Corporate Social Investment

Chobe believes in creating shared value through our integrated approach of investing in wildlife, investing in people and investing in Botswana. We do this by developing meaningful and longstanding relationships with communities, organisations and programmes in line with the values of Vision 2036. Where possible we partner with Travel for Impact and others to amplify our contribution to society.

The past year has seen Chobe setting the conditions for the continued deepening of relationships with our partners in all three spheres, meeting the needs of our core projects and working to understand their future needs.

In 2024 Chobe registered Chobe Impact Limited, a Company Limited by Guarantee, to enhance our impact on the communities and wildlife in which we invest.  Geographically the primary areas of support are those areas in which the group operates, North West, Chobe and Central Districts of Botswana although wider support is provided where appropriate.

Chobe Impact is a dedicated initiative focused on fostering sustainable development and positive change within Botswana. Through collaboration with local communities, businesses, and stakeholders, Chobe Impact aims to address socio-economic challenges, promote environmental conservation, and enhance the overall well-being of the region. By leveraging resources and expertise, the initiative strives to create lasting benefits that resonate across Botswana.

Listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange, Chobe encourages broad-based participation in both Botswana’s tourism and financial markets.  We are dedicated to our corporate citizenship activities, responsible business practices and shared value proposition.  We are committed to ensuring that all revenues are remitted to and income taxed in Botswana.

By investing in people, both staff and communities, we have developed an innovative and integrated corporate social responsibility programme which is coupled to community development initiatives, where possible in support of government programmes.

Bana Ba Letsatsi

Bana Ba Letsatsi offers a range of programs to support, encourage, rehabilitate, and empower children who have been orphaned, or are at risk of being failed by adults, adult-driven systems, and institutions. The Centre assists children with programs implemented in line with their needs, including: counselling, home visits, skills development, informal education, reintroduction to formal education, daily meals, clothing, shelter, transportation, medical attention, and hygiene facilities. Bana Ba Letsatsi currently serves 145 children.

Ker & Downey Botswana and Bana Ba Letsatsi have a long-standing relationship of over ten years that sees the company spending a minimum of BWP 250,000 annually on operational costs for the organisation. This is made possible by the company’s family package that has been designed to contribute towards funding Bana Ba Letsatsi. This support has been a fundamental to the on-going, much needed operations of Bana Ba Letsatsi.

Ker & Downey Botswana offers added value to Bana Ba Letsatsi children in the form of offering tourism experiences to the children with all costs covered by Bana Ba Letsatsi. This is a once in a lifetime experience and a chance for the children and staff to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the Okavango Delta. Additionally, Ker & Downey Botswana has provided employment to some of the beneficiaries of Bana Ba Letsatsi when they have graduated from the Centre.

Maun Business Collective

In response to a perceived need for small business development in Botswana widely, but more particularly in the North West District, Chobe partnered with Barefoot Business deliver the Maun Business Collective developed business skills alongside providing a networking opportunity for small businesses over a six-month period.

Vocational Scholarship Programme

In 2023, Chobe partnered with Palms for Life to sponsor ten young people from underprivileged communities for vocational training in hospitality. The program aims to help them start careers in tourism and hospitality. Of the first cohort, which completed the program, seven were employed at Chobe’s properties. Following this success, a new group of ten participants from Qangwa, Xaxa, Tsodilo, Nxamasere, and Kajaja communities have been enrolled in the second cohort.

Schools Environment and Conservation Education Awareness Programme

In partnership with Rajala Peo, a non-profit organization, Chobe has contributed to the implemention conservation and environmental awareness programs in schools through the Junior Rangers and Aflatoun programmes.  These programmes educate children on environmental care, leadership, and sustainable resource use and have been implemented at Sedie, Tsodilo Junior Secondary Schools as well as the Mathiba I and Letsholathebe Primary Schools in Maun.

This programme enhances learning in schools by providing students with practical skills that complement their classroom education by educating young children about nature, fostering a positive relationship with their environment to encourage stewardship as well as learning about sustainable ways to utilize natural resources to improve livelihoods.

Support Access to Quality Education and Learning

Through the Ministry of Basic Education’s Adopt a School initiative, Chobe continues to invest in our children and has adopted eight schools (Tsodilo, Sedie and Chobe Junior Secondary Schools, Mathiba I, Letsholathebe, Kavimba, Kumaga and Nxamasere Primary Schools) situated across northern Botswana providing additional resources to enhance educational outcomes.  During the 24/25 Financial Year Chobe has committed over BWP 4,000,000 to these schools through the provision of learning resources, infrastructure and the facilitation of extra-curricular activities to enhance learning in schools, train teachers and recognise top achievers through excellence awards.

This investment has been supported by both Abaricom and Canon Botswana, once again highlighting the importance of partnership in achieving our investment goals.

Women’s Glass Project

A group of women started this small enterprise to sustain themselves and their families. They recycle used glass into decor products and accessories, selling them to tour operators. Chobe supports the project by providing space at the Sedia Hotel and providing water and electricity to support their enterprise.

Polokong Elderly Care Centre

The Polokong Elderly Care Centre provides vital care for the elderly in Maun and nearby areas. Daily activities include cleaning homes, feeding, transportation to healthcare, and psychosocial services. Chobe makes a monthly contribution to support their important operations.

Monitoring and Maintenance of The Makgadikgadi National Park Wildlife Fence

To address the significant impact of human-wildlife conflicts experienced by both our communities and the wildlife that coexist with them,  recognising the extent of this challenge and the concerted mitigation efforts required from all parties and stakeholders, Chobe has partnered with WILDCRU, a wildlife conservation organisation operating in the Boteti area.

This partnership aims to monitor and maintain the Makgadikgadi National Park fence to reduce incidents of human-wildlife conflict. WILDCRU is funded to repair damage to the electric fence and gather data on wildlife movements within the area, sharing this information with farmers to raise awareness. The fence serves as a barrier, separating wildlife from communal lands and is one of several measures implemented to mitigate and reduce the escalation of human-wildlife conflict in the region.

Chobe also funded WILDCRU to collar four lions in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The project aims to monitor lion movements and behaviors, with data helping future efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict.

The Peter Smith University of Botswana Herbarium at the Okavango Research Institute

Chobe funds the Peter Smith University of Botswana Herbarium (PSUB) at the Okavango Research Institute to digitize data on the wetland plant species and traditional medicinal plants cataloged by Peter Smith.  This project aims to preserve and make the data publicly accessible for education and awareness and. once completed, the digitized data will be shared with Nhabe Museum.  Additionally, Chobe has supported the development of an educational poster set to provide an insight into the Okavango Delta.

Nhabe Museum Refurbishment Project

The Nhabe Museum is an important community asset in Maun with the potential to enhance the village’s tourist offering.  To support this Chobe has provided over BWP 500,000 to refurbish the museum in two phases.  The first phase, which was officially launched by the Batawana Paramount Chief Kgosi Tawana Moremi, was the redesigned Nhabe Museum Monument with the second phase the maintenance of the main building including the installation of display cabinets nearing completion.

Chobe will continue to work with the museum as it enhances its offering in partnership with other organizations, such as the Okavango Research Institute, to give it the vibrance required to uphold its role in promoting and preserving regional culture.

The Kavimba Museum

The Kavaimba Community has had a longstanding relationship with Chobe Game Lodge, focused on promoting Subiya culture and eco-tourism. During the year, Chobe has supported the Kavimba Community Museum by funding its efforts acquire artifacts and display cabinets.  Chobe will continue to support this evolving project.