Footsteps in Africa - Sustainable Tourism
Footsteps in Africa is committed to Sustainable Tourism Practices; including management systems maximising social, economic and cultural benefits to the local communities whilst conserving the environments we operate in.
Our camps and lodges are owner-operated – by people committed to the resources and cultures of Botswana.
Delta Camp - one with nature!
Delta Camp, Oddballs’ Enclave and Oddballs’ are amongst the most environmentally friendly safari camps anywhere, confirmed by the findings of the pilot project for EcoTourism Standards in Botswana.
Oddballs' Enclave
HERE ARE SOME OF THE PROJECTS THE FOOTSTEPS IN AFRICA CAMPS AND LODGES ARE INVOLVED WITH:
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Predator Project at Grasslands Bushman Lodge
Grassland Safari Lodge is situated on the western side of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. On our western, northern and southern sides of our game area we are surrounded by cattle ranches. Predators move from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve to these cattle areas on a very regular basis because of easy prey and water. Farmers in Botswana are allowed to shoot predators that hunt their livestock at random.
We therefore have decided to work hand-in-hand with the Department of Wildlife and save these predators. Problem predators are captured and kept in semi-captivity at Grassland Safari Lodge in 11 ha camps and we are working on a solution to save these predators. The animals are shown to guests as an activity at no extra cost.
The purpose of having the predators is thus not only to save them from a certain death but also to educate visitors about their dilemma and what projects such as these can do to improve the gene pool of predators in Botswana and to save the rare species such as cheetah and wild dog from extinction.
The predators are fed on donkey meat which is bought from local people all over Botswana. This has the added advantage of supporting the local communities. Donkeys are hugely over-populated in Botswana and pose a severe threat to road safety.
At the moment Grassland Safaris has lions, wild dogs and leopard.
Our intention is to re-introduce the predators back into the wild and to breed with the wild dogs and cheetah. Especially in the case of wild dogs, which are under constant threat of canine diseases such as distemper from local dogs in the villages, it is extremely important to maintain a healthy population by breeding in semi-captivity in order to re-introduce them to the wild.
Currently the project is not sponsored but in future, contributions to maintain this valuable program will be much appreciated.
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Fly Camps
Footsteps in Africa remains committed to providing quality accommodation at a very affordable price, whilst providing a quality game experience. To this end we are launching a whole new concept in Fly Camp Safaris and have partnered with leading independent mobile operators in Maun.
It is a core belief of Footsteps in Africa that citizens must greatly benefit from tourism in Africa if conservation is to succeed.
Like so many things in life the best ideas are always borne from a group of friends sitting about and deciding to make a change.
The Fly Camp safaris are presented by Footsteps in Africa, background support is provided by Peter Sandenbergh of Lodges of Botswana - who needs no further introduction.
But the folks doing all the hard work are a group of dedicated Botswana citizens. They all also share some other common traits:
•Passion for Botswana
•Many years of service to leading safari companies in Botswana
•A desire to make a meaningful contribution to the tourism sector in Botswana.
