‡Khomani San Kalahari Guiding Experiences
Khomani San Kalahari Guiding Experiences is a community-based ecotourism enterprise on ‡Khomani San owned land within and next to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. It provides the community with sustainable employment opportunities through guided experiences that showcase the unique Kalahari Desert and the Bushmen people. ‡Khomani San Kalahari Guiding Experiences takes an integrated approach to ecotourism that combines a focus on the individual interests of visiting tourists with a strong commitment to the shared needs and values of the local communities. This is all done under the overarching premise of a respectful and sustainable use of the local ecosystem. The initiative offers authentic guided experiences that showcase the unique natural and cultural attractions of the Kalahari. These include Bushmen tracking trails, traditional bow-hunting experiences, overnight desert trails, game drives, stargazing and fireside tales.
- Training and capacity building enabling sustainable employment in ecotourism.
- Supporting the continued management of the 61,000 hectares !Ae!Hai Heritage Park for conservation purposes.
- Providing the basis for a vibrant ecotourism industry.
- Creating 20 sustainable guiding and ecotourism jobs bringing significant income benefits to the community.
- Introducing a line of value-added products almost exclusively generated by or sourced from the community.
Partners
The South African Safari Lodge Foundation facilitated the development of the ‡Khomani San Tourism Development Plan and provides mentorship and developmental support for the ‡Khomani San.
South African National Parks co-manages the ‡Khomani San portion of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and provides the initiative with mentorship and marketing support.
The Peace Parks Foundation provides funding and administrative support for the communities’ participation in the management of community owned land and the Transfrontier Park.
The Southern African San Institute (SASI) supports the development of the Guides Association and the initiative.