New pelican lodge targets tourists, business community

CHAKALISA DUBE
Staff Writer | Monday October 22, 2012 00:00

 

Mamasi Investment, a venture that also rents the exclusive Toro Lodge in Kasane from the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC), owns the lodge. Initially Mamasi owned Toro Lodge before selling it to BDC last year.Mamasi Investment is owned by a Nata couple, Jacob and Kebawetse Masima.

The construction of the Pelican Lodge began early last year and was completed mid this year. Pelican, which boasts 43 rooms and 77 beds, started operations on September 1. The lodge is situated at the entrance of the village a few kilometres after Nata Lodge.

'We are targeting tourists on transit to destinations such as Kasane and Maun. Though there are many lodges here, our facility boasts of new state of the facilities as well as some services that were not offered by other lodges in Nata before,' the lodge's sales and marketing manager, Katlego Solomon told Monitor Business recently during a visit to the lodge.

According to Solomon, the lodge is the first to offer a presidential suite targeting executives, honeymooners and those hosting special occasions in Nata and beyond.'All clients using the presidential suite will have all services brought to their rooms. They will also have a private bar situated within the suite,' she said.

The 43 rooms at the lodge include stand-alone chalets and twin rooms as well as rooms that cater for families.The lodge also boasts a camping site fully furnished and equipped with power point.'The family rooms are mainly targeting tourists or parents who travel with children while the standalone chalets are designed for those who want to enjoy their privacy.' Solomon noted. Individuals or those sharing can use twin beds rooms.

'We also have a fully equipped conference facility that can accommodate 200 individuals. We are trying to invite the corporate world to hold seminars, retreats and other events here through this facility. 'Corporate companies always shy away from hosting their events here because the village lacks suitable facilities that can cater for their needs,' she said.

The conference facility can host events such as parties and weddings and  also has a business centre offering services such as photo copying something rare among lodges in the village according to Solomon. The lodge also offers Internet services to its clients.

'We also have two restaurants. The other restaurant is meant for executive people and corporate events while the other one caters for almost all individuals who host events such as parties and weddings and those coming in their individual capacity,' she said.

The lodge also boasts of a fully paved parking lot and new state-of-art swimming pull. The lodge has thatched roof shades leading to all rooms.Pelican currently operate with a staff of 35 mostly working in the beverages, maintenance and housekeeping departments.

It is expected to more employ individuals in the coming months once it finds its footing. Already, though, the lodge has received overwhelming response from tourists in the northern part of the country en-route to tourist destinations such as Maun, Chobe and Kasane.'Recently we were fully booked and we had some tourists from as far as Namibia coming to our lodge which is a good sign that the business is doing well,' Solomon stated.