1. Africa Update
World Heritage Site declared a National
Park in South Africa: Mapungubwe is an area of immense
cultural and natural significance – it was the most important inland
settlement from 900-1300 AD, and exhibits remnants of ancient African
civilisations and Indo-Pacific trading cultures; it is also home to
endangered species such as wild dog and rhino. The new Mapungubwe
National Park comprises the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape and the
Mapungubwe World Heritage Site. The park will offer accommodation from
August 2004 - read
more about World Heritage sites in Africa.
Cape
Floristic Region in South Africa declared a World Heritage Site:
The Cape Floristic Region in the Western and Eastern Cape has been
officially recognised as South Africa’s sixth World Heritage Site.
Covering a total area of more than 553 000 hectares, the Cape Floristic
Region World Heritage is one of the world's five Mediterranean hotspots.
It stretches from the Cape Peninsula into the Eastern Cape, and is home
to 8,200 vascular plant species here; and 5,682 species live nowhere
else in the world. Fynbos, an ever-green, hard-leaved shrubland,
comprises the dominant vegetation - read
more about South Africa’s World Heritage sites.
$500
million investment in Zambia’s Liuwa National Park: The
Zambian Wildlife Authority, the Barotse Royal Establishment and African
Parks Zambia Limited have signed an agreement to rejuvenate tourism in
this magnificent, yet until recently neglected, park. Liuwa lies in the
far west of Zambia, and is remote and pristine, which is its major draw
card. In November, the rains initiate a mass migration of blue
wildebeest, which arrive from Angola, traversing the plains in their
thousands - read
more about Zambia's National Parks.
Adventure
travellers discover Uganda: Uganda has experienced a
tourism increase of a staggering 2500% over the last 20 years, according
to the World Travel and Tourism Council. This lush country continues to
draw nature lovers with unique primate viewing and white-water rafting
experiences -
read more about Uganda.
2. ecoDiaries
A litter of rare, endangered wild dogs
borne in the Kwando Concession, Botswana
One of the wild dog packs present in the Kwando River concession in
Botswana has established a new den near Kwando’s child-friendly
Lagoon camp. This is the 8th
consecutive year that Lagoon camp has been favoured with by this pack.
This translates into even better wild dog sightings than usual. The den
was discovered on the 15th June when the dogs killed an impala right
next to Lagoon camp guest tent while the guests were getting ready for
early morning game drive. Our guests have seen battles between these
dogs and lions, leopards, cheetahs and most commonly with hyena. In
order to feed their fast growing and numerous puppies, the dogs have to
hunt twice a day for several months and then rush back to the den to
regurgitate meat for the puppies and the alpha female (the mother of the
puppies). The fact that the puppies have been born means that the pack
can now easily be found each day.
• Note: The African Wild dog, Lycaon
pictus, is one of Africa’s most endangered species – only 4000
remain on the African continent. The species belongs to the Canid
family, but is not closely related to the domestic dog. These socially
co-operative animals are rarely seen.
Tanzania: Wildebeest migration
Camp Manager Karen Richards reports from the Serengeti (15 June
2004): I was fortunate
to
see the annual wildebeest migration from the air yesterday. As we
approached
Grumeti River Camp we began to descend
over Nyasorori and one could see hundreds of lines of wildebeest all
marching in single file determinedly in our direction. These lines
probably averaged about three or four kilometres each! Cat sightings are
always great at Grumeti, but lately they have been exceptional, with
sightings of the Grumeti lion pride as well as cheetah becoming an
almost daily occurrence. The lions have also taken to coming in close to
camp again and regaling the guests with loud roaring all night.
3. ecoAfrica News
ecoAfrica supports wildlife in Arizona
ecoafrica Travel donated a 3-day Kruger Walking Safari to the Southwest
Wildlife fund-raising auction. This rehabilitation and Educational
Foundation is a non-profit organization that specializes in rescuing and
rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife native to Arizona.
Latest medical information a click away
We have established a close working relationship with Medi-Travel
International to bring you the latest medical information for your
chosen destination.
ecoAfrica joins ATTA
The African Tourism and Travel Association keeps its members up-to-date
with political, social, environmental and medical developments from
across the African continent.
ecoAfrica in touch with wildlife
professionals
We are also a member of Ecoassist, a South African web-based platform
for communication between wildlife professionals.
