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Apr 9, 2008
When Eco Turns to Nukes |
Introduction
by Clarissa Hughes
I recently attended the annual dinner of the Environmental Network in Johannesburg. This group draws concerned people from all fields related to the environment, including ecotourism.
This year three interesting presentations were made. We heard about adaptation to, and mitigation of, climate change. We also learned about South Africa’s state-owned electricity provider, Eskom’s, sustainability policy. As many of you know, South Africa has had a rude awakening with nationwide load shedding due to insufficient supply for our developing country. At the same time South Africa is one of the worst offenders when it comes to carbon emissions in electricity generation, and this day of reckoning was welcomed by all at the Environmental Network dinner. Interestingly, when the man from Eskom talked about the alternatives the company is planning, there wasn’t a peep of dissent from the audience when the nuclear option was mentioned. The crisis is immediate and South Africa doesn’t have the luxury of toying with the what- ifs and maybes.
But when you’re sitting around a campfire listening to the sounds of the African night, load shedding and nuclear power generation all seem so irrelevant somehow.
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A conservation success
Created out of the old homeland state of Bophutatswana, Madikwe Game Reserve lies in the North West Province of South Africa, bordering Botswana and within sight of that country’s capital, Gaborone.
The 76,000 hectare park is home to bushveld and desert species of wildlife e.g. gemsbok and brown hyaena and elephant and buffalo. The game reintroduction process, codenamed Operation Phoenix, in 1992, was the largest undertaken by man in any game reserve in Africa. 8,000 large mammals including entire breeding herds of elephant, antelope, buffalo, black and white rhino, lion, cheetah and spotted hyaena were moved into the reserve.
Get a taste of what’s on offer in this impressive reserve or enquire with our consultants for three new products we’ll be marketing soon. (Our supa dupa new website is currently under construction and we’re all madly working on it to get it out).
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Maluti Beauty
Like many other African countries, Lesotho has come to realize that further expansion of the traditional, pastoralist way of life threatens it citizens. Overgrazing is the primary cause of desertification, driving people and animals to ever increasing desperation. The lessons from the northern parts of Africa are well learned in the south and efforts to mitigate and adapt are underway. Tourism falls under the spotlight as having the potential to fulfill these requirements and I was invited to join a trial run under auspices of the Ministry of Tourism in Lesotho.
The Maluti mountains cradle the Kingdom and are the source of usually abundant rains and snow in winter, at the same time boasting 299 days of sun per year. The Basotho people have a fascinating history and guides readily enthrall you with tales of King Moshoeshoe, founder of the nation, and his wise mentor, Mohlome, who tempered the young warrior’s character with wisdom and kindness. The mature king was known to send cattle and food to those whom he’d conquered in battle. I thought the guides’ emphasis on Mohlome and the role he’d played in their hero’s greatness was quite telling.
Dinosaur footprints, pony trekking, hiking, Khoisan rock art and the wonderful hospitality of the Basotho people make Lesotho an attractive holiday destination.
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Experience the wildest festival in SA
Near Addo National park
The annual Wildlife Festival takes place at Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape from June 27-29.
The festival offers a unique blend of wildlife, arts, crafts and live entertainment and this year will offer a bigger celebrity line-up, as well as several creative flea-market stalls and food stalls with a wildlife theme. The second-biggest game auction in South Africa is held during the festival.
Make the festival an excuse to enjoy a long weekend getaway and visit the world renowned Addo National Park in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. |
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Takes the Falls
World-renowned wildlife artist, David Shepherd, recently visited Livingstone for the launch of the Steam Train Express, a new excursion on offer in the adventure capital adjacent to the Victoria Falls. David has a special affinity to Zambia and her wildlife and he owned the steam train at one time.
To understand why David raves about it, give Zambia a whirl.
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Where would you take your vacation?
Prince Harry recently returned to Botswana, a favourite holiday destination of his, with his girlfriend for a bit of post-Afghanistan R&R. Princes Harry and William were introduced to the marvels of Botswana by their father, Prince Charles, who was in turn introduced by Laurens van der Post, the author.
On 1st April 2008 Ian Khama, the first son of Botswana’s first president, Sir Seretse Khama was sworn in as president. Sir Seretse’s marriage to Lady Ruth caused an international outcry in 1949, and their extraordinary characters in the face of it became a fitting symbol for Botswana’s independent-minded and non-racial society.
Recently publicized further by Alexander McCall Smith and his tales of Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s allure is gaining renown. Discover the appeal of this country for yourself.
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Travellers Feedback
The Pathaks (USA) on a 3 Day Classic Kruger Safari
"Our tour was fabulous. We managed to see a lot of animals. We even had about 15 minutes with a leopard marking territory near our van. The guide, Karen, was just great. Extremely knowledgeable, she clearly loves what she does and was great at prepping us such that we didn’t scare off any animals. That way we all got the most out of our trip."
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ecoAfrica Newsletter © 2008 ecoAfrica Travel.
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