Botswana’s Women Mokoro Safari Guides are empowering change

getyourguide.co.uk

In Botswana’s Okavango Delta, women are transforming the safari industry, once dominated by men. Bontle Cindy Mothogaathobogwe, a pioneering guide from the Bayei tribe of Maun, grew up navigating the Delta’s waters in Mokoro canoes. For her, guiding tourists is a way to share her culture while preserving the region’s rich biodiversity, which is safeguarded by the Bayei tribe.

The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is largely untouched by human influence, supporting diverse wildlife, including elephants and over 1,000 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles. The Bayei’s efforts help protect the ecosystem from poaching and farming encroachment.

Historically, women in the Delta were tasked with collecting materials, but now they, like Mothogaathobogwe, are leading Mokoro expeditions, reshaping perceptions and challenging gender stereotypes. Their efforts are part of a larger movement to empower women in the safari industry. Initiatives like the all-female Batswana safari guide team at Chobe Game Lodge and Asilia Africa’s Dunia Camp in Tanzania, with women in roles from guides to housekeepers, are pushing boundaries.

Mothogaathobogwe and her fellow guide Beauty are part of a small group of women challenging norms in the male-dominated safari sector. Their work, supported by programs like the Ker and Downey Women Empowerment Scheme, is helping to increase diversity and challenge stereotypes.

Empowering women in this industry has broader social impacts, fostering economic growth, improving household stability, and inspiring local communities. Mothogaathobogwe reflects, “My community sees me as an inspiration, and every day we’re promoting diversity and challenging stereotypes.”

Through their dedication, these women are not only reshaping the safari industry but also paving the way for future generations, one paddle at a time.

Photo: (c) getyourguide.co.uk

https://www.optimistdaily.com/2025/01/rowing-against-the-current-botswanas-women-safari-guides-inspire-and-empower/

Author: Sylvia Jacobs

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