1. On Safari in
South Africa - Where Africa's Wildlife Never Disappoints
South Africa continues to enjoy the tremendous
goodwill of holidaymakers worldwide. While travel to most
long haul destinations declined last year, this country experienced
an enviable 6.5% growth, according to the World Tourism Organisation.
The growth was jump started by the transformation heralded
by the demise of apartheid and onset of democratic rule in
1994. Apartheid polices of racial discrimination protected
by law greatly offended enlightened opinion in many parts
of the world. And the enemies of these policies launched a
very effective campaign against visiting South Africa. So
it came to be that South Africa, a truly superior destination
by any standards, remained hidden to many until the dark cloud
of apartheid blew over.
The wildlife safari is a key item on the South
Africa tourist menu. Those who chose to see Africa's wildlife
here will not be disappointed. The game viewing experience
is excellent at the top rated Kruger National Park and at
other well-regarded game parks in the country. Wildlife is
protected in over 300 public and private game and nature reserves.
SANParks (South African National Parks) manages 20 national
parks spread throughout the country.
Kruger is the place to see big game particularly
the "big five" of buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard
and rhinoceros. Most of the other parks have specialised in
conserving particular species or are identified with specific
animals. The Greater Addo National Park, for example, is the
only place you find elephants in the Cape region. Some of
the parks along the 3000 km coastline host whales and dolphins.
South Africa's wildlife conservation policies
are advanced and highly successful. An initiative targeting
wildlife sanctuaries cutting across international boundaries
hopes to replicate this success elsewhere. This is in recognition
of the fact that wildlife is no respecter of territorial lines
covenanted between men. Transfrontier conservation areas have
been identified in six regions along the boundaries with Lesotho,
Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.
In South Africa, the best places to see wildlife
is at private game reserves and national parks. Private game
reserves are not as expansive as the publicly owned national
parks. Their key selling point is the superior accommodation
and ranger escorted personalized tours. The national parks
on the other hand are popular with self-drive tourists. They
offer accommodation in a limited number of enclosed rest-camps,
in thatched rondavels, bungalows and chalets. Tour companies
also offer packages, including transport and guide in the
national parks. See our South
Africa Tours page to view info and book one of
our package safari offers.
South Africa is home to numerous species of
land animals, including the celebrated "big five"
- rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant. Most members
of the big five league are undoubtedly charismatic. But this
is not the reason they are so named - otherwise I would petition
that the buffalo be ejected. The reason is that these are
the animals the early safari hunters found most challenging.
The idea of viewing game without killing had not gained widespread
acceptance then. The arrogant practice of killing animals
as a sport is very unpopular today with those who value the
right to life and dignity of animals as full members of our
planet.
In addition to the disagreeable aesthetics,
hunting brings about a bad relationship between man and the
animals. I will illustrate this with an incident narrated
to me by a guide on a recent visit to a country (not South
Africa) that allows hunting. The guide recalled an occasion
when he was taken by surprise to see an elephant charging
at his vehicle. This was contrary to his experience with elephants
in that region. This unusual behaviour arose because hunters
had wounded the elephant. The elephant hereafter dealt with
vehicles and humans as enemies. It is regrettable that South
Africa's otherwise stellar conservation policies, allow the
practice of hunting in certain areas.
Page
2 Article on South Africa - Where Africa's Wildlife Never
Disappoints
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