Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Botswana, in partnership with Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited Trust (BIHL) and Mokolodi Nature Reserve, hosted its 2025 annual camp from 1–3 December 2025.
The aim of the camp was to enhance educational and environmental awareness among Eco-Club members at Tshwaragano Primary School in Gaborone. The initiative leverages the unique strengths and resources of each partner to foster a comprehensive environmental awareness programme that not only educates but also instils a deep respect and understanding of environmental education among children.
The partnership was formed in April 2025, when the three entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the goal being to develop informed, responsible, and empowered young environmental stewards. This is achieved through CITW’s structured environmental education, life-skills and leadership development programme at the school.
For the camp, the CITW Botswana team was joined by Cynthia Ndiweni, Assistant Impact Manager for Wilderness Zambezi, and they all travelled to Gaborone on the 30th of November to set up the camp. A total of 30 Tshwaragano Eco-Club members and 2 teachers were hosted.
The children and teachers were driven from Gaborone to Mokolodi Nature Reserve, which is situated 10 km outside the city, and were welcomed to the camp by the CITW team as well as staff members from the nature reserve.
The main objective of the camp was to emphasise biodiversity. The children learnt about the importance of ecosystems, the variety of plants, animals and micro-organisms that live in an ecosystem, as well as enjoyed some related team-building activities.
Careers in ecotourism
The children visited the different departments at Mokolodi Nature Reserve to help them navigate their career paths, and make informed decisions about their futures.
- Housekeeping: The children were taught practical skills: to be independent, to make their own beds, clean their rooms and have pride in their work.
- Guides: The children also met Ms Mpho Manthe, Mokolodi Nature Reserve Guides’ Supervisor, who shared her experiences in the industry with them.
- Front of House: The Eco-Club members also learnt hospitality skills, including how to lay a table with a table cloth, and setting out plates and cutlery.
- Mokolodi Sanctuary: The children appreciated the privilege of visiting a place where animals are protected and cared for, and enjoyed the experience of feeding them.
Other activities
- Game drives: The Eco-Club members and teachers were also taken on a game drive in the nature reserve, with the guides pointing out the different animals, birds and trees species, and their importance.
- Nature walks: The children had the chance to do a walk in the reserve to spot wildlife and birds, and learn about plant identification, hiking and connecting with nature.
- Team building and games: The children played traditional games during their energisers and team building games; at home and at school, many of the children do not have the opportunity to learn games which can help them recognise bad behaviour, and they were fully immersed in the games that taught them about the importance of teamwork and supporting each other.
- Biodiversity lesson: The Eco-Club members had a theory lesson about the different plants, animals and micro-organisms living in an ecosystem. They also learnt about the threats to biodiversity, and were encouraged to help by reducing waste and recycling. The children identified items in their patches, and created presentations.
Despite heavy rains and electricity outages, the camp was a great success, with the programme of activities being rescheduled around the elements.
CITW Botswana would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all who took part in making the Mokolodi camp a success. Special thanks are directed to the BIHLTrust and Mokolodi Nature Reserve for their support, the amazing Mokolodi staff who were exceptional in their service, CITW Zambezi Representative, Cynthia Ndiweni, for joining the CITW Botswana team, and the excellent job she did during the camp, the Tshwaragano Primary School Management for being the liaison between the parents and the CITW team during the camp preparations, the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education (South East), for allowing and transporting the children and teachers to attend the camp. Lastly, we are very grateful to the parents of the campers for trusting us with their children on the camp.
Compiled by Gaba Modirapula, CITW Botswana Administrator
