Ecoexist Project

Positive Impact

Elephants and People: Shared Landscapes, Shared Futures

What is the Ecoexist Project?

The Ecoexist Project is a conservation initiative based in Botswana dedicated to fostering coexistence between local communities and elephants in the Okavango Delta region. By addressing the challenges of human-elephant conflict, the project employs research and community engagement to develop sustainable solutions that benefit both people and wildlife. 

Through monitoring elephant movements, promoting responsible land use, and implementing conflict mitigation strategies, the Ecoexist Project empowers communities to protect their livelihoods while preserving the vital habitats of one of the world’s largest elephant populations.

Elephants, Vital Research and Coexistence Strategies

Botswana is home to Africa's largest elephant population, estimated at around 130,000, creating one of the highest elephant-to-human ratios in the world. Many more elephants inhabit neighbouring regions of Angola, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, spanning an immense 440,000 square kilometres (about 169,000 square miles) across the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). Like humans, elephants need space, food, and water to thrive, but in places like the Okavango Delta Panhandle, this overlap of needs can make coexistence especially challenging.

The Panhandle is a vital migratory corridor, linking dryland resources in the north and west with the wetlands of the Okavango River and Delta. Some elephants travel transboundary routes into Namibia, Zambia, and Angola via Wildlife Dispersal Areas, while others remain within the Panhandle. Yet, the eastern Panhandle itself lacks access to essential services and economic opportunities, intensifying pressures on communities that share the landscape with elephants.

For more than 15 years, the Ecoexist Project has been researching and monitoring elephants in this region to understand their movements, behaviours, and land-use patterns. This science underpins responsible land-use planning, helping farmers cultivate fields in areas less prone to elephant conflict. Just as importantly, Ecoexist connects this research to community engagement: empowering local people with conflict-mitigation strategies, education, and tools to safeguard their livelihoods. By protecting elephant pathways and promoting coexistence, the project develops sustainable solutions where both people and wildlife can flourish.

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Go2Africa’s Partnership With Ecoexist Project

Our partnership begins with supporting the Xoa Elephant Dung Paper Making Group in bringing their sample product to market, particularly targeting local safari lodges. Currently, about 80% of stocked products and crafts in Botswana are imported, and the government is urging the tourism industry to shift this dynamic, aiming for 80% of products to be locally sourced. 

The Xoa Craft Group has secured confirmed orders from local lodges for stationery items for their boutiques (greeting cards and writing pads). All raw materials were locally sourced, and production of their first order was completed in August 2025.

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How You Can Make A Difference For The EcoExist Project

Book a Highest Impact Safari

When you book a Highest Impact Safari with us, you not only have your greatest adventure in Africa, but also contribute to meaningful change. A portion of your booking goes directly towards supporting initiatives like the Ecoexist Project. This helps to protect elephants and support local communities, who live among them and are able to generate green capital to improve their livelihoods. 

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8 Day Good Value Botswana Safari

8 days
Game drive and elephant The swimming pool at Meno a Kwena. Meno a Kwena main camp. A Hide and Elephant Hide and wildlife View from Meno a Kwena. Lion on a walkway near Hyena Pan. Mokoro safari.
Highlights

Classic ‘desert and delta' mix – great biodiversity and landscapes. Heavyweight game viewing: elephants, buffalo, big cats, hippos and hyenas.

Destinations visited
Botswana Kalahari Moremi Game Reserve Okavango Delta

Romantic Botswana's Delta & Savute

6 days
Campfire at Chobe Under Canvas. Secluded campsite in the heart of Chobe National Park. Chobe Under Canvas serves delicious Pan-African cuisine. Fantastic photgraphic opportunities. An authentic African safari experience. Spotting elephants on a game drive at Chobe Under Canvas in the Chobe National Park. Set in a true natural wonder. Relax in a cosy corner on the deck at Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge.
Highlights

Combine two of Botswana's premier safari destinations. Enjoy sensational game viewing .

Destinations visited
Botswana Chobe National Park Okavango Delta

Romantic Cape, Victoria Falls & Delta

13 days
The warm, inviting exterior of Welgelegen. Chundukwa River Lodge's stilted River Chalets all overlook the Zambezi River. Chundukwa River Lodge pool deck. Spend a lazy afternoon by the pool at Leroo La Tau. Camp Moremi's elevated firepit overlooks the floodplains of the Moremi reserve. Your suite at Camp Moremi.
Highlights

Tours of Cape Town & the Winelands. Superb desert & delta game viewing.

Destinations visited
Botswana Cape Town Chobe National Park Kalahari Okavango Delta

Botswana’s Delta & Culture Safari

7 days
Water- and land-based activities in the Okavanago Delta. Nxamaseri fire pit. guided walks. Camp Xakanaxa exterior. Camp Xakanaxa Main area. Camp Xakanaxa Guest Tent. Water safari. Wild Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Highlights

A Trip with a Purpose supporting local communities through cultural visits. Luxury safari lodges and camps in the Okavango Delta.

Destinations visited
Botswana Okavango Delta

Botswana, Zimbabwe & Namibia

17 days
Camp Xakanaxa on the banks of the Khwai River on the Xakanaxa Lagoon. Camp Xakanaxa motorboat trip in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve. Ilala Lodge Hotel boat ride. Victoria Falls at sunset. Ilala Lodge Hotel is in the heart of Victoria Falls. Exterior of Olive Grove Guesthouse. Hot air ballooning on offer at Sossusvlei Lodge. Dune 45 at Sossusvlei.
Highlights

Experience the excitement of Victoria Falls. Drift along the Okavango in a mokoro.

Destinations visited
Botswana Damaraland Etosha Namibia Okavango Delta

Romantic Botswana's Chobe & Delta

7 days
A lantern-lit bush dinner at Chobe Chilwero Lodge. Sunset cruises on the Chobe River at Chobe Chilwero Lodge. Game drives in Chobe National Park. Your idyllic verandah at Chobe Chilwero Lodge. Enjoy a waterside stay | Baines' Lodge, an A&K Snctuary Mokoro safaris at Baines' Lodge. The boma. The guest lounge.
Highlights

Luxurious & intimate lodges. Excellent wildlife viewing.

Destinations visited
Botswana Chobe National Park Moremi Game Reserve Okavango Delta
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Linyanti & Hwange Safari

7 days
Linyanti Bush Camp mokoro safari. Helicopter rides Luxury bath with a view in Linyanti. Night Exterior of Linyanti Bush Camp Dine under the stars. Swimming pool with a sunset Luxury bedroom Game Drive
Highlights

Scenic 30-minute helicopter flights available. Mokoro & boat safaris.

Destinations visited
Botswana Hwange National Park Linyanti Zimbabwe
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A Botswana Family Safari

8 days
Exterior view of Camp Kalahari. The Sable Alley honeymoon tent. Exhilirating activities in the Kalahari. Horseback riding during the zebra migration. View of wildlife from Meno-a-Kwena Camp. Your tented accommodation at Meno. Meerkat interaction with Camp Kalahari. A twin suite at Camp Kalahari.
Highlights

Child-friendly safari through Botswana's most pristine wildernesses. Fun interactions with habituated Kalahari meerkats.

Destinations visited
Botswana Kalahari Okavango Delta

Botswana’s Privately Guided Bush, Photography & Stargazing Safari

11 days
Deception Valley Lodge main area. Kalahari migration. Cultural experience. Double tent at Camp Kalahari. Camp Kalahari tent. Mapula Lodge chalet. Mapula Lodge chalet interior. Morning game drive.
Highlights

Privately guided with one of the continent's best guides. Personalised service & exclusive lodges.

Destinations visited
Botswana Central Kalahari Game Reserve Kalahari Makgadikgadi Okavango Delta
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Botswana's Desert, Delta & Chobe Safari

7 days
Spend a lazy afternoon by the pool at Leroo La Tau. Camp Okavango suite private veranda. Helicopter flights over the Okavango provide a one of a kind safari experience | Camp Okavango Relax on the viewing deck overlooking the Chobe River. Dining at Leroo La Tau. A day trip to Nxai Pan National Park available on a minimum 3-night stay Water-based safaris in the Delta. Chobe Game Lodge perfectly positioned along the Chobe River.
Highlights

Combine three of Botswana's top wildlife destinations. Excellent game viewing & birding.

Destinations visited
Botswana Chobe National Park Makgadikgadi Okavango Delta
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