Community buffer zones
Most of the Okavango Delta is divided into concessions that form buffer zones between the Moremi Game Reserve and the agricultural areas outside the veterinary fence. The veterinary fence, which runs around the delta, helps prevent the spread of disease between wild and domestic ungulates. These concessions, which are arranged around the national reserve, cover very large areas, and in most cases offer a concentration of wildlife similar to that of the reserve itself. Each of them is identified by an official "number" - NG for Ngamiland, the large region in the north-west of the country, for example - followed by the concession number. The exception is a few private operations, which operate within the Moremi Reserve. According to the government's directives, they favour ecotourism, minimising their impact on nature, while participating in the protection of the delta. To this end, they are leased by the Botswana government to private companies for periods of ten to fifteen years on average. Most often, these companies work in partnership with the local communities attached to each concession. These communities therefore benefit from tourism, which is a strong driver of their development, thanks in particular to the tax on collective investments and the creation of jobs resulting from the installation of lodges. Through this participatory management, the government is trying to involve the village populations, who are often disadvantaged, in the conservation of their natural heritage
High-end ecotourism
In general, the ecotourism practiced in these concessions is of very high quality. Prices are therefore expensive, ranging from US$400 to US$3,000 per night per person! Generally, everything is included in the daily package, except for transfers and exceptional activities such as air safaris. Access to the concessions is often exclusive with a very limited number of beds per camp and access only by air taxi. It is therefore advisable to book well in advance, especially during the high season, from June to October. The camps compete in beauty. The atmosphere varies: some are relaxed, "bush-like", others are more sophisticated. Needless to say, all of these camps are very comfortable, with architects and interior designers working miracles to make each visitor feel at home. The service is impeccable, exclusive and attentive to every detail. An example that speaks volumes: in winter, you will find a hot water bottle, wrapped in a pillow, to warm the bed, which is otherwise extremely comfortable!
Plenty of activities
In the heart of this exceptional environment, which covers nearly 20,000 km2 in northern Botswana, the wildlife is simply spectacular. Unlike the Panhandle, which offers more limited wildlife viewing due to the omnipresence of water, the concessions in the heart of the delta have very rich terrestrial ecosystems, as diverse as the Moremi Game Reserve. It should be noted, however, that the northern concessions are seasonally very flooded and the southern concessions less so. Logically, the closer one gets to the source of the delta, the wetter the concessions and the more water-based activities such as boating and fishing are favoured. Conversely, the further away from the source of the delta, the "drier" the concessions and the more land-based activities such as photo safaris and hiking are favoured. As for the mokoro rides, they are practiced everywhere in the delta, when there is not too much water. Some lodges also offer horseback riding for the more experienced rider, while others offer aerial safaris in a private plane or helicopter to see the full splendour of the Okavango Delta. In the vast majority of these concessions, regulations are much more flexible than in the Moremi Game Reserve, allowing for a variety of safari activities. For example, it is possible to go out at night (night-drive), to go for walks (game or nature-walk) and to drive off-road, three activities that are strictly prohibited in the reserve.
Wilderness Safaris, glamorous ecotourism
Many tourism companies are very committed to the preservation of the environment in Botswana. Wilderness Safaris, the country's largest agency, is a leader in this field. In its various concessions, it employs local people from the communities. Its Children of the Wilderness educational program closes some camps to the public at certain times of the year to accommodate children from difficult backgrounds. All staff receive agency-specific training at a camp reserved exclusively for Wilderness employees. Its environmental department works in conjunction with the government's wildlife and national parks department. On Chief's Island, they worked together to reintroduce white and black rhinos that had been exterminated by hunting and poaching in 2001. Mombo Camp and Duma Tau are, among other things, powered entirely by solar panels. This is in line with the new guidelines that the government is trying to implement, with new laws requiring all major tourist facilities in the country to become self-sufficient and powered by renewable energy. This managerial line, as well as the simple beauty of the camps and the quality of its service, has allowed this company to achieve the greatest notoriety in the region. These lodges have been frequented by celebrities such as Steve Jobs, who distributed free iPads to all staff members. This luxury chain manages to minimize its ecological footprint in an exemplary manner.
