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the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...

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Safari hunters or spot (commercial) hunters are <strong>the</strong> biggest spenders <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Okavango Delta. For example, a hunter who stays <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Delta for a month with<br />

Ranns Safari Camp to hunt an elephant would pay up to US$ 150 000 (Pula 900<br />

000) (Mbaiwa, 2002). Table 6.13 shows <strong>the</strong> average prices charged at<br />

accommodation facilities <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Okavango Delta.<br />

Table 6.13: Average Prices for Accommodation Facilities <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Okavango<br />

Delta and Panhandle Region (US$) (2002)<br />

Room Type Average Price pip Shar<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Lodge/Hotel <strong>in</strong> Maun US$ 80 - 100 per night (Pula 500)<br />

Luxurious Lodge <strong>in</strong> Delta US$ 300 - 500 per night (Pula 2000 - 3000)<br />

Up-Market Tented Safari Camp US$ 50 - 200 per night (Pula 300 - 1200)<br />

Basic Campsite US$ 8 per night (Pula 50)<br />

Moremi Game Reserve Entrance Average Price per<br />

Fee: Person per Day:<br />

Botswana Citizen: Pula 10<br />

Vehicle Entry Fees:<br />

Botswana Resident: Pula 30<br />

Foreiqner: Pula 120<br />

Source: Adapted from Ma<strong>in</strong>, 2001, p. 109.<br />

Botswana Registered Private Vehicle: Pula 10 per day<br />

ForeiQn ReQistered Private Vehicle: Pula 50 oer day<br />

As can be seen from Table 6.13, most accommodation facilities charge prices well<br />

beyond <strong>the</strong> means <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> local population, whose average monthly <strong>in</strong>comes range<br />

from Pula 441 to Pula 731 (Republic <strong>of</strong> Botswana Statistical Bullet<strong>in</strong>, 2001).<br />

Naturally, high-cost tourists are <strong>the</strong> most 'valuable' type <strong>of</strong> tourist to <strong>the</strong> Botswana<br />

Government due to <strong>the</strong> amount <strong>of</strong> revenue <strong>the</strong>y generate. As such, <strong>the</strong> government<br />

is <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly putt<strong>in</strong>g structures <strong>in</strong> place which will encourage <strong>the</strong> dom<strong>in</strong>ance <strong>of</strong> this<br />

type <strong>of</strong> tourist <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> country. For example, accord<strong>in</strong>g to Ma<strong>in</strong> (2001), all tourists<br />

have access to <strong>the</strong> Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve, but it is now<br />

becom<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly difficult to get <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong>se areas, except <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> company <strong>of</strong> a<br />

licensed operator, due to bureaucratic controls, and <strong>the</strong> location <strong>of</strong> concession<br />

areas, etc. As a result, it is easier for high-cost tourists, who take part <strong>in</strong> package<br />

tours run by tour operators to travel throughout <strong>the</strong> Okavango Delta, than it is for <strong>the</strong><br />

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