Text : Brigitte Schuster
Photos : Botswana CBNRM Support Programme
The Botswana CBNRM Support Programme was initiated as a joint initiative by SNV-Netherlands Development Organisation and IUCN - The World Conservation Union in 1999. It was built on SNV’s experience in CBNRM pilot projects at the grassroots level and on IUCN’s expertise in information sharing, documentation of project approaches, and establishing dialogue between Non-Governmental Organisations, Government and private sector on a national, regional and international level.
The CBNRM Support Programme has entered its second phase beginning of 2004 and is planned up to the end of December 2006. The current programme activities are funded by the Regional CBNRM initiative of WWF SARPO aiming at “CBNRM adopted as a mainstream strategy for rural development in Southern Africa.”
The direct beneficiaries of the project are NGOs, Private Sector and Government Departments, which implementation, advisory and facilitation capacity will be strengthened to provide better services to rural communities involved in CBNRM, the indirect beneficiaries.
Tourism is often perceived as an easy way to generate income without putting in much effort. In practice it is not that easy. To run a successful tourism enterprise you need to make substantial investments, you need to have knowledge about the peculiarities of the tourism sector, you need to be part of a network and possess business management and marketing skills. But people with access to a tourism attraction that can be marketed and who have sufficient capital try, and some with success. The tourism business in Maun and Kasane in Northern Botswana is booming. Tour operators, mobile safari companies, lodges and camps, tour guiding and catering services are mushrooming. Tourism in Botswana is becoming a major investment opportunity and is generating substantial employment.
Contacts
For more information and bookings
Tel : 687 5084/5
Email : k.rousset@botsnet.bw
Other Contact person
Brigitte Schuster
IUCN Botswana Country Office
P.Bag 00300,
Gaborone, Botswana
Tel : (+267) 3931883
Fax : (+267) 3971584
Email : information@cbnrm.bw
Internet :www.cbnrm.bw
Communities developing tourism enterprises additional hurdles have to be taken. Communities (or their representative legally registered organisations) do not use private, but community capital, and most of the times make use of common property natural resources. The decision-making on what resources to use in a tourism venture, how to use them and how to control access is complicated, as the land, the wildlife and other resources are communally owned. The management of a business venture is complicated as well as the business is owned by and should benefit the entire community. Often community projects fail as "everyone’s business turns into no one’s business" !
For community tourism projects to succeed it is necessary to add something to the above mentioned elements of a successful tourism enterprise. The organisation of the community and its institutional development are of vital importance. This publication will therefore not so much focus on the tourism products, the required management of a tourism enterprise, the marketing constraints and opportunities but more on the approaches followed by the communities to organise themselves to use communal resources in an economically viable, equitable and ecologically sustainable way.
Three case studies were done in /Xai-/Xai, D’kar and Ukhwi. The findings are presented in separate files that can be downloaded :
"Among the real people in /Xai-/Xai" (PDF Format) by Tara Gujadhur & Charles Motshubi.
"At the Dqãe Qare game farm in Ghanzi" (PDF Format) by Elvia van den Berg
"Living for tomorrow in the southern Kalahari" (PDF Format) by Michael Vosa Flyman
The main document (PDF Format) (introduction, background and lessons learnt section) was prepared by Nico Rozemeijer of the CBNRM Support Programme.
This report aims to answer two questions on the basis of three case studies :
1. Which pre-conditions have to be met for a community to operate a successful tourism business ? What positive lessons can be drawn from our case studies, and what mistakes to avoid ?
2. What are the benefits for the rural poor and especially what are the intangible benefits ? To what extent is the objective of empowering poor communities to take control over their land and resources, to tap their potential and acquire skills to design their own development, achieved in our case studies ?
List of communities in Botswana that are involved in tourism
It is the intention to present here an expanding list of communities in Botswana that are involved in tourism, including project details and contact addresses :
1. Okavango Polers Trust in Seronga operates a campsite in NG12, north of the Okavango Delta and runs mokoro safaris in the area. You can get to Seronga via Shakawe. For the road from the ferry crossing north of Shakawe to Seronga, a 4x4 vehicle is advisable.
For more information and bookings
Phone/fax : (267) 6876861
2. Dqãe Qare Game Farm between D’kar and Ghanzi offers a range of (Bushman) cultural tourism activities as well as accommodation at the campsite and guesthouse. For the 9 kms access road from the main Ghanzi-Maun road to the farm, a 4x4 vehicle is required. Transport to the farm can also be arranged on request from D’kar village.
For more information and bookings
Phone/fax : 6596574 or
email : dqae@info.bw
3. Nata and surrounding communities have established the Nata Sanctuary, east of Nata on the Francistown road that offers a camping site and bird watching at the Makgadikgadi Pans for travellers to/from Maun or Kasane.
For more information and bookings
Phone : 71612762
Fax : 6211227
4. Kubu Island is a well known tourism destination at the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans. The site and camping ground is presently managed by the Gaing-O Community Trust. Guiding tours around the island are available at request. 4x4 vehicles are required to reach the island.
For more information and bookings
Phone : 2979612
5. In the Chobe Enclave, at Kavimba village, on the dirt road (4x4
vehicles are required) between Kasane and Maun, the community is rebuilding a campsite on the edge of the Chobe Forest Reserve.
For more information and bookings
Phone : 62 50486
Fax : 6250223
6. Community campsites have been established in Ukhwi, Ngwatle and Ncaang in the south western part of Botswana for the more adventurous 4x4 traveller who does not like to book a campsite in advance.
7. To experience the "real people" in /Xai-/Xai the Cgaecgae Tlhabololo Trust operates several types of packages that range from one to seven nights and include activities such as : bow-and-arrow hunting, gathering veld foods, traditional dancing, singing and story telling, exploring Gcwihaba (Drotsky’s) Caves and horseback riding. It is possible to fly into /Xai-/Xai (40 minutes by light plane) or drive (about six hours from Maun via Nokaneng and Quangwa - 4x4 vehicles are required).
You can book packages through :
Desert and Delta Safaris (afromaun@info.bw)
Phakawe Safaris (phakawe@info.bw)
New Moon Safaris (newmoon@info.bw).
8. A campsite and traditional village 25 kms south of Sankuyo on the road to Savuti and Moremi game reserve. The campsite is operational and properly indicated with road signs (70 kms north of Maun).
For more information and bookings
Phone : 6800664
Fax : 6800665
9. The Ju/’hoansi San, Hambukushu close to the Tsodilo World Heritage Site situated in the north west of Botswana has developed community campsites. Just under the hills, there is a museum that describes the history of the rock art. Local crafts can be purchased. A community guide can then take visitors on a walk to discover the treasures on the rocks. In future Tsodilo will have even more to offer. A community-run interpretive centre will offer visitors first hand information about the Ju/’hoansi San and Hambukushu. Accommodation options will range from camping sites run by the community to a luxury lodge.