08 Aug 2018

Many tourists have consistently ranked their guides as being one of the determining factors of the overall vacation success.

Sehithwa-born Mr Jobe Marenga, 35, is one of the best local professional tour guides who falls within those rated excellent.

He makes one’s tour more enjoyable and memorable with his rich experience and knowledge.

He works at Gcwhihaba National Monument located 36km south east of Xai-xai in Ngamiland District.

Employed by the Department of National Museum and Monuments in 2006 as a tour guide, Mr Marenga has proved to be passionate about his job and willing to show tourists and visitors amazing things in the area. He also inspires them to ask questions so that he could go deeper into the history of places.

He brings sites to life, telling stories that are not in the guide book and giving an entertaining and informative tour. He also helps one discover things he/she would not have found on his/her own.

In an interview, Mr Marenga explained that to be a tour guide was a calling for him, as initially he wanted to join the Botswana Defence Force but could not meet the requirements.
Before joining the Department of Museum, he worked as a guide in Safari companies in the Okavango Delta and that is where he realised his potential as he gained a lot of experience.

He explained that his stay at the safaris was enjoyable and exceptional as they were practical, punctual, reliable and thrived on the unexpected, welcoming individuals or groups on business or for pleasure.

“One of the best ways to explore is on foot as you have all the time to enjoy yourself to the maximum. Experience is key when touring a destination with a guide as it allows the guide to give greater context and background,” he added.

Mr Marenga further explained that most tourists wanted an authentic experience, and that having them take part in something unique and fun gave them that experience.

However, he left the safari job after he saw an advert that the museum was looking for a candidate who studied ecology and archaeology. He tried his luck because he completed an ecology course at the University of Cape Town in 2002.

His application was successful and was employed on a temporary basis for six months before he was a permanent and pensionable employee, and his first station was Gchwihaba. Gcwihaba is a fascinating underground labyrinthe of caverns and pits, linked passages, fantastical stalagmite and stalactite formations with beautifully coloured flowstones that appear like waterfalls of rock.

He prides himself that he was the first employee to work at Gchwihaba when there was nothing in terms of developments and necessities such as water.

“I fetched water from Xaixai, but I was lucky to have stayed with some Americans who were doing research at the site on species in the area, especially birds, and also the caves. They contributed a lot to my stay and enhanced my experience,” he added.

Mr Marenga believes that a good tour guide was someone who had both local knowledge and experience of the destination. He said a tour guide should also place the safety of tourists on top of the agenda, adding that one should know how to keep tourists out of danger at all times.

The youthful tour guide seems to be enjoying his stay in the jungle, as he stays in a caravan in the middle of hills next to the caves, but he looked fine. He has no access to other services as the only service he enjoys is his Be mobile cellular phone.

The road to the area is not user friendly as it is narrow and sandwiched by thick trees.

He appealed to Batswana to visit the place and enjoy a unique ecosystem of flora and fauna found at Gcwihaba. ENDS