OUT AND ABOUT Ker & Downey introduces Maxa Camp for the modern day traveller
Ker & Downey, Botswana’s newest Okavango Delta property, is set to open yet another resort at Maxa, located upon the South-Eastern Panhandle within Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
This is a beautiful place expected to appeal to the modern generation of new travelers.
The new resort comes through a partnership with the Bukakhwe Bushman tribe who live in the Village of Gudikwa in the Northern Reaches of the Okavango. This is expected to open on 20 March 2025. Maxa is nestled under a perennial canopy of towering Ebony trees, and overlooks the permanent Maxa Lagoon.
The philosophy of Maxa centers around exploration, learning, and the freedom to be immersed in nature. The camp’s unique appearance captures this with a freeform separated lounge and dining area, set under light canvas rooves, partially enclosed by traditional clay walls.
It is ideally situated where the nutrient rich clear headwaters of the Okavango meet the meandering channels of the Selinda Spillway, an expansive network of seldomly explored seasonal floodplains. This fascinating area in the heart of the Kaza Trans frontier Park features a network of permanent and seasonally inundated channels and lagoons.
Director of Sales at Ker & Downey, Walter Smith shared that Maxa’s comfort and innovative design complement their five-decade legacy of Ker & Downey’s suite of legacy camps, suiting travelers who seek bush exclusivity, wilderness and an experience with the people.
“We are confident that Maxa will strongly resonate with our past guests and industry partners. In this inclusive partnership, we also know Maxa will appeal to the modern generation of new travelers,” he said.
The design of this camp is complemented with handmade local furniture which lends a creative spirit to the decor and lighting. The lounge and dining areas, boasts a white delta sand underfoot in between which is the camp “courtyard”, with picnic style tables for meals in the breezy shade or under the stars. In a culinary twist, a central feature of the main area is a termite mound that originally helped to form the island. Guests would therefore be welcomed to the smells of freshly baked bread and muffins from Maxa’s wood fired “oven” which will also produce other delightful meals prepared meticulously by their chef. At the edge of the camp’s riverine forest over looking the lagoon is another cluster of Ebony trees, forming a natural enclosure. This area shines with a cushioned day bed that is complemented by an elevated deck, with a suspended cargo net hammock bedecked with an array of pillows and cushions, from where guests can take in the beautiful surrounds.
The camp accommodates up to 12 guests, with their cozy tented rooms. These tents are practical, yet comfortable, with four beautifully designed stretch canvas tents on decks, comprising an ensuite indoor bathroom as well as full outdoor open air bathroom.
The Maxa family tent has two bedrooms and a shared ensuite bathroom along with an outdoor bathroom. Maxa is one place meant for relaxation as it is curated as a day of exploration through their wide range of activities. Camp excursions include mokoro (dugout canoe), guided walking safaris and nature drives (both by day and night). Activities also incorporate local cultural insights with the exploration of the natural heritage of this immensely diverse region. Access to and from Maxa will be by helicopter from Shinde airstrip, and offers a short yet exciting scenic transfer
