Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines has produced a documentary dubbed ‘Desert Heaven’ in its efforts to position the Orapa Game Park as one of the most diverse wildlife sanctuaries and the gateway to Makgadikgadi.
The documentary falls under the ‘Orapa today and Tomorrow’ project, which is designed to bring opportunity to the people of Boteti by creating a unique wild life sanctuary, opening a museum, encouraging visits to see the process of mining for diamonds and establishing a strong commercial and educational presence.
According to Orapa Hospital Superintendent and Orapa Game Park Committee Chairperson Dr Hans Van Zyl, the recently produced documentary will be used as a marketing tool to develop this unique park as a tourism heaven in Boteti through increased knowledge about the endangered species at the park.
“The documentary will serve as a marketing tool for all persons wishing to visit the Orapa Game Park before proceeding to other tourist attractions such as the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) and the Okavango Delta.” he said. “In addition, the purpose of the documentary is to study and film diurnal and nocturnal animals for educational and tourist interest,” he said this some weeks back when launching the film in Orapa.”
In addition Dr Hans Van Zyl pointed out that the documentary was directed at strategically positioning the park as a true sanctuary for all endangered species and to be the catalyst for development in the district. He said this was part of the mines’ initiative to position the park as a ‘must visit’ destination for tourists, and to leave an impeccable legacy in the Boteti region.
The Managing Director of Quintessential (PTY) LTD, the company that filmed the documentary, Dr Johan Steyn revealed that he spent a year in the park from early October 2012 until the beginning of October 2013. Dr. Steyn pointed out that there is a surprising amount of activity in the park and much more variety than previously thought. He pointed out that he hoped that the documentary will be of great value on the educational front.
The Orapa game park recently signed into the Diamond Route, an initiative of the E Oppenheimer and Son, De Beers and Ponahalo Holdings whose main objective is to bring a long lasting contribution to conservation and raise environmental awareness in the communities in which the De Beers Group of Companies operate. In addition, the park is a member of Botswana Wildlife Producers Association (BWPA); whose objectives include promoting and encouraging sound ethical practices and environmental conservation.