By Boniface Keakabetse
The Office of the President has stepped in to facilitate the provision of Daunara Camp, which is situated inside NG32 with a tourism license.
Information reaching The Okavango Express is that the camp had not been issued with a license for almost a year despite it having enrolled and paying the staff.
Majority of Daunara Camp staff come from Daunara settlement which form part of NG32 under Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust.
The camp’s operation and licensing, has been delayed thus far due to a reported land dispute with the Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community over the plot of property on which it is situated.
Exasperated by the state of affairs, one of the camp directors allegedly threatened the president’s office lately, saying that they would withdraw their investment and depart Botswana, citing the ‘delay that caused them to lose business.’
Under duress, the OP gave the Department of Tourism the order to grant the license, The Okavango Express understands. ‘’During a meeting with the OP and permanent secretaries in Gaborone, he threatened to tear down the tents and depart’’ a source told The Okavango Express.
Contacted for comment Camp Manager Bujos Moabi said: “We appreciate your interest and wanted to let you know that we are in the final stages of becoming fully operational,” We are eagerly getting ready for our grand opening, and we would be thrilled to have media organizations like yours attend. Sharing all the exciting details about our project will be made possible by this fantastic opportunity.
However, he did not confirm not deny if the license was indeed issued following the OP’s intervention.
At the time of going to print, attempts to reach the Office of the President for comment were unsuccessful.
According to the information on their website, the three owners David, Lisa, and Matt met in the Okavango Delta and quickly recognized their passion and complimentary skill sets to start a new safari company that prioritizes communities and animals.
‘’Daunara represents the culmination of a dream shared by three people with a passion for Africa. Together, they have created an ecotourism destination that represents their love for Botswana, and their commitment to not just creating memorable safari experiences, but having a positive impact on local communities.’’
The information further asserts that: ‘’Matt’s decades of guiding experience, Lisa’s flair for design and David’s business acumen have created a joint venture forged from friendship, a deep love for Botswana, and the desire to give back to the communities living on the fringe of the Okavango Delta.