Tsabong’s camels may soon be used for desert safaris

The Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) has been implementing tourism products around the country in order to diversify tourism products while involving the community. One of the BTO’s tourism projects are centred around the Tsabong community and their humped friends.

Tsabong is situated in the south western Kalahari Desert and is the administrative centre of the Kgalagadi District. The tiny town once relied on camels and was used by the police for patrolling as it was the only mode of transport that could withstand the desert area. As motor vehicles were introduced to the area and the need for camels lessened, they were sold in an auction in the late 1990s. The auction caused much interest. Some people merely wanted a chance to ride a camel, some were wanted for commercial use.



But the local community protested against the auction as they didn’t want their children to grow up without knowing that camels were a significant part of their culture and history. These “diamonds of the Kgalagadi”, as they were referred to, had been used by their community for decades. There was also the possibility that camels could attract tourists to the area and could be used for desert safaris. So some camels were kept by the community.


The BTO has partnered with the Tsamama Community Trust and the government to develop the project, which involves the use of camels and the desert for tourism purposes. The name of the Tsamama Trust is derived from the three villages that have worked together under the BTO to use the camels as a tourist attraction. The camel park is located on the Tsabong-Sekoma road and is easily accessible to tourists.

Bulu Bulu

Speaking at a press conference in Gaborone recently, BTO Chief Executive Officer, Myra Sekgororoane said that the project will be taken to other communities in the Kalahari where it will be replicated. Sekgororoane said that once the park is fully operational, the BTO will look into camel safaris.

Experts from the Kenya Camel Association have lent their advice to the operation. Kenya has well-developed activities around camels. The Kenyan consultants have taught the community about the importance and good utilisation of camels and have showed them other uses of camels, such as milk and meat.


TSABONG TOURISM OFFICE - Tel: +2676540833

 Camel safaris are a great way of exploring the unknown barren land of the desert and all its beauty. Their long strides and strong humps make the camel ride a fast and fun experience. But it is important that camels are trained and treated well. While camels are generally sweet and docile, they can become stubborn and angry if they are ill-treated.

These desert animals with their big brown eyes and long eyelashes are able to survive in very harsh environments where there are high temperatures, cold winters, water shortages and poor pastures. They have an amazing ability to efficiently use their minimal available resources the harsh environment provides and travel long distances through the heavy sand dunes that cover most of the landscape of the Kgalagadi. Able to live without water for a month and giving birth after 15 years of gestation, a camel’s lifespan matches a human’s.

Tsabong

If you’re a beginner who is considering going on a camel desert safari, here is some ‘camel language’ to prepare you for the ride:

To get the camel to kneel so you can get aboard, you say “hoosh”. For the camel to start moving, you say “walk up”. And, finally, although the camel might have no problem walking to a desert’s end, you might need a break. So say “stand up” to get the camel to stop.



This news article was adapted from Adventure Safaris and pictures from Tsabong Facebook fan page.

Mokoduwe go tsoswa o o itekang

Do not despise these small beginnings for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.

Tsabong : Your world at home ~the bridge to Paradise!!!

Dumelang Bagaćona!!!

Tsabong is a small urban village/town located in the far south western part of the country. It functions as the administrative town for the Kgalagadi District.
"Tsabong" is derived from the original word Tshabong which literally means "the place of refuge" or Botshabelo in Setswana. It is also known locally as "TSB" or "Take Super Before" by it's youthful generations.


LOCATION

Tsabong is located at Latitude -26.010 and longitude 22.400. TSB is few minutes drive from the South African border at Mc Curthy's Rust border post and is accessible by road from South Africa and Namibia. There is also an air strip, (The Tsabong Airport) with international code of TSY.


Tsabong lies directly within the Kgalagadi Desert. Tsabong's landscape is highlighted by peach glowing/sandy brown desert patterns, with few gravel deposits.


LANGUAGE
The official languages of Botswana are English and Setswana. Therefore the two languages are widely spoken in Tsabong. Due to it's uniqueness and various tribes, English is widely understood and ranks alongside Setswana as the language of commerce, also Afrikaans, Otjiherero, and Nama are part of the town's everyday lifestyle.

THE PEOPLE

The Ovaherero women and man in Tsabong.

Tsabong houses the four main ethnic groups being, the Nama which are believed to be the first inhabitants of Tsabong. They are currently settled on the western part of Tsabong at Matlhatlhaganyane ward and they speak their indigenous Nama language which is a dialect of the Khoi-san languages.


The Ovaherero which occupy the North Western Tsabong,and the current Herero Ward. 


The Batlharo on the Northern to the eastern Tsabong and they literally speak Setlharo (Setswana) and


The Afrikaners or Caucasians in the southern part who speak Afrikaans.


Tsabong is one example of a rare town that has experienced peace over a century in an African state though occupied by different people of different races¹. This also makes it one of the safest towns in Botswana as the crime rate is very low.


CLIMATE OF TSABONG
Tsabong is located on the mighty Kgalagadi or Kalahari Desert which stretches from Namibia, South Africa and covers almost three quarter of Botswana.Therefore, Tsabong is completely in a desert with a maximum rainfall of almost 250mm annually in a blessed year. The temperatures can soar as high as 40°C in summer and as low as - 4°C in winter nights.

Camels are part of Tsabong's lifestyle

Tsabong experiences four seasons, Winters from May to July, Autumn from August to October, Summer from November until end of January and Spring on February until end of April.

Gemsbok (Dikukama) at Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park

As the administrative town of Kgalagadi, Tsabong has all the necessary major amenities, resturants, night spots, churches and a accomodation facilities.It is also a gateway to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Mabuasehube Game Reserve.


For more information, please do not hesitate to contact the administrators of this page at tsabong@gmx.com. Your comments are highly appreciated

tsabong@gmx.com

I JUST HOPE THIS BLOG POSTS MAKES YOU MISS HOME!!! O YA LENG GAE KANTE...?


There are so many tribes in Tsabong... but if you once lived in Herero or Kgothu ward, you will definitely agree with us when we say this guy looks like AFOMBO!!!


I am aslo glad to share this picture with you all, can someone tell me where in Tsabong was this picture taken..?

Welcome..!!! Amogelesega wa ga etsho o ikutlwe hela o le ko gae...

This is our one stop station when we will get to know about all the latest and current affairs taking place in Tsabong... actually from Kokotsha to Rappelspan....