1. Africa Update
Chilli is to elephants what garlic is to
vampires
In
an innovative discovery by the Elephant Pepper Development Trust,
chilli has been identified as a useful elephant repellant. In
Zambia's Luangwa Valley where
conflict between rural communities and elephants is rife, farmers
are planting barriers of chilli - the plants of which are not only
safe from ingestion by these jumbos, but the chillies are used in
bricks, briquettes and rope which have all proved highly successful
elephant deterents. The chilli is easy to grow and drought resistant
and excess chillies are made into sauces and exported.
Elephant family caught in runaway
wildfire
Runaway fires swept through the
Pilanesberg National Park, South
Africa last week trapping a family of 20 elephants in the blaze. Two
died and at least 2 more were euthanased because of painful
injuries, while other badly burned family members have been
relocated to a nearby boma for treatment. The adults were mainly
burnt on their backs and heads as they tried to protect the little
ones, whose size and soft skin was more susceptible to the flames.
2. Have your say
In 2003, ecoAfrica brought you an article from
Earthyear Magazine that discussed
whether or not we should be riding elephants. In this article, the
elephant riding industry was described as “fledgling” with only 2
operators in South Africa at the time. We have since seen the
industry growing at a rapid pace with elephant riding popping up in
the most unusual places. Since we are looking at the plight of
elephants this month, here is a reminder of a few of the issues we
discussed back in 2003, and an update on where we stand in 2005.
Read more
3. New on ecoAfrica.com
3,
4 and 5 day Classic Kruger Safari
These
Classic Kruger Safaris offer an
affordable way to see the park without having to join a large group.
Accommodation is in cottages at restcamps within the park which
means you have the added bonus of easy access to brilliant game
viewing. Game drives are the focus, while night drives and bush
walks can also be arranged. Departures are from Johannesburg, via
the Blyde Canyon.
Tuli
Safari Lodge
Tuli - the relatively unknown eastern block of Botswana - is a
region of strange and beautiful scenery, rich archeological history,
and giant baobabs. This is the setting for
Tuli Safari Lodge. Here one can try
a number of activities: mountain bike riding, canoeing, bush walks,
game drives, villiage visits, bush picnics and more.
Walking
safaris and tours
We are very excited to launch a new category on ecoAfrica.com that
we hope will satisfy all walkers, trekkers and hikers. Choose your
walking trip by country or type:
from scenic beach walks around Cape Point to mountain trekking up
Kilimanjaro, and all the big 5 wildlife areas in between.
Our recommended trip for walking enthusiasts:
9 day Walk in the Parks
4. Ranger Diaries - Tall
stories from Phinda Game Reserve
Two
elephant bulls were recently seen walking across the open grassland
at Phinda. They started feeding in a thicket of Tamboti. Five White
Rhino were quietly dozing in the shade of the thicket and were
startled by the feeding elephants. One of the two bulls was annoyed
by the movement and came forward with ears flapping. The elephant
then picked up sand with its trunk and threw it towards the rhino
which ran off. After a couple of minutes they returned. Amazingly,
the elephant then picked up stones, which it proceeded to lob in the
direction of the rhino. On the second attempt, it hit one on the
rump which caused them all to thunder off again!
visit Phinda
5. Traveller Feedback
"What
can I say - the trip was absolutely wonderful! The food was
exquisite and Paul our ranger was excellent. Shibula also appeared
to be very involved with conservation and community projects, and
consideration towards the environment was evident. Thanks so much
for letting us enjoy such a wonderful and relaxing weekend, will
definitely go back to show the children!"
Rene Opperman (South Africa) -
Shibula, August 2005
"One
of the beauties of visiting other places is that they hold so much
more interest for you in the future. It's like reading an article
about losing a child: before you become a parent, you might read it
with interest; after becoming a parent, you read such an article
with avidity and empathy. Traveling to places rids me of detachment
and makes those places come alive." David Graham, USA
4 day Wild Coast Highlights and
10 day Northern Explorer
(Click
here to read further excerpts from David Graham's
wanderings in Africa)
