Okonjima

Conclusion

11. Conclusion

Conservation and tourism are probably the most compatible activities in a country like Namibia.
Many tourists only take photographs, but contribute financially to the welfare of the country.

In communal farming areas, now largely grouped into so-called 'conservancies', consumptive (hunting for meat and trophies) and non-consumptive (photographic and game capture) utilization of wildlife is effectively contributing to poverty reduction, at the same time, ensuring a balanced, sustainable eco-system.

Importantly, however, the impact of over-utilization of this natural resource and mass tourism on these extremely sensitive eco-systems, should be effectively monitored, in order to prevent destruction of that which supports communities and attracts our valuable tourist trade.

The symbiotic relationship which exists between the AFRICAT FOUNDATION and OKONJIMA LODGE is imperative to the continued survival of both – without education, research and the mitigation of farmer-predator conflict throughout Namibia, the essential conservation of large carnivores would falter … and without the substantial financial support offered by our foreign visitors, who stay in the OKONJIMA lodges, neither would survive!

Valdemar James Hanssen (VJ) & Edith Rose Bagot-Smith