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May 23, 2007
Moderation is the Word
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Introduction
by Clarissa Hughes
I have just returned from the annual travel fair called Indaba hosted in Durban where I met up with old shamwaris and heard news of erstwhile friends. After 20 years in the industry I get an odd sense of continuity from this yearly gathering.
With continuity still on my mind I was happy to see the initiative from some Hong Kong restaurants that have started fining customers who don’t finish their food. It is intended this will help curb the 700 tonnes of leftovers binned daily!
As awareness of global warming increases, it is becoming harder to ignore it’s singular cause - excess. Excess populations, excess consumption, excess materialism.
In South Africa the tax on plastic shopping bags has drastically reduced the associated litter. This highlights the vital role governments play in changing the mindset of citizens. People often need a nudge to take action. So what else can this be applied to? I’d be interested to hear your ideas.
On May 28th The International Whaling Commission will be meeting in Anchorage, Alaska to decide on whaling permits. When I read that one of the chief drivers of whale hunting is the cosmetics industry I did a double-take. This is not subsistence hunting - far from it. From now on I will certainly be reading the labels more carefully on the cosmetics I buy, and familiarising myself with the animal-friendly brands. When these great creatures give birth to their young they seek out sheltered bays near land. In South Africa Southern Right whales gather in many places with Hermanus being a hotspot.
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Proposed Wildlife Corridor Receives $6m
Tanzania and Mozambique are discussing the establishment of Africa’s largest protected wildlife area
Covering 150,000 square kilometres the corridor will link the Selous Game Reserve and Niassa Game Reserves. The range of forests, wooded grasslands, open savannahs, granite kopjes, seasonal and permanent wetlands and rivers in the corridor make for a globally significant biodiversity.
The project is taking a community-based conservation approach that will develop local competencies in sustainable resources management and promote conservation and biodiversity management by improving the human capacity to manage wildlife resources.
The World Heritage site of Selous Game Reserve (link to previous piece) is a destination for the discerning. Visit this wild corner of Africa with us.
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Live Earth Concerts
Raises awareness about climate change
Built on the model Bob Geldof used for anti-poverty concerts in 2005, Live Earth will be held in Johannesburg, London, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo.
"By attracting an audience of billions, we hope Live Earth will launch a global campaign giving a critical mass of people around the world the tools they need to help solve the climate crisis," Al Gore, former U.S. Vice President, said in a statement.
If you plan to come to the Johannesburg one, take a few extra days and do a 6 day Walking Safari in the world famous Kruger National Park.
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Zambian wins 'Nobel green prize'
Economic projects curb elephant poaching
Hammerskjoeld Simwinga has won the Goldman Prize, sometimes called the Nobel prize for the environment, by helping set up bee-keeping and fish-farming projects for people in the North Luangwa valley, where elephant numbers had shown a dramatic fall. He has persuaded local people they can earn money by keeping elephants alive where they attract tourists, and their money, to the region.
"People are now seeing the benefit of protecting their natural resources," Mr Simwinga said. "Not only do they see the beauty of a live animal, but the live animals are now putting money in their pockets."
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Lizanne goes East
Have you been pondering a family vacation to Africa, wondering when and where and how? An exotic beach resort at the coast of Kenya’s Swahili Coast may prove a fantastic solution, especially when combined with the unique Maulidi Cultural Festival in Lamu.
The Maulidi Cultural Festival is annually held in November to celebrate the birth of Mohammed, religious leader of the Muslim community. The festival also extends to celebrate the cultural treasures of the local people, with dhow races (their unique sailing boats), donkey races (the symbol of Lamu!), henna painting, Koran recitations, swimming races, cross country running and Boa competitions (the famous African board game).
While everything in Lamu moves a lot slower than in the Western world, the culture and community of Lamu is alive and well. Lamu town is Kenya’s answer to the antique merchant towns of the old spice and slave trade. Today a World Heritage Site, Lamu was established in the 14th century as a Swahili trading outpost. As you walk among the labyrinth streets of the Old Town, the heady aromas and perfumes of the markets certainly draws you back to that time, and the joys of an exotic breakaway leaves you feeling adventurous and free.
The island offers a great walking or jogging route, or a special sundowner spot with a view of the whole of the Lamu Arichipelago. Don’t be surprised to see a buffalo and a few antelope on your drive to this spot…! The mantra at Manda Bay is “Barefoot Comfortable”, with even the efficient owner/managers spending their days without shoes on the neatly plaited grass mats.
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If everyone helps to hold up the sky,
Then one person does not become tired
Is an old African proverb still applicable today? Here at ecoAfrica we believe that if everyone plays their part we can, together, make a difference. That’s why it’s important to make responsible choices in life. See how you can hold up your corner of the sky.
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Travellers Feedback
Tailormade tour for Peter Ward (UK)
The trip was absolutely fantastic and everything went smoothly with all connections, airport transfers etc being perfect. The desert elephants in Damaraland - the highlight of the trip for me! Our safari was stunning and very much in-keeping with the environmental sensitivities of the animals and the landscape and Thimo our guide was simply brilliant and very, very knowledgeable. It would just not be possible to see anything like the game we saw and to travel across the vast distances on gravel roads and river beds without someone who knows their stuff. All in all I was very impressed and had a wonderful time.
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ecoQuest
Mchenga Nkwichi Lodge lies on the shores of Lake Niassa in Mozambique
In a 1600 acres private concession in the Manda Wilderness Community Nature Reserve. The chalets have been designed to blend in with the environment. Trees, rock outcrops and the lie of the land have all been incorporated into the structures.
The project is currently the largest private employer in the Lago district. Manda Wilderness arranges funds for community development projects and works closely with the community and involves them is all decision-making.
In an area of 100,000 Ha (1/4 million acres) of unspoilt African wilderness, Mchenga Nkwichi deserves your attention.
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Travel Tip
Conserve energy
Choose lodgings that have effective waste treatment systems, that recycle, that are energy efficient, and, where possible, that use environmentally friendly energy sources such as solar energy or hydroelectric power.
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ecoSpecials
Kosi Forest Lodge, in a World Heritage site
Tucked into the tranquil sand forest alongside the Kosi Lake system, is an unspoilt wilderness lodge that is part of the St Lucia World Heritage Park (recently renamed to iSimangaliso Wetland Park). Enjoy guided canoeing, boat trips on the lakes and raffia forest walks. Discover one of South Africa’s best ecotourist destinations.
Price: R945, per night, per person, sharing
Valid: May - June 2007
If you would like to book this trip or look at some more specials, visit our specials page,
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ecoAfrica Newsletter © 2007 eocAfrica Travel.
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