Okavango Delta Management Plan - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

aised several meters above the other, with spectacular rock formations, flowstones,
stalactites, inlets, hallways apertures and fossil (frozen) waterfalls. The caves are home to a
large bat population.
2.4.7.5 Maun Village
Maun Village, established in 1915 as the tribal capital of the Batawana people, is currently
considered the tourism capital of Botswana. Most tourists entering Ngamiland District do
so through Maun Village, which is the gateway to the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> and Moremi Game
Reserve. Maun is also headquarters of countless safari and air-charter operations whose
presence in the district enhances tourism facilities. Maun hosts a population of 43
776inhabitants, and is spread out along the wide banks of the Thamalakane River, where
wildlife species can still be seen grazing along side domestic livestock (donkeys, goats and
cattle).
One major attraction, which is particularly given little attention by many researchers, is the
culture and traditions of the Batawana. Foreign tourists are fascinated by the Batswana
traditions in general. The traditional architecture (e.g. mud and reed huts) is an attraction
on its own.
2.4.7.6 Maun Educational Park
Maun Educational Park is yet another area of interest found in Maun and managed by the
Department of Wildlife and National Parks, covering an area of 198.5 hectares of woodland
along the Thamalakane River bank. It is located on the eastern bank of the Thamalakane
River and provides school pupils with an appreciation of wildlife and flora. There are four
walking trails and game hides within the centre, where wildlife species such as wildebeest,
impala, giraffe, zebra, and warthog can be watched or viewed.
2.4.7.7 Nhabe Museum
The museum outlines the natural history and culture of the diverse north west of
Botswana, and is housed in a historic building built by the British military in 1939, and
used during World War II as a surveillance post against the German presence in Namibia. It
presents wildlife exhibits and cultural artefacts from around northwestern Botswana. The
North West District Council and other stakeholders are in the process of initiating the
establishment of a cultural village, which will be centred on a craft market.
2.4.8 2.4.8 AGRICULTURE
2.4.8.1 Livestock <strong>Management</strong>
The <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Ramsar</strong> site contains at least 193 997 cattle, 98 975 goats, 16 000 sheep, 7
276 horses and 12 179 donkeys (DAHP livestock census, 2005). All the above species
subsist largely from the forage supplied by the <strong>Delta</strong> since the type of production system
practiced is wholly extensive. Distribution of livestock is dependent on water and Mogau
(Dichapetulum cymosum). The sector experienced a reduction livestock population in 1996
when all cattle were slaughtered during the outbreak of Contagious Bovine Pleuro
Pneumonia (CBPP). However, re-stocking was effected in 1997.
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