September 2004      

1. Africa Update


Spring daisies in South Africa: A migration of a peculiar kind occurs in September - during weekends, a steady stream of vehicles heading north glint in the African sunshine. People of all creeds find the little corners in and around the south-west of the country where spring daisies in their colourful profusion alleviate the winter blues with their glowing promise of summer. Areas like the Boland, Namaqualand, Clanwilliam and the West Coast provide enthusiasts with a visual feast of colour. Little country inns, quaint farmhouses and hotels offer nature lovers charming stays. On the return route, whale viewing provides an additional salty snack along the coast. The endless carpets of flowers consist mostly of indigenous species, some of which occur nowhere else in the world - read more.

Flying for African conservation: Mike Fay - an American conservationist - is doing it again! He is flying over Africa in a megatransect with fellow Africa-devotee Peter Ragg. This mammoth undertaking is driven by a desire to evaluate the environmental state of Africa' remaining wildernesses. Stakeholders in the tourism and wildlife industries are corroborating continent-wide, and the entire journey will be supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society New York and by National Geographic Television - read more.

Honey sweetens the way to success: In the Miombo Woodlands of Zambia, the ancient art of bee-keeping has evolved into a successful export industry, with communities exporting their organic honey and beeswax to international corporates like The Body Shop, Waitrose and Sainsbury. These communities, previously exacerbating the speed of deforestation, are now the guardians of the forest. One exporter - Noth Western Bee products- started exporting in the early 90's, and has created employment for hundreds of previously unemployed people - read more.

Something for the children: A unique adventure safari geared toward children has been tailor-created by Riverbend Country Lodge in the malaria-free Intsomi Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa. We do not usually promote this sort of thing via newsletter - however, this is a unique product . The area is next to the Addo Elephant National Park - a fascinating park that encompasses five ecosystem, and will soon be extended into a mega-park, including the "Big 7" - with whales and sharks. Ten children are taken out into the bush (no predators on this reserve) with a specialist Field ranger, who will share the many secrets and enchantments of the wild with the kids, as well as teach them bush skills, tracking and animal identification in a fun and thrilling way - read more.

2. Reports from Malawi and Uganda

KayaMawa in Malawi reports: "Kaya Mawa has been lucky to have a new volunteer from the UK assisting with our Island Child program sponsorship program where people can sponsor a child directly by paying their school fees or contribute to the Nkhwazi Village primary school sponsorship program. This month a large delivery of school supplies finally reached us here at Likoma with everything from nearly new football uniforms to an abundance of science equipment and textbooks. Some of Kaya Mawa's guests to town were able to support Nkhwazi village taking on St Marks in this high profile football match.
Kaya Mawa has now got several mountain bikes that guests have been enjoying exploring the island with. Vehicles on the island are more than happy to throw the bikes in the back & give you a lift back to Kaya Mawa or perhaps down to the Hot Coconut, a vibrant & happening bar in town which is popular with the locals."

Semliki, Uganda, news: "The chimps have been out and about, one group of people had a sighting of six of them crossing the road before they even reached Semliki Lodge! We have also had some sightings while walking which is always entertaining as you dodge the pool and are deafened by the screaming from above. The chimp researchers have arrived to work further on their camp. Our cats have also been very active, one lady was lucky enough to see a large leopard departing from the tree outside Wassa tent as she emerged for her breakfast. We also have a big male lion who seems to have decided to call Semliki his home, and calls most mornings to let us know that he is still around. We are also enjoying a lot of boat trips with the variation of the water birds, the stunning waterfall and large crocodile and hippos."