Okavango Delta Management Plan - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Category Natural / Bio-physical Tourism: Visitor activities and experience Community / subsistence <strong>Management</strong>
Semi Pristine
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Characteristics
Extensive area of wild or natural
landscape that might include a number
of different ecosystems or habitats
The natural character of the
environment, biodiversity, associated
natural and cultural resources, biophysical
systems and processes as well
as the provision of environmental
goods and services prevails.
Biodiversity continues to be
maintained.
Contains sites of special importance ie.
habitat or breeding areas for rare or
endangered species.
Relative absence of exotic species –
although some outbreaks exist in
specific areas.
Limited impacts of human activity or
use may be visible or evident within
the area ie. roads, tracks, buildings
and infrastructure.
Visitor activities / operator support
Accompanied walking trails, overnight camping in fly camps, game
drives in tourism operator safari vehicles, night driving, limited
sport licensed fishing (catch and release).
Sustainable harvest of specified natural resources under controlled
or permitted conditions, i.e. professional hunting of wild animals,
cutting of thatching grass and reeds is taking place.
Access and roads
Limited motorised vehicles allowed ie. no. of vehicles per
lodge/camp; y no. of boats per lodge/camp
No self drive or unsupervised access except in Moremi Game
Reserve or designated areas
Visitor experience
Provides a "wilderness-based" experience, but evidence of human
activities or use from outside the zone may be visible or audible
from certain vantage points.
Minimal encounters with other users – except those with other
parties in same camp or lodge.
Numbers of groups and numbers per group to be set or controlled
through limits on beds available in camps.
Excellent opportunities for solitude, quietness, and communication
with nature.
Exposure to risk from dangerous wild animals
Facilities
Limited permanent and semi-permanent structures – ie. bricked
lodges; tented camps with minimal permanent, supporting
infrastructure, according to stipulated carrying capacity limits per
site ie. number of beds per site (indicated in lease and
management plans).
Limited, temporary accommodation for camp or lodge support staff
allowed under agreed, controlled conditions, laid out in facility
management plans
Facilities serve adjacent pristine areas.
Stringent environmental and waste disposal regulations exist and
No permanent settlements.
Extremely limited access for use of natural
resources or area, based on permits and
monitoring. Some use for religious purposes
may be allowed, according to agreed
conditions and circumstances.
Limited opportunities for the employment of
a moderate number of members of
immediately local communities.
Emphasis on on-site management
No signs or structures unless to
protect resources
Significant participation of local
community in the tourism activities
Implementation of the available
policies, rules and regulations