Bushman Plains Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Bushman Plains

Bushmen Owned

BUSHMEN OWNED

OWNER HOSTED, EXPERTLY GUIDED

Bushman Plains is the only Botswana safari camp to be majority owned by Bushmen. We are three brothers, who were among the last generation of the Bukakwe clan of Bushmen to live the nomadic life of hunter-gatherers. Our people moved seasonally through the landscape, migrating as needed to access food and water. Our last generation was born in areas that are now the domain of famous safari camps. We were the last to utilize the ancient skills of our ancestors for daily survival, skills that have been passed down for tens of thousands of years.  

We masters of the bush are among the last generation to have lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers in our youth. As Bushmen were settled into village life in 1989, only a few of us learned and lived the ancient skills but were still young enough to receive contemporary schooling. As a result, we are among a handful of unique safari guides who are proficient in our ancestral bush craft while possessing the language, technological, and modern personal skills to guide guests from across the globe.

Now the circle is complete. Following years of work in the safari industry, we have returned to a piece of our historical lands to operate our own safari camp. Located within a magical area of the Okavango Delta, Bushman Plains is a place where the Heritage of the first people lives on.  

Olatotse Sarefo
Ditshebo ‘Dicks’ Tsima
Peter Comley
Molatlhwa ’Toffee’ Tshosa

Olatotse Sarefo

CO-OWNER

Olatotse (“Ola”) was among the first Bukakwe Bushmen to become a safari guide.  He left guiding when he was elected as the District Councilman for the Guidigwa/Vumbura region of five villages. He was the first Bushman ever to be elected to office in Botswana.

 

Ditshebo ‘Dicks’ Tsima

CO-OWNER AND GUIDE

Ditshebo 'Dicks' Tsima

An extremely accomplished guide, Dicks is known for his exceptional tracking skills, bush sense and ability to get his vehicle in position for the best photos – even if it means racing across a channel of water in the Okavango. He has guided for Mapula Lodge, Selinda Camp, and the Kwando Camps. Dicks was born in the Selinda area long before the camp was built, and is thrilled to own a camp in the ancestral lands where his family hunted and gathered in his boyhood years. He knows this area and wildlife movements within it better than any one.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Peter Comley

CO-OWNER

Peter Comley

Peter is not a Bushman but he has great respect for the Bushman culture and was a natural selection to join the project to add his operational expertise. Peter moved to Botswana more than 30 years ago and has been delivering profound safari experiences in Botswana (and well beyond) ever since. Peter was one of the original mobile operators in Botswana and has vast experience in evaluating and training guides. He is believed to be the first white man to cross the Okavango Delta from North to South by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe). Peter is the author of five books, including The Field Guide to Botswana Mammals. Peter is acknowledged to be one of Africa’s leading guides and is particularly recognized for his pioneering spirit and flair for innovation.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Molatlhwa ’Toffee’ Tshosa

CO-OWNER AND GUIDE

Molatlhwa ’Toffee’ Tshosa

Molatlhwa ’Toffee’ Tshosa guided for the Desert & Delta camps for five years. He was then selected for the prestigious Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge tourism and guiding program. Disney selects a small number of participants each year from the African safari industry and it is a coveted opportunity to learn about, and interact with cultures from around the world.

 
 
 
 

Motswasele “Diesel” Tshosa

GUIDE

Diesel - guide at Bushman Plains Camp

As a young boy, Diesel earned his nickname hustling on errands for older kids. Dicks helped Diesel get his start in tracking and eventually guiding at Kwando Camps. Outgoing and passionate, Diesel took to guiding quickly and is a licensed walking guide. He has the vital role of leading our camp’s cultural sharing, serving as a bridge between ancient traditions and the Bushman of today.

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