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)
The Iniquitous Practice of Two Tier Pricing November 20, 2007
Posted by Clarissa Hughes in : Tourism , 4comments
There are not that many things in life that get my hackles up. But two tier pricing in the tourism industry, for African and non-African residents, is one of them.
I think the practice arose back in the 1980’s when South Africa was the world’s pariah and the sub-continent’s tourism industry was tarred with the same brush (foreigners had to fly via South Africa to get to any of its neighbouring countries). In those days the industry was largely dependent on the South African market and any foreign revenue was seen as the cream-on-top. I imagine the thinking went something along the lines of: “Well if they’ve taken the trouble and risk of being ostracized to come, they really must want to and therefore they’ll pay.” It was common practice well into the 1990’s in Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe to have a price for South African residents and another, higher price, for non-South African residents. (more…)
The thing about African wilderness trails November 10, 2007
Posted by Ralph Pina in : Safari, ecotourism , 5comments
Walking on a wilderness trail is the only way to feel the pulse of the African “bush”. That is what I believe anyway. I have experienced my fair share of the African safari concept: vehicle-based photographic safaris, 
game drives and stays in high-end and exotic game lodges, and even canoe safaris down the wild Lower Zambezi. But none of this compares to following a game trail on foot: listening for a warning call, watching the reactions of the tracker, sniffing the breeze, or simply existing in your immediate sphere. Nothing compares - except perhaps for the canoe safari. (more…)
Circles in the Bush October 21, 2007
Posted by Ralph Pina in : Safari, ecotourism , add a comment
(With apologies to Dalene Matthee…)
Machampane Wilderness Camp in Limpopo National Park, Mozambique, shares the western bank of the Machampane River with tall fever trees at a pool called Xisivene - which apparently means “deep pool”.
The wilderness trail experience that runs out of the camp is similarly structured to the iconic trails that operate in the Kruger National Park across the border. Machampane’s accommodation is a tad more luxurious though - large walk-in tents on stilts with en suite bathrooms.
Download the Google Earth track of Machampane wilderness trails.
Book the Machampane wilderness trail.
Bazaruto, dugongs and peak oil September 14, 2007
Posted by Ralph Pina in : Conservation, ecotourism , add a comment
The Bazaruto archipelago, off the coast of Mozambique, is a tropical island paradise and a national park. Proclaimed in 1971 to protect, amongst other species, what is now the last viable dugong population in Africa, it is under threat from the desperate exploration for and extraction of oil and gas, as world demand for hydro-carbons starts to exceed a plateauing supply. The short-term profits to be made, at the expense of the long-term survival of our ecosystems, are enormous. (more…)
