BOTSWANA’S WONDER WOMEN
in Botswana’s history: Chobe Game Lodge, located in Botswana’s first national park, has the first and only all-female guiding team in Africa. The lodge is one of the most progressive safari destinations in Africa, thanks in part to the success of its female guide team with guests.
The guides at Chobe Game Lodge are breaking gender norms, according to Botswana experts. “As safari guides, they are pushing several boundaries that circumscribed women in the past,” said Deborah Durham, an anthropologist at Sweet Briar College who has conducted research on the country since 1986. “From soon after its independence from Great Britain, Botswana has recognised the talent and potential of women.”
The decision to employ exclusively women grew organically out of something very practical: the bottom line. Back when the guide team was co-ed, the managers quickly noticed a pattern: Vehicles driven by women used less gas, required fewer repairs and lasted longer over time. Simply put, the women were better drivers. They were saving the company money. Applicants must complete a standardised course that includes a placement at a safari camp, plus tests to evaluate English skills and scholastic aptitude. When both women performed extremely well at Chobe, the managers asked the institute to send over future female graduates. At that time, there were fewer than 10 women guides in Botswana. Today, there are around 50. With 17 guides, Chobe employs roughly one-third. The others are spread across the country at various safari camps.
Yazema Moremong, 37, whose eyes brighten with her warm yet often mischievous grin, became a guide in 2007, two years after she first spotted an elephant while visiting her uncle, a biologist. Moremong, who goes by Connie, began working at Chobe when it was co-ed. She credits her male colleagues for embracing all new recruits — male and female — equally.
Canah Moatshe, 32, known as Neo, started her career at a different camp in rural Botswana nine years ago. “I was the first and only lady among male guides. They never discriminated. That was the first time I drove a four-by-four, a Land Cruiser, the first time I changed a tire. Those guys helped me to work,” she recalled with a laugh.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing. The women faced some pushback. Male guides at other safari companies challenged their validity, although mostly in a teasing, joking way, the women said. Guests generally worried about safety and competence, questioning the women’s ability to do things like change heavy four-by-four tyres if there was a flat; handle aggressive animals and escort guests to the best wildlife sightings.