If you’ve ever visited Daunara and left feeling lighter, calmer, and completely renewed, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced the magic of Onkamogetse Motlakapula — or as everyone here calls her, “Onks. She’s more than a massage therapist; she’s a storyteller, a listener, and a soul deeply rooted in the wild heart of Botswana. Her journey to the massage table is as unique as the Okavango Delta itself.
Born of the Delta
Onks’ story begins in Maun — the famous gateway to the Okavango — but her roots run even deeper. She grew up in Daunara, a small settlement inside the Delta, where her love for nature and people was shaped by the rhythms of the bush.
“I think the Delta raised me,” she says with a smile. “It taught me patience, kindness, and how to find peace in the simplest moments.”
A Life-Changing First Massage
Before she found her calling, Onks worked as a waitress and a bar lady. But everything changed the day she received her first professional massage.
“I remember walking away feeling lighter, happier, renewed. I knew instantly — this is what I want to give to other people.”
Daunara believed in her potential, sponsoring her training and giving her a life-changing opportunity from the moment the camp opened its doors. Today, she holds a Certificate in Beauty Therapy with a specialisation in massage — and dreams of further studies in psychology, yoga, and mindfulness to create truly holistic wellness experiences.
Ask Onks about her favourite time of day and she’ll tell you: ‘Sunset in my magic hour’.
“As the light softens and the sounds of the bush change from day to night, there’s a deep calm that settles over everything. Giving a massage in that moment feels like working in harmony with nature itself.”
Her go-to treatment is the Swedish massage — a perfect balance of relaxation and gentle pain relief — but it’s the transformation she sees in her guests that matters most. “When they leave my table lighter and happier, that’s everything.”
From Mokoro to Massage Table
One fact that never fails to surprise guests? Onks used to be a mokoro poler, navigating guests through the Delta’s winding channels in traditional dugout canoes.
“They look at my small frame and can’t believe it,” she laughs. “I always have to explain the whole poling experience… maybe I should charge for the story time!”
For Onks, pride comes in small but powerful moments — a heartfelt thank you from a guest, a smile that says “you made my day.” Outside of work, she loves going out with friends, enjoying life, and most of all, spending time with her son.
Her sundowner of choice? A crisp gin and tonic, ideally with a meaty snack in hand. Her soundtrack? Tswana traditional music, carrying the rhythm of her childhood and the stories of her people.
If She Could Take You Anywhere
If given the choice to take guests on safari anywhere in the world, Onks wouldn’t look far.
“Right here in Daunara,” she says without hesitation. “The beauty, the wildlife, the spirit of this place — it’s unmatched. This camp isn’t just where I work, it’s home. And when you’re here, I want you to feel that too.”
Come meet Onks for yourself at Daunara — and experience the magic of her hands, her heart, and her Delta-born spirit.