Shinde stands in the heart of the NG21 Reserve, about 6km east of Camp Okavango, 12km west of Kwara and 8km southeast of Xugana. It’s also been here a long time, and since the early 1980s has been under the ownership of Ker & Downey.
The central bar/dining area is built on raised, wooden decking on various levels, rising towards a canvas roof that’s bowed, a little like an old ox-wagon. The camp also has a swimming pool and a well-stocked curio shop.
Shinde has eight tents, of several different designs, though all in a relatively traditional safari style. Three of these have wooden poles for frames and canvas walls, built on individual, raised wooden decks and shaded by thatched roofs. These form an ‘enclave’ with its own small area of decking, which can be used together for a small group of six who seek privacy. The rest are more traditional, walk-in, Meru-style tents protected by large shade cloths. These have mesh windows and either wooden or tiled floors dotted with rugs. Inside each you’ll find a bright colour scheme dominated by lively African fabrics, wonderfully firm mattresses, bedside tables, an open armoire for clothes and a luggage rack.
Two of these tents, including the ‘honeymoon suite’ with its queen-size bed, have been built on raised wooden platforms. All have en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold running water, a washbasin, shower, flush toilet, a large mirror and the usual array of tiny bottles of lotions and potions that most camps supply these days. Outside each tent is a shaded porch with a couple of comfy chairs.