre of Botswana's Okavango Delta, Kanana Camp nestles among towering jackalberry (ebony) trees, knobthorn acacias and sausage trees on the edge of a permanent stretch of channel.
Kanana Camp itself has been beautifully designed with the main lounge and dining area raised on decks and forming a massive circle. This flowing main area is split into three sections: there are two comfortable seating areas, each with squishy sofas and a selection of coffee-table books. One of these incorporates the bar, which is really simply a sideboard containing a selection of spirits and wines, and a wooden cupboard housing a large fridge. (This is always fully stocked and guests are invited to help themselves.) The third part of this decking is a dining area; home to a long dining table – where everybody normally eats together, a tea station and a separate table for serving.
At the centre of Kanana Camp's circular area is a vast and impressive ancient strangler fig tree. On this tree you will find orchids and it's a haven for birdlife – so there is fantastic birding possible simply by sitting in one of Kanana's lounges!
On one side of the circle, the deck steps down to a sanded fire pit with views over the water. A swarovski scope (great for bird-viewing) is available for guests to use at the top of the steps.
The tented chalets at Kanana Camp are reached along elephant dung pathways (this is much nicer than it sounds!), and are spread out; each overlooks the channel in front of camp (Read more about the rooms at Kanana here ...).
Activities at Kanana include 4WD game drives, night safaris, mokoro trips and sometimes motorboat excursions. Kanana has some very experienced mokoro (dug-out canoe) polers and a wide variety of channels and open lakes to explore. You can also take a rod out and try your hand at fishing if you like!
For most of the year, when it's dry around May to November (see details of Botswana's weather) the emphasis at Kanana is firmly on water activities. Then Kanana, like the other camps in this reserve (Nxabega and Pom Pom), isn't a camp to come to if you are looking for first-rate game safari.
During the greener (= wetter) months of the year, around December to April, game is generally harder to see in the Okavango. Then Kanana's area is probably one of the Delta's better areas for game. It's certainly better than some of the areas further east of here. For example, when we last visited in April 2008, we were treated to the wonderful sight of two enormous elephant bulls making their way slowly through the camp, followed by a herd of impala!
Adjacent to Moremi Reserve, Kanana's environment is a mix of forests and open plains, combined with permanent channels and lush flood meadows. Lion and leopard are common, as are herds of elephant in the dry season, and several glades of tall acacia trees encourage graceful giraffe to stay in the vicinity.
Here, at the end of 2001, a huge heronry was discovered - making Kanana Camp one of the Okavango Delta's best camps for bird-watchers. Expect clouds of open-billed storks, the Okavango's only known breeding site for pink-backed pelicans, together with large concentrations of yellow-billed and marabou storks, grey herons, ibises and assorted egrets. These attract predatory fish eagles and crocodiles creating a remarkable birding spectacle (best seen in Sept-Nov – unfortunately the heronry was deserted during our visit in April 2008).
In conclusion ... 'Kanana' means “paradise” in Setswana, and generally we think that it lives up to its name. When we visited the staff were very relaxed and friendly, and the guiding was good. It's not a camp to visit for big game in the dry season – but the water activities here are excellent – and the environment very beautiful.
Ideal length of stay: Two to three nights is perfect here; during the dry season most visitors will use Kanana for water activities, and combine it with a good camps for game-viewing, like its sister-camp, Shinde.
Directions: The camp is accessed by a 25-minute light aircraft flight from Maun and then a five minute transfer from the airstrip.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: Ker and Downey
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: When we visited Kanana Camp we found the food to be excellent – fresh and very well presented.
Early morning breakfast before our activities was cereal, fruit and toast, juices, tea and coffee and porridge – with a cooked option for those who wanted it. We left before brunch, unfortunately!
The afternoon tea, before the afternoon activity, was delicious and varied – we were given mini pizzas, and some home-made and melt-in-the-mouth shortbread, along with iced tea, lemonade and tea and coffee.
On the night that we stayed, we were served a delicious dinner of roast lamb with mint sauce, proper roast potatoes, and a selection of vegetables. Dessert was Malva pudding, a traditional South African dessert, rather like a fruity sticky toffee pudding.
Guests are offered a selection of complementary wine with the meals, and house spirits are also available. At the end of every meal, coffee, tea and liqueurs are served around the fire.
The camp is able to cater for all dietary tastes – vegetarian, vegan, gluten free etc as long as they are informed in advance.
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Indoor Dining
Room service: There is no room service - this is a safari camp!
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: Soft drinks, bottled water, spirits, local beers and a selection of (generally) South African wines are included. Imported wines and spirits and champagne cost extra – and may even need to be requested in advance.
Special interests
Birdwatching: Kanana camp is one of best camps in the Okavango Delta for birdwatchers. Within easy reach is an enormous heronry, where many migratory water birds come to nest from September onwards. This is a fantastic sight with vast numbers of yellow-billed storks, open-billed storks, marabou storks and cormorants.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Botswana
Walking: Kanana camp offers bush walks with an experienced and armed guide for those guests who wish to get a little closer to nature. Usually taken in the morning (when it's cooler), these walks follow old hippo-paths through the bush and aim to give guests a deeper understanding of their environment.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for walking in Botswana
Wildlife: Kanana has fairly good wildlife sightings in the green season, including large numbers of elephant. Lion and leopard are also in the area, although they can be elusive at times, as are buffalo, impala, lechwe (in large herds) and giraffe.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife in Botswana
Children
Attitude towards children: Children are welcome
Age restrictions: 7 years and over – but guests need to check as there are certain times of the year more suitable and available for children.
Activities: Ker and Downey run a “Young Explorers” programme, for children over the age of seven. This includes a specialist guide, nature walks and children's activities. These trips need to be booked on a sole use of camp basis, or the guide can be booked as a private guide at Kanana.
Equipment: None
Generally recommended for children: We would recommend this for children aged 12 and up, unless the family opts for a private vehicle and guide.
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Communications: There is no mobile reception at the camp – CB radio is used for communications. There is a satellite phone in case of emergencies but this is not for general use.
TV & radio: None
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: Medivac is available from the camp. All the managers are first aid trained and there are full trauma kits on site. The closest doctor is in Maun which is a 25-minute flight.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: Guests are walked to their rooms after dark. There are foghorns in the rooms for use as alarms in an emergency.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in all the rooms and common areas including boats and vehicles.
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: A laundry service is included.
Money: There is an electronic safe in each room.
Accepted payment: All currencies are accepted – US$, GB£, Euro, Rand and Pula. Mastercard and Visa are accepted but not Amex or Travellers Cheques.
There a fee of 3% of the total transaction for any credit card payments.
Storks over Kanana
Willy and the others were efficient and responsive (see below). The staff were rightly proud of their basketry display and were keen to explain what the designs meant.
The tent was comfortable alth...
Kanana review
This was a good experience at the end of the trip, when we were pretty much game-d out and wanted to relax more.
There were longer breaks between activities, and more gentle mokoro-ing. We are n...
Wonderful food!
No need to have tea delivered at 5.30 as magnificent breakfast is being served at 6.00 anyway. Food superb as is the service.
Read in more depth...
Click on the links below to read sections from the Bradt guidebook which are related to Kanana.
Pom Pom, Kanana & Nxabega Read from the Bradt guidebook about Nxabega's area, its background, and the flora and fauna found there.
Useful links...
We want you to understand more about Kanana. We're also confident that a trip there with us cost you the same or less than booking it any other way, even directly. So follow the links below.
Kanana Camp own page New website for Kanana - clear text and a few good gictures
Pom Pom, Kanana & Nxabega