Making a lasting difference

The Feline Fields Trust - our commitment to Botswana

In the heart of Botswana’s wild, beautiful landscapes the Feline Fields Trust quietly goes about its work. Backed by the safari-expertise of Feline Fields Lodge and Vintage Camp, the Trust brings meaningful social development and educational support into the communities we work in. What follows is a window into some of those initiatives looking at the people, the places and the progress...

Nurturing early learning in Tsau

In the village of Tsau, a small but powerful project is underway: the creation of a community-led early-learning playgroup. The Trust partners with local municipalities, and under the leadership of principal Vepeua Kazenambo, a unique programme takes shape. Community members with no prior teaching experience are selected and provided with foundational early-childhood training and in return they commit to working within the community for two years. The logic here is simple yet far-sighted: invest in local people, build local skills and provide stability so that the impact is long term.

Today the playgroup boasts 13 trained community teachers. It has grown from 30 children to more than 80. With limited space, the children attend in two rotating groups each day ensuring everyone gets access to a safe, supportive, stimulating environment. The curriculum covers shapes, colours, number-alphabet, days of the week, and more, all designed to build foundational skills and confidence before the children move into primary school.

This is education embedded in community, with local people at the helm. By choosing trainees with no prior teaching experience, the model opens opportunities where previously none existed. The trainees gain both training and work-experience; the community gains local educators invested in its children and future.

Learnership programme with real-world benefit

Education doesn’t stop at early years. The Feline Fields Trust also supports a two-year diploma programme in partnership with the Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education (FCTVE). Students nearing the end of their studies complete a six-month attachment at Feline Fields, gaining hands-on experience across lodge operations featuring guest-facing roles, office administration, procurement, supplies, back-of-house operations and the full hospitality spectrum.

Current students include Oratile “Ratie” Angel Gaborone (studying Travel Management) and Sembaranda “Simba” Moronga (studying Hospitality Management) - both in their second year.

During the attachment the learners receive a monthly allowance from Feline Fields (not required by the college but provided because the Trust values fair-practice). The goal: a CV-ready practical experience, strengthened confidence, and clear pathways to future employment or further study. For Feline Fields the benefit is equally clear: these young people could become strong candidates for roles within the team, reinforcing the connection between community investment and sustainable business.

Safe school transport in rural areas

In many rural communities accessing education is a major hurdle. Walking long distances each day is exhausting and unsafe. The Trust has addressed this through a dedicated school transport initiative for villages surrounding the lodge area. A long-standing and trusted member of the team, Gaokgakala “Gao” Mapodisi, drives three morning pick-up routes and three afternoon drop-off routes for children attending Sexaxa Starter Primary School. 

Prior to this initiative many children were forced to walk up to 11km each way. Today they are collected by Gao, arrive on time and return home safely. This simple intervention allows children to focus on learning rather than the burden of the journey.

Supporting partner schools – culture, computers and classrooms

The Trust works closely with partner schools in the region. At Matlapana Primary School a Cultural House – built to preserve and celebrate local heritage with woven elements, clay, and thatch – was supported by the Trust. That building has sadly suffered storm damage and is being rebuilt through a shared effort by school, parents and community tradespeople, reinforcing ownership and dignity in the process. 

The Trust also provided computer-room support for Matlapana: repairing several machines so learners can rotate through and access digital learning resources. 

At Gxhabar Primary School a donated weather station (wind vane, thermometer/humidity gauge, rain gauge) has been installed and formally opened during a visit by the Trust. These projects may differ in scale but the common denominator is local need, community partnership, and meaningful outcomes.

Putting wildlife on the curriculum

The Feline Fields Trust runs a twice yearly Wildlife Talks programme at five schools in Maun as well as at Nokaneng and Tsao Primary schools for children who are attending the schools' wildlife clubs. 

It's often hard to assess how many children in Botswana have never been into the bush, have not seen wild animals in their natural habitat and have not yet learned about the very special environment they are living in. Wildlife Talks are designed to make children feel more connected to the nature around them and teach them about the wildlife they share their environment with, as well as showing them the career possibilities that exist within the conservation and tourism industries.

From garden to table – community garden with heart

The Trust’s community garden is another great example of embedding sustainability and wellbeing. Under the guidance of long-standing staff member Oyapo Gotshajwang, the garden supplies fresh vegetables (spinach, tomatoes, peppers, mint, with watermelon and herbs coming soon) for staff and community programmes. Oyapo previously worked as a guide and brings bush-wisdom, patience and a warm “hakuna matata” spirit to every seed planted and every harvest shared. 

The produce is shared and used, bringing health, nutrition and connection back into the community.

Why this matters – the bigger picture

The model of the Feline Fields Trust demonstrates a simple principle: sustainable tourism should create benefit that extends beyond the boundaries of the lodge and touches the lives of surrounding people. The Trust focuses on education, local employment, community ownership, and partnerships rather than one-off hand-outs. It invests in local people at various levels, from the early years to youth vocational training, providing school access, infrastructure, and food security, creating a ripple effect that builds stability, skills and dignity.

For guests at Feline Fields the impact is tangible: on certain packages there is a US$30 per person per reservation donated directly to the Trust that links your safari stay to community impact. Also, when you visit us you may have the chance to meet community members, see the garden, hear about the projects and learn more, enhancing the meaning of your stay. Talk to us if you would like to include this aspect in your next safari.

Looking ahead

The Trust is not simply ticking boxes. It aims to deepen and broaden its reach. Trainees from the playgroup will progress into leadership roles. Learnership graduates will enter the workforce or further study. Transport services may expand. Schools may benefit from upgraded infrastructure. Community gardens may grow into full-scale food programmes. Each initiative builds on another, a web of support rather than isolated interventions.

When you stay at Feline Fields you experience wild Botswana – but you also become part of something larger. The Feline Fields Trust channels the energy of safari tourism into genuine community impact. It is about giving children access to learning, youth access to opportunity, families access to transport, and communities access to ownership. And in doing that, it builds legacy.

If you would like to come and stay at Feline Fields, or learn more about how the Trust uses funds and perhaps visit some of the projects, get in touch to find out more. Your support helps make the difference.