- ESV stand to revolutionise Safari experience, operational costs and sustainability
- Prototype conquers Chobe rugged, sandy and hot conditions
- Covers 1190 kms with 581 Kwh of electricity at a cost of P 523
- Saves the environment 540 kg of CO2 emissions.
A first ever all electric safari vehicle prototype in the continent is being trialed by Chobe Game Lodge in the Chobe National Park to determine its capabilities in handling the rugged terrain of the area.
Chobe Game Lodge, under the portfolio of Desert and Delta Safaris – a subsidiary of Chobe Holdings Limited has through a partnership with Thula Solutions taken delivery of the first ever all Electric Safari Vehicle (ESV) prototype in Africa for trials. This as the Lodge looks to acquire the production vehicle when completed early next year.
Chobe Game Lodge, known for its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, and having first championed e-mobility in safari with diesel to electric conversion technology that saw the launch of the first electric game viewers and electric boats a decade ago – is to further revolutionise the safari experience while ensuring both environmental sustainability and operational cost reduction with the new ESV.
The vehicle has already made admirable successes during the ongoing trials, proving to conquer the rugged and sandy terrain effortlessly and with great comfort. Chobe Game Lodge General Manager Johan Bruwer has revealed plans by the lodge to acquire the production vehicle early next year, following the current trials of the prototype.
Early positive reviews by Bruwer as of this week show the vehicle has so far covered almost 2000 kilometres, 69 hours of driving, used 540-kilowatt electricity at a cost of only P 523 – saving a staggering 540 kg’s of carbon emissions and without any incident. In comparison, using a fossil fuel powered game viewer for the same distance and time would have cost 238 litres at a cost of P 3790, Bruwer said.
“Our guests have all reacted positively on the effortless silence and smooth game drives this vehicle offers with incredible immersive safari experienced. Chobe, I known for its thick, sandy terrain and hot conditions and not once have got stuck. We have also found the liquid cooling to work very well for the drive terrain,” Bruwer revealed.
Considered a game changer in safari experience, – the Thula ESV eliminates noise and vibrations while ensuring environmental sustainability through zero carbon emissions. Further, the vehicle will transform game drives and immerse guests in unforgettable wildlife experiences.
The vehicle comes with a 65kWh battery pack that has with a range of 180 – 210 kilometres, it’s an all-wheel drive with dual 150kWh electric motors, 6 hour 0 -100% charge time and independent rear and front suspension.
Meanwhile Bruwer, who has been at the forefront of Chobe Game Lodge’s safari e-mobility program for over 10 years now, having pioneered the diesel to electric power conversion of game viewers and the use of electric boats – some fully solar powered has expressed his trust on Thula’s new technology following the tests so far.
As this will be an upgrade from the current electric conversion technology and diesel-powered vehicles in use at the lodge currently, the vehicle brings advanced features enhancing guest experience, reduce operational costs and advance environmental sustainability.
The new all electric safari production vehicle that the Lodge expects to take delivery of early next year, will be an update of the technology currently used and a game changer to overall guests’ safari experience and on operational costs
The prototype will complete its 6 months trial period at the end of the month, and will be taken back to Thula Solutions factory in South Africa where the production vehicle is in the process of manufacture and may well reach the market early next year.
*Thula’s comparison: ESV versus fossil fuel powered Game viewer
The Thula Electric Safari Vehicle has been purpose built to change the loud diesel engines, high fuel bills, and maintenance headaches that come with original game viewers. “Designed for rugged environments and the daily rhythm of lodge operations, it delivers quiet, emission-free game drives that enhance guest experience while cutting costs dramatically.”
Comparison Analysis – Thula ESV versus Diesel Powered game viewers used at Chobe Game Lodge.
Using conservative assumptions – 21,900 km per year (~60 km per day), Botswana diesel and electricity prices as of September 2025, and a 5-year financial horizon-the results speak for themselves:
Running costs per km fall by 85% when charging the Thula ESV through the grid and up to 99.6% when charging through existing solar. Lodges save ~P68,000 – P79,000 per vehicle per year. Over five years, the ESV delivers ~P280,000-P324,000 in present-value savings (discounted at 7% and before factoring residual value).
The Thula ESV requires far less upkeep than a diesel vehicle. There’s no engine, traditional gearbox and transfer case, or exhaust system to service-just a simple reduction gearbox with periodic oil changes. Service item: Oil change for the electric motors. Interval: First at 15,000 km, then every 60,000 km. Fluid: DEXRON-VI oil, priced at P188/litre. Usage case: At ~23,000 km per year, this works out to roughly 3 services in 6 years. Since each service uses ~2 litres per motor, we assume about 2 litres per year on average. That means annual maintenance costs for the ESV are just ~P376, a fraction of what a Land Cruiser spends on regular services, filters, and consumables.
*These cost comparison analyses were provided by Thula Solutions.
