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Feb 28, 2008
Riotous Rains & New Frontiers
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Introduction
by Clarissa Hughes
News from Kenya still continues to hurt tourism despite the fact that no tourists have been injured in the violence. Further south, updates from friends in Botswana indicate that the mammoth rains this season have everyone smiling, most especially the wildlife. Reports of elephants at the Magkadigkadi Pans, a place normally well out of range due to lack of water, are welcome news.
The magnificent rains that fall in the highlands of Angola have had a ruinous effect on all the people who have slowly, over the years, moved onto the Zambezi’s floodplains, forgetting that floods do happen, and that it’s all part of a natural cycle. Subsistence farmers and tourist camps are all affected. And the news that Zambia will be forced to open the floodgates at the Kariba Dam soon can hardly be happy for them. In case this puts you off any plans of going to the area, remember that the waters will subside and by July/Aug most areas should be accessible again.
By the time you read this I will be exploring the newest member of the Peace Park gang, the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Park. I will arrive from the Lesotho side, land of mountains, ponies and colourfully blanket-draped people and exit via the Sani Pass, renowned for its spectacular scenery. More in the March letter once I return.
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Then leave … only to return
The Makgadikgadi Pans situated in Northern Botswana are the remnants of a vast inland lake that covered most of the country thousands of years ago. Nowadays the vestigial depression fills up with water when the rains come. And as the rains have been superb this year the pans are full of water. Flamingoes breed in the deepest of the pans (Sowa) as they are safer from predators, and then they move to the shallower pans with their chicks to feed.
You too can experience this spectacle at the largest salt pans in the world. Please enquire within for flamingo ETAs.
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The new frontier
After decades of civil war, Angola is once again opening up to tourism. With an extensive national parks system and old run-down colonial architecture it is somewhere I’d certainly like to explore. Angola has an Atlantic coastline stretching over 1.650 kms, mighty rivers flowing into wide estuaries where numerous small islands, bays and sandbanks are found. And, of course, there are the excellent beaches.
Already a few pioneering trips are on offer. This one explores The National Park of Iona, in the Province of Namibe, where the zebra, elephant, and giant sable used to roam freely. With good wildlife policies I’m sure they will return. Nevertheless, the park is also known for its unique flora and incredible rock formations |
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In Zanzibar
The fifth annual Sauti za Busara Music Festival took place earlier this month at the Old Fort in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
The festival included several artists from Zanzibar as well as artists from Mozambique, Tanzania, West Africa, Europe, Japan and Kenya.
If you didn’t make it this year put it on your schedule for 2009 and enjoy the beach, diving and Swahili culture that this steeped-in-history island has to offer.
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And Responsible Tourism
Tusker, a well-known and incredibly good-natured elephant, was shot in January in the Charara Safari Area near the town of Kariba in Zimbabwe.
Habituated to human beings through years of contact, the elephant had become used to the titbits that people gave out to him. It was just a matter of time before he realised where those yummy oranges and cabbages were stored - in cars and trailers. Easier than opening a can! His crimes, which lead to his death penalty, were that he damaged some cars in his search for food.
Travelling responsibly is a fundamental tenet of ecotourism. This incident shows just how detrimental feeding that cute wild animal is, no matter how appealing or hungry it looks.
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Travellers Feedback
Kate Filmer (Australia) on a 4 day Classic Kruger Safari
"Our Kruger Safari was wonderful. We had a brilliant guide, Willem and without a doubt was the reason the experience was so good. All logistical details from being picked up in Johannesburg, how often we might be hungry, how comfortable we were in our accommodation, to preparing our meals were all catered for brilliantly. The benefits in having a very experienced guide were evidenced throughout the safari with a wealth of information on the park and its animals, as well, of course, as many incredible sightings and thrilling wildlife experiences never to be forgotten. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience in Kruger and our time spent with Willem...
Many thanks for your help in booking the safari. I would definitely recommend this Safari to others."
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ecoAfrica Newsletter © 2008 ecoAfrica Travel.
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