Top music groups have signed contracts to perform at the Maun Festival at the end of April. They include “Dikakapa”, Botswana's most powerful traditional group (pictured) , local performers “Galephirime” (traditional), “Remuda” (rock) and "Mr Thapson" (guitar folk), and “Banjo Mosele and the Veterans”.  Desmond Green, the festival organiser, said the event was destined to be “the finest music and cultural celebration to be held in the country. “Top acts in four popular music genres will be catered for in a festival of music lasting 22 hours over the Labour Day weekend of April 30-May 2.

“Jazz, rock, traditional and popular African contemporary music performances will be held at the open-air stage at the Sedia Riverside Hotel in Maun on May 1 and 2.”  Seventeen acts are due to perform, and Green added: “It is our intention to provide a vehicle for the growth, promotion and development of art, music and culture, and as the Maun Festival grows, so the variety of performers and performances will grow.

Speaking from Norway, Banjo Mosele confirmed that his group, “Banjo Mosele and the Veterans” had signed a contract to play at the Maun Festival on May 2. Mosele, guitarist, singer and composer, was born at Kanye and is a founder member of the “Kalahari Band”, a group that backed South African star Hugh Masekela in the early 1980s. He has worked as a session musician with Jonas Gwangwa, Peter Gabriel and Barney Rachabane, and formed and led the “Bushmen Don't Surf” group that made a name for itself in the United Kingdom performing at various festivals, including the Glastonbury festival.

Article from The Ngami Times March 13-20, 2009

Festivals of music, art and culture throughout the world – and soon to be held in Maun, too - have proven to be a socio-economic contributor to tourism and the general economies of villages, towns, and cities.   Festivals are promoted in major cities on all continents and are a showcase for the creative arts - from the performing arts to visual arts, (including cinema), festivals, awards and recognition of the creative talents of the people living in our communities are marketed and celebrated.

Most will have heard of the Grammy's and the Oscars.  These two awards ceremonies recognise the best that the world has to offer in the music and cinema industries. Before achieving the highest accolade in their respective genres, artists have a long road to travel.  Usually starting in school productions, the dedicated and talented artists proceed through regional and national showcases before being “spotted” by the talent scout that launches them on the road to success.  This is where festivals play their role, attracting prospective stars and hopefuls who present their wares to the public.

So how does this benefit tourism?

The Bushfire Festival in Swaziland, now in its 3rd year, attracted 8 500 people in 2008.   All of these people needed place to sleep, something to eat, and had to get to the venue from all over Swaziland and from across the border.  It is estimated that R12-million (about P10-million) was contributed to the economy over the three days.

Maun, as the tourism capital of Botswana, has tourist activities that extend beyond music, art and culture into the mainstream of tourism. Companies that organise horse riding, kayaking, bird walks and day excursions by boat, mokoro or safari vehicle into our wilderness areas have packages to suit most pockets and complement the Maun Festival's attractions.

For more information on the Maun Festival, please visit our website www.maunfestival.com

Article from The Ngami Times

Maun Festival !!! April 30 to May 2 - Catch The Culture

    

Get tickets now! Come and enjoy - live entertainment from music through to poetry, theatre and dance. The Maun Carnival will be a "celebration of music, art, culture, and crafts in the tourism capital of Botswana." Get the continuing updates about this huge event from the new Maun Festival website.

 

 
Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.

 

Check out Capucha's growing story.

   

 

A look at the new Xudum Camp, built by Ernst Reitan of NORCAS. The 9 luxury safari suites took 11 months to build and they are a symbol of elegance and comfort. Safari experiences are organized by boat, vehicle or walking. Dining and whirlpool areas provide great vistas.

 

    

 

 

 

Okavango River of News

 

 

 

A must visit site for students and teachers from around the world. Do yourself a favour and check it out!

 

Game Flight or Game Drive?

 Let’s assume you have just arrived in Maun, Botswana and you have to plan your activity for the next day. If you have to choose between either doing a game flight or going on a day game drive to Moremi Game Reserve, what should you consider?

The game flight only takes about an hour. It leaves you plenty of time during the next day to rest, shop or catch up on some writing or reading. Mainly the participants seem to remember seeing herds of elephant or cape buffalo. Flying in a small Piper Cub is fun and if you are like me, you see the ground as a real life map.

On the other hand, a game drive starts early in the morning and is a full day activity. The potential to get close to lions, leopards, elephant, giraffe, hippo, wildebeest and a bounty of bird life are reasonably high. The packed lunch and chance for a short midday rest never disappoint.

If getting close to nature in a world renowned game reserve is your idea of fun, then the game drive is for you. If you need a rest and prefer a unique aerial perspective of the Okavango Delta, then go for the game flight.

 

 

Gemsbok and Impala in Moremi Game Reserve.

Irish Adventurers Visit Sedia

  

 

85 ton excavator arrives in Maun, Botswana - brought by a vehicle 4.2 metres wide, with 15 axles and 58 tires. It is enroute to Express Quarries in Tali Pan. The quarry is close to the Discovery Metals exploration property in the Kwgebe Hills. The total load weighed over 115 tons and must be the biggest delivery of its king in the history of Northern Botswana. In the video we have employees of the Maun Industrial Park celebrating the arrival of the new machine.

 

  

Fish Eagle having a late lunch. The water is so clear, they seldom miss their prey. After this moment, its back to their favourite tree and a quite feed. The high priests of the Okavango Delta are impressive.

Bicornis Holdings