Botswana
KD Gabogolelwe
&Beyond Private Guide & Guide Trainer
At a glance
PASSIONATE. DETERMINED. KNOWLEDGE-SEEKER.
Fluent in Setswana & English - also know most wildlife names in German & French
19 years of guiding experience, & counting… Guiding 15 years for &Beyond
Regional expertise primarily in Botswana (Okavango, Chobe, Linyanti & Nxai Pan)
Enjoy ethology, geography, history, birding, community & conservation
Love accompanying families, special interest groups & conservationists
HELLO, I’M KD
My name is Keiditsemang Jeremiah Gabogolelwe, otherwise known as KD. I was born in Maun in Botswana, and am a qualified teacher, Christian pastor, counsellor, researcher, safari nature guide and guide trainer.
I am currently working as a guide trainer in Botswana for &Beyond Travel. I joined the company in April 2008 as an expeditions guide leading mobile camps in the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and Nxai Pan National Park. In 2020 I joined the training department.
I am married with three children; two girls and a boy, and currently live in Maun with my family.
An &Beyond Private Guide is someone who has undergone rigorous training at one of our elite ranger training schools and who has been carefully handpicked for this role because of their extensive guiding experience. These individuals are recognised as the best in the industry offering exceptional professionalism, accomplished interpretative guiding and an extraordinary guest experience overall.
Questions and answers
GET TO KNOW ME
1. How many years of guiding experience do you have?
I have been actively guiding for the last 19 years. For 15 of those years I have guided consecutively for &Beyond. I first qualified as a guide in 2001.
2. What qualifications do you have?
I qualified as an English language, literature and social studies teacher in 2004 from Molepolole College of Education in Botswana.
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In addition to this, and my guiding qualifications, I also have my Masters in Philosophy (MPHIL) in Natural Resources Management from the University of Botswana. Other qualifications include Bachelor of Commerce in HR and Industrial Relations, Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Ministry, Bachelor of Arts in Counselling, as well as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theology and Religious Studies.
3. Expertise and regional knowledge?
I have mostly guided in Botswana in southern Africa, specifically in the Okavango Delta, Nxai Pan National Park, Chobe National Park, and Linyanti region.
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I have also visited Namibia, particularly the Caprivi Strip, closer to the Mohembo Border Post. I have visited all of &Beyond’s lodges and camps in Tanzania, including Serengeti Under Canvas. This has helped provide me with the regional expertise and knowledge I need to understand Tanzania’s numerous guiding dynamics.
4. What do you love to do in your spare time?
I enjoy birding, studying wildlife found in other areas, walking and exercising (including gyming), as well as attending conservation workshops.
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Moreover, as a pastor recognised as a Marriage Officer by the Botswana government, I also enjoy facilitating weddings.
5. What sets you apart from other Private Guides?
I love broadening my knowledge, and enjoy researching Wildlife Conservation and Tourism. I am a qualified teacher, Christian pastor, counsellor, researcher, safari nature guide and guide trainer.
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With this, I believe I am able to host all types of guests and engage in meaningful discussion across various topics, while being intuitive and sensitive where necessary. I have a broad field guiding knowledge, and am extremely passionate about what I do.
I am also a member of Kalahari Conservation Society (KSC), as well as have an extensive knowledge of Botswana’s varied wild and birdlife, ensuring I am well conversant with the pressing conservation issues in the country, and abroad.
6. Do you have any special interests?
My special interests include ethology (observing animal behaviour), geography, history of Africa (including tribes), birding, conservation and community engagement, as well as research.
7. Where haven't you been that you want to travel to?
In South Africa, I would love to travel to &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve, the Garden Route and Cape Town, and abroad, the USA.
8. Do you have a favourite travel itinerary?
I have always loved accompanying and guiding guests in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park and Nxai Pan National Park. The diversity and experience of each area is so beautifully unique, despite their close proximity.
9. What is your most memorable sighting to date?
Witnessing a pride of five lionesses attacking a sub-adult elephant, and killing it, in the Linyanti region.
10. Who do you most enjoy accompanying?
I enjoy accompanying families, special interest groups and conservationists. I love to host guests that are looking to enjoy a holistic experience in nature.
11. Do you have a favourite memory with guests?
Watching a pride of seven lionesses killing a plains zebra and feeding on it while at our campsite in Chobe National Park. We saw everything from our breakfast table – the hunt took place approximately 800 m (2 624 ft) from us.
12. Tell us one quirky fact about you
I am generally quite a quiet person, but am known to become rather talkative when discussing topics I am passionate about, especially while guiding.
13. Do you have a favourite animal or bird, and why?
My favourite animal is the elephant. As an animal that is constantly moving, the elephant provides guides with the incredible opportunity to interpret its behaviour to guests, which is different from elephant to elephant. Moreover, it is a keystone species with a lot of conservation controversy in southern Africa, which has brought many scientists together.
I also like all bird species owing to their vast differences, including roles and habitats. Eagles stand out to me, though, as they are known to soar higher than any other bird – a true embodiment of hard work and success.
Challenges are learning opportunities to capitalise on. To encounter challenges, it is important to go out of your comfort zone.
Begin your adventure with KD
Let KD guide you on a journey-of-a-lifetime
My photography showcase
FROZEN IN TIME
Travel with me
A SELECTION OF MY ALL-TIME FAVOURITE ITINERARIES
Timeless Chobe and Delta Safari
Chobe National Park | Okavango Delta
Let me take you on a truly once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience in Botswana.
Choose your ideal privately guided adventure
Journey with KD on one of these incredible itineraries
years