In the Maun Business Tradings WhatsApp Group, there is a debate currently ongoing about community participation in tourism development either through campsites or lodges and having leased concession areas. The debate is surrounding community participation in Botswana’s tourism sector have sparked concern, with some suggesting that local communities and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) are not involved in developing or operating lodges and campsites in concession areas.
However, this claim overlooks significant and well-documented community contributions across various parts of the country. While it is true that many communities do not yet fully benefit from their involvement—largely due to reliance on private sector partnerships—their role in the tourism landscape is undeniable and growing.
Several community trusts are successfully operating campsites, lodges, and leasing out concessions, proving that communities are not just passive observers but active stakeholders. For instance, the Khwai Development Trust manages thriving campsites within the NG/18 concession area, offering visitors immersive experiences in wildlife-rich areas while generating income for residents.
Similarly, the Mababe Zokotsama Community Development Trust operates campsites in NG/41, contributing to both economic development and conservation. In the NG/34 and NG/33 concession areas, the Sankoyo Tshwaragano Management Trust (STMT) has gone further, running both campsites and lodges. These community-driven ventures are critical to rural livelihoods, helping fund education, infrastructure, and health initiatives from the proceeds of tourism.
Moreover, communities are also tapping into strategic partnerships. The Okavango Community Trust (OCT), which oversees NG/23, has leased its concession to Wilderness Safaris, one of Botswana’s premier tourism operators. This arrangement brings steady income to the community while exposing them to industry expertise and operational standards. Other trusts following similar models include the Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust (CECT), Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust, Paleka Trust, and the Nata Conservation Trust. The Nata Trust is a notable example, with both a campsite and lodge under its management, alongside a leased concession to safari operators.
However, while involvement is evident, concerns remain around equity and benefit-sharing. Many CBOs work with established tourism companies, often acting as intermediaries rather than full operators. These partnerships—while helpful in providing access to funding and skilled labour—can limit the financial and decision-making benefits communities receive. The so-called “middleman” model has sparked discussions about whether communities are getting a fair share of the tourism revenue generated from their own land. The media, as a key stakeholder in shaping public discourse, must recognize and amplify the existing contributions of these community trusts. The narrative should evolve from questioning involvement to demanding improvements in benefit distribution and governance. Calls for more capacity-building, transparent leasing agreements, and stronger negotiating power for CBOs are growing louder—and rightly so. In short, Botswana’s communities are not on the sidelines of tourism—they are central to it. What they need now is stronger support to ensure that their participation translates into sustainable, long-term socio-economic benefits.
