Botswana family safari holiday

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

All three accommodations in the itinerary are powered using renewable means. Both Mokolwane and the Golden Africa camp are powered by solar panels and Palm River Hotel but solar panels and hydro electric power.

Human powered activities are possible during the trip. At Mokolwane walking safaris are possible as well as mokoro trips (a traditional type of dugout canoe) and in Victoria Falls at the Palm River Hotel walking and bicycle tours are possible to explore the surrounding area.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

The operator behind Mokolwane Camp has decided that 1.5% of every guest’s stay at their camps is committed to regional conservation and community outreach initiatives. Over and above the 1.5% contribution, Natural Selection have introduced a per person per night Conservation, Community and Reserve Fee. This non-refundable fee secures funds that are crucial to the areas of operation for protecting wildlife, wildlife habitat, supporting communities as well as managing reserves and concessions.

Since 2016 they have funded the development, implementation or continuation of 98 conservation and community initiatives: 61 in Botswana, 33 in Namibia, 3 in South Africa and 1 in Madagascar. 64 of these are community outreach and 34 wildlife conservation.

The Golden Africa Camp luxury roving camp is likely to be set up in the Moremi Game Reserve during this trip and thus supports the continued protection and maintenance of this vast reserve for important wildlife.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

One of the projects that you support by carrying out this trip and staying at Mokolwane is the Elephant Express Buses. Which provides safe transportation for school children and clinic patients through an elephant migration corridor. So far three buses have been provided joining up with EcoExist and the Okavango Community Trust to launch the ‘Elephant Express’ in January 2020. Insurance is being sponsored by SATIB and the Botswana Insurance Company. Transport will be available through the ‘elephant highways’ identified by EcoExist’s ongoing research in the area. Children from Eretsha, Beetsha and Gunotsoga schools will be safely transported to and from school, and patients heading to Gudigwa, Seronga and Beetsha clinics will be provided with transport during the school day.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Palm River Hotel formed the PHG Foundation in 2022, combining years of successfully completed community projects by Ilala Lodge Hotel together with the like-minded and dynamic employees of the Palm River Hotel. The PHG Foundation forms a passionate committee endeavouring to bring about meaningful and practical solutions to aid the local community of Victoria Falls.

The PHG Foundation has completed multiple community and responsible tourism projects covering environmental preservation, recycling, community support, wildlife protection, local fundraisers and numerous other initiatives that aid the community and preserve the rich cultural heritage of Victoria Falls.