Botswana community safari vacation with local guides

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

This itinerary is designed to minimise operational carbon emissions by prioritising low-impact, shared ground transport over air travel. Guests travel throughout Botswana in custom-built 4x4 safari vehicles, avoiding avoidable internal flights. This approach significantly reduces per-person CO2 emissions compared to flying between destinations.

Human-powered transport forms a key part of the experience, particularly in the Okavango Delta where guests spend three days exploring via traditional mekoro (dugout canoes) and guided walking safaris, both of which have a negligible carbon footprint.

We actively encourage guests to make climate-conscious choices, such as bringing reusable water bottles to refill from the filtered water provided throughout the trip, and choosing locally sourced meals where possible. Vegetarian and vegan options are available daily, with fresh produce purchased en route from local suppliers to reduce the carbon impacts of long-distance food transport.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

This safari directly contributes to conservation through park fees included in the trip cost, which support the protection and management of Botswana’s premier wilderness areas including Nxai Pan National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park. These fees help fund anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and wildlife monitoring programmes.

All camping sites within national parks are private, designated areas with bush ablutions designed to minimise environmental impact. Our team follows strict “leave no trace” principles, ensuring all waste is removed from the parks and that campsites are left in their natural state.

Guests are accompanied by professional guides who are trained in local ecology and wildlife conservation, providing education on species behaviour, threats to habitats, and the importance of biodiversity. Where possible, we highlight community-led conservation initiatives and encourage travelers to support local artisans and service providers, further reinforcing the link between community well-being and wildlife protection.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

All accommodations on this safari are locally owned and operated, ranging from small family-run lodges in Victoria Falls to community-based campsites within Botswana’s national parks. This ensures that the majority of the accommodation spend remains within the country and supports local livelihoods rather than international chains.

The itinerary is designed to maximise economic benefits to surrounding communities. We employ professional local guides for the entire journey, and in the Okavango Delta we work directly with community polers’ associations, providing fair income for local mokoro polers and island camp assistants. Along the route, guests have opportunities to purchase handcrafted goods from village markets and roadside stalls, ensuring that money flows directly into the hands of local artisans and cooperatives.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

More than 95% of Bush Ways Safaris’ team is made up of Botswana nationals, with many coming from the very communities bordering the parks we visit. This includes guides, camp assistants, and support staff. By hiring locally, we ensure that tourism revenue supports community development and creates opportunities in rural areas where formal employment is scarce.

We are committed to providing fair pay (above Botswana’s minimum wage) and equitable employment opportunities regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background. Women are employed in various operational and management roles, and we engage with indigenous communities, particularly in the Delta region, to create seasonal income opportunities.

Our trips are LGBTQ+ friendly and welcome travelers from all backgrounds. While this particular itinerary involves camping and remote travel, our team can adapt elements of the trip for travelers with certain mobility or sensory limitations, provided this is discussed in advance.

Trip for a Trip Scheme:
We operate a programme where, for every group departure, we fund a day trip into a nearby protected area for disadvantaged local children. These trips are run in partnership with schools in rural villages bordering the parks, giving children the opportunity to experience their natural heritage, learn about wildlife conservation, and understand the tourism industry firsthand. This not only creates joy and inspiration for the children but also fosters future community support for conservation.