Local Heroes in Tourism - John Kata (Part 1)

For our next interview we are trying something slightly different. We’re taking you on a journey with two remarkable individuals who have made their mark on the travel industry.

John Kata was born into a nomadic community living off the land in the Okavango Delta. When his family moved down to a town a few hundred kilometres away to start a new life, John remained behind to help build one of the country’s most established luxury safari properties – Camp Okavango. This was 1980. In 2019 after nearly 40-years of guiding international visitors through this remarkable wilderness, John retired from that very same camp.

Possibly the Botswana’s longest serving member of staff in the safari sector. We’re also joined by his nephew Mc Odumetse who after losing his father at a young age has always looked up to John as his father figure. Mc started in tourism as a waiter and went on to guiding. Today Mc is the director of operations for Chobe Holdings which owns and operates 13 top end safari camps and lodges in the region.

In order to take you on this journey to really uncover the story we asked Mc to translate for his uncle John as we explore his history and the early days to where we are today. Two wonderful people – absolute local heroes in tourism that really epitomise what this series is all about. We hope you enjoy!