Kanana Nyana is a new four-suite safari camp opening in October 2026 on a private concession bordering Moremi Game Reserve in the western Okavango Delta. Its position overlooks the Xudum River and surrounding floodplains in an area known for both its wildlife and the characteristic mixture of waterways, islands, woodland and open country found in this part of the Delta.

The location is perhaps the most important reason for considering Kanana Nyana. Moremi and the adjoining private concessions protect an extensive area where permanent and seasonal water support a particularly diverse concentration of wildlife. Elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and African wild dog are among the species found here, while the changing water levels continually alter where animals can feed and move.

Being on a private concession immediately adjoining Moremi also broadens what guests can do. Game drives can continue after dark, guided walking safaris are possible, and when water levels permit, the channels and floodplains can be explored by mokoro and motorboat. This combination of land and water activities is an important part of experiencing the Okavango rather than simply viewing it from a safari vehicle.

Kanana Nyana will accommodate a maximum of only eight guests. That small scale has a practical effect on the safari experience as well as the atmosphere in camp. Two safari vehicles are provided and, although each is designed to carry six passengers, Ker & Downey intends to limit them to four guests. That provides considerably more space for cameras and binoculars and gives everyone an outside position during game drives.

LOCATION

Kanana Nyana occupies an elevated position overlooking the Xudum River and its floodplains on a private concession bordering the western edge of Moremi Game Reserve.

The landscape here is shaped by the annual movement of water through the Okavango Delta. Channels and floodplains fill as the flood arrives from Angola, creating seasonal waterways around areas of permanently dry land. As water levels change, so do the movements of wildlife and the activities available from camp.

The concession contains a mixture of floodplain, woodland and waterways, including mature marula, sausage and ebony trees and mokolwane palms. This variety of habitats supports both large mammals and a substantial range of birdlife. The area is also known for a seasonal heronry, with large numbers of breeding waterbirds gathering when conditions are suitable.

The private-concession location is particularly useful because guests can explore both the concession itself and the wider Moremi ecosystem while retaining activities that are restricted within the national reserve. Night drives, walking safaris and seasonal water activities can therefore form part of the same stay.

CAMP

Kanana Nyana has just four thatched safari suites and accommodates a maximum of eight guests. Each suite is individually designed and positioned amongst the trees, with its own private plunge pool and outdoor space overlooking the surrounding landscape.

The interiors use natural materials and colours drawn from the woodland and Delta landscape, with each suite taking inspiration from one of the trees found in the area. The intention is clearly to make these substantial and comfortable rooms, but the important practical detail is their relationship with the outside: large openings and private decks keep the floodplain and woodland visible from the accommodation.

The central area separates the bar, lounge and dining spaces rather than combining everything into a single room. There is also a gym, while wellness treatments can be provided in the suites. Wi-Fi is available in camp.

With only eight guests and two safari vehicles, the scale of the camp carries through into the guiding. Vehicles will take a maximum of four guests despite having six passenger seats. For photographers in particular, that is useful: there should be space to move between sides of the vehicle as sightings develop rather than having every seat permanently occupied.

The camp will operate throughout the year, although the experience will inevitably change with the Delta’s water levels. Game drives and walking provide land-based activities throughout the seasons, while mokoro excursions, boating and fishing depend upon water conditions. That seasonal variation is part of the reason the Okavango can be worth returning to at different times of year.

ACTIVITIES

Game Drives – Wildlife viewing is the principal reason for staying at Kanana Nyana. The camp borders Moremi Game Reserve in an area of the Okavango known for strong concentrations of wildlife, with lion, leopard and African wild dog all occurring in the wider Kanana concession. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe and numerous antelope species add to the variety of animals that can be encountered.

The camp has two safari vehicles and deliberately limits each to four guests, despite the vehicles being configured for six. Apart from providing everyone with an outside seat, this gives guests and guides more freedom to reposition within the vehicle when following an animal or photographing a sighting.

Predator Viewing – The mixture of floodplain, woodland and drier areas around the Xudum River supports a good range of prey species and, in turn, predators. Lion, leopard and African wild dog are regularly recorded in this part of the Delta. Sightings can never be guaranteed, but the quality of the surrounding wildlife area makes predators an important part of the reason for choosing this camp.

Night Drives – Because Kanana Nyana is situated on a private concession, afternoon game drives can continue after dark. This introduces animals and behaviour that are rarely seen during daylight and also extends opportunities to find predators as they become more active during the cooler evening hours.

Walking Safaris – Guided walks are accompanied by trained and armed guides. Walking changes the emphasis from covering distance in search of larger animals to understanding tracks, animal signs, plants and the relationship between the different habitats of the Delta. For guests who have already spent several days game viewing from a vehicle, it provides another way of understanding the same environment.

Mokoro and Boating – When water levels permit, the channels and floodplains can be explored by traditional mokoro or motorboat. These trips reveal a completely different level of the Delta, moving quietly between reeds, water lilies and islands and providing opportunities to see hippo, crocodile and animals approaching the water’s edge. Availability depends upon the annual flood and cannot be assumed at every time of year.

Birdwatching and the Heronry – Birdlife is particularly varied around the Xudum River and floodplains. The wider Kanana concession includes one of southern Africa’s larger seasonal heronries, where substantial numbers of herons, storks and other waterbirds gather to breed. Pel’s fishing owl is another species associated with the area. For keen birdwatchers this can become an important part of the stay; for other guests, it adds another dimension to time spent on the waterways and game drives without needing to become the focus of the safari.

Fishing – Seasonal fishing is possible when water conditions allow, with species including tilapia, African pike and catfish found in the Delta. Fishing is subject to seasonal restrictions and water levels and is best regarded as an additional activity rather than a reason in itself for choosing the camp.

GIVING BACK

Kanana Nyana is part of Ker & Downey Botswana, which has operated safari camps in Botswana for more than 50 years and is part of Chobe Holdings, a Botswana-owned tourism company.

The company’s stated approach combines wildlife tourism with conservation of the areas in which its camps operate and employment and economic participation within Botswana. Operating on private concessions also places responsibility on safari operators to protect the habitat and wildlife on which their businesses depend.

The small scale of Kanana Nyana is relevant here. With a maximum of eight guests, two safari vehicles and activities spread between driving, walking and the waterways, the camp is designed to operate with relatively small groups rather than concentrating larger numbers of visitors around individual sightings.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

KANANA NYANA OPENS ON 15 OCTOBER 2026 ON A PRIVATE CONCESSION BORDERING MOREMI GAME RESERVE IN THE WESTERN OKAVANGO DELTA.

THE CAMP HAS JUST FOUR SAFARI SUITES, ACCOMMODATING A MAXIMUM OF EIGHT GUESTS. EACH SUITE HAS ITS OWN PRIVATE PLUNGE POOL.

TWO SAFARI VEHICLES ARE PROVIDED, WITH EACH LIMITED TO FOUR GUESTS DESPITE BEING CONFIGURED FOR SIX.

GAME DRIVES, NIGHT DRIVES AND GUIDED WALKS ARE AVAILABLE, WITH MOKORO, BOATING AND FISHING DEPENDENT UPON SEASONAL WATER LEVELS.