What’s New at Moela? Floods, Footsteps & Tcasa Xhaoka

In this edition, we’re bringing you closer to the story of the water, from the first trickles flowing through Maun to the hippos holding on in the last pools of the Boteti Riverbed. You’ll meet Tcasa Xhaoka, one of our remarkable San cultural activity guides, and discover the heartfelt journey behind how Moela came to life through community, conservation, and a shared dream. We’ll also take you on a journey through the wild and wonderful experiences on offer at Moela, from game drives and night safaris to heli flights, spa time, and cultural encounters.

THE WAIT FOR WATER AND THE WONDERS IT BRINGS

The Okavango flood is flowing steadily through Maun, the heartbeat of Botswana’s safari world. While the waters are currently gentler than anticipated, despite heavy rainfall earlier this year in the Angolan highlands, there is still plenty of promise ahead. We remain hopeful that the flood will reach the Boteti River in the coming weeks, breathing fresh life into the landscape that surrounds Moela.

Right now, around eighty hippos are clustered in the last remaining pools of the Boteti Riverbed. These are the fading remnants of the last great flood, and they serve as a powerful reminder of just how precious water is in this part of the world. With no rain expected until late September or even November, all eyes are on the river and the hope that floodwaters might reach the Makgadikgadi Pans once again.

In the meantime, nature carries on in breathtaking ways. The zebra and wildebeest migration is in full swing, with massive herds congregating right in front of the lodge. It’s an unforgettable sight, hundreds of animals moving through the open landscape, drawn to the seeps and emergency waterholes around Moela. Even the hippos, still finding enough to graze on, are travelling further each day to fill those barrel bellies. As winter slowly loosens its grip and temperatures rise, so too does the demand for water, along with the sense of anticipation. Nature’s rhythm here is both fragile and resilient, and every shift in season brings with it new life, new hope, and new stories waiting to be told. We are watching and waiting, and we cannot wait to share the next chapter with you.

ADVENTURE, YOUR WAY!

At Moela, every day is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of day. Feel like chasing wildlife at sunrise? Hop on a game drive and catch nature in action. Want something wilder? Try a night safari under a blanket of stars or walk in the footsteps of the San on a guided bush walk packed with ancient wisdom. For the thrill-seekers, there’s nothing quite like soaring over the salt pans in a helicopter or sleeping on them for a surreal night under the Milky Way. Prefer the slower lane? Sink into a spa session, sip something cold while watching zebra stroll by your deck, or dive into the local culture with meaningful village visits. Whether you’re here for the photos, the thrill, or just some soul-soothing stillness - Moela’s got the magic for your kind of safari.

DO YOU KNOW HOW MOELA BEGAN?

It all started with a shared dream between three people: conservation legend David Dugmore, local businessman Mr. Moela, and his powerhouse wife, Gloria. What brought them together? A passion for wildlife, people, and doing tourism differently.

David has been at the heart of Botswana’s safari world for almost 40 years, helping protect vital migratory routes, safeguarding zebra and wildebeest herds, and resolving human-wildlife conflict long before it was widely recognised. He knows this land like the back of his hand.

Mr. Moela and Gloria, both born and raised in the region, returned to their roots with a mission to make sure tourism benefits their community. Although Gloria did not come from a tourism background, her warmth, presence, and leadership made her the perfect person to take on front-of-house management. Guests love the personal touch and the sense of being welcomed into a truly owner-run lodge.

And so, Moela was born. A one-of-a-kind lodge tucked inside the Ngande Reserve, sharing open borders with Makgadikgadi National Park. Not only does it offer unforgettable wildlife sightings, but it is also built on a foundation of community empowerment and conservation.

At Moela, we believe the future of conservation starts with people. That is why everything we do connects the wild with the communities who protect it.

Now you know. And we cannot wait for you to experience it.

MEET TCASA XHAOKA: KEEPER OF CULTURE AT MOELA

Say hello to Tcasa Xhaoka, one of the passionate team members behind our San (Bushman) cultural activities at Moela. Born in 1993 in the small village of Rooibrakke near the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Tcasa is the ninth of ten siblings in a family deeply rooted in the Basarwa tribe. After leaving school to support his family, Tcasa worked in a nearby feedlot before returning home to care for his ailing father. Following his father’s passing in 2016, Tcasa felt a strong pull to reconnect with his heritage learning traditional skills like animal skin clothing, hunting, and gathering, all passed down through generations. In 2019, he began working in the tourism sector, and today we are proud to have him as part of the Moela team. His knowledge, dedication, and storytelling bring the rich San culture to life for our guests. Despite challenges such as water scarcity that have displaced many from his home village, Tcasa holds onto the hope of one day returning to Rooibrakke to continue living his culture and teaching it to the next generation.

At Moela, he’s already doing just that.