The vision for Nkashi began in 2018 as a mokoro race and has since evolved into a broader movement that celebrates and strengthens the cultural, ecological, and economic systems of the Okavango Delta. The Nkashi motto, “Propelling us Forward,” is inspired by the nkashi pole used to propel mekoro through the Delta’s shallow, winding waterways.

Nkashi honours the role of traditional and local knowledge in science, conservation, and sustainable enterprise. It brings together a growing ecosystem of initiatives that support a conservation-based economy in the Okavango Delta, including the Nkashi Knowledge Centres, the Nkashi Bus, Nkashi Enterprises, and Nkashi Trails.

Together, these initiatives aim to catalyse inclusive, community-driven development by creating opportunities for learning, collaboration, and innovation in remote areas of the Delta.

Nkashi is grounded in active engagement with communities across the region. It creates spaces for dialogue, listens to local knowledge systems, and supports communities in shaping solutions that reflect their realities and aspirations. In doing so, Nkashi works to strengthen the connection between people, place, and sustainable livelihoods.

The Nkashi Classic returns in 2026 to the village of Seronga, as the Okavango Delta once again comes alive with Botswana’s premier mokoro racing event.

Hosted by Nkashi Trust and supported by Okavango Eternal—a strategic partnership between the National Geographic Society and De Beers Group—the Nkashi Classic celebrates speed, skill, and the time-honoured tradition of mokoro poling, while supporting conservation awareness and sustainable livelihoods across the Okavango Basin.

The 2026 event begins with a series of village heats held across Ngamiland from 23 May to 27 June, giving polers multiple opportunities to qualify for the finals. The top competitors from across the heats will progress to the Nkashi Classic Finals, which take place on 25 July 2026 in Seronga.

In the final, competitors will navigate a challenging water course that tests endurance, precision, and deep knowledge of the Delta’s channels, in one of the region’s most iconic cultural sporting events.

Nkashi: Race for the Okavango

Nkashi: Race for the Okavango is a documentary that captures the spirit, culture, and competition behind the Nkashi Classic, while highlighting the importance of the Okavango Delta and its communities.

The film continues to generate interest in the Nkashi Classic and can be viewed through scheduled screenings on BTV1 in Botswana, as well as on YouTube here..

For more information, please contact: info@nkashi.co.bw Facebook: here.

How do I compete in this the Nkashi Classic?

To compete in the Nkashi Classic, participants must attend one of the official village heats and record a qualifying time. In 2026, heats will be held across five locations in Ngamiland from 23 May to 27 June. Entry is free and open to eligible competitors.

On arrival at a heat, participants will register, select their racing category, and complete a timed run on the course. The fastest qualifiers across all heats will progress to the Nkashi Classic Finals in Seronga on 25 July 2026.

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

Full competition rules are available on the official Nkashi Facebook page and should be reviewed carefully before participating.