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Jan 23, 2008
An Eventful Start
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Introduction
by Clarissa Hughes
I’m sure, like me, you received all kinds of novel solicitations for purchasing your Christmas gifts. I’m always a little bewildered that many environmental organizations are right out there in front when it comes to clamouring for your money to buy yet another useless gift. I realize they need funds, but isn’t it partly due to our consumer lifestyles that the wildlife they protect is endangered in the first place?
We’re constantly being exhorted to practice the 3 Rs: Reduce, Re-use, Recycle (no, not reading, writing and rithmatic!) to mitigate the effects of climate change. So it does seem inconsistent, to say the least, to have greenies joining the Buy, Buy, Buy din. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to make a cash donation to an organization than to acquire some unnecessary Christmas goodie? With habitat loss being one of the chief causes of biodiversity reductions, the African Wildlife Foundation’s Adopt an Acre campaign seems a more responsible way of spending money. Or check out Conservation International’s scheme where you can help different endangered species.
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The Kalahari: A Queen of a Desert
Salomi’s dream comes true!
“The Kalahari is like a woman: it is full of moods, sometimes it is dry and some times it is covered with flowers after the rains and it looks like it is dressed up for an occasion. I loved the Kalahari and every day I felt I was different! I would go back any day, even if it is the middle of summer and you can cook an egg on the bonnet of your car.”
Visit our blog or more feedback of Salomi’s trip to the Kalahari. Or to acquire the taste for this is very special park we suggest you try out one of these trips.
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Political only
By the time you read this the election-related violence in Kenya is yesterday’s news. But Kenya is still a first-class tourism destination and daily updates from our friends there indicate that tourists are not harmed in any of the violence. In fact the UK Foreign Office has just relaxed their travel advisory to the country.
My take on the troubles: although tragic and lamentable Kenyans are showing they care about democracy. And, as a wise, old man once told me “Nothing worth having comes easy”. So our hearts go out to all the families of those Kenyans who have lost their lives in the troubles, and we look forward to continuing to provide them with income through tourism.
Kenya is a great place for a wildlife & beach holiday. For a taste of what’s on offer in Kenya.
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Returned to Africa
Pitou and Sirius, two 16 year old leopards, have successfully been brought home to Africa. Having been held in a zoo in Monaco for several years, the Born Free Foundation, with the help of Prince Albert of Monaco, released them into their 3 acre enclosure at Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
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The debate
Much is being made about the damaging effects of air travel with respect to climate change. Considering our ecotourism ethos, we’ve given the matter substantial thought and opened it up to discussion.
Tell us what you think about this complex issue.
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Upcoming Conservation Projects for 2008
Elephant Translocation for Malawi
In June 2008 50 elephants will be captured in the Liwonde National Park, an area of only 550 km2 that supports in excess of 700 elephants, and translocated to the Majete Wildlife Reserve, south west of Blantyre, Malawi’s capital. The reserve is managed by the African Parks Network. If you’d like to be part participate in this fantastic experience please enquire with us.
Liwonde is an active tourism area and the elephants are habituated to vehicles, people and boats.
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Travellers Feedback
Fiona and Kerry (NZ) on a Tailormade Zambia fly-in Safari
"The abundance of wildlife was mind-boggling. Kerry kept thinking it was a set from a Disneyland movie, with game placed there to look good for tourists. We saw lions and elephants by the dozen, with hardly any sign of other tourists. Even a couple of leopards in different places. It was incredible to realize that this was how it was naturally. The food and hospitality were outstanding and the safari camps were quite wonderful.
Thank you so much for all that you did towards our trip. It really was the experience of a lifetime. I am so glad we did it the way we did. Apart from spending longer in Zambia, I don’t think I would change a thing."
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ecoAfrica Newsletter © 2008 ecoAfrica Travel.
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