What am I paying for in Botswana?
Over the last ten years, the destinations of Botswana have developed their own unique character. Tourism is the second biggest earner after diamonds and the strategic approach of the government towards high quality, low impact tourism has had a marked effect on the industry. The development of the tourism industry in the country has been tightly regulated with carefully controlled designation of camp sites and permanent lodge sites, and a strict ceiling to the number of “beds” allowed on any one particular site. In some areas only 20 people (including staff) are allowed on a camp-site. Particularly in the Okavango Delta, this policy has seen a network of very small camps (sometimes only 4 rooms).
Given lessons learned from unimpeded growth in other safari countries, this is actually a really good thing. For one, it means that the environmental footprint of a camp is that much smaller: waste is manageable, infrastructure is kept to a minimum, the tracks made by vehicles can be contained and the disturbance to the landscape and wildlife will be much less. Furthermore, from your point of view as a visitor to the area, you will be sharing your experience in this immaculate wilderness with only a few other people rather than herds of minibuses.
It goes without saying that there are cost implications to this approach. The camps are all remote and difficult to reach. The economies of scale are significantly reduced and therefore their operating costs are greater. The natural evolution is for camps to go for the luxury market and charge top-dollar. There are one or two exceptions where you can find accommodation in the region of a middle/high-end lodge in East Africa, say, but there are virtually no “budget” options.
However, unlike other destinations where top prices don’t necessarily equal the return, the destinations of Botswana offer remarkable service, standards of accommodation and, most importantly, experience. The wildlife, culture and scenery of Chobe, the Okavango, the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi are truly exceptional so you can be pretty sure that your investment will reap a serious return.
More articles that you might find helpful
Getting from A to B in Botswana
What about Botswana in the low season?
When's the best time of year to visit Botswana?
I want to visit Vic Falls on my safari
I want to see birds in Botswana!
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