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.