The Okavango Polers Trust was registered in June 1998.
	The Trust was formed by the community to establish a
	viable eco-tourism business which would benefit all the
	people in this area. No non-citizen or safaris company 
	has any financial interest in the Okavango Polers Trust. 
	It is owned and operated by the members themselves. 
	The Trust currently provides employment for:

	 75 poler members
	 4 women catering traditional dinners
	 8 – 15 traditional dancers and singers
	 2 drivers
	 motorboat operators
	 2 co-ordinators
	 2 office workers
	 an assistant manager
	 a business manager
	 3 caretakers/guards
	 up to 30 casual polers and labourers


   Mekoros

	It is our policy to use locally made fibreglass mekoros 
	in an effort to conserve the large trees in the area. 
	Each poler owns or is buying his own mekoro and the 
	Trust owns a few that it hires out.


   The Polers

	Are all local men who learnt their poling skills as small
	children as they helped catch fish for their families and
	travelled between villages by water. All the polers are
	working hard to improve their English and communication 
	skills. Your patience and help are appreciated.


   The Head Poler or Guide

	Has worked hard to attain a high level of knowledge 
	about the local area and the animals that live there. 
	Some people enjoy long bush walks, others like to 
	spend more time in the mekoros discovering the 
	abundant wildlife. You can have a refreshing dip in a 
	safe pool or just laze around and read a book. It is 
	your holiday and you must let your Guide know what 
	you want to do.

  
                                                  Developments

  
The initial development of the campsite was made possible by a grant from
the African Development Foundation.

The Trust has recently received a grant from the European Union enabling
us to purchase a new truck for passenger transfers, carry out training of
polers, staff and local community members and generally assist our
business to grow and remain competitive.

The aim of the Trust is to offer an affordable trip to allow more people
to enjoy the Delta and to provide more jobs in this disadvantaged,
economically impoverished rural area.

  Thank you for supporting this unique community project.

  please contact us for further infomation