21 Feb 2023

Mr Kemelo Kopano of Tubu in the Okavango District is a firm advocate of the Children in the Wilderness programme.

A beneficiary of the programme, the 26-year-old professional guide is now living his dream at one of the Wilderness Safaris campsites in the Linyanti reserve. 

He enrolled in the programme in 2008 while still a pupil at Tubu Primary School and continued participating in the programme until he completed his Cambridge.

In an interview, Mr Kopano said the programme shaped his future as he learned the skills and knowledge needed to be a good professional guide from it. 

“I am also conversant with  environmental and conservation related issues,” he said

Growing up in Tubu, Mr Kopano said he was envious of villagers who worked in the tourism industry and was over the moon when he was selected to participate in the programme.

His ultimate dream, he said, was to gain more experience and eventually own a mobile safari company. 

The Children in the Wilderness programme hosts Eco Environment Clubs at schools and manages camps at Wilderness Safaris camps to afford learners an opportunity to build on their environmental education.

“I can attest to the fact that the programme presented an extraordinary opportunity for me to build a better future. 

It helped me to change opinions beyond the classroom and plan for my future career,” he said.

After completing Cambridge he saw an advert from Wilderness Safari recruiting eco-mentors, and as an ex-camper, he did not hesitate.

He studied conservation, leadership skills and field range training for four months with the Southern African Wildlife College in South Africa. 

After that he enrolled with Botswana Wildlife Training Institute to pursue his dream of becoming a professional tour guide. 

He worked at several Wilderness Safaris campsites such as Abu and Vumbra as a trainee guide.

Currently working at the Savuti campsite, Mr Kopano said the programme also helped schools to deliver quality education and local companies to offer job opportunities.

Mr Kopano  opines that the Children in the Wilderness Programme should also be extended to pupils in other parts of the country in order for them to understand conservation and biodiversity. Giving a background on the programme, the stakeholder manager at Wilderness Safaris, Mr Moalosi Lebekwe said the initiative had already benefited over 4 500 pupils since its inception in 2001.

He said the programme had enabled many young people to explore their potential and aided their progress in developing their careers and finding gainful employment.

The programme is spearheaded by Wilderness Safaris company, one of Africa’s largest and best known safari companies that has operated in Botswana for over 30 years. ENDS