Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
All our driver/guides are African born and bred, mostly from Southern Africa. The have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the surrounding areas as well as with the local cultures and customs. In Chobe, a local guide is hired for interpretation of local culture and traditions so as to maximise information and understanding, in turn creating opportunity, growth and sustainability for the community. The guide is sourced from the local community, specifically from the local Moremi tribes. On this trip, a very insightful bush walk is undertaken, giving insights into the local eco-system and specific ways of life of the San (Bushmen). This tribe has faced ongoing battles to maintain their heritage in southern Africa and this trip helps to bring to attention their plight as well as support their local economy. The guide for this walk is a Bushman himself.
At Guma Lagoon, clients participate in a Mokoro trip. The Mokoros are wooden dug out canoes, hand-made by the locals. As their main form of income, we support their venture and only ever use indigenous people to run these trips for us. Mokoros are also steered and propelled entirely by a “poler” who is also sourced locally, and this method of propulsion decreases any negative impact on the sensitive water environment. Clients are always encouraged to tip the polers too, adding more to their incomes. The owner of Guma is also actively involved with the department of wildlife in combating poaching in the surrounding areas. Guests are actively encouraged to make donations to help the local community. This money is used for funding for schools and sporting equipment to help develop young talent.
Overnight stays at Planet Baobab showcase the talent and ingenuity of local craftsmen. Each hut is designed and built by hand by a local with attractive exterior artwork using natural pigments harvested from termite mounds. Each hut features 2 traditional but comfortable beds made from mopane with cowhides covering on the floor, a bedside table and a paraffin lantern. This use of “green energy” (as opposed to electricity) is done throughout the campsite. Linen is provided.
In particular, a visit to Tsodilo Hills gives eco-travellers a better understanding for an almost lost art form and tribe. The Tsodilo Hills is one of the most historically significant rock art sites in the world with 500 individual sites charting thousands of years of human habitation. We make a point of sharing World Heritage Sites with clients, to help enrich their appreciation of places that have impacted us on a global scale.
Finally, a large portion of this trip is made up of guided walks on foot, thereby reducing the impact of vehicle fumes and machine noise on the environment.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
