Mokolodi revives city tourism
Urban tourism and hospitality outfit, Mokolodi Nature Reserve industry is emerging out stronger from the doldrums of the COVID- 19 restrictions, Chairperson Ian Kirby has revealed.
“We offer many other attractions at Mokolodi, and we have seen a great recovery not only on our activities like game drives, bush braais as well as children visiting the education centre but our conferencing facilities as well as the Mokolodi Café and outsourced restaurant are available and slowly re- gaining previous attendance levels again,” said Kirby.
Situated 10 kilometres south of capital city, the 3700 hectare acacia bushveld valley is home to a wide variety of flora, indigenous wild game, birds and reptile species.
Despite its numerous species, the Reserve’s activities had plunged and is bouncing back to business after two years of great difficulty due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, when most staff had to be laid off as the public could not visit and school children were unable to enjoy Mokolodi’s renowned Environmental Education Centre.
“Severe losses were experienced, however there has been a marked improvement in the Foundation’s financial performance,” said Kirby citing that the Reserve’s annual reports for the period April 2019 to April 2022 had accumulative losses of P 2,3 million.
Despite the losses, Kirby highlighted that separations with employees were very minimal, with only 12 separations from a complement of 83 of which eight were re- employed.
“Many staff members are back at work, the mood is positive, and support from the board and from the Gaborone business community has been most encouraging.”
Kirby further said the revival of the game reserve has led to the Foundation being able to meet its operating expenses with a small surplus, to begin its recovery from the COVID lockdowns.
As part of efforts to strengthen the Reserve’s board, Mokolodi Foundation has welcomed two renowned businessmen - Ramachandran Ottapattu and Angus Boxhall- Smith.
Commenting on his appointment to the board, Ottapattu promised to play his part in permanent continuation and success as a charitable model game reserve and a worldclass educational facility for present and future generations of Batswana children.