Okavango Horse Safaris

Okavango Horse Safaris (OHS) and all our related camps make every effort towards adhering to the principles of sustainability and responsible eco-tourism practices, in accordance with the Botswana Ecotourism Strategy,. This includes the manner in which we build our camps, conduct our safaris and the attitude we display towards the environment and its wildlife as well as the local communities and the national economy of Botswana. Being primarily a horse riding operation, we have a significantly lower impact on the general environment by reducing the number of vehicles and roads in our concessions, thereby creating less air and noise pollution and reducing the scarring of the land. Our camps have a light footprint as they are constructed from canvas and plantation timber, and are mostly powered by solar energy. All electric lighting is powered by low energy bulbs, while the fly-camps make use of rechargeable lanterns. OHS is a citizen owned company, which has direct benefits to the local economy. Our offices are based in the country and wherever possible we buy local. Our cleaning products and the shampoos, soaps and lotions supplied in the tents are all biodegradable. All waste products such as glass, plastic, oils and tins are removed from the concession areas for recycling. OHS contributes directly to community initiatives through employment opportunities, staff incentives and an educational trust. Many of the products sold in our curio shop, traditional baskets and jewellery for example, are sourced from the local communities. We welcome information of incidents, events or practices that are offensive, insensitive or in contravention of generally accepted environmental laws and practices. OHS firmly believes that responsible low-volume photographic safari tourism, such as your planned trip, remains the best and most viable form of land utilization to conserve the remaining wild areas of Africa. Okavango Horse Safaris is very proud of the educational development project that we run for the children of some of our staff. This fund was first started in 2005 with a committed sponsorship from Julie Vogel and Dan and Marilyn Quayle, who had completed a safari with Okavango Horse Safaris and wanted to show their appreciation to the staff involved in furthering their children's education. The selected school is Matshwane School, in Maun; it is classed as a unique centre of excellence for the on-going development and education for the children and youth of Botswana. The school is committed to delivering an excellent education through continuous development of both the children and staff involved and aims to prepare them for a future in an ever-changing world. In line with our Educational Assistance & Sponsorship Fund, PJ & Barney Bestelink through OHS have shown a keen interest in assisting children from their staff villages in receiving an education of excellence. This opportunity is only made possible with the ongoing support and donations from guests of OHS. Since November 2005 five children have been sponsored: Sekgabo Seselamarumo: 12 year old girl. Started Grade Two January 2006, she is a bright girl who has embraced all challenges given to her and is regularly the top of her class. This is Mary's daughter who works in our office in Maun. Temogo Mothanka: 8 year old boy. Started Reception class, January 2006. This is Person and Tiny's youngest son, a bright spark of the group with a smile just like his father. Letso Tshabadietla: 10 year boy. Started Grade One in January 2006. This is the son of Oreobotswe's son from Guma, our home in the North. As a young child he was having a lot of difficulty in communicating, through this scheme he has come on in leaps and bounds, he is now much more confident in himself and one of the brightest children in his class. Susan Samaje: Started in Grade One in January 2008, she is the daughter of Len, a long-standing member of the staff at Nxamaseri Lodge. She is an outgoing character and is the most popular child in her class. Impo Seselamarumo; Starting in January 2009, Impo is our youngest sponsored child at 6 years. The youngest daughter of Mary, known affectionately to us all as 'little friend', Impo has settled in well and is impressing her teachers in the early stages of her school career. The Children have benefited from attending Matshwane and comply with our criteria for receiving full educational sponsorship.