A team consisting of aspiring trails guides and wildlife filmmakers last week Friday finished a rare feat of crossing the Okavango Delta entirely on foot, from Xaxaba to Maun, completing the difficult journey with surprising ease and zero major incidents within 14 days. The expedition commenced on the 1st August 2026 in Xaxaba in the Okavango Delta and completed on the 14th August 2026 in Maun.
The expedition formed part of ‘The Longest Walk’, a documentary by Ledvak Holdings film/television company that aims at uplifting the livelihoods of the NG32 communities through skills sharing, workshops and trails expeditions. The Longest Walk documentary was sponsored by the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) under the Levy on Technical Devices Fund (LTDF) 2023 Open Call, receiving a grant of P999,905.35.
To recognise the incredible determination and commitment throughout this physical and emotional challenge and to mark the successful completion of the extraordinary journey, a welcome ceremony was held at Moeti Kgotla in Maun last week Friday to acknowledge the participants and the support of partners and stakeholders in the project.
Speaking during the team’s welcome ceremony, Ledvak Holdings Director Molibi Otukile said that the intention of the expedition was to equip the aspiring trails guides and wildlife filmmakers with practical training required in their fields. According to Otukile, prior to the expedition, the participants enrolled for a five days training workshop in which they were facilitated with camera operating skills.
During the expedition, aspiring trails guides were assessed on tracking, navigation, rifle handling and the ability to approach animals closer and withdraw from a sighting undetected. Otukile stated that the idea was to give trails students more walking hours that they desperately need to become trails guides and to make them more comfortable in their natural environment on foot than when driving. He added wildlife filmmaking students had an opportunity to learn from seasoned wildlife filmmakers the industry which will make them better wildlife filmmakers. Otukile noted that their intention is to host the event annually in other concessions and give communities living in those areas an opportunity to gain wildlife filmmaking and trails guiding skills. He confirmed that the second edition of the expedition will also be hosted next year.
In her remarks, CIPA Maun Acting Registration Officer, Tebogo Monowe said that beyond the production of the documentary itself, the Longest Walk represents the kind of initiative that demonstrates the potential of Botswana’s creative industry. “Projects like this create opportunities for local filmmakers, creative, technical personnel and other professionals to apply and develop their skills while telling stories that are relevant to Botswana,” she said. Monowe said that through the support provided by the LTDF they hope to encourage more creatives to recognise the value of their work, develop sustainable creative businesses and pursue innovative projects that can contribute to the growth of the creative economy.
Giving an overview of the expedition, Lead Guide, Oaitse Nawa said that the journey was challenging as the team navigated through pristine wilderness, dense reed beds, and deep-water channels. He said that though the journey was challenging they managed to complete it safely without any injuries. Nawa encouraged parents to allow their children to participate in the expedition, citing that it aims at equipping them with skills.
