The prestigious, five-star Chobe Game Lodge located in the world-renowned Chobe National Park is at the forefront of promoting sustainable practices in Africa. Chobe National Park was Botswana’s first declared national park and the most biologically diverse – a true wildlife paradise. Chobe Game Lodge understands the current international environmental crisis and has implemented bold, creative, and innovative solutions to reduce its carbon emissions and protect the park’s most vulnerable animals. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, as the Botswana Tourist Board has awarded the lodge a full eco grading. On Earth Day 2021, Chobe Game Lodge shares its initiatives to drive positive action for our planet.
EDUCATION-THE FIRST STEP TO PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION
Climate action begins with education. Chobe Game Lodge is dedicated to helping local communities understand the causes and consequences of climate change, empowering young people to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. Their incredible Youth Trainee Development Program focuses on creating workplace opportunities for youth from disadvantaged social environments. Working closely with local primary schools, Chobe Game Lodge offers career guidance, education assistance and day trips to national parks. This gives the young children of Botswana the opportunity to experience their country’s incredible wildlife and learn the best ways to protect the natural environment.
REDUCING CARDON EMISSIONS & RENEWABLE ENERGY
In 2019, Chobe Game Lodge announced the completion of its full fleet of solar-powered vessels, becoming the only safari lodge in Africa to operate a fleet of electric boats! This revolutionary development is a testament to Chobe Game Lodge’s ongoing commitment to preserving and protecting the environment. Each high specification boat is fully customised and bespoke and cost approximately $25,000 to convert. The electricity used is entirely renewable, supplied by a solar field that was specifically constructed to provide power to on-site electric game vehicles and contribute to Chobe Game Lodges’ main power grid. Not only does this reduce carbon emissions, but the boats are also much quieter. Highly manoeuvrable, these boats are perfect for serene sunset cruises that allow the wildlife to remain undisturbed.
GENDER EQUALITY
Chobe Game Lodge is proud to be home to Africa’s first all-female guide team, where the women have become pioneering role models for young girls across the continent. How does this contribute to environmental sustainability? When Chobe Game Lodge initially opened, guiding was not considered a worthwhile career for women. Spending hours in the bush, driving through rough terrain, and navigating river cruises were deemed unsuitable jobs for women. This all changed when Florence Kagiso joined the team as the lodge’s first female guide. Florence proved that she was more than capable. Chobe Game Lodge’s management team recognised that she worked more efficiently than the men! Florence took better care of the vehicles and had a far lower fuel consumption compared to her male counterparts, thus producing less CO2. This is because male guides in Botswana excel in the thrill of the wildlife chase, while the female guides take a more relaxed approach that often leads to breath-taking surprises rather than a full-throttle chase. Today, Chobe Game Lodge’s team of all-female guides have reduced environmental damage and lowered carbon emissions!
To date, the combination of the all-female guiding team and the fleet of electric boats and vehicles has saved a whopping 96,750 litres of fuel and approximately 239 tons of carbon emissions and all of Chobe Game Lodge’s electricity comes from entirely renewable sources. This green energy is supplied either from the Victoria Falls Hydroelectric Plant or through the lodge’s solar system. With so many incredible sustainable practices, there is no doubt that Chobe Game Lodge is a true leader in sustainable tourism in Africa.
At the heart of the company is developing the human potential of tourism in Botswana. Desert & Delta Safaris’ CARES philosophy is the foundation on which Desert & Delta Safaris is built, highlighting their core values in developing human potential and building a sustainable tourism model. They employ approximately 320 staff members within the eight safari lodges and all the guides are recruited from nearby villages. The company places a strong focus on training through a highly successful skills development programme as well as focusing on healthcare, environmental responsibility and equality.
UK PRESS CONTACTS
Press or media wanting to experience Chobe Game Lodge and the incredible wilderness on one of these amazing electric boats can contact the Desert & Delta team at Storrington PR: Li Boatwright /Kevin Oddy
+44 (0) 3447364106
Li@storringtonpr.com Kevin@storringtonpr.com
ABOUT DESERT & DELTA
One of the original safari operators in Botswana, founded in 1982, Desert & Delta Safaris eight camps are set in prime locations in northern Botswana’s famous game reserves and national parks with one just across the Chobe River in Namibia’s Eastern Caprivi Strip. Together these luxurious lodges offer an outstandingly diverse safari experience whilst providing the personalised service and attention to detail for which Desert & Delta Safaris is known. Guests are immersed in a safari experience which develops an understanding of the animals, people and geography of this magnificent country.
