25 Feb 2025

Following a kgotla meeting on January 7 in Kasane, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism after careful consideration of the pleas of the communities of Chobe has taken a decision to open Sedudu-Ngoma transit route 24 hours effective April 1. 

Delivering a statement in Parliament on Monday, Minister of Environment and Tourism and Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi said it was imperative to allow people to enjoy their freedom of movement as enshrined in the Constitution of Botswana. 

Mr Mmolotsi said the Sedudu-Ngoma transit route traversing the Chobe National Park has been restrictive on the public movement between Chobe West and Chobe East. 

He said entry into Chobe National Park was regulated by Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act and its associated National Parks and Game Reserves Regulations providing for entry and exit times into National Parks and Game Reserves. 

Currently, Mr Mmolotsi said the Acts and regulations stated from April 1 to September 30, the park opens at 6am and closes at 6.30pm. 

“From October 1 to March 31, the park opens at 5.30am and closes at 7pm hours,” he said. 

Notwithstanding all these restrictions, Mr Mmolotsi said isolated cases of emergency had always been allowed access around the clock to and from the Chobe Enclave villages. 

He said the house should appreciate the security and human and wildlife safety considerations that had influenced the current position of operating hours of the route. 

“As you may be aware, Chobe National Park is in close proximity to three international boundaries making it prone and susceptible to cross boundary wildlife related crimes. The proximity of the Park to international boundaries made law enforcement a considerable challenge that needed operational space, particularly at night when poachers were most active to avoid accidents,” said Mr Mmolotsi. 

Furthermore, the minister said Chobe National Park was rich in biodiversity hosting the highest concentration of elephants and a significant number of other species such as buffalo, zebra, sable & roan antelopes amongst others. 

“This makes the possibility of the collision with wildlife high at night, which is exacerbated by the fact that the animals move across the road to and from their grazing grounds and the water source at Chobe River,” he said. 

He said the move was testament that the new government in the new Botswana, was a human rights centric government and considered the voices and pleas of Batswana to ensure they live their lives freely. 

“This will ensure that Batswana residing in Chobe West participate actively and freely in the economy of our beloved Country,” he said. 

He said, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism will put in place measures that will facilitate free movement of people while minimising risks associated with the initiative. 

“Some of the activities geared towards facilitating the initiative is concerted engagement with relevant stakeholders; conduct sensitisation campaigns and programmes for transit users on animal behaviours, wildlife interactions and safety protocols; improved road signage and increased patrols (day and night) along the route,” minister said. ENDS