Okavango Wilderness Safaris Partners with Okavango Essence for Eco-Conscious Lodge Amenities
Okavango Wilderness Safaris Partners with
Okavango Essence for Eco-Conscious Lodge Amenities
Okavango Wilderness Safaris (OWS) has announced a long-term partnership with Okavango Essence, a Maun-based, women-led company specializing in natural, eco-conscious lodge amenities.
According to an OWS release issued this week (June 12, 2025), this collaboration, forged through the inaugural OWS Local Suppliers’ Expo 2024, marks another significant step in OWS’s commitment to building sustainable, locally empowered value chains within Botswana’s tourism sector.
“What began as a supplier showcase opportunity has grown into a strategic collaboration grounded in shared values of sustainability, community upliftment, and exceptional guest experience,” states the release. “After an extensive vetting process, Okavango Essence was selected to produce a bespoke range of luxury bathroom amenities, infused with the exclusive ‘Wilderness Untamed’ scent developed by the Wilderness Group for all markets.”
The partnership journey included rigorous product testing, fragrance compatibility assessments, and the signing of a non-disclosure agreement to ensure proprietary integrity and long-term mutual trust. The result is a line of high-quality products—including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand wash, and body lotion—that will now be featured across 14 Wilderness camps in Botswana.
Joe Matome, caretaker Managing Director of Okavango Wilderness Safaris, emphasizes that the true partnership between the two institutions is “patient, purposeful, and grounded in values that uplift local enterprise.”
“By working with citizen-owned businesses like Okavango Essence, we are not only enhancing the guest experience but investing in Botswana’s own creative and manufacturing capacity,” Matome explains. The signature line of amenities will now be introduced in OWS’s Mombo, Vumbura North, Vumbura South, Little Vumbura, DumaTau, Little DumaTau, Kings Pool, Linyanti Tented Camp, Baobabs, Gomoti, and Santawani camps in Botswana, encompassing both owned and managed properties.
The OWS statement further highlights that Okavango Essence is dedicated to producing 100% natural products that honor the purity of the Okavango Delta. The company’s commitment to sustainability and women’s empowerment made them a natural fit for OWS’s procurement values.
As the partnership evolves, the product range is expected to expand to include beard oils, lip balms, insect repellents, and more, ensuring both variety and consistent quality.