• The African Bush Camps Foundation is actively training the next generation of conservationists through the Junior Ranger Program in Botswana’s Khwai region.
• Launched in July 2024, the program engages Khwai Primary School students in practical topics like wildlife conservation, waste management, and biodiversity.
• The program emphasizes hands-on learning, including field visits, wildlife tracking, and presenting sustainability solutions at regional conferences.
• Future expansion plans include maintaining the program in Khwai, introducing it to schools in the Chobe Enclave, and developing career pathways in conservation for the youth

The African Bush Camps Foundation (ABCF) is empowering young people in Botswana’s remote Khwai region to become the next generation of conservation leaders through its Junior Ranger Program. This initiative is designed to instill a sense of ownership and pride in the local wilderness, ensuring that the future of conservation is rooted in community stewardship. As Beks Ndlovu, Founder of African Bush Camps, states, investing in the children’s dreams is essential for shaping a future where conservation is locally driven.

Launched in July 2024, the program engages 50 students from Khwai Primary School in twice-weekly sessions led by African Bush Camps guides and local teachers. The curriculum focuses on practical conservation topics such as wildlife, biodiversity, soil erosion, and waste management. Since its inception, the program has involved over 500 students in various environmental projects, including tree planting, recycling art, and contributing to a youth environmental magazine. In a significant display of their learning, 69 Junior Rangers presented their sustainability solutions at the Maun Environmental Education Conference in June 2025.

The program includes hands-on field experience, such as a recent visit to the Khwai Leadwood camp. During this visit, students received Junior Ranger kits and practiced wildlife spotting and tracking under the guidance of professional safari guides. The day emphasized not only knowledge but also empathy and responsibility toward wildlife. The recognition of top essays on what being a ranger means to the community further highlights the program’s focus on leadership and vision.

ABCF plans to expand this movement by strengthening the program in Khwai, introducing similar initiatives like Coaching Conservation to five primary schools in the Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust in 2026, and building clear career pathways in conservation for local youth. This commitment aims to measure long-term changes in environmental awareness and behavior, solidifying the idea that lasting conservation begins with local education and community ownership.