Desert & Delta Safaris Receives World Luxury Travel Award for Sustainable Tourism in Southern Africa

Desert & Delta Safaris, the leading safari operator in Botswana, has been honoured with the prestigious World Luxury Travel Awards (WLTA) for Sustainable Tourism in Southern Africa. This accolade recognises the company's outstanding commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism in one of Africa's most pristine wildlife destinations.

Photo credits: Desert & Delta Safaris

Established in 1982, Desert & Delta Safaris has become one of the most successful and respected safari operators in Botswana over the past four decades. The company owns and manages a portfolio of nine premier safari properties located in prime wildlife areas, including the iconic Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, and the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Setting Desert & Delta Safaris apart is its unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism and community development. As a 100 per cent Botswana-owned company, it has played a significant role in the country's tourism industry, contributing to economic growth and conservation efforts.

The WLTA award is a testament to Desert & Delta Safaris' long-standing commitment to sustainable tourism. It recognises the company's environmental efforts and its role in promoting Botswana as a premier eco-tourism destination. Showcasing the connection between luxury and sustainability, Desert & Delta Safaris sets a powerful example for the travel industry worldwide.

Desert & Delta met strict judging criteria to gain the Sustainable Tourism Destination award, meeting requirements that take “full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental implications, meeting the needs of visitors, industry, the environment, and local communities. All activities at a destination had to lead to progress in line with the economic development, social development, and environmental protection of the destination for the future benefit of stakeholders”.

As global travel rebounds after the 2020 pandemic, the importance of sustainable practices has never been more apparent. Desert & Delta Safaris' success demonstrates that responsible tourism can be a powerful force for conservation and community development. Their model of combining unforgettable safari experiences with meaningful contributions to local ecosystems and communities is paving the way for a more sustainable future in African tourism.

The WLTA award reinforces Desert & Delt Safaris' commitment to continue leading the way in responsible tourism. As the company looks to the future, it remains dedicated to its founding principles of conservation, community empowerment, and unforgettable safari experiences, ensuring that Botswana's natural wonders can be enjoyed by generations.

The WLTA award acknowledges the company's holistic approach to sustainability, encompassing environmental conservation, community engagement, and responsible business practices. One of the cornerstones of Desert & Delta Safaris' success is its focus on local empowerment. The company employs more than 400 Botswana citizens, many in management positions, including guiding teams recruited from nearby villages. This approach not only provides economic opportunities for local communities but ensures that guests benefit from deep local knowledge and cultural insights.

Education and skills development form another crucial pillar of Desert & Delta Safaris' sustainability efforts. Extensive training programmes and bursaries fund tertiary education in tourism studies, helping to develop Botswana's next generation of tourism professionals.

Desert & Delta Safaris' environmental initiatives are equally impressive. The company has implemented rigorous environmental monitoring across all its operations, striving to minimise its ecological footprint in a sensitive African ecosystem. From energy-efficient operations to waste reduction programmes, all functions are designed with sustainability in mind. The company's "Desert & Delta Safaris CARES" philosophy underscores its commitment to Conservation, African Development, Responsibility, Eco-friendly practices, and Sustainability.

This comprehensive approach has set a new standard for sustainable tourism in Southern Africa, balancing luxury safari experiences with responsible environmental and community practices. Unparalleled wildlife experiences go together with maintaining the highest standards of sustainability. From the iconic Chobe Game Lodge to the intimate Camp Okavango, each property is structured to blend seamlessly with its surroundings while providing world-class comfort and service.

The combination of unforgettable encounters with wildlife in some of Africa's largest expanses of wilderness, while visiting a leading eco-tourism destination, means luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand – to benefit the environment and the community, for generations to come.