20 Aug 2026

Botswana tourism industry is taking another significant step towards enhancing tourism appeal and diversifying products with the Second Astro-Tourism Training Programme, scheduled to take place from August 24 to 25, at the Okavango Research Institute in Maun.

Organised by Career Dreams Centre in collaboration with Botswana International University of Science and Technology the training is designed to build the capacity of tourism professionals with a particular focus on professional, assistant and student guides, who are interested in developing competencies in night-sky interpretation.

The training will focus on developing practical competencies in night-sky interpretation, identification and interpretation of constellations, introduction to Stellarium software and astronomical observation, telescope setting and alignment, stargazing activities, astronomy storytelling as well as linking astronomy with tourism and cultural interpretation.

Career Dreams deputy principal, Ms Lorato Daniel, told BOPA that the programme came at an important time when the tourism industry was seeking innovative ways to diversify tourism offerings and provide visitors with experiences that went beyond the traditional daytime safari.

Through the training, she said they intended to advance professional night sky interpretation noting that safari guides were the storytellers and interpreters of Botswana’s tourism experience and that their ability to explain wildlife, landscapes, culture and the natural environment played a significant role in shaping visitors’ experiences.

“By adding astronomy and night-sky interpretation to their existing knowledge, guides can become more versatile tourism professionals capable of delivering experiences throughout the day and into the evening,” said Ms Daniel.

Botswana, is internationally recognised for its wildlife, wilderness areas, cultural heritage and world-class safari experiences, however, the country’s tourism product, has the potential to offer visitors much more.

Training skills will therefore, enable guides to confidently introduce visitors to the wonders of the Botswana night sky.

Ms Daniel appreciated that astro-tourism provided an opportunity to extend the safari experience into the night stating that after a day of wildlife viewing, visitors could be introduced to the spectacular night skies through guided stargazing, constellation identification, astronomy storytelling, indigenous knowledge of the sky and telescope-based observations.

“This creates an opportunity for tourism operators to develop new experiences that complement existing safari activities while providing visitors with another reason to remain engaged with the destination after sunset,” she added.

Furthermore, she noted that astro-tourism not only capitalised on the increasing interest in space exploration and astronomy but also represented a sustainable tourism model.

With a focus on rural and remote areas, she said astro-tourism could stimulate local economies by promoting conservation and creating jobs as well as contribute to longer visitor engagement, increased tourism activities and new opportunities for tourism businesses and communities.

She also stated that the development of astro-tourism could not be achieved by one organisation alone, it required strong collaboration between tourism businesses, training institutions, government agencies, professional associations and communities.

“Therefore, the training will also engage key stakeholders within Botswana’s tourism industry, including the Botswana Guides Association, Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana, Botswana Tourism Organisation, Botswana Wildlife Training Institute and Destination Tourism Organisations. 

Their involvement will provide an important platform for dialogue on the future of astro- tourism and how it can be integrated into Botswana’s wider tourism development strategy,” said Ms Daniel. ENDS