Calls grow for Botswana to address tourism entry gap

The conversation has emerged alongside developments connected to Machaba Safaris, a Botswana based luxury safari operator known for its exclusive, low-density camps. Through one of its shareholders, the company has an indirect link to a new resort by Club Med under development in Tinley Manor on the north coast of Kwazulu Natal in South Africa. According to a press release, the project represents, “one of the boldest resort experiments the region has ever seen,” with the R2 billion development designed as an all inclusive destination combining beach leisure with optional safari experiences.

It highlights that the model allows travellers to sway the Indian Ocean for the bush with minimal effort, offering a seamless transition between coastal tourism and wildlife adventures. The release further points out that industry analysts say the concept highlights a structural gap in Botswana’s tourism offering. “For Botswana, this matters.

The country has long championed a high value, low volume tourism strategy, and one that has protected its ecosystems while generating enviable returns. It further read, “What it has lacked is a broader on ramp, a way to capture new visitors who might not yet be ready to commit to a week deep in the Okavango Delta but could be persuaded with something gentler before being upgraded to the full wilderness experience,” read the statement. It added that a domestically based intentionally branded resort could serve as an entry point for new visitors, channeling demand towards established safari operators while broadening the country’s tourism offering.

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