The Minister of Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, Philda N. Kereng, officially re-opened both Mombo and King’s Pool, Wilderness Safaris’ Premier camps in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Linyanti Wildlife Reserve.
The ceremonies served as official Ministerial launches, following both camps’ post-renovation openings in January 2018 and July 2019 respectively.
visited both camps to better appreciate the Wilderness Safaris investment in Botswana, her people, her rich and pristine wilderness, and the communities that Wilderness Safaris is proud to call home.
The Honourable Minister was joined by a small delegation from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism. This included Permanent Secretary Oduetse Koboto, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Natural Resources), Kelebaone Maselesele, PRO Alice Kene Mmolawa and Permanent Secretary Ditiro Modibedi.
Wilderness Safaris’ commitment to sustainability, and operating with as light an eco-footprint as possible, forms part of both King’s Pool and Mombo’s dedication to the company’s 4Cs ethos of Commerce, Community, Culture and Conservation. The two are amongst nine Premier Camps in Botswana, and are the most recently renovated, with DumaTau set to re-open in August 2020 after a comprehensive rebuild.
Wilderness Safaris has invested upwards of BWP 150 million in the enhancement of their properties in Botswana to maintain, and in some cases even exceed, the high-end ecotourism product which the business has become known for, and which aligns with Botswana’s own high-end tourism model.
Philda N. Kereng Kereng, Minister of Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, said, “The experience of the Delta, including its natural beauty, variety of wild animals, wilderness entertainment, h staff and their humour has been invaluable. You have made an impression that will last a long time … Your investment framework to product development is what will keep you in the market for a long time. That investment framework should incorporate both infrastructure and human resource development. So far, what I have seen is a clear commitment to achieve only the best for your staff.”
Set in the impressively productive Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, King’s Pool overlooks a scenic oxbow lagoon and features nine luxurious thatched-roof rooms. The design and ambiance of the camp celebrate the romance of a bygone era woven through with classic Botswana flair. The Linyanti also boasts the famous Savute Channel, an ancient and sporadic watercourse that supports abundant wildlife, as well as the legendary Linyanti River.
Guests at King’s Pool can enjoy activities such as day and night game drives, scenic helicopter rides, walks and barging, as well as watch game come down to drink at the unique underground hide. A short flight away is Mombo, considered to be one of the best areas for game viewing in Africa. Mombo’s eight spacious tents afford sweeping views over a floodplain teeming with wildlife.
“Wilderness Safaris has already been privileged to witness three generations of Mombo, undoubtedly one of Africa’s foremost wildlife and ecotourism destinations. This fourth iteration of Mombo is a dream come true for the company, and as a flagship in our portfolio of camps, we continue to ensure Mombo reflects the very epitome of luxury ecotourism”, said Kim Nixon, Wilderness Safaris Botswana Managing Director.
He said, “Rebuilt in 2018, Mombo aims to celebrate our Wilderness Safaris’ Conservation Purpose – indeed, one of our greatest conservation successes was the reintroduction of both black and white rhino into the wilds of Botswana. The camps were built in such a way as to maintain Mombo’s traditions and history stretching back some 30 years, yet remodelled to the highest and most innovative standards. Similarly, King’s Pool reflects the true essence of luxury and environmentally conscious design and practice, and we are pleased to have the Honourable Minister experience this first hand”.
In keeping with Wilderness Safaris’ commitment to operating with a light eco-footprint, both King’s Pool and Mombo are 100% solar powered, with considerable investment in recent years in this and other eco-friendly practices.
