10 Nov 2021

Maun eco-tourism park project will finally take off thanks to Ecotourism Botswana who have come on board to drive its implementation.

Ecotourism Botswana is a civil society organisation that exists to facilitate and empower rural communities to manage, utilise wildlife and other natural resources sustainably, as the foundation for rural economies, biodiversity conservation and strong local governance institutions.

“Initially, the proposed project was supposed to be implemented by the North West District Council but was delayed due to financial constraints and we decided to step in because we carried the same ideology of establishing an ecotourism park,” said Ecotourism Botswana CEO, Mr Jacob Mathapa in an interview.

He said they agreed to fund the project while the council did the design. Plans, he noted were underway to kick start the project in January 2022 as a P95 million funding had already been secured from donors for the first phase of the project.

The park is to be situated in the northern part of Maun near Xuoxauo and Morutshi settlement about 10km from the Morutshi gate.

The area, he said was endowed with natural scenic beauty, providing an excellent opportunity to put up an eco-park.

Mr Mathapa explained that the project aimed to integrate resource management for Okavango Delta to ensure its long-term conservation and provide benefits for the present and future well-being of the people through sustainable use of its natural resources.

In addition, he stated that the project sought to transform Maun into a premier conference destination as it was a rich and distinct tourism attraction area,adding that the region also lacked recreational facilities that would be well suited at the envisaged park.

The project, he said would comprise a convention centre capable of hosting up to 1 000 people, a luxury hotel of 200 tented rooms and vacation resort.

The park would also include visitor information centre, amusement and recreational facility, which will feature tourism related infrastructure such as  a botanical garden, floating restaurant, captive wildlife viewing, nature trail, sports activities, curio and cultural centres, artefacts exhibition and water sports activities among others.

“We intend to use ecotourism as a driving force to strengthen management of the delta’s expanding protected area network.

Our aim is to engage stakeholders to implement ecotourism policies, business models and management approaches that protect the unique ecosystems of our country, and celebrate indigenous groups that have made these special areas their home,” he stressed.

Mr Mathapa further stated that they intended to engage the community residing in the affected area and appraise them on the project.

He said the community was once informed about the project in 2017 by the council, and that time, some were against it because they did not understand the concept and its benefits.

He said efforts were made to address Maun Administrative Authority Sub-council and councilors gave them the green light as through the project, they intended to link the delta with the community and Maun as a gateway to the delta.

In Maun, he said plans were to place bill boards showing the magical delta at entry points which would welcome visitors to the tourism hub and sell the delta.

Mr Mathapa revealed that they had identified entry points such as Makalamabedi gate and Mataologa gate near Sehithwa.

He said the aim was to make Maun more appealing to travelers so that they could stay some days enjoying variety of tourism products before transiting to the delta, adding ‘we believe that eventually Maun will become a premier tourism destination’. Ends