Is it only about “the Big 5″? February 17, 2008
Posted by Ralph Pina in : Conservation, Tourism, ecotourism , 1 comment so far
Every once in a while I trawl through the research output of academia, specifically in the fields of ecotourism, sustainable tourism and ecotourism certification. The other day I came across the following article in the Journal of Ecotourism (vol 6, no. 1, 2007) entitled “Wildlife viewing preferences of visitors to protected areas in South Africa: Implications for the role of ecotourism in conservation“.
The article’s conclusions are particularly interesting, given the prevailing wisdom in the tourism industry that tourists to Africa are only interested in seeing the “Big 5″ - leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Just recently we have been debating this issue in ecoAfrica, so the research is timeous and topical for us. I for one have always been loathe to accept that only the Big 5 holds any attraction to travellers to our continent. (more…)
Why community-based tourism is so important October 23, 2007
Posted by Clarissa Hughes in : Community, ecotourism , add a comment
The concept of the Peace Parks is gaining recognition for the vision that it is. I have written about it many times before as a model that shows the way forward for people and the planet. The embracing symbolism of transfrontier conservation areas cannot be overstated because it will only be by a process of inclusion and integration that humans will continue to exist as a species. If we fail to acknowledge and sanction the right-to-life of all of creation we will be left with a denuded and over-used earth unable to support humans.
We have a choice and the time for making that choice is now. We cannot afford to put it off.
One idea that is gaining ground in Africa is that of community-based tourism. (more…)
Ecotourism and flying 2 August 30, 2007
Posted by Ralph Pina in : ecotourism , 9comments
In a previous post I referred to “air travel refuseniks” who frown upon leisure air travel on ethical grounds. Today I happened upon this article, Beware of ‘greenwash’, by John Cossham, Community Care’s ethical living expert. John is clearly an air travel refusenik. After casting doubt on “carbon offsetting” schemes, the punchline of his article reads:
“Most so-called ecotourism isn’t. It is ordinary aeroplane-based holidaying which takes you to a log cabin rather than a hotel. It’s “greenwash” from businesses desperate to keep you flying. “
Awareness through Wilderness August 15, 2007
Posted by Lizanne in : Conservation , 2comments
“Simplicity in all things, is the secret of the wilderness.” – Sigmund Olsen
I recently read Zululand Wilderness: Shadow and Soul by Dr. Ian Player. This book had such a profound impact on me that I decided to look into the Wilderness Leadership School which he founded. It turns out that the school is one of the finest long term solutions for the conservation of our Earth.
Camping under the stars in the Okavango June 6, 2007
Posted by Shurene in : Safari , add a comment
Camp under the stars, get soaked by the spray of the spectacular Victoria Falls, Sunset on the Zambezi River, Hippos yawning & Elephants swimming in Chobe, A mokoro trip on the Okavango Delta and wild camping – with the cry of the Fish Eagle giving you goose bumps.
Just a few of the sights & sounds that greeted me on my recent 10 day Okavango Experience. Camping is the true way to find your soul in Africa. We had the wonderful opportunity to meet & spend time with the locals from Zambia & Botswana.
In Livingstone ( Zambia) we participated in a local community initiative – a guided cycle ride through the local village. This was an initiative from one of the locals, who used the income earned from the USD25 participants paid, to establish a local school. Our guide – Oliver – was one of the local teachers, who showed us the traditional ways – from building to beer drinking.
