Aaaaah, It Was Wonderful To Go Back To The Bush! June 12, 2008
Posted by Julia in : Animals, Safari, ecotourism , 2comments
Upon entering Klaserie Game Reserve we were delighted with the welcoming committee of a solitary Brown Snake Eagle perched high on a dead Leadwood as we zooted off to our unfenced camp. It was an amazing setting on the banks of the Klaserie under a canopy of Jackalberry trees. With an armed ranger and tracker, we explored the treasures of their concession. On our final evening of the 3 nights we spent there, we came across a mating pair of lion on the game drive. After our supper their calls continued echoing across our camp and to our surprise we were later surrounded by calls from 2 other lionesses. There’s nothing like those decibels to get your adrenalin going!
Eco-travel in Africa makes a difference May 13, 2008
Posted by Ralph Pina in : Community, Sustainability, Tourism, ecotourism , 1 comment so far
The title of this post is also ecoAfrica’s slogan, and one of the questions it immediately raises is: what sort of a difference? Another would be: what is “eco-travel”? These questions - and their answers - go to the heart of what ecotourism really is.
Let’s take the second question first: what is eco-travel? Without entering into a debate about eco-travel - or ecotourism - definitions, it is worth pointing out that ecotourism represents a travel ethic rather than a market segment or type of tourism. It is purposeful travel, where the salient purpose, besides experiencing Nature, is the preservation of Nature.
Two generally accepted definitions of ecotourism are:
Ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.
Ecotourism Association of Australia
Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)
Elephant options in Africa May 2, 2008
Posted by Ralph Pina in : Animals, Conservation, Safari, Tourism, ecotourism , 1 comment so far
No doubt you have heard by now that South Africa has decided that culling will once again be an optional intervention in the management of elephant populations, albeit an intervention of last resort, to address what is known as “the elephant problem”. Elephant conservation has been enormously successful in southern Africa (58% of the population), to the extent that some conservationists now argue that there are “too many” elephants. Personally, I think that the problem could be restated as “too little elephant habitat”. (more…)
Mother of All Crocodiles April 2, 2008
Posted by Clarissa Hughes in : Animals, Community, Conservation, ecotourism , add a comment
Madikwe, short for Madikwena, meaning Mother of All Crocodiles is a shining example of ecotourism success in Africa. This 76,000 hectare reserve was created in 1994 and was the subject of the largest game reintroduction exercise on the planet. Operation Phoenix saw the translocation of 8000 animals over a period of 8 years. The fully fenced reserve offers an almost unique location to view both desert adapted species, and the more regular bushveld animals. Gemsbok, brown hyena and eland occur; as do buffalo, elephant and spotted hyena.
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…)
Man-eaters of Eden December 20, 2007
Posted by Clarissa Hughes in : Animals, Books , 2comments
When I first learned of Robert R. Frump’s book called the “Man-eaters of Eden” I have to confess I groaned inwardly. Thinking of the Hollywood version of the man-eaters of Tsavo (Michael Douglas in the Ghosts of Darkness) I didn’t want to hear more demonizing of a perfectly natural phenomenon – predators eating prey.
I was pleasantly surprised. Robert Frump not only tackles the issue without hysteria but does so in good journalistic fashion – attempting to get all sides of the story.
African Stories – a new myth for Life? October 10, 2007
Posted by Clarissa Hughes in : African Peoples , 1 comment so far
No-one can deny that there is a groundswell movement of concern for the environment. For too long our industrial-age mindset has exploited and subjugated the natural world and it is now becoming apparent that this cannot continue without severe consequences for the human race.
To survive as a species it is now well recognized that the human family must rise to the challenge of changing its attitude and thinking. Our adapted outlook will need to embrace the diversity of Life and realize that we are but players in its great drama. We will need to retrieve that profound sense of belonging to the whole, rather than our present perception of differentiation and conquest over Mother Nature.
Client Galleries September 19, 2007
Posted by AJK in : News , add a comment
Nilanjana Mukherjee (India) Feb 2008
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Trip: 5 day Kruger Park and Sabi Sabi Safari
Feedback: We had a truly memorable experience and can’t stop talking about it! We are recommending the trip to our friends, and are already making plans to be back some day, along with some of them.
Christian Tappe (Germany) Sept. 2007
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Trip: 5 Day Kruger Park Walking Safari
Feedback: The Safari was a wounderful experience. I especially liked Plains Camp because its atmosphere is even more natural.
For more photos: Christian’s Website
The Conant Family (USA) Aug 2007
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Trip: 3 Nights at Mopani Restcamp and 3 Nights at Edeni Bush Lodge (Tailormade)
Feedback: We were stunned by how many animals there were in Kruger National Park in South Africa — zebras, giraffes, impalas, water buffalo, elephants, gnu, warthogs, and even lions, leopards, and cheetas. Wow!
For more photos: Conant’s Website
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.
Impressions of the Great Walk in Tsavo July 25, 2007
Posted by Ralph Pina in : Safari , 1 comment so far
Tsavo. A place of ghosts….. Read my personal take on the Great Walk in Tsavo.
The photo at right was taken on the Galana River. A peaceful scene…
