26 July 2025
- 29% went straight to workers through P168m in wages and bonuses.
- 26% went to the government with nearly P200 m paid in taxes
- 35% was reinvested to grow the local business.
- 10% went to shareholders—and since Chobe is listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange, ordinary Batswana share those rewards too.
Through Chobe Impact, over P9 million was committed to support 10 schools, refurbish Maun’s Nhabe Museum, expand solar energy, and sponsor vocational scholarships for youth.
The Botswana Stock Exchange listed Chobe Holdings Limited revealed in a statement this week that it has kept over 90% of its record-breaking wealth inside Botswana. Instead of sending profits to foreign parent companies, the group directed the vast majority of the P513 million generated during the financial year ending 28 February 2026 towards local workers, the national treasury, and local business growth.
Company financial reports show that more than 90 thebe in every pula stayed within the country. Local employees took the largest share at 29%, with over P168 million spent on competitive wages, salaries, and benefits for a largely Batswana workforce. To secure top local hospitality talent and safari guides, management also introduced a special bonus scheme tied to the dividends of three million shares.
That people-first culture runs deep. Managing Director Lempheditse Odumetse, who began his career as a waiter at Camp Moremi in 1999, is now Group MD — a journey the report holds up as proof that Batswana can rise to the very top of the industry.
“These results belong to the Batswana who wake before dawn in our camps and give their best to every guest,” said Odumetse.
“Having started with this company as a waiter, I know first-hand that when we invest in our people and the communities around our concessions, we are investing in the long-term strength of the business. That is the Chobe we are building — profitable, proudly Botswana, and rooted in the places we call home.”
The national purse received a massive boost as 26% of the created value went to the state. Chobe Holdings contributed close to P200 million towards funding public services, paying P129 million in direct taxes, PAYE, resource royalties, and licence fees, while collecting and remitting another P69.3 million in Value Added Tax. Board Chairperson Myra Sekgororoane noted that because the company is proudly listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange, ordinary citizens have a unique opportunity to buy shares and own a piece of their country’s tourism wealth.
These massive contributions follow the group’s strongest financial performance yet. Total revenue jumped 12% to P714 million, driving net profits up by 24% to P172 million. Operating profits also climbed to P240 million, boosting net assets to P655 million and strengthening the company’s cash position to P110 million.
On the back of these record results, earnings per share increased to 195 thebe, and directors declared a net dividend of 70 thebe per share.
Looking ahead, Chobe Holdings is expanding its footprint. The group now operates 16 lodges and camps across three countries under core brands like Desert & Delta Safaris, Ker & Downey, and Chobe Game Lodge, supported by Safari Air. It recently opened King Lewanika Lodge in Zambia and Maxa Lodge in the Okavango Delta, with the new Musesenji Camp in Zambia set to open in 2027.
Through its social arm, Chobe Impact, the group has supported 10 local schools, refurbished Maun’s Nhabe Museum, expanded solar energy across lodges, and provided vocational scholarships to 20 young people, 15 of whom are now fully employed by Chobe. With advance bookings for the 2027 financial year already exceeding P92 million, the company enters the new year with powerful momentum and a deep commitment to ensuring Botswana’s wilderness rewards its own people first.
Source: The Ngami Times
