08 Jun 2017

In an effort to grow the safari industry and promote travelling locally, Wilderness Safari is planning to re-launch the new product dubbed Wilderness Resident Programme in suitable areas before end of the year.

The product aims to create awareness about the eco-system of the Okavango Delta and attract locals to travel to the wilderness and appreciate its beauty.

Recently, it was launched in Gaborone and the sales and marketing manager from Wilderness Safari, Mr Attorny Vasco explained in an interview that no desired results had been produced so far, hence the decision to extend it to other areas such as Maun and Francistown.

It had also been realised that the product had not reached the targeted audience as expected, he said.

He said they would start with Maun as the gateway to the delta, adding that most guests sleep over in Maun before heading to the delta.

Mr Vasco said they planned to come up with activities in Maun for the elderly and parents to appreciate what their children were doing in the delta.

He said the initiative came after they realised that most local people were clueless about the delta.

Further, he said accessibility to the delta had been questionable, hence the need to tell people that everyone could afford to traverse the delta and enjoy nature at its best.

“With our product, we want to change the mindset of people who believe that the delta is a destination for foreigners only. We want to see our citizens coming forth and enjoying their natural resources,” he added.

He said local people preferred to visit places such as Sun City and Victoria Falls while they had beautiful places in Botswana.

“People think it is expensive to traverse the delta and yet they spend a lot across the border,” he added.

The communication and public relations manager, Mr Lesh Moiteela described the product as a niche market because it aimed to bring awareness. He explained that Botswana spent over P2 million in Africa and yet they had beautiful places which they knew nothing about.

He said as a leading local tourist company that specialised in exclusive wildlife experiences with a footprint in top pristine areas in nine African countries, they intended to give more locals access to their resorts at affordable rates.

“The company is leading authentic and sustainable eco-tourism operator and exceptional hospitality in the best portfolio of camps located in some of the most remote and pristine areas in Africa,” he said.

Mr Moiteela stated that they were doing their best to ensure sustainable conservation, which he said was at risk. He said there was a lot of interest in tourism and conservation, but it was worrisome as some people continued to litter the river banks that formed part of the wilderness.

“We believe the product is ideal and could promote sustainability in conservation because we want our next generation to also appreciate the delta the way it is,” he said.

He said they were also targeting big companies such as Orapa mine, so that they could enjoy the world heritage site.

Wilderness Safari intends to reach every Motswana to understand the uniqueness of the delta, acquire knowledge and be able to differentiate it from Chobe Enclave and Kalahari Game Reserve, he added.

Wilderness Resident Programme is a membership package that comes with benefits to members, their families and guests for two years.

The company also supports a non-profit making charity organisation, Children In The Wilderness. ENDS