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Afrikaanse Inligting
Ecotourism: Earning money for Plant Conservation
Ecotourism can be defined as
"responsible travel to natural areas that leads to environmental conservation and
improves the welfare of local people." This model was put into practice in the
south-western Cape during spring 1995 when the Institute for Plant Conservation (IPC)
organised a tour for visiting American tourists. The tour price incorporated a
contribution to a conservation project - some R25 000 was donated to conserve the
rare Elim Fynbos vegetation. The money was given to a mission-based community on the
Agulhas Plain, who plan to use it for the development of a Nature Reserve on Geelkop,
which boasts one of the few remaining patches of Elim Fynbos.
Further ecotourism initiatives are planned for 1996. One such venture is an "Autumn Tour" in the lovely, mellow month of May (13-17) with its sunny days and crisp nights. Participants will be shown the plants, birds and rock art of the West Coast and Cederberg areas. Specialists in these fields will present the tour, and profits will be used to support conservation-linked projects organised by the Botanical Society's Cederberg Interest Group.
The tour encompasses the following:
- Travel to Langebaan and Verlorenvlei to see the rich bird life and coastal vegetation of the area;
- Arrive at Clanwilliam where we will stay for 3 nights with outings to the Cederberg, where we will:
- Be shown how the endangered Cedar Tree is being restored in its natural Fynbos habitat;
- Go on a two hour walk to learn about the local medicinal remedies and folklore passed on over the generations to Jan Zimri, a local field ranger;
- Visit the Knersvlakte just north of Vanryhnsdorp to see the famous, endemic dwarf succulents;
- Visit the beautiful waterfall at the base of the Matzikamma mountains;
- Visit the attractive mission village, Wupperthal, where leather shoes are still handmade according to German tradition.
A special treat awaits us on the last night at a newly opened, unique and luxurious bush retreat in the Cederberg. Here there will be opportunities for game viewing and the inspection of some marvellous rock art sites.
We will tour in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach. Numbers will be limited so that you can receive individual attention. Accommodation and cuisine will be the very best that the area can provide.
You will be guided throughout the trip by Dr Penny Mustart (Satour-registered specialist guide) who will share her botanical knowledge of the Cederberg area with you. She will be assisted by rock art specialist and dedicated conservationist, Stephen Bassett, who has spent years locating and restoring rock art sites in the Cederberg; Cederberg "born-and-bred" Jan Zimri who is a well-known wilderness guide with an intimate knowledge of all things natural in the area; and, Anthony Mills, an ecologist with 15 years of birding experience in South Africa.
For a detailed itinerary and further details, contact: Dr Penny Mustart, IPC, Tel: (021) 650-2482, or (021) 689-2978 a/h, Fax: (021) 650-4046.
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