1. Africa Update
TIES thanks ecoAfrica!
The
International Ecotourism Society (TIES) recently held a fundraising
auction and ecoAfrica was very much part of this prestigious event.
Here’s what one of their directors had to say: “The ecotourism
celebration and auction was a great success and we could not have
done it without your many generous trip donations! We are pleased to
have you as a top level supporter of TIES and it was a pleasure
working with you over the past several months. Thanks again for
supporting TIES with your help in coordinating all of these great
prizes!”
Sabi
Sabi acquires Londolozi
Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve has added
Londolozi’s Safari Lodge to its
portfolio.
The six-suite luxury lodge will be dubbed “Little Bush Camp”,
complimenting Sabi Sabi’s existing Bush Lodge. The new camp will
enhance the already successful portfolio of
Earth Lodge,
Selati Camp and
Bush Lodge. Little Bush Camp will
be handed over to Sabi Sabi on March 1, 2006.
Impalila
Camp brings water to local community!
Impalila Island Lodge, which is
located inside the proposed Kavango-Upper Zambezi Transfrontier
Conservation Area, has successfully placed water points within many
of the villages on the island, given the clinic a facelift and
finished an art room with arts and crafts from the region! The
project was a joint effort between the Red Cross, the local
community and Impalila. As one of ecoAfrica’s operators, we’d like
to say well done!
Wilderness
Safaris announces Pafuri Camp in Northern Kruger
Pafuri Camp is nearing completion
and scheduled to open in June this year. The camp will have 20
thatched rooms built along the Luvuvhu River. Wilderness has signed
a 45-year mutually beneficial lease with the Makuleke community, who
were removed from their homeland in 1969 but reclaimed it following
land restitution in 1997. The Makuleke will benefit from skills
development, job creation, training, and 8% of all lodge profits.
2. Have Your Say - Game sightings guaranteed?
Radio collaring is a very practical and successful tool that
conservationists are currently using to monitor wildlife movement
and behaviour patterns. A debate has, however, emerged around the
issue of using radio collars to track animals for the purposes of
game viewing. We debated this issue internally here at ecoAfrica and
would like to know what our readers think…
Is
it ethical to track animals in this way for tourists' pleasure? Or
is it simply justified to see the male lion at any cost having paid
a significant amount for a safari that may represent your only visit
to Africa's wilderness? Or does the thought make you feel uneasy?
Would you prefer a cheetah to be in an area “natural” enough to be
able to evade a game viewing vehicle if it so chooses?
Click here for some background and
thoughts on the issue, and add yours on our
online survey!
Shark Cage diving -
Feedback on last week's article.
3. Ecolabels in tourism: what are they and
why so many?
Perhaps you are familiar with ecolabels on tins of tuna or
on exotic wood, but are you aware of ecolabels in tourism? If not,
perhaps we can give you a short overview, with some current
examples. Theoretically tourism ecolabels should help you to make an
informed choice about accommodation or tours... but
read further and make up your own
mind.
4. Rare Species Focus – African Wild Dog
The wild dog is southern Africa's most endangered carnivore
and one of the most endangered carnivore species in the world. The
Endangered Wildlife Trust has been conducting research aimed at
improving their conservation status since 1990. Click here to
read more about these projects.
Lagoon
Camp on Botswana’s Kwando River boasts excellent viewing
of these “painted dogs”. The Kwando pack has denned near camp every
year for the past 8 years. The best time to visit is from June until
August/September.
Visit Lagoon Camp
Other great news for the species is its recent
reintroduction into Northern KwaZulu-Natal where it was last seen
more than 75 years ago!
5. Traveller Feedback
“The staff were great at Elephant Plains and the safari
trips amazing - seeing all the big 5 on our first trip must have
been the highlight of our holiday. All the arrangements from
ecoAfrica went perfectly smoothly as well - our trip to SA was
wonderful - we can't wait to return!” Anna Long (UK) -
Elephant Plains
“My brother and I got back today from Africa, and I
just wanted to thank you for everything. I will absolutely recommend
ecoAfrica and the Rhino Safaris to everyone I know who may be
interested.”
Jeff Chisholm (USA) -
6 day Rhino Walking Safari
“All went beautifully. We had a marvellous time at
Thornybush Chapungu and felt "looked after" by ecoAfrica all along
the way. On our sixth (and final) time out we saw the lion with his
pride. The first night we had seen him, a solitary and terribly
impressive gentleman, who three times roared as he padded
deliberately on in spite of our proximity. The next day we saw four
lionesses and their cubs-----quite a long, leisurely "soaking in" of
the scene as their bellies were totally full and the cubs had given
over almost entirely to digesting. The last a.m. they were all
together at a watering hole with the lion majestic and apparently
leisurely from his vantage point above them. The cubs were busily
engaged in various important projects like pulling reeds from the
water and toting them around. Thanks for everything!!!”
Mr & Mrs Brookhart (USA) -
Thornybush Chapungu
“This trip was just the kind of safari I could have
dreamed of. It was a real new experience and if we had some
apprehension about camping, we now think differently. The focus of
our hosts seemed to be an authentic and respectful experience of
Africa, and you could feel their involvement with the Bushmen
community as well. EcoAfrica was very efficient and proactive as
well. You had answers to all our questions. And your site is very
open and easy to consult.”
Marc Langaret (France) -
12 day Dunes, Etosha, Okavango & Vic Falls
6. Recommended reading
Click here for a reading list on
the subjects of ecolabels in tourism, and ecotourism.
