Bushkid, did you miss the other couple of discussions that skimmer started recently and which I assume have been deleted?

There was a lot of vitriol directed at named agents who were being accused of ripping off tourists.

Hence my rather sarcastic early response. I wasnt aware that skimmer did reasoned argument....

@mcwomble ... research, research. ;-) If you check out posting history for Bushkid0 and skimmer/ skimmer2 (or hari for that matter) you'll see where people are actually coming from. I checked you out and know you are sincere too. From your previous posts I don't think you are in the "likes to start a fight" category and you have independent thoughts. Join in, as I am sure you have something to say behind that sarcasm. I would love to hear it and I think others who are "keeping their powder dry" (these discussions have a bad habit of deteriorating into chaos and I often avoid them like a smelly polecat, too) would as well. No irony intended, although you are supposed to smile at the "smelly polecat" comment.

LOL Kimburu. You're embarrassing me. We all make our mistakes ... LOL!

Most of the folk on these forums are very sincere, have great intentions and contribute immensely to responsible tourism. I had watched some of the earlier discussions, mcwomble, and chose to hold my peace. LOL!

To digress ...

The Botswana situation is very disturbing, and I believe will continue to harm the local industry quite seriously.

IMO, Botswana must be one of the best safari destinations in Africa (among others, of course). There are so many issues that affect the country, though, that I'm glad I'm not involved in charting the progress forward.

I believe that large parts of the delta and the northern region were monopolised by what I call mega-operators, under the banner of "conservation". While they did protect much of country from over-utilisation, they also "locked up" areas for exploiting the wealthy for the benefit of the ultra-wealthy (not too unusual). Many good and honest operations were simply wiped out, or their good intentions and conservation efforts were hijacked (I could mention one or two ...)

The local country folk saw little benefit in my view, and "foreigners" are starting to be seen as the "enemy". They then decided to start milking the market pretty thoroughly, and the normal visitor is the main target (not the select few ensconced in the high-end remote lodges - the fly-in fly-out guys). The local guys felt that they too should benefit from these "enormously wealthy" visitors, and Botswana had become a high-cost destination. Why shouldn't they also benefit from this perceived value?

I can understand their view, and sympathise. Unfortunately, their "corrective measures" may rapidly cause the collapse of their "bread and butter" tourism market, harming the very people it's intended to uplift.

The self-drive and overland market in Botswana contributes a great deal directly to the local economy (food, fuel, curios, excursions, perishable goods, tips, gifts, donations, etc.). It's contribution is probably far larger and more diverse than the "high-end" market (would be interesting to know the exact figures).

I don't want to go into details about the Botswana thing (it would pretty much be hijacking this thread), but the "corrective measures" may possibly erode one of Botswana's most important tourism markets.

I agree it's not a black and white story, Johan. Most of the local folk are wonderful, sincere, happy and welcoming people, but in the grip of powers beyond their understanding. I think the government is also trying to act in the best interest of the country, but can't see the long term effects of the current trends and perceptions.

I sincerely hope that the rest of Africa isn't heading the same direction, but I fear that it may be so.

Hi Bushkid0,

No problem if you want to tell us something more about the "corrective measures" I guess you are referring to park fees, privatisation of camp sites, ...

I would warmly welcome if someone comes with figures to see who's contributing to the local economy and who's not (or not in the order they are claiming).



Cheers,

Johan

www.ngamitimes.com

Latest newsletter has some interesting articles too....

Funny, even the NgamiTimes is reporting the Paki cricket scandal. BAN THEM!!!

Oh, that thread was obviously before the recession. No way I could afford a $100k safari these days.

It is interesting, though. The prices--even the high prices--were so much lower in 2005. Bushkid, you make such nuanced points. I think very broadly/very loosely they may apply to East African safari countries as well.

So if we want to go to Botswana, what are the alternatives to the monopolies? A self-drive is difficult, I'm too much of a planner to get to Maun and see what's available, and the monopolies market very well in the US so we aren't aware of other good outfitters. There are no reviews that I can find of the co's on the Botswana tourism site. The response is often "go mobile" but when I google it, all I come up with is a monopoly or two and some unknowns with no outside reviews. It's an expensive destination - for many reasons - and I don't want to waste my money on a subpar experience where the locals get no benefit.

Christabir,

Mobile safaris don't refer to self-drive. You can book with a mobile safari company that runs private mobile safaris to the regions of your choice (Moremi, Khwai, Chobe/savute, CKGR, Nxai etc etc.,). Camp is private, tents will be according to the level of luxury you wish (different mobile operators have various options), food and wine better than many/most luxury lodges etc etc.,