Phineas Kapinga
EDITORS CHOICE: Category – Tourism
Phineas Kapinga email:[email protected]
Tour operator
Phineas Kapinga is one of the young Batswana who has seen the gap and taken it. The growing tourism industry in Botswana has afforded some grand opportunities for the entrepreneurially minded — and Kapinga has proven to be one of them. His company, Dwayne Tours and Safaris, operates out of Gaborone and offers the average tourist a fresh approach to seeing the sites.
As opposed to traditional pre-packaged tours, Dwayne Tours and Safaris customizes the tour entirely for each client.
“We travel, we find hotels, lodges, game parks, landscapes, peoples and activities that you love,” the website says. “Then we talk to you. We ask questions: what you like, what you don’t… We listen. We advise. Then we put together a plan for you to discuss with us, to tweak and change — until you have a safari that is just right for you.”
Kapinga describes himself as a dreamer: “I am always dreaming high, no matter how tough my situation and plans can be, I will always come up with solutions as an entrepreneur.”
What began three years ago is now a name internationally recognised throughout the world, with mentions in some of the world-leading travellers’ magazines.
Kapinga divulges the secrets to his success. Given that his competitors all share the same tourist destinations, it is essential to somehow be different. He took on a practical and highly personal approach to securing clients, in which common sense and strong communication drive the planning process. Talking through client needs and expectations — and ensuring they are met — has set his business apart. Kapinga also notes that safety and insurance generally are first priority in the industry, so he makes sure that his fleets and customers are properly covered before hitting the road.
Kapinga is optimistic about the future. “Our future is bright in terms of population increase in our country.”
The company is constantly adapting and growing their business model. upcoming tourism expos around the country will offer Kapinga and his team opportunities to learn and apply new findings, as they commit to improving their unique service for tourists abroad. — Mike Olivier