Ker & Downey Botswana

What Ker & Downey Botswana does

Ker & Downey Botswana (legal entity Ker & Downey (Botswana) (Pty) Ltd) is a luxury photographic safari operator headquartered in Maun, Botswana, operating since 1968 and part of Chobe Holdings Group since 2009. The company runs a portfolio of eight camps across Botswana's premier safari ecosystems — the Okavango Delta (Shinde, Shinde Footsteps, Maxa, Kanana, Kanana Nyana), Moremi Game Reserve (Okuti), the Central Kalahari (Dinaka), and Maun (Grays Eden) — plus two camps in Zambia (King Lewanika Lodge in Liuwa Plain and Musesenji River Camp in the Lower Zambezi). Core offerings are all-inclusive per-person-per-night safari packages combining game drives, walking safaris, mokoro excursions, motorboat activities, and specialist experiences (photographic safaris with underground hides, sleep-out decks, family safaris via the Young Explorers programme), with optional upgrades for private vehicles and specialist guides.

The company's technology footprint is operational rather than digital: a Safari Air subsidiary fleet of Cessna C208s and Airvans for inter-camp transfers, full solar conversion of camps, reverse-osmosis water systems, and the ResRequest booking platform for travel-agent reservations. Distribution is a hybrid direct-and-trade model: reservations are handled through the Maun contact centre, while international bookings are routed through dedicated trade marketing partners — Small World Marketing (UK), Andrea Hugo Associates (North America), and Michaela Soule Marketing (DACH) — plus PR support from Andrea Schnoor Communications. The customer base is decentralised across high-net-worth leisure travellers, families, photography enthusiasts, and travel advisors, with multiple camps holding five-star Botswana Tourism Board accreditation and EcoTourism certification.

Name

Ker & Downey Botswana

Legal name

Ker & Downey (Botswana) (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://kerdowneybotswana.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ker & Downey Botswana is a 58-year-old luxury safari operator running eight Botswana camps (Okavango Delta, Moremi, Central Kalahari) plus two Zambia camps, serving high-net-worth leisure travellers, families, and photography enthusiasts through direct reservations and international travel-trade partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Safari Tourism

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Tour Operators (56152)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Safari Lodges (Big Five/Game Reserves) (THAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Safari & Wilderness Luxury Resorts (THAGACAD), Safari Lodges & Tented Camps (THAAAHAC), Wildlife Safaris & Game Drives (THAJAIAB), Wildlife & Safari Tour Operators (THAKADAG)

Keywords

• Luxury safari tourism
• Wildlife safari experiences
• Photographic safari
• Walking safari
• Bush lodge accommodation

Headquarters

HQ city

Maun

HQ country

Botswana

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Safari Accommodation and Experiences: All-inclusive luxury safari experiences across multiple camps in Botswana and Zambia. Revenue generated through camp accommodations, game drives, walking safaris, mokoro excursions, boat trips, fishing activities, and specialized experiences like sleep-out decks and photographic safaris. Pricing is per person per night with packages available.
2. Booking Deposits and Payments: 20% non-refundable advance payment required within 14 days of reservation. Balance due 60 days prior to commencement. Full payment required for bookings within 60 days of programme start.
3. Specialized Services: Additional revenue from optional upgrades including private vehicles, specialist walking guides, specialist guides, Young Explorers programme, and internal flight transfers via Safari Air.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ker & Downey Botswana operates a portfolio of luxury safari camps across Botswana's premier wilderness destinations including the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and Central Kalahari, plus Grays Eden hotel in Maun and a new Zambia camp at Liuwa Plain. The company sells all-inclusive per-person-per-night safari experiences encompassing accommodation, game drives, walking safaris, mokoro excursions, motorboat trips, fishing, and specialised photographic and family programmes, with seamless inter-camp light aircraft transfers provided by its sister subsidiary Safari Air.

Product overview

Ker & Downey Botswana is a luxury safari operator with a portfolio of eight camps across Botswana's key safari regions: the Okavango Delta (Shinde, Shinde Footsteps, Maxa, Kanana), Moremi Game Reserve (Okuti), and Central Kalahari (Dinaka), plus a hotel near Maun (Grays Eden) and an upcoming camp in Zambia. The portfolio covers diverse ecosystems including permanent swamps, seasonal floodplains, riverine forests, and desert landscapes. Core offerings include game drives, walking safaris, mokoro excursions, motorboat activities, and specialized photographic and family safari experiences. Optional upgrades include private vehicles, specialist walking guides, specialist family guides, and sleep-out decks. The company operates since 1968 and is part of Chobe Holdings Group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shinde Camp An iconic tented camp on a palm island in the northern Okavango Delta, featuring seven en-suite tents, swimming pool and treehouse-style main area overlooking a permanent lagoon. Five-star rated and EcoTourism certified.
• Shinde Footsteps An intimate barefoot-luxury camp in the Shinde Private Concession offering three en-suite tents plus a family tent (max six guests), with game drives, mokoro excursions and walking safaris. Includes a photo editing suite for camera equipment.
• Maxa Camp Newly opened camp at the source of the Selinda Spillway with five tents including one family tent (max 12 guests), offering exploration-style land and water activities, guided walking safaris, cultural engagement and a library/editing workspace.
• Kanana Camp on the Xudum River in the southwestern Okavango Delta with seven safari tents plus a two-bedroom family tent; offers game drives, mokoro, motorboat, access to one of Southern Africa's largest heronries, and a Sleep Out Deck. Five-star rated, EcoTourism certified and 100% solar powered.
• Kanana Nyana Upcoming refined luxury camp with four thatched safari suites featuring private plunge pools (max 8 guests), main area with bar, lounge, dining, gym, in-room wellness treatments, and activities including walking safaris, mokoro, boating and fishing.
• Dinaka
• Okuti Camp alongside the Maunachira River in Moremi Game Reserve with five 'Masasas' plus two family units, offering game drives, motorboat and mokoro exploration; wheelchair accessible. Five-star rated and EcoTourism certified.
• Grays Eden Intimate hotel overlooking the Thamalakane River in Maun with five villas and seven cottages (12 rooms), bed and breakfast, private wine cellar, spa, swimming pool, fire-side boma, and complimentary airport transfers; used for pre- and post-safari acclimatisation.
• Family Safari Programme Family-friendly safari offering with the Young Explorers programme led by specialist family guides, age-appropriate activities and flexible schedules for multi-generational families travelling with children.
• Photographic Safari Immersive safari designed for wildlife photographers of all levels, featuring an underground photographic bunker and wildlife hide at Dinaka and a dedicated photo editing suite at Shinde Footsteps.
• Walking Safari Authentic, immersive walking safari experience led by highly skilled and professionally qualified walking guides (max six guests per guide), tracking fresh spoor and exploring wildlife habitat interaction.
• Zambia Safari Operations (King Lewanika Lodge and Musesenji River Camp) Zambia-based safari camps: King Lewanika Lodge in Liuwa Plain National Park offering grassland safari experiences, and Musesenji River Camp in the Lower Zambezi, extending the company's portfolio beyond Botswana.

Quantifiable outcome

• 58+ years operating in Botswana's safari industry
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Chobe Impact LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Company Limited by Guarantee established by Chobe Holdings in 2024 to enhance investment in conservation, community development and sustainable growth across Botswana. Primary focus on North West, Chobe and Central Districts.
• Chobe Holdings GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Ker & Downey Botswana became part of Chobe Holdings Group (a 100% Botswana owned company) in 2009. Chobe Holdings is listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange and operates multiple tourism subsidiaries including Safari Air.
• Small World MarketingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUK-based marketing and PR agency specializing in luxury travel and hotel brands. Represents Ker & Downey Botswana internationally, helping achieve brand goals and sales targets through industry influencer network.
• Andrea Hugo AssociatescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRepresents Ker & Downey Botswana properties throughout East and Southern Africa with focus on North American market. Contact for all related queries and assistance from the region.
• Michaela Soule MarketingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrings wealth of experience in luxury travel sales and marketing with strong DACH market relationships to drive targeted growth and stronger partnerships in European key regions.
• Andrea Schnoor CommunicationscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoutique PR company specializing in experiential luxury travel, lifestyle, social impact, and regeneration. Shapes authentic narratives for high-end, purpose-driven brands to drive visibility and influence.
• Travel for ImpactminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative Ker & Downey Botswana collaborates with through Chobe Impact to amplify contribution to society and environments. Part of sustainable tourism and community investment approach.
• Safari AircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary of Chobe Holdings operating Cessna C208 and Airvans fleet for bush flying. Provides seamless inter-camp transfers and Maun connections with 100% citizen pilots.
• Bana Ba LetsatsiminorOthersChildren's charity in Maun receiving monthly donations from Ker & Downey Botswana based on percentage of safari sales since 2009. Supports orphans and vulnerable children with food, clothing, and educational materials.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Natural Selection: Natural Selection operates curated safari camps across Botswana and Namibia with strong design and photography positioning. Comparable as an emerging premium safari operator targeting similar HNW clientele with distinctive experiential offerings.
• African Bush Camps: African Bush Camps operates boutique safari camps across Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia with a community-focused ethos. Emerging peer with overlapping multi-country itineraries and comparable premium positioning.

Direct peers

• Singita: Singita operates ultra-luxury safari camps including Sasakwa in the Serengeti and Grumeti reserves. Comparable as a premium-priced African safari operator with strong brand recognition, conservation ethos, and exclusive concession-based model.
• Belmond (LVMH): Belmond (now part of LVMH) operates luxury safari and lodge experiences across Africa including properties in Botswana. Comparable as a luxury hospitality brand with safari offerings targeting the same affluent international travellers.
• Great Plains Conservation: Great Plains Conservation operates luxury safari camps across Botswana (Mombo, Zarafa) and Kenya with a strong conservation focus. Direct peer in the Botswana high-end safari market, with similar private-concession positioning.
• Sanctuary Retreats: Sanctuary Retreats operates luxury safari camps and lodges in Botswana (Stanley's, Baines') and across Africa. Comparable product offering and target market, focused on upscale wildlife experiences in premier reserves.
• Desert & Delta Safaris: Desert & Delta Safaris operates multiple Botswana safari camps including Xugana Island Lodge and Camp Moremi. Direct peer in the Botswana luxury safari market with similar Okavango Delta positioning.
• &Beyond: &Beyond operates multiple luxury safari lodges across Botswana (Xudum, Mombo, Nxabega) and across Africa. Direct competitor in the high-end safari space with comparable multi-country itineraries and shared HNW clientele.
• Wilderness Safaris: Wilderness Safaris is one of Africa's largest luxury safari operators with extensive camps across Botswana (including Mombo, Vumbura, and Abu). Direct peer in the Botswana luxury safari segment, offering comparable high-end wildlife experiences in the Okavango Delta.

Regional players

• Uncharted Africa (Mombo & Vumbura): Uncharted Africa operates Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in Namibia and is part of the broader safari ecosystem. Adjacent regional peer serving the same international luxury traveller through neighbouring Southern African safari destinations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ker-&-downey-botswana

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ker & Downey Botswana