The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of the world’s most valuable wetland resources. The
diverse and complex nature of the Okavango Delta in terms of its natural resources, the wide range of
users and uses, the diversity of managers, and the array of national laws, policies and guidelines, regional
and international conventions, and agreements and protocols are all factors that dictate the need and
determine the context for an integrated management planning process for the Delta. Development of an
integrated management plan for the Okavango Delta began in 2002 and was completed in 2007. The
approach to the planning process was based on the main principle of strengthening ownership through
accountability and active participation of all stakeholders during both development and implementation
of the plan, with local communities being considered as particularly important role players in the
planning process. The process of developing a management plan was divided into three phases: planning,
implementation, and review. This paper describes the planning phase, which ended in 2007. The challenge
remains to ensure that implementation and review of the plan occurs