mmegi

Storm brews over planned lodges on Chobe River front

Pristine: Only one lodge is presently operational on the river front in the Chobe National Park. Environmentalists are up in arms over plans to establish eight more lodges PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
Pristine: Only one lodge is presently operational on the river front in the Chobe National Park. Environmentalists are up in arms over plans to establish eight more lodges PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

Plans by the Environment and Tourism ministry to open up more than 24 hectares of land at the Chobe River front for eight new lodges, have sparked objections from ecologists who say the new developments would negatively impact wildlife and the attractiveness of the prime area.

The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism has invited 100% citizen owned businesses and consortiums to submit expressions of interest for eight new tourism sites along the Chobe River front, with a closing date due on March 21.

Each of the eight new sites will be three hectares in size and successful bidders will be given the right to develop and operate facilities with a maximum of 50 rooms and a maximum of 75 beds at each site. The Chobe River front, located with the Chobe National Park, is one of the country’s most sought after stretches of real estate, being located in a wildlife rich, water-driven tourism haven with views across to Namibia.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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