Botswana wildlife and cultural adventure holiday

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION
Vegetarian and vegan meals are available daily, featuring locally sourced, seasonal ingredients like sorghum and vegetables, which lower the carbon impact of food transport. Guests are advised on reducing their carbon footprint through pre-trip guides, Accommodations, including 18 thatched Kalanga and Baobab huts, utilize solar-powered systems for lighting and battery charging, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Human-powered activities, such as guided bush walks, are offered year-round, spanning at least three days of a typical stay, allowing guests to explore the Kalahari landscape without carbon emissions. Accommodations implement eco-friendly practices, such as rainwater harvesting for the camp’s pool and gardens, plastic reduction through refillable water stations, and recycling programs for waste management, as championed by former manager Mavis Nduchwa.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
The camp restores local ecosystems by maintaining native vegetation around its 17 giant baobabs and installing bird boxes to support pollinators and small wildlife. Expert local guides, trained in ecology and wildlife tracking, lead activities like meerkat interactions and bush walks, educating guests on minimizing their environmental impact. To combat invasive species like the Asiatic witchweed, which threatens local flora, the camp promotes sustainable land practices during village visits, encouraging guests to avoid spreading seeds.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY
Planet Baobab champions inclusive employment, with 95% of its staff being Botswana nationals, of which 80% are from the Gweta community, ensuring local representation. The camp creates opportunities for marginalized groups, employing women in roles like guiding and kitchen management, and supporting indigenous San communities through cultural tour partnerships, with at least 10 local women and 5 San guides employed seasonally.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
The workplace diversity strategy promotes equal opportunities regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity, with training programs to empower local talent. The camps maximizes local economic opportunities through activities like traditional cattle post and village visits, where guests purchase crafts, such as handwoven baskets, from Gweta artisans, fostering cooperative markets. Guided tours to Nxai Pan and meerkat habitats employ local guides, who share cultural and ecological knowledge, ensuring income stays within the community. The ‘shebeen’ mess sources over 80% of its ingredients, like sorghum for traditional beer, from nearby farms, supporting small-scale producers. These initiatives align with Botswana’s Economic Diversification Drive, promoting sustainable tourism as a key economic pillar.