Welcome to your Learning Space
At The Dow Academy Trust, we believe that travel should be a dialogue.
Through our Global Kgotla © philosophy, we co-design bespoke educational journeys that amplify home voices and foster deep, respectful connections with Botswana’s heritage. Every experience is curated to nourish your group’s learning goals.
Our primary classroom is beneath a huge Mosetlha Tree (African Wattle) at Graceland Grove. The Grove is a working family farm just outside Botswana’s capital city Gaborone.
In the Kgotla
Curated experiences for every curious mind. Find the Global Kgotla © that fits your group’s unique goals.
High School Groups
An incredible opportunity for school groups to learn with students in Botswana. To experience Botswana’s natural splendour and the regions incredible wildlife
Our customised learning experiences are inclusive of day or overnight safari experience.
Kgotla
/’kɒtlə/
noun
an ancient Tswana/Sotho ideal, naming wherever people are gathered to listen, to learn and to speak to each other and the environment with respect.
In a Kgotla, all words are said to be beautiful and of equal measure.
This is because of the age-old Tswana/Sotho concept of Botho, meaning
“I am because we are.”
Allow us to help design a Global Kgotla © just for you.
About Us
The Dow Academy Trust (TDA Trust) is a Botswana registered non-profit, female led education Trust. We promote the advancement of learning, meaningful dialogue and impactful connections through curated learning experiences.
We design bespoke, transformative learning experiences for anyone curious about what learning in and from Africa can be.
Your Guide
Cheshe Dow
Chair, TDA Trust
Cheshe is an experienced school leader, corporate executive, non-executive board director, author and backyard farmer.
Cheshe was educated in Botswana, USA, UK, Netherlands and South Africa. Together with her team, Cheshe designs experiences that nourish each groups’ interest.
Using natural spaces, traditional practices, fine art, cooking outdoors, wildlife, the Botswana sunset, home grown voices both known and unheard, Cheshe artfully coaxes travellers to be present and to experience learning about and from Africa.
"Re a go amogela!"/"You Are Welcome
Botswana is home for many of the world’s diamonds, the largest population of African elephants, the Okavango Delta, clear starry nights and sunsets that defy description in their fleeting splendor.
Come see for yourself why Africa continues to capture the imagination.