Wilderness is proud to announce its purchase of the 2024 honey harvest from Diyoveya, a thriving citizen-owned beekeeping enterprise based in Gunotsoga in the eastern panhandle of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The initiative forms part of Wilderness’ broader commitment to building conservation economies and nurturing sustainable partnerships with local communities across Botswana.
This year’s harvest yielded over 100 jars of honey, bottled in large 352 ml jars, a testament to the growth and resilience of this community-led project, despite an unusually dry season. The project, implemented in partnership with the Ecoexist Trust, demonstrates how conservation and commerce can come together to create meaningful impact in rural economies.
“Our work has always been rooted in the belief that conservation can only succeed when communities thrive”, said Joe Matome, Caretaker Managing Director of Wilderness in Botswana. “The Diyoveya honey project is a brilliant example of how small enterprises can flourish when they’re given the tools, trust, and partnerships to succeed. This is what a conservation economy looks like – nature and livelihoods coming together as a collective to deliver meaningful progress”.
In 2024, Wilderness purchased 70 jars from Diyoveya, with all production costs covered by the Ecoexist Trust to ensure 100% of revenue went directly to the beekeepers. Since then, the model has evolved, with the beekeepers now covering the costs of bottles and labels themselves, gradually building towards self-sufficiency. This approach mirrors successful handover strategies seen in other local initiatives supported by Wilderness, including the Okavango Community Basket and the Seronga Craft Shop.
To further support impact-led procurement, Diyoveya will now be onboarded as a direct supplier to Wilderness; another citizen-owned business brought into the Wilderness Botswana procurement ecosystem, streamlining both financial flows and impact reporting. The procurement of the 2024 harvest will now proceed under the “Impact Product” designation, a step that recognises not only the quality of the honey, but the purpose behind it. And this is just the beginning.
Diyoveya is one of many local enterprises that Wilderness is working with as part of a deliberate and growing strategy to embed community suppliers within the tourism supply chain. From crafts to fresh produce, textiles to transport, Wilderness is committed to creating lasting linkages that bring real opportunity to Botswana’s rural economies. This latest order will see the total value of procured goods from citizen-owned businesses cross the BWP8 million mark by the end of 2025. It has created sustained economic activity and employment for fellow Batswana as part of Wilderness’ Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme (CEEP), building on the momentum largely championed through the now annual Wilderness Local Suppliers’ Expo.
Ultimately however, it is more than just procurement of local honey. Every jar, every product, every partnership contributes to a shared vision: thriving communities, flourishing environments, and a tourism industry that truly uplifts. For more about the project and Wilderness’ contribution and commitment to the project, watch this short video.