A new National Geographic documentary, Nkashi: Race for the Okavango, which showcases the wonder and importance of the Okavango Delta, will première on National Geographic Wild on Saturday, June 24, at 18h00.

The documentary tells the story of three mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) guides in Botswana's Okavango Delta.

As they prepare for the annual Nkashi Classic – a time-trial race founded in 2018 by the Botswana Wild Bird Trust, which attracts the fastest mokoro polers in the Delta – they also contend with grief, the local impacts of climate change and the urgency of preserving the tradition of the mokoro and nkashi for the next generation.

"The Okavango Delta is globally known as home to captivating wildlife. But films made in the Okavango Delta have rarely told the stories of its extraordinary people, who have been protecting our water, wildlife, and traditions since the beginning of time. It's incredibly powerful that Nkashi: Race for the Okavango celebrates mokoro polers and their stories in their own language,” said Thalefang Charles, a producer of the film and National Geographic Explorer.

“At the National Geographic Society, we are working to ensure a brighter, healthier future for our planet and its people. It’s why we are so deeply committed to helping protect the Okavango Basin – one of the most critical conservation efforts in Africa,” said Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society.

“Nkashi: Race for the Okavango exemplifies the power of storytelling to shine a light on the people whose lives and livelihoods are deeply connected to this vital ecosystem. We are honoured to work with the community members featured in this film, the local storytellers who made it possible, and our explorers and partners who engage, educate, and advocate for preserving the Okavango Delta and its headwaters,” Tiefenthaler concluded.

Click here to watch the documentary’s trailer.