Come Experience Learning Where the African Elephant Roams Free

Educational Group Travel Designed For You

We Support Early Childhood Education And Care

Educational Group Travel Designed For You

Welcome to your Learning Space​

The TDA Trust Story

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 the capital city of Gaborone.

Your Journey of Connection Starts Here!

Faculty-Led University Groups

We co-design summer study abroad programs in Botswana & South Africa

Full Support

Academic Excellence: Integrate with LMS tools, track grant milestones, and manage peer-review cycles seamlessly.

High School
Groups

An incredible opportunity for school groups to learn with students in Botswana and to experience Botswana’s natural splendour and the regions incredible wildlife

Student Leadership

Boost participation with easy sign-up sheets and real-time announcements for every meeting.

Book/Bridge or
Social Clubs

Come read, play bridge or enjoy your social club beneath the Botswana sky.

Social Connection

Use voting polls for next month’s book and archive your club’s history and favourite memories.

Writing Clubs

Host your next writing retreat or come write that book in Botswana, get away and get inspired to write something authentic.

Creative Flow

Specialized "Critique Modes" and version history help you see your story evolve from draft to finish.

Family Groups

Family reunions, sibling, cousin or grandchildren retreats-come reconnect and learn something together with Botswana as your backdrop.

Legacy Building

Securely store important documents, shared recipes, and a unified calendar for every family event.

Parties of 1 or 2

Take some time out and enjoy being in the natural world again.

Personal Productivity

Deep-focus tools and shared accountability checklists designed for maximum individual efficiency.

In the Kgotla

Curated experiences for every curious mind. Find the Global Kgotla © that fits your group’s unique goals.

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 you 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 Host

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.