Deep in Africa Ecotourism is in effect

Posted on October 24, 2010 by quest

Need to recharge and make a difference too? DeepIntoAfrica.com has been awarded sole rights to bring volunteers from North America to assist with the Tuli Conservation Project, a research and monitoring initiative that aims to help preserve the pristine Tuli Block of Southern Africa. Now this is ecotourism in full effect. The Tuli Block consists of a largely uninhabited area traversing the borders of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. It is home to large herds of elephants—which will be central to the data collection activities—as well as hyenas, lions, buffalo, leopards, baboons and more. After paying a nominal fee, volunteers are housed, fed and instructed in game tracking, animal and plant identification, GPS mapping, data collection and more. All these skills are applied immediately in the Tuli wilderness as the groups go out to track wildlife and collect data.

“This project is unlike anything else we have been able to offer in the past said” Diederik Van ‘t Hof. “We are tremendously excited about being able to give people the opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty and excitement that is the Southern African wilderness, in a whole new way.” The participant volunteers come from all parts of the world.

DeepIntoAfrica.com has been offering day tours, safaris, overland adventures, luxury bus tours, scuba safaris, motorcycle adventures and fly-in safaris since 1992 with the belief that eco-tourism will preserve Africa’s biodiversity.

With this adventure trip, people leave civilization behind, clear their minds and enjoy pristine wilderness away from the stresses of civilization and experience an untouched part of Africa that you will remember for the rest of your life. For more information, potential volunteers can visit www.deepintoafrica.com or contact a representative in California at 916-5-SAFARI.

ECOTOURISM

Ecotourism as a political act

Posted on October 23, 2010 by quest

When travel writer Rick Steves talks about “Travel as a Political Act,” the title of his new book; to me what he is essentially talking about is incorporating ecotourism principals into a travel experience. As a writer, and producer of the popular television series Rick Steves’ Europe, and through his travel books, he encourages Americans and readers to discover not only major cities, but also cozy villages away from popular tourist routes. In a recent Sacramento Bee interview he said he felt that in some ways ecotourism was a marketing hook; yet making a difference through responsible travel seems like something everyone can do. While it’s sometimes called sustainable, green or even adventure travel, ecotourism seeks to recognize the environmental, economic and social impact travel can have on the traveler as well as with people and places visited.

With respect to his own travel experience Steves says “I fondly remember the confusion I felt when I first met someone who wouldn’t trade passports with me. I thought, “I’ve got more wealth, more freedom, more opportunity than you’ll ever have—why wouldn’t you want what I’ve got?” I assumed anyone with half a brain would aspire to the American Dream. But the vast majority of non-Americans don’t. They have the Bulgarian Dream, or the Sri Lankan Dream, or the Moroccan Dream. Thanks to travel, this no longer surprises me.

RICK STEVES – TRAVEL AS A POLITICAL ACT

In fact, I celebrate it. I was raised thinking the world is a pyramid with us on top and everybody else trying to get there. Well into my adulthood, I actually believed that if another country didn’t understand that they should want to be like us, we had every right to go in and elect a government for them that did.” Steves believes that Americans who approach travel thoughtfully — as a political act — can have the time of their lives and come home with a better understanding of the interconnectedness of today’s world and just how our nation fits in. His book, “Travel as a Political Act” is now available in stores and online. It was Mark Twain who wrote, “travel is the enemy of bigotry, narrow-mindedness, and prejudice.”

NEW WATER

An eco travel road through the Serengeti

Posted on September 22, 2010 by quest

It starts as just a road…then a store, restaurant, hotel and you see where this goes… it’s the next Las Vegas of the Serengeti.This could very well be the fate of the Serengeti. There are plans to construct a 31 mile road through the area. The Serengeti ecosystem is a geographical region located in north-western Tanzania and extends to south-western Kenya. It spans some 12,000 square miles.

The Serengeti hosts the largest and longest migrations in the world, which is one of the natural travel wonders of the world. A group of scientist are saying building the road which would improve trade would be an environmental tragedy that can be avoided.

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

As in the past outside forces and western civilization are trying to influence African countries who have been victimized by colonization and trade practices imposed upon them. The Tanzanian government and cradle of civilization countries want in on world trade and commerce thank you very much. Eco tourism has provided a toe hold. In 2005 tourism contributed over $800 million the the region. Progress yes but at what expense? Read Matthew Knight’s report here.