Spotlight On: Isaac Tshoganyetso

Isaac joined Royal African Safaris, Botswana in 2002.

His is a story of working in the mail room and working his way up the company ladder, but in Isaac’s case, he was a gardener for Adam and Brigitte at their house in Maun beginning in 1997. As is often the case in Botswana, his hard working ethics and loyalty were established as a camp hand pitching and decommissioning the heavy RAS camps in the field before he obtained his driving license in 2010.

At this time he was marked for promotion to camp management material and was assigned to the lightweight island camp which guests visit usually for just one night as they travel through the Okavango by boat. Although it is just one all too brief night on a Botswana safari for guests, the actual logistics of putting it in place takes a week, and this was Isaac’s job.

In 2021 during COVID, he obtained his heavy duty driving license which meant he was now legal to drive the 7 tonne MAN trucks we use in Botswana to carry the main camp. He completed his first full RAS safari as Camp Manager in June 2022.

When not on safari Isaac helps on his family farm. They grow maize (corn) just outside Maun village. He has one brother and two sisters, one of whom is married. His grandfather was the land overseer (second in command to the chief).

Until COVID Isaac was also on the Crocodile Camp football (soccer) team, but the regional league has not started up again yet.

What do you like most about your work:

The challenge of driving the camp truck in the bush.

Do you have a favorite safari destination and why:  

Moremi Game Reserve. It is the most beautiful area in Botswana.

What is your most memorable safari experience?

The time a pride of 14 lions came and stayed in our camp all day in Nxai Pan National Park.

What is your favorite animal and why?

Lion. Because they are the king of the jungle. It may not seem like that when you see them asleep on a game drive, but believe me, when 14 come to visit your camp, there is no doubt!