02 Feb 2022

Mogogelo Camp, a classic and peaceful tented safari camp near Moremi Game Reserve, is the newest addition to the wilderness safari camp portfolio.

Located in a private concession on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta, Mogogelo is owned by Mr Mogomotsi Motlapele, a professional guide who has a wealth of experience in the tourism industry having worked for several lodges and safari camps.

Wanting to make his dream of being self-employed and owning a safari camp a reality, he started with mobile safari in 2015 under his company Tamog Safari Tours.

In an interview, Mr Motlapele explained that the journey was not smooth, adding that the business needed dedication, passion, clear vision and hard work.

He said he entered into a partnership Sankoyo community trust from whom he leased 22 beds, that were underutilised at their Kazikini camp.

“I was very lucky as my application was successful and I managed to get a lease in 2018 and applied for financial assistance from Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) in 2019 and it was approved,” said Mr Motlapele.

Construction started beginning of 2020 and the camp was completed and ready to receive guests around October same year, he said. Unfortunately, there was no business due to the COVD-19 pandemic, and the facility only received its first group of local clients in December 2021.

Mr Motlapele acknowledged that the clients the wildlife and diversity of ecological habitats, adding that they watched different species right from the camp. He said the facility also prided itself with being the perfect location to view and photograph wildlife.

Mr Motlapele said he had established water points in some strategic areas around the camp and pumped water for the animals daily.

The beauty of Mogogelo camp is not just in the incredible scenery and wildlife, but also in the wealth of activities and experiences to be had.

Offering luxury accommodation, exceptional service and unforgettable experience, the facility provides guests a home away from home experience that is hard to find now days, he enthused.

However, Mr Motlapele revealed that running a profitable tourism business and dealing with a global pandemic was hard as some managed to survive, while some folded.

He said businesses did not collapse due to lack of a great product, but because the customer demand for their products or services were not able to bring in  enough to remain profitable.

Mr Motlapele said to run a successful business, one had to spend time working on the business and developing a marketing plan, as the right marketing strategy, was a vital part of maximising revenue, building brand awareness and managing the company reputation.

He explained that it was important for operators within the industry to find ways to stand out from rivals, promote their products as the best option for tourists as well as highlight the things that make them unique, to survive in one the world’s largest and extremely competitive industries. Ends