The socio-economic benefits and challenges of a community-based safari hunting tourism in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

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.