An environmental, product and experience overview: Ker & Downey Botswana

Kim Nixon

Chief Operations Officer, Chobe Holdings (owners of Ker & Downey Botswana)

Rooted in a childhood deeply immersed in nature and driven by a lifelong fascination with wild places, Kim Nixon pursued formal studies in nature conservation before embarking on a career that has spanned more than three decades across Africa. His journey began in the mid-1990s as a luxury overland safari guide in Botswana and Namibia, and he steadily rose through the ranks of the ecotourism industry. Kim’s career has been shaped by a deep-rooted passion for conservation, wilderness, and people—an ethos cultivated from early explorations of South Africa’s wild landscapes.

He has held a wide range of senior leadership roles, including guiding, international sales, product development, and operations management. His work has consistently driven growth in guest numbers to Africa’s wilderness areas and involved managing complex tourism portfolios that balance ecological integrity with exceptional guest experiences. Throughout his tenure, Kim has spearheaded the development of new lodges and the revitalization of existing ones, led initiatives to elevate guest experiences, and championed community support and conservation-focused programs across Botswana. His strategic expertise spans mobile safaris, lodge operations, tour operating and corporate social investment, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and meaningful community engagement. Kim’s leadership continues to inspire innovation and deliver lasting impact in the ecotourism sector.