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The paper analyses the state of natural heritage tourism in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and assesses its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges (SWOC), accordingly. Data were obtained from secondary information sources and analysed using the inductive qualitative approach. The paper illustrates the existence of a mutual relationship between natural heritage and tourism in the SSA region. Identified strengths include a diverse and extensive protected area (PA) network, foreign direct investment inflow, and community-based natural resource management projects. The main opportunity lies in the great untapped potential for natural heritage tourism in the region. Findings reveal that most of the weaknesses of SSA countries are related to budget constraints. The main challenges to the sustainability of natural heritage include political instability, climate change, wildlife crime, and land use changes. The paper concludes that while the region has several strengths and opportunities, there also exist several weaknesses and challenges, which negatively impact the sustainability of both the natural heritage legacy and tourism. To enhance the sustainability of both, there is need for a sustained management of tourism impacts at the natural heritage sites, and persistent engagement of necessary stakeholders to devise innovative ways of enhancing sustainable revenue streams for nature and wildlife conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2005.03.007 Byline: Joseph E. Mbaiwa Abstract: This paper uses the concept of sustainable development to examine the utilisation of wildlife resources at Moremi Game Reserve (MGR) and Khwai community area (NG 18/19) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Using both secondary and primary data sources, results show that the establishment of MGR in 1963 led to the displacement of Khwai residents from their land; affected Basarwa's hunting and gathering economy; marked the beginning of resource conflicts between Khwai residents and wildlife managers; and, led to the development of negative attitudes of Khwai residents towards wildlife conservation. Since the late 1980s, a predominately foreign owned tourism industry developed in and around MGR, however, Khwai residents derive insignificant benefits from it and hence resource conflicts increased. In an attempt to address problems of resource conflicts and promote sustainable wildlife utilisation, the Botswana Government adopted the Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programme, which started operating at Khwai village in 2000. The CBNRM programme promotes local participation in natural resource management and rural development through tourism. It is beginning to have benefits to Khwai residents such as income generation, employment opportunities and local participation in wildlife management. These benefits from CBNRM are thus having an impact in the development of positive attitudes of Khwai residents towards wildlife conservation and tourism development. This paper argues that if extended to MGR, CBNRM has the potential of minimising wildlife conflicts between Khwai residents and the wildlife-tourism sectors. This approach may in the process promote the sustainable wildlife use in and around MGR. Author Affiliation: Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre, University of Botswana, Private Bag 285, Maun, Botswana Article History: Received 1 December 2003; Revised 16 January 2005; Accepted 14 March 2005

This paper assesses the socioeconomic benefits and challenges of community-based safari hunting in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Through subleasing of community hunting concession areas and selling of annual wildlife hunting quotas to safari hunting companies, local communities generate income, create employment opportunities and engage in community development projects in their villages. However, community-based safari hunting is also associated with several problems which downplay its achievements. These include: the lack of marketing, entrepreneurship and managerial skills in safari hunting business; mismanagement and misappropriation of funds; poor distribution of financial and employment benefits from safari hunting; and, reliance on foreign hunting companies and donor agencies. Community-based safari hunting can be more successful in the Okavango if stakeholders (local people, government and safari hunting operators) find solutions to these problems. The empowerment of local communities especially training and the acquisition of skills in the safari hunting tourism business by local people should be given priority. Empowerment of local people can promote a sustainable community-based safari hunting industry that is self-sustaining and capable of meeting the needs of safari hunters and local people while maintaining the ecological balance.

This article draws from the concept of Shadow State to analyse the effects of tourism development in a Shadow State environment using the Okavango Delta (OD) in Botswana as a case study. The relationship between Shadow State and tourism enclaves and the resultant effects of tourism development in the OD is examined based on a qualitative approach. Results indicate the following: the creation of Shadow State in tourism development in Botswana has resulted in the creation of a tourism enclave emerging in the OD, especially core areas of the wetland; the tourism enclave is evidenced by the dominance of the tourism industry by multinational companies and investors; association of some of the multinational companies to local political and business elites; and, the increased corruption and a monopoly of tourism development by a few companies. This article therefore argues that tourism development in destination areas like the OD should aim at achieving the ideals of sustainable tourism where the industry should be more inclusive and beneficial to all stakeholders especially residents. The failure to eliminate signs of a Shadow State related to tourism development in the OD would render the ideals of sustainable tourism, which form part of the country's sustainable development agenda, fruitless. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the effects of the safari hunting ban of 2014 on rural livelihoods and wildlife conservation in Northern Botswana using the social exchange theory. The paper used both primary and secondary data sources. Data were analysed qualitatively. Results indicate that the ban led to a reduction of tourism benefits to local communities such as: income, employment opportunities, social services such as funeral insurance, scholarships and income required to make provision of housing for the needy and elderly. After the hunting ban, communities were forced to shifts from hunting to photographic tourism. Reduced tourism benefits have led to the development of negative attitudes by rural residents towards wildlife conservation and the increase in incidents of poaching in Northern Botswana. The implications of hunting ban suggest that policy shifts that affect wildlife conservation and rural livelihoods need to be informed by socio-economic and ecological research. This participatory and scientific approach to decision-making has the potential to contribute sustainability of livelihoods and wildlife conservation in Botswana. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents the results of a study carried out in Gumare and Etsha 6 villages of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. The study examined the relationship between development of tourism and production of traditional baskets in the area. Methods used for the study include a total of 100 household survey, questionnaires administered across the two study sites, two focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The findings indicate that different factors may have worked individually or in concert to necessitate a shift in focus for production of baskets from domestic to commercial wares. Importantly, the paper underlines the importance of tourism in availing a market for the baskets thus considerably influencing the nature of production and changes observed in the qualities of the baskets over time. The paper concludes that the observed changes are necessary if the basket production industry is to be sustained. Essentially, therefore, these changes may be conceived of as signs of evolution on the part of the craft and adaptation by producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]