Drotsky's Cabins

Drotsky's Cabins is a family-run riverside lodge and campsite on the Okavango River, 10km south of Shakawe — in the same immediate stretch of the Panhandle as Askiesbos and Shakawe River Lodge, and sharing their fishing/birding/boating focus rather than big-game drives. Founded more than 35 years ago by Jan and Eileen Drotsky as one of the first lodges in Shakawe, it remains run by the Drotsky family today, with a stated commitment to community support (local employment, local shops and farmers) alongside conservation and birding tourism.

Accommodation is 10 wooden chalets, each sleeping two, with a private patio, en-suite bathroom (shower only), air-conditioning, mosquito nets, television, tea/coffee facilities and 220V outlets; laundry service is available on request for an extra charge. Alongside the chalets, Drotsky's has 15 shaded campsites beneath indigenous trees along the riverbank, each with 220V plugs, electric lighting, a braai grid and access to clean ablution blocks with flush toilets and hot showers; firewood is sold on site and Wi-Fi is available at the main building.

The lodge's signature activities are African birding, tiger fishing, scenic boat cruises on the Okavango River, and guided walks; nearby options include heritage rock-art sites and national park birding excursions. Shared facilities include a dining room serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, a bar/lounge with Wi-Fi, a riverfront pool and lawn, and the original hand-built viewing deck constructed by founders Jan and Eileen for watching sunrise and sunset over the river.

At a Glance - Property type: Family-run riverside lodge and campsite in the Okavango Panhandle — a fishing/birding gateway property (like its Shakawe-area neighbours), not a big-game bush camp - Rooms: 10 wooden chalets (sleep 2 each, en-suite shower, air-con) + 15 shaded campsites (power, lighting, braai grid, shared ablution blocks) - Max guests: Each chalet sleeps 2; campsite capacity not stated as a property-wide total - Children policy: Not stated on site - Key activities: African birding, tiger fishing, scenic Okavango River boat cruises, guided walks; nearby rock-art heritage sites and national park birding excursions - Facilities: Dining room (breakfast/lunch/dinner), bar/lounge with Wi-Fi, riverfront pool and lawn, original hand-built viewing deck, firewood for sale at the campsite - Power/Wi-Fi: 220V round-pin outlets and air-conditioning in all chalets; Wi-Fi in chalets and at the main building/bar; campsites have power points and lighting but Wi-Fi only at the main building - Ownership/history: Family-run by the Drotsky family for over 35 years; founded by Jan and Eileen Drotsky as one of the first lodges in Shakawe; active community-support and conservation commitment