David Foot Safaris was extremely privileged to sign an agreement with the OKMCT in December 2016 to run horseback and walking safaris in NG32 (a community areas) known as the Shashe Block. These safaris provide a direct benefit to the local villages.
The safaris are mobile of nature based out of Xhara Xao village, with a lightweight tented camp being moved between islands in the Okavango Delta. Twelve members of the local community and their mekoros (traditional dug out canoes) are contracted to transport the camp during the times of the annual flood. This ensures the community benefits from the safaris throughout the year. All the safari support staff (chefs, waiters, housekeepers, horse grooms and guides) also originate from any one of these respective villages and are trained in house by the company.
David Foot Safaris firmly believe in a serious commitment to the local communities they work with and believe the best way to ensure the long term conservation of Africa’s wildlife is through the education of Africa’s people. With this in mind, they approached the Peace Parks Foundation for assistance. This foundation works towards the establishment of Trans Frontier Conservation Areas (“Peace Parks”).
Recognising the importance of sustainable tourism for these Peace Parks, two colleges were set up in the area of Graaf Reinet in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, namely the South African Tourism College (SACT) and the Trackers Academy. Each year a limited number of young people from disadvantaged communities throughout southern Africa are given the opportunity of further training in tourism and conservation.