The management of unique wetlands such as the Okavango Delta is determined by the competing de facto and de jure claims on water and on water dependent natural resources. The claims can be categorised as International, National, District and Local assertions of access rights. These claims pose a common property resource management dilemma, because exclusion of access to water and wetland resources is problematic. This paper argues that the Okavango Delta is best managed by a joint jurisdiction regime involving multiple stakeholders at local, district, national and international levels. Key institutions dealing with the co-management of resources in the Delta are identified as possible models for future institution building. Keywords: Okavango Delta, Water dependent natural resources, Claims on water, Common property resource, Socio-political negotiations, Joint jurisdiction regime, Hydro-politics, Enforceability, National water priorities, Local historical rights.