Chobe Marina could miss tourism season on slow reconstruction
Pauline Dikuelo | Wednesday May 20, 2026 06:00
The four-star game lodge, which is situated on the banks of the Chobe River in Kasane, was destroyed following the devastating fire that broke out on November 2024. The Botswana Stock Exchange-listed real estate company stated in its 2025 annual report that the lodge remains closed while rebuilding works continue on site. RDC CEO, Jacopo Pari, said although insurance recoveries linked to the fire have been concluded, with reconstruction-related proceeds and business interruption claims fully settled and received, construction progress has been slower than initially anticipated. “The delays have raised concerns over reopening timelines, particularly given the importance of the peak tourism season to hospitality operators in the Chobe region, one of Botswana’s leading tourist destinations,” he said in a commentary accompanying the report.
“Construction progress has, however, experienced delays which require close management attention and clear communication, as these may affect the timing of the reopening and potentially result in the 2026 high season being missed.” However, despite the setback, the property group believes the redevelopment presents a significant opportunity to relaunch the lodge with upgraded facilities and a strengthened long-term market position. “The successful settlement of insurance claims has provided important financial support for both the reconstruction process and interim operational requirements during the closure period,” RDC added. Meanwhile, Botswana’s hospitality sector continues to face broader trading pressures, with other facilities in RDC property portfolio facing economic hardships.
The group reported that Protea Hotel by Marriott Gaborone Masa Square experienced a more difficult operating environment during the year, largely driven by reduced MICE activity and softer government-related travel demand. In travel and tourism sectors, MICE is an acronym for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions. Despite the challenging conditions, the hotel continued to perform relatively well against competitors within the market. Management indicated that a fully financed Property Improvement Plan is currently underway and is expected to strengthen the hotel’s competitiveness, particularly within the conference and business travel segments. Within the leisure segment, the group's upcoming Madikwe River Lodge project represents another opportunity to expand RDC’s hospitality footprint in a high-quality safari destination aligned with the company’s expertise in lodge and leisure operations. RDC is pinning its hopes on the completion of the refurbishment of properties to strengthen the long- term competitiveness in hospitality portfolio.
These includes the ongoing upgrades at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Gaborone Masa Square, the rebuild of Chobe Marina Lodge, the already completed refurbishment of The David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa , and new investments. The Botswana-based company added that the hospitality sector remains positioned for continued growth, with management focused on adding products capable of complementing the existing offering within identified strategic locations. During the reporting period, RDC's property portfolio was valued at approximately P6 billion, with 73% of its assets diversified across international markets. The company’s portfolio includes office buildings, retail centres, industrial parks, hotels and residential developments spread across Botswana, South Africa, Croatia, Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique and the United States.