Ministerial Tour to the Tuli Block

The Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Honourable Tiroyaone Ntsima, recently visited tourism facilities across Botswana’s Tuli Block, accompanied by the Acting CEO of SPEDU and senior management representatives.

The visit focused on assessing the region’s tourism potential, identifying challenges to growth, and exploring ways to reduce bureaucratic barriers. The Minister emphasised the importance of promoting the Tuli Block’s unique landscapes and biodiversity to international audiences, while ensuring sustainable development.

During the tour, the delegation visited Limpopo-Lipadi Wildlife and Wilderness Reserve, Koro River Lodge, Kwadiwa Ranch Lodge and Orchard, and Lotsane Safaris Signature Collection. The Minister was impressed by the diversity of experiences on offer, from luxury safaris to citrus farming at Kwadiwa Ranch.

The Tuli Block is a significant conservation landscape, where tourism development is closely linked to protecting wildlife and ecosystems. The Minister acknowledged the importance of maintaining this balance as the region continues to evolve.

At Limpopo-Lipadi, the Minister was briefed on the Reserve’s role in conservation and community development. Around 90 percent of Limpopo-Lipadi’s staff are employed from surrounding villages. Through the Motse initiative, the Reserve supports local clinics, provides reusable sanitary pads to schoolgirls, funds essential school upgrades, supplies uniforms to underprivileged children, provides copy machines to schools in Tsetsebjwe and Moletemane, etc.

The Minister also joined Limpopo-Lipadi’s anti-poaching unit on a rhino walk, where it was explained that the Reserve is a designated rhino sanctuary, with all rhino dehorned as part of a proactive conservation strategy. Limpopo-Lipadi has also been granted permission to harbour additional rhinos in the near future, further strengthening its conservation impact.

Access to the Tuli Block was also discussed, including the importance of opening the Zanzibar border post to ease travel into the area. The Minister acknowledged these challenges and committed to exploring solutions.

The visit marked an important step in positioning the Tuli Block as a leading wildlife and wilderness destination.