Botswana Scam – Kingsley Segolame Masule (Kalahari Under Canvas)

Hello, my name is Chris Wilpert. I got scammed in Botswana by Kingsley Segolame Masule (Company „Kalahari Under Canvas“) for a 9 Day Tour in Botswana. It cost me 1800 USD (around 1700 EUR). I will explain in detail how the scam worked and surprising turns back and forth during my experience. Even if this is a german travel blog I will keep the article in english to reach a broader audience. The moral of the story is to be extra cautious when booking tours in Africa or Botswana. Request registrations, names and do a proper check on reviews.

How it all started

I was looking for a tour in Botswana and found Kalahari Under Canvas (Website will maybe taken offline one day or not). When I did my research about reviews I didn’t find major red flags (example Trip Advisor). Travel for last 10 years and thought it gonna be ok with some basic research. The initial contact through E-mails (bookings.kalahari@gmail.com or kalahariundercanvas@gmail.com) was fine. But when it comes to booking he started to be a bit pushy and said if I want to book I need to book now, so he can reserve national park tickets. First red flag I ignored as it was halfway reasonable one month before the intended tour date.

This is the offer I got: Botswana Chris Itinerary (PDF)

Booking, Contract, Payment and Red Flags

After negotiation for the price I booked with him. It is not uncommon to pay in advance as things need to get reservated and I experienced it in several countries in Africa. I will also attach screenshots of my payment. The first red flag was coming up because I didn’t get any confirmation for 7 days after payment and he seemed to be gone. I joined the FB group „DriveBots“ which is a big Group for Botswana. I also found out the WhatsApp number (+267 75 509 719 EDIT: Not in user anymore). Finally he confirmed the payment and I got a Voucher.

Contract: CONTRACTUAL-AGREEMENT-Kalahari Under Canvas filled (PDF)

Voucher: Botswana Kalahari Under Canvas Confirmation Voucher (PDF)

Prepare for Tour and the SHOCK after arriving in Maun (Botswana)

One week before I arrived I wanted to confirm if everything is fine and double check on Pickup point and time. They confirmed it via WhatsApp and I was looking forward to the trip.

Week later, I arrived in Maun and had issue with my luggage. I sent a voice note asking if we could start the tour 3h later on the date, so I am able to pickup the luggage next day. They Just told me to check my E-mails.

I was shocked, 1h after I arrived they told me that they don’t operate anymore! I thought it was a joke and immediate know this was kind of a scam and they tried to intentionally lie to keep the money. What was coming is lots of lies and any excuses possible.

Deep Research and confirm the Scam of Segolame Kingsley Maguider Pitsewamokapisi (Kalahari Under Canvas)

As you can imagine I was angry, disappointed and stressed. Not just to loose a lot of money but also being in Botswana without a tour. For clarity I leave out all side stories of how things went for me in Botswana and stay to details of the scam. During my first and second day I did a lot of research. Who was the Scammer, more details of the Company and so on. The best poin to start was the Facebook Group DriveBots. I created a post there to warn people of the scam and ask for advice and information.

For People, who are not in the FB Group: FB Post DriveBots Scam Warning (PDF)

The group was very helpful and understanding. I got a lot of contacts and information in the following days. So far that some people told me where he is based now, which is relevant later in the story.

I quickly figured out most important information about the Scammer and the Company:

• Kalahari Under Canvas (based in Kaserne, Review Trip Advisor, Safari Bookings)
• Owner: Segolame Kingsley Maguider Pitsewamokapisi or Kingsley Segolame Masule
• https://www.kalahariundercanvas.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/kalahariundercanvas
• bookings.kalahari@gmail.com | kalahariundercanvas@gmail.com
• Whatsapp: +267 75 509 719 (Company – EDIT: Not in use anymore)
• Whatsapp: +267 72 896 045 (Privat Segolame Kingsley Maguider Pitsewamokapisi)
• Company Kalahari was not removed from Company Registration of Botswana (CIPA -BW00005024114)
• He seemed to Scam Tourist People before (see Paragraph below)
• Bank Details
  • Account Name: Kalahari Under Canvas (PTY) Ltd
  • Bank: First National Bank Botswana
  • Branch Number: 285167
  • Account Number: 63057241291
  • Swi Code: FIRNBWGX

Details from CIPA

• Kalahari Under Canvas Proprietary Limited (BW00005024114)
• Removed (Effective from 11 July 2024) | Reason: Removal due to failure to file annual return
• Owner and only Shareholder: Segolame Masule
• Secretary: Collen Oarabile Mukuwa
• Address: PO Box 439, Kasane, Botswana (Effective from 07 June 2023)

Pictures of Segolame Kingsley Maguider Pitsewamokapisi or Kingsley Segolame Masule (Scammer)

Not the only one he scammed

Two documented cases I can share here as well.

• Sarah Smith, who contacted me via Messenger that her client got scammed by hm as well. We exchanged Information during this time and are still in contact. Her original agreement for payment was also not fulfilled. People can contact her. She is a travel agent from „AMS SAFARIS and Services“, info@alanmcsmith.com and her contact is +27 761832040
• Marita Estrada, wo reported Kingsley in a separate FB post from 2023. At this time I didn’t know his name or that he worked for a different company before. It was pointed out it the FB Group. You can review the Story via DriveBots Link with different Company Name (JACKAL EXPEDITIONS BOTSWANA)

Side Story – Lies and Excuses

After research my Airbnb Host in Maun tried to call his WhatsApp number and surprisingly he picked up. Telling that he tried to find a solution for the next days and give me a refund. Next day there was no message of life sign of him. This holding, lying and finding excuses kept going for multiple days. Every time it was something else. Giving him two times ultimate to act otherwise I would go to the police. No reaction. Preview: This side stories went one for the entire month and kept repeating.

Reporting at the Police

Due to my extra time I acted according to the advice from the FB group and reported the scam at the police. The story itself is worth a blog article as I prepared a lot of evidence, screenshot and text messaged. Unfortunately they did not have a computer and I had to write down everything by hand. I also notified Kingsley (Name of the Scammer) about the police report and told him that I was going to report him as well to the tourist board if he will not act and refund the full amount.

The deal was easy. If he would refund I would take back the police report and Edit the FB post that it was a mistake from his side and he showed responsibility. Best thing for him to take the turn and gain back some trust in the community. As you will see in the story continues he kept lying and find excuses.

Involving a Sheriff in Botswana

I learned about Sheriffs in Botswana. This are middle man between courts and lawyers. They also act as debt collector. Through a friend I made in Botswana they connected me and I exchanged ideas with him. This sheriffs cost money in advance, which would need to paid back by the debtor. Still some risk involved if he cant find that person and other small details. I shied away to hire away from the idea to hire someone in Maun as I would have to go to Kaserne myself anyway and hire someone there. The Sheriff in Maun did called Kingsley (the Scammer). Good or bad he was aware of additional steps.

The good, the bad and the ugly in Kasane

A lot of people didn’t recommend to me to find the scammer in Kasane. As soon as Kingsley (Scammer) know I was going after him he offered to meet and find a solution. Despite knowing that he till (almost 3 weeks later) now just found excuses and lied I agreed to meet at a save place. He behaved like a shy guy and promised to find a solution. Offered me to meet with his uncle next day. At least he kept this one promise and I meet his uncle the next day.

Partly Refund from Uncle

The uncle did not got all the details from his Nephew of his behavior and was kind of shocked. I did felt that the uncle (not mentioned by name to ensure he will not partly responsible for what Kingsley did) was genuine. He said he would help, but unfortunately didn’t want to pay back everything. He offered to pay back (10000 BWP, which are around 700 USD) and ask me not to involve a sheriff. This are around 40% of what Kingsley (Scammer) was owe me. He didn’t start the scam but took responsibility for his family member.

The Deal (Last Hope and disappointment)

The deal with his uncle was not to report him to tourism board and give Kingsley (Scammer) 6 weeks to pay back the rest amount of 14.000 BWP. After the partly refund we went again to the police to have it in written form. I think I can save you with more side drama and a weekly reminder to Kinsley that he would need to pay or at least start with small payments. 6 weeks past and as you can imagine: More lies, more excuses and no payment.

Thats were we are, couple month later I still try to get more people involved. It would be nice to get the money back but even more to see more action from police and tourism board to show a signal that those people who scam tourist gets punished and limited in business to avoid more victims and deliver a bad image to the world.

 

Please help!

I intentionally invested the time to write this extensive article. I think it is a principle to champion great destinations to travel and reward countries providing a save and enjoyable atmosphere to travel. Also, to be honest about issues and point out the black issues. Do you know anyone in the police in Botswana? Don’t you think they should act? Should tourism board not show more action? Forward this article or comment a contact (If written I can also not publish the contact publicly but still able to forward the article myself). Thanks for your support and be aware of your own research and booking.