Entrepreneur revives ancient Okavango trail
Boniface Keakabetse | Monday April 28, 2014 15:44
Recently, the wholly citizen-owned safari outfit announced that it has begun offering tourists adventure mekoro trips on the corridor which was historically navigated by Okavango communities to connect Seronga and Maun by river.
The corridor was an important trade route connecting villages on the other side of the Okavango Delta to Maun, but lost its popularity with the introduction of road and air transportation.
In an interview, Histrokavango Safaris’ managing director, Goitseone Monnaaphuthego told The Monitor that the initiative is part of diversifying the Okavango Delta tourism product by showcasing cultural activities from resident Hambukushu and Wayei tribes.
The youthful MD said the company launched the route last year and added that they have already taken tourists on it.
“We use fully trained and experienced mokoro poolers and we have an arrangement with a recue helicopter company in case of any danger,” he said.
Histrokavango Safaris is also in a joint venture partnership with community-owned Mbiromba Camp located in Seronga just a kilometer away from the main village.
Histrokavango took over the management and the general operations of Mbiromba Camp early 2013. The takeover is a nine-year agreement during which the company will rent the camp until 2021.
Monnaaphuthego said after the takeover they began undertaking rigorous renovations to elevate the camp’s status.
Histrokavango spent close to P3 million refurbishing the Camp’s structures, including the improvement of operation and service standards as well as improved general administration.
Settled near the main channel of the Okavango Delta, Mbiromba offers overnight camping, bush tented camps, boat cruising, five luxury chalets, bush walks and full serviced restaurant and bar.