Visiting the Okavango Delta, Botswana What is it/Where is it? The People of the Okavango Delta   Wildlife Positive Impacts of Tourism Negative Impacts of Tourism Managing Tourism

Botswana GDP is the average wealth of each person in a country. The GDP on this map compares different currencies so higher numbers = wealthy. Low numbers = poor Botswana is already one of the wealthier countries in Africa. This is partly because they have a stable government so they have invested in better paid industries like tourism. Kenya Botswana DRC

Okavango Delta

What is a delta? Deltas form at the mouth (end) of a river where it meets the sea. This is usually where the river is moving slowly and has not got very much energy. This means that any mud/ sand/pebbles that’s its carrying get deposited (put down). Deltas are usually very marshy or swampy because of all of the water. The sand that is put down is fertile so lots of plants grow there. This delta is at the end of the Nile, it stands out so well because it is surrounded by the Sahara Desert.

Your Task Today you need to collect information on the Okavango Delta and how it has been affected by tourism so far. Next lesson you are going to prepare a report for the government which describes the current situation, suggests whether they should expand tourism in the region and explains why.

What is it/Where is it? Okavango Delta is unique because it was formed inland, most deltas form at where rivers meet the sea Location: NW Botswana, Southern Africa. It is also known as Okavango Swamp. Size: 15000km2 (bigger than Wales) Seasons: Dry season = May - Sept Rainy season = Oct - Apr. The country is 80% desert. ATTRACTIONS Poling (rowing) dugout canoes through lagoons crammed with water lilies, hippos etc. Fishing for the prized triggerfish Viewing incredible wildlife and birds

The vehicles get too close to animals and scare them. Wildlife The Okavango Delta has lots of wildlife, including 1,300 plants, 444 birds, 71 species of fish, 64 reptiles and 122 mammals e.g. buffalo, hippopotamus, zebras and giraffe. Wildlife is the main tourist attraction and the reason that people visit the Okavango Delta! Wildlife is important to the economy so Botswana’s government has set up laws to ensure that the animals do not get poached! Eco-tourism is Botswana’s second largest income and a lot of the tourists come to see the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is the only place in the world where the Slaty Egret can be found. It is critically endangered, but some of its breeding grounds have been destroyed to make way for increasing tourism! The vehicles that take tourists to view the wildlife leave tyre tracks. The vehicles get too close to animals and scare them.

People of the Okavango Delta! There are five tribes who live in the Okavango Delta. Each has it’s own culture, traditions and language. They are Hambukushu, Dxeriku, Wayeyi, Bugakwe, and Xanekwe. Group Hambukushu, Dxeriku, and Wayeyi The Bugakwe and Xanekwe Traditional Activities Traditionally they farm millet and sorghum as well as fishing, hunting, collecting wild plant foods and herding animals. Traditionally practiced fishing, hunting, and collecting wild plant foods; Bugakwe used both forest and river resources while the Xanekwe mostly use river resources. What type of changes do you think tourism in the Okavango Delta would have made to these groups? Working with nature we have used the resources of the Delta in a sustainable way! All groups of people are reliant on rain, if the rains don’t come we can starve!

Positive Impacts of Tourism We have jobs showing foreign tourists about our local area! Tourists spend money in the local area, which gives local people jobs The Okavango Delta is a major tourist destination in Botswana. Over 50 000 tourists visit the area each year. Many tourists use facilities owned and run by local communities- this means that the money stays in the local economy and supports local people! This is community based tourism! New roads, hospitals and other services are built for the tourists, which the locals can use! Tourism encourages cultural exchanges and diversity in the district. Key Benefits-Income Generation, Employment and provision of social services. Are there any other benefits?

Negative Impacts of Tourism How can these negative points be managed? When tourists visit the area, many stay in places owned by large foreign travel companies, so the profits that are made do not stay in Botswana. Tourism in the Okavango Delta is based on the wildlife and delta environment. This is a very delicate environment and any small change can have huge effects. Despite the profits from tourism, there is still a lot of poverty. Is this because the money is not being spread evenly? Services that have been built e.g. airport and hotels are useful for tourists but not for local people. Some scientists say the delta has shrunk in recent years, this is blamed on more people moving to the area to take advantage of the tourism boom.

Managing Tourism Local communities run tourist activates such as hunting, and photographic tourism. Botswana’s Government need money to develop the country. The country is 80% desert and water is scarce so it is difficult to develop industry! Tourism is seen as an area that the country could develop to increase revenue. To manage the delta tourist numbers are limited this is done by making it an expensive place to visit. Botswana’s Government want to avoid the mass tourism that has spoilt other areas of Africa as this will protect the fragile delta ecosystem. The delta doesn’t have huge hotels that you may find in other African game reserves. All of these mean less people visit so the area is under less stress

Should Botswana increase tourism to the Okavango Delta? Pros Cons So what do you think? Should Botswana increase tourism to the Okavango Delta? Pros Cons

Should Botswana increase tourism to the Okavango Delta? Pros Cons So what do you think? Should Botswana increase tourism to the Okavango Delta? Pros Cons

Should Botswana increase tourism to the Okavango Delta? Pros Cons So what do you think? Should Botswana increase tourism to the Okavango Delta? Pros Cons

L4 Describe where the Okavango Delta is and how human activity is changing it L5 Explain how people are affecting Okavango Delta ecosystem and how the Delta affects people (e.g. the local population and tourists) L6 Explain why some people want to increase tourism to the Okavango Delta and why some people want to restrict it? L7 Evaluate the options for the delta and make a justified decision about what should happen there In the future

The Plan What is it? Where is it? What is its USP (unique selling point)? What is Botswana thinking of doing? Why? Good points Bad points Your Opinion / Conclusion