Okavango Delta Management Plan - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Category Natural / Bio-physical Tourism: Visitor activities and experience Community / subsistence <strong>Management</strong>
Developed Characteristics
129
Urbanised areas with extensive
evidence of man-made structures,
infrastructure and modification to
natural habitat – little natural area
evident.
Human activities such as development
and construction, impacts persist from
year to year
Visitor activities / operator support
Some uncontrolled recreational use is apparent, with associated
impacts ie. quad-biking, 4x4 trail driving, sport fishing etc.
Access and roads
No controls or exclusions except those stated in lease agreements
issued by the Tawana Land Board or in tourism licence.
Visitor experience
Little or no opportunity for solitude and isolation
Extremely high probability of contact with other visitors or residents
Opportunity for extensive degree of interaction with other tourists
or residents
Facilities
EIA necessary before any tourism development in this area
Regulations to maintain the area, where development takes place
No limitations on types of tourism accommodation provided
No limitations on carrying capacities unless stated in lease
agreements issued by the Tawana Land Board
Opportunity for community tourism projects
Stringent environmental and waste disposal regulations
Built up urban and peri-urban areas, with
residential and commercial buildings and
constructions.
Limited access for use of natural resources,
based on permits and monitoring.
Significant access to use and development
of area based upon permits and local
government regulations.
Opportunities for the employment of a very
significant number of members of
immediately local communities.
High managerial presence and on
site regulation ie. by NWDC staff
and monitoring
Some strategies for visitor
education and resource protection
ie. Educational Game Reserve in
Maun.
Privatisation of some services (e.g.
cleaning)