Ker & Downey Botswana host the children of Bana Ba Letsatsi at Dinaka.

Bana Ba Letsatsi (Children of the Sun) was established in 2004 to support Northern Botswana’s orphaned, at-risk and vulnerable children.
Since 2009 Ker & Downey Botswana has provided monthly donations, based on a percentage of safari sales, which enables Bana Ba Letsatsi to buy essential everyday items such as food, clothing, and classroom materials for the children. These regular donations also allow Bana Ba Letsatsi to budget for unexpected expenses, and the charity sets aside a proportion of the donations each month to cover any unforeseeable medical emergencies which may occur.
On the morning of Saturday the 25th of April, the Ker & Downey Botswana guides picked up Bana Ba Letsatsi students from different, pre-arranged points around Maun. The Ker & Downey Botswana team, the Bana Ba Letsatsi students as well as their chaperones, three journalists from The Voice Newspaper, Ngami Times and Botswana Daily News, all convened at the Bana Ba Letsatsi premises.
The background chatter of excited young voices accompanied the clear and concise vehicle orientation and safety briefing given to all the students and adults alike.
On arrival at Dinaka (an exclusive private conservancy hugging the northern edge of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve), a lunch was served before an excited group of young boys were taken to their designated guest tents. The afternoon took the boys on their first adventure, with a game drive that ended at the Look Out Deck allowing them a panoramic view of the surrounding wilderness.
On their second day in camp the group went on a game drive that included all places of interest including waterholes, the underground photographic bunker, the photographic hide and the Sleep Out Deck. Within the underground photographic bunker, they witnessed two kudu bulls in a fight of dominance, horns interlocked. Everyone also had a chance to experience the Educational Walk with the San Bushman which they thoroughly enjoyed. As this is an interactive activity, the boys had a chance to touch and taste botanicals, attempt to make fire by friction and learn a few songs and dances of the San Bushman. The drive back for lunch was animated with boys breaking into song; then once back in camp mimicking dances.
During their afternoon, the guides spent time with the young men giving a lesson on rifle and air rifle uses. The boys shared their own stories of firearm experiences, while the guides taught them the dangers of owning and using a rifle without correct knowledge of handling and safety procedures. They then split into groups and had an air rifle target shooting competition with balloons. Although everyone was having a fantastic time sharing, one could still see the competitive edge that comes with camaraderie.
After a short drive with sundowner drinks, the group came back to camp for a well deserve hot meal, strawberry desserts and rest and relaxation. The adults accompanying the children, the journalists, the camp managers, and guides enjoyed the warmth of the fire and the sounds of nature before calling it a night.
On Monday morning, the agreement was to wake up early to be out searching for game as quickly as possible. This decision paid off as 5 minutes out of camp, the group came upon a lioness with her 3 cubs leisurely walking towards the airstrip after hearing her roar throughout the night. They saw plenty of general game, bat-eared fox, and many other interesting sightings to bid them farewell.
To end their stay in Dinaka, Taboka of Bana Ba Letsatsi as well as Dinaka’s camp manager Tebza took the moment to give out gifts to the boys. These included golf t-shirts honouring Ker & Downey Botswana’s relationship with Bana Ba Letsatsi, Young Explorers water bottles and certificates, as well as notebooks.
We wish to thank the Bana Ba Letsatsi team: Eric and Taboka for chaperoning another trip to Ker & Downey Botswana camps. We would also like to thank Tidimalo, Francinah and Pelontle of Ngami Times, The Voice Newspaper and Botswana Daily News respectively for a lovely weekend spent with us in our slice of paradise.