The Covid-19 crisis has devastated the Botswana tourism industry and the local economy it supports but a new responsible tourism initiative aims to provide immediate relief for those on the ground. Desert and Delta Safaris has launched a unique safari voucher system, called the ‘Cares Movement‘ which pays $10 of every $100 spent to local farmers and communities living in wildlife areas.

While borders remain closed, futures travellers are able to make an immediate positive impact in the spirit of responsible tourism by buying ‘safari vouchers’ for discounted packages at very flexible terms. Travellers have until 2022 to use the voucher and can even transfer the voucher to friends or family as a gift. Desert and Delta will donate 10% of this revenue towards supporting conservation initiatives and local communities living around the National Parks and Game Reserves. A wide range of packages are available, see below.

Desert and Delta Safaris will be working with Botswana-based NGO Elephants Without Borders (EWB) on this responsible tourism effort by  supporting the work they are conducting with the farmers and local communities in the Chobe Enclave of northern-Botswana.

Surrounded on all sides by National Parks and Reserves, the Chobe Enclave is a unique area which carries Africa’s greatest numbers of elephant and the huge concentration of these animals and other wildlife is the brings many visitors to the area. For the local population, co-existing with this wildlife can be challenges.  Elephants Without Borders has worked on both the immediate needs and long term solutions on this issue and had significant success in facilitating positive coexistence between wildlife and people.

Desert and Delta Safaris are one of Botswana’s oldest and largest safari operators with eight camps across northern Botswana including Camp Moremi, Camp Xakanaxa, Camp Okavango, and Xugana Island Lodge in the Okavango Delta. And in Chobe national park their lodges include Chobe Game Lodge  and Savute Safari Lodge, with Chobe Savanna Lodge set overlooking the Chobe floodplains on the Namibian side of the Chobe river. A desert property complete the portfolio, with Leroo La Tau set on the Boteti river on the border of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

A number of special discounted packages are available:

Green Season Discovery (for travel Dec-March)

6 night package, choose any TWO Desert and Delta Camps

From USD 3,324 per person (Full board with flights)

Community and Conservation

This is a 6 night package including 2 nights Leroo La Tau, 2 nights Chobe Savanna Lodge and 2 nights Camp Moremi.

From USD 3,722 per person (Full board with flights)

Best of Chobe

4 night package includes 4 nights at Chobe Game Lodge with complimentary upgrade to a suite, community visit and lunch cruise

From USD 2,360 per person (Full board with kasane transfers)

Community and Conservation

6 night package including 2 nights Leroo La Tau, 2 nights Chobe Savanna Lodge and 2 nights Camp Moremi

From USD 3,722 per person (Full board, transfer and flights)

Stay 8 Pay 7

This 8 night package allows you to book 8 nights in any DDS property and pay only 7. Upgrade to 10 nights and receive a complimentary helicopter scenic flight

From USD 4, 595 per person (Full board and flights included)

And finally, by booking a responsible tourism voucher and joining the Desert & Delta CARES Movement the company will keep you in regular communication with how and where the funds are being spent and the individuals from the community receiving the tools and support.