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March 22, 2007
Innovate or Else
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Introduction
by Clarissa Hughes
Well it’s finally out. Global warming is caused by man, according to the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. With Al Gore’s movie “An Inconvenient Truth” still on the circuit and the deluge of media exposure on this theme it’s easy to become bogged down in a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. However, in another report, the European Commission indicates that “reducing global emissions in 2050 to a level that is 25% below that of 1990 is both technically and economically achievable.”
Naturally air travel has come under the spotlight of carbon emission sins. Yet, it’s important to put this in perspective – presently air travel generates 2% of the total made-made emissions. Air travel is not going to miraculously go away. Individuals and governments worldwide need to find innovative ways of reducing global emissions.
Sir Richard Branson has thrown down the challenge by offering a $25 million prize to anyone who figures out how to remove a billion tons of carbon dioxide per year from the atmosphere. He has further pledged to invest $3bn in profits from his travel firms, such as airline Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Trains, towards research into renewable energy technologies.
You’ll notice our slogan is “eco-travel to Africa that makes a difference” because we believe individuals can make a difference - in their travel choices or in their day-to-day lives.
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Adopt a Zebu
Talking of innovation…
In poverty-stricken Madagascar the difference between a meal and an empty stomach may be the family-owned Zebu. This lanky-looking cow provides milk and fuel (dried dung). Its muscle power is used for ploughing and drawing the peasant farmers’ carts.
In a novel approach you can invest in the National Overseas Zebu Bank and buy a Zebu which is then “rented” out to a family. You may even visit the Zebu, as you are the owner of the animal. At the end of 3 years your investment amount is returned to you with interest. Join Jacques Chirac and Zinedine Zidane in providing a means to a livelihood to some of the world’s poorest, while making a profit! For more information go to http://www.zob-madagascar.org/
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Madonna & Black Child
Madonna’s adoption of a Malawian child recently made headlines.
Knowing that she has a slick publicity machine behind her and that she’s the queen of self-reinvention, I had to pause momentarily regarding the cleverness of her adopting David Banda. After all, there is a long history of the Black Madonna (of the Catholic Church variety) in Southern Europe. Madonna and Child + Black Madonna = Madonna and Black Child? Perhaps my imagination ran away with me and the connection isn’t intentional. Nevertheless, young David’s home is a fascinating country where you can combine relaxation (of the beach/hammock kind) with the adventure of viewing African wildlife. We have highlighted the remote Nyika National Park, renowned for its herds of beautiful Roan Antelope in this issue.
For more information on beach and wildlife combinations please contact us.
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Clarissa discovers the reason for the meeting of North and South in the dunes of South Africa.
Trickling unassumingly out of a non-descript dune on the Southern Cape coast is the reason the first European explorers stopped off here, which, in turn, became the prelude to an entire sub-continent’s modern history. The small stream of water is, amazingly, still flowing, as I discovered recently on walking the Oystercatcher Trail - leaving me with a profound sense of continuity.
History is apparent at every turn on the hike from the ancient Khoisan middens to the site of a well-known 1763 shipwreck. Wildlife presents itself in the form of whales and dolphins in the bays and various birds including the Black Oystercatcher (a rather silly bird that, to my mind, contradicts Darwin).
Our guide, Willie, delighted us with his stories and our hosts were professional and welcoming. For more information on the Oystercatcher Trail.
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Porcupines are being slaughtered for their quills
The craze for porcupine products has taken off over the last few years.
Quills are used in tourist products such as pens and lampshades and in the fashion industry you find them in jewellery and hair ornaments. The demand has resulted in the hunting down of these peaceful, nocturnal rodents.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)) has launched a "Think Twice" programme to encourage visitors not to buy souvenirs made from wild animals, including elephant hair bracelets and illegal ivory objects.
For the possibility of seeing porcupines “on the hoof” do a night drive in the Sabi Sands Reserve.
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Selous Game Reserve
East Africa’s largest reserve is not for the uninitiated
With impressive statistics like being a UNESCO heritage site with an area of 50,000 square kilometers, with over 50,000 elephant, 110,000 buffalo .... all that kind of thing ... Selous Game Reserve certainly sounds attractive to the first-time Africa visitor. But in reality this reserve is a gentle place, whose pace is slowed by the languid heat and humidity of the coastal region. Safari here is a slow-paced, relaxed affair, of short morning walks, long lunches and late afternoons spent birdwatching from the boat. It is the kind of place where people enjoy dosing off to the sound of a fish eagle as much as they do chasing around the bush in search of big game.
In comparison to the northern parks where safaris are adventurous and there are greater numbers of visible game, the Selous is far more intimate, relaxed and discreet.
Discover this unknown corner of Africa with us.
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Responsible Tourism Awards
Africa rewarded
Africa featured prominently in the world’s largest showcase of its kind, winning 5 of the 14 awards. The following categories were secured by African operations: Overall Winner (shared), Best Small Hotel, Best for Poverty Reduction, Best for Conservation of an Endangered Species and Best for Innovation / Technology.
Tswalu Lodge, deep in the Kalahari, won the Best for Conservation of an Endangered Species. View the special offer the lodge is currently presenting.
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Travellers Feedback
3 day Classic Kruger Safari
Willem from Safari Rangers was an absolutely excellent guide. 10 out of 10. His determination for us to see as much as we could in our only three day safari meant we saw 4 of the big 5.
Thank you ~ James Wilkins, Amy Anderson
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ecoQuest
Just meters from the Indian Ocean and located in a World Heritage Site lies Rocktail Bay Lodge
Situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal within the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve and adjoining the Maputaland Marine Reserve this secluded lodge offers unspoilt coastlines and a variety of activities. For more information on how to visit this unique ecological, cultural & conservation destination.
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Travel Tip
Visit parks and nature reserves
Visitor demand and tourist expenditures support existing protected areas and can lead to the protection of additional nature. Leave these areas as you found them and do not disturb the wildlife there.
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ecoSpecials
Exciting Safari Deals
At the foot of the Warmwaterberg, in
the heart of the Little Karoo, between Montagu and Barrydale on the famous
Route 62, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve offers 54 000 hectares of undulating
mountains and plains, indigenous fauna and flora, rock formations and rock
art.
Be it a journey of rejuvenation and self-discovery or absorbing the various
essences and activities, we offer guests the opportunity to recover from the
rigors of the outside world and restore their sense of inner harmony. This is
the perfect environment for rediscovering creativity and regenerating energy.
For only R4400 per person sharing, enjoy 3 days of luxurious accommodation,
game drives and spa facilities in the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve.
Offer Valid: 01 May – 30 September 2007
Go to the specials
page for more detail.
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ecoAfrica Newsletter © 2007 eocAfrica Travel.
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