‘Tourism is the best conservation’

DWNP officials showing the media new tourism sites in the Chobe National Park  PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
DWNP officials showing the media new tourism sites in the Chobe National Park PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

If more Batswana are unable to enter the tourism business, this will soon be a threat to the successful conservation achievements Botswana has made over the years because the locals will not appreciate the industry if it does not make direct economic sense to them, writes Staffer THALEFANG CHARLES

The Chobe riverfront along the Botswana and Namibian border in the Chobe National Park comprises some prime real estate in Botswana. Although it is adjacent to Kasane, the area has been left undeveloped for the wildlife to roam free. The location offers stunning expansive views of the Chobe River. The famous Chobe sunsets – when the sun makes that dramatic changing of hues as it dips on the vast floodplains of the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers – are best viewed from the Chobe riverfront. There are incredible sights of the Chobe swimming elephants, hippos, herds of buffaloes, impalas, and a healthy population of birds.

Contrary to the Botswana side, the Namibian side of the Chobe River has villages and is not protected. It is a common sight to see Namibian fishermen in their mekoro fishing on the same river, something which is prohibited on the Botswana side. The animals too have learnt that the Botswana side is the safest and they do not stray far into the Namibian side. Elephants go for a drink and return to the Botswana side where they are protected.


Editor's Comment
GBV: The big elephant in the room

Sadly, the country seems not to have proper tools and the extent to which women and the girl-child are being abused is not adequately measured.Almost every week there are reports of women being attacked by their significant others and while men are attacked as well, women seem to be more on the receiving end.On May 24, 2023 news broke that a woman who was receiving support from the Botswana Gender-Based Violence Prevention Centre in Gaborone, was...

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