The vision for Nkashi started in 2018 as a mokoro race and has expanded into a movement. The motto, ‘Propelling us Forward’ stems from the use of the Nkashi pole which is used to propel mekoro over the shallow waters of the Okavango Delta.

Nkashi honours the contribution of traditional and local knowledge to science, conservation, and alternative enterprise opportunities. As our projects expand, we will see the Nkashi Brand encompass our Nkashi Knowledge Centres, the Nkashi Bus taking education on the road, Nkashi Enterprises and Nkashi Trails. All of these initiatives have a focus to catalyse and support the sustainable development of a conservation-based economy in the Delta.

NKASHI AIMS TO BE ON THE GROUND, IN REMOTE AREAS ACTIVELY ENGAGING WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE DELTA. It involves local and indigenous communities in the conversation. It invites communities to become a more active part of the solution. It listens to the solutions that have been there all along through traditional knowledge and it catalyses change as it propels us forward together.

Find out more about how it all began with the Nkashi Classic!

It began in 2018 when we hosted our first Nkashi Classic mekoro race. This is an annual mekoro time trial hosted by the Botswana Wild Bird Trust and sponsored by the National Geographic Society and De Beers. The Nkashi Classic aims to create awareness of the importance of the Okavango River System, the community it supports, and the power that it holds to effect positive change for future generations. We held a race in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023.

In 2024, various race heats will be held around Ngamiland to gather contestants for the main event to be held in Maun on Saturday 20th July 2024. Should water levels not be high enough in Maun by this time, the event will be delayed to Saturday 31st August 2024.

In preparation for the 2024 Nkashi Classic, we invite companies, organisations, tourism operators, governmental departments and businesses to help us sponsor various aspects of the event.

The documentary, 'Nkashi: Race for the Okavango', has now been released and is significantly contributing to the event's momentum. We encourage you to watch the trailer here to get a better understanding of what the film is about. Stay tuned to BTV1 in Botswana for regular screenings.

Lasty Kedisa (25yrs) from Boro was crowned the Okavango Delta’s Fastest Poler at the Nkashi Classic 2023 on 26 August 2023. Five years ago at the inaugural Nkashi Classic Lasty took second, beaten by Ralf at Matlapana in Maun. Lasty came determined to win - he completed the 1.5km long course in 11min 24sec. Lasty rose to the Leaderboard by just a second faster than Gorate Moagi (36yrs) from Jao and no one managed to topple him. Maikutlo Barumolang (51yrs) from Etsha 13 came third with a time of 11min 26sec. The champion walked away with P40,000, which includes P10,000 for his Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT).

For more information, please email info@nkashi.co.bw or visit our Facebook page here.

For all Nkashi event rules, please read here. These rules must be read before any competitor enters.

How do I compete in this the Nkashi Classic? Make sure you come to one of the race heats and set your fastest time. Heats will be run for 2 days in several locations. Polers can arrive throughout the day at any of the heats. Entrance is free to all. You will be able to register, select your racing category, and then be given one chance to set your fastest time on the race course. The top qualifiers from all of the heats will then compete in the finals.

The basic criteria which competitors must meet include: • Must be 18 years of age or older. • Must have and present a valid Omang or another form of identification at registration. • Must be able to swim • Must be able to pole a mokoro efficiently • Must be medically fit to compete

The full competition rules have been posted above and are available on the website and Facebook events page and all polers are requested to review them before racing.

This year we are adding in a new category: Youth, and amending the doubles category to be mixed only - one male one female per 2 person team. This means there are now 7 categories in which a poler must choose to complete. A poler may only compete in one of the categories: Youth Male (age 18 - 30) Youth Female (age 18-30) Male (age 31 - 54) Female (age 31 - 54) Veteran Male (age 55 and up) Veteran female (age 55 and up) Mixed Doubles (1 male, 1 female, any age)