ULTIMATE
AFRICA SAFARIS
Ultimate Africa travel and wildlife news archive May 1999 Group Moves To Save Kenya's Ngong Hills, May 2 1999 The Ngong Hills, located 20 km south of Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, were once the ideal place for picnics, family outings and attracted many people in love with mother nature. In those days, the hills were covered by thick indigenous forests in which lived several species of wildlife. Those who made it to their top could (and still can) on a clear day see both Mt. Kenya and the snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro. Then there is the breath-taking expanse of the Great Rift Valley. Sadly today, however, the hills attract only the adventurous and the ignorant. For the hills have turned into a monument of decay now endemic in Kenyan society, whose characteristics include insecurity, land grabbing, environmental degradation... and many others vices. The hills which form an extensive water catchment area are in a sorry state. A heavy assault by humans has resulted in widespread environmental degradation. The ecosystem has been depleted of indigenous forests while some plants and animal species that existed before have been wiped out. The uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources has led to the destruction of the water catchment areas. ''If you mention Ngong Hills today, you won't evoke images of idyllic beauty. You will bring pictures of muggers and crashed light aircraft,'' an environmentalist said recently when he summed up the scene. To reverse this sorry state of affairs, a group of conservationists has resolved not to sit back and have come up with a project to salvage the hills. The group has created a community-based organization known as ''Maasai Conservation of Ngong Hills" (MACON) whose main objectives are to protect the flora and fauna of the hills and to develop eco-tourism. ''The potential of the hills is evident. With its close proximity to Nairobi and its diverse natural endowment, forests, rivers, and a spectacular scenery, we can easily turn the tide by restoring the natural beauty of the hills and also make the area a tourist haven,'' says MACON chairman Nkukuu ole Sindinyo. The project is to be undertaken in collaboration with several stakeholders who include the ministry of natural resources, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the local community and donors. KWS will particularly take charge of the protection and conservation of the Ngong Hills forest reserve. The partners have already held a series of workshops and symposiums to discuss the problem and work out remedies. Among the first tangible results of these meetings is a plan of action which envisages the fencing of the entire forest reserve, planting of trees and stocking rare species, infrastructure development, including roads, gates, camp sites and communication systems - and the mobilization of the local Maasai community through capacity building. ''In line with the policy of promoting community based initiatives, we saw the need to get into partnership with the local community who will use the natural resources at their disposal,'' Sidinyo explained. In eco-tourism, the partners plan to develop nature trails, observation points, cultural centers, museums and markets. The group plans to promote the area and establish a trust under which earned revenue will be distributed equitably among the community's members. Sidinyo says a draft financing proposal has already been prepared and it is to be circulated among the donor community. ''We must be optimistic. We have no doubt in our minds about the enormity of the task, but we are motivated by its importance,'' Sidinyo says. Budget Lodging's in Botswana's Delta Revamped, May 9 1999 Oddball's Palm Island Lodge, in Botswana's Okavango Delta, has been completely revamped and now features accommodation in six en-suite reed and thatch chalets. The camp has been a favorite destination for backpackers and budget-conscious travelers and now boasts comfortable beds with linen and mosquito nets. Each chalet has been built around a tree, with the trunk forming part of the overall structure and the branches part of the framing system. The rooms are elevated and offer guests uninterrupted views over the delta. Largest Jet Approved, May 9 1999 Air Bus Industries has announced that production of the world's largest passenger jet, with an interior more like a cruise ship, will begin next year. It is expected to be in the air by 2005 and will be 9 meters wider, almost 3 meters higher and use 20% less fuel than the Boeing 747-400. The new plane will be able to seat up to 650 passengers on upper and lower desks running from cockpit to tail - 200 more than the 747. Alternatively it could seat 550 and have room for a gym, cinema, shops and sleeping berths. The jet will have a range of about 16,000 km non-stop - about 4,200 km more than current long-range jets. Mandela to Return to Humble Origins, May 9 1999 When the apartheid government released Nelson Mandela from jail in 1990, he set about building a home in the village of Qunu where he grew up and where he'll return when he retires after the June 2, 1999 elections. The house is not a glittering mansion like many built by African leaders in their home towns, but a replica of the building where Mandela spent the last of his 27 years in jail after he was moved from the prison on Robben Island to the mainland. In his autobiography, Mandela explains why he modeled his home on the government-built house of a senior warder at the Victor Verster prison near Cape Town where apartheid leaders held secret talks with him in the late 1980s to negotiate the end of white minority rule. "The Victor Verster house was the first spacious and comfortable home I had ever stayed in, and I liked it very much. I was familiar with its dimensions, so at Qunu I would not have to wander at night looking for the kitchen," he wrote. The one-story red-brick building is typical of Mandela's modesty, but it is a palace in South Africa's poverty-stricken Eastern Cape province where most people still live in thatched mud-brick huts. Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 at Mvezo, a village south of Qunu, where his father Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa was chief. The village of Qunu, nestled among green, rolling hills, is still home to dozens of Mandelas, among them the president's half-sister Nothamba and cousin Zwelithambile for whom Mandela has also built basic brick houses across the road from his. Mandela also has a home in Johannesburg which he shares with several of his grandchildren and another in Maputo, the home of his new wife Graca Machel and aides say Qunu is likely to remain a relaxing holiday retreat for the retired president. Tanzania Among Top 5 in Africa Tourism, May 16 1999 Tanzania ranks fifth in Africa with its US $431 million tourism income last year according to the World Tourism Organization (WTO) data. Tanzanian Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Zakia Meghji told a press conference this past Wednesday that Tanzania follows South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritius in tourism earnings. He Continued to say that for the first time Tanzania has earned more than Kenya. Kenya ranked sixth in the World Tourism Organization list of top twenty tourism earners in Africa for 1998 with an earning of US $400 million dollars. Others countries in the top twenty include Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The World Tourism Organization said Tanzania recorded 447,000 international tourist arrivals during the same period and ranked number 11 in its list of top 20 tourism destination countries in Africa. In comparison, Kenya received over one million tourists although it earned less revenue than Tanzania did. New Victoria Fall’s Hotel Opening July This Year, May 16 1999 Zimbabwe Sun’s old Makasa Sun hotel has undergone a US$24 million transformation into "The Kingdom" at Victoria Falls, arguably the largest and most ambitious tourism investment in the country ever. "The Kingdom" will be officially opened by Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe this July. The 294-room family resort is the closest property to the Victoria Falls and its architecture has been based on the world-famous monument at Great Zimbabwe, featuring high stone walls, towering arches, large enclosures, traditional kraals and lakes. All public areas including food courts, bars and play centers are linked by stone bridges and walkways. The casino section of the new resort will inherit the name 'Makasa'. Rooms are in separate single and double story units built around an artificial lake that stretches from one end of the property to the other. Zimbabwe Sun is the largest hotel group in the country, and operates an extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts including the prestigious Victoria Falls Hotel and Elephant Hills Hotel. Small Victoria Falls Lodge Away from Crowds, May 16 1999 The River Club, a new addition to the Wilderness Safaris portfolio and, headed up by Peter Jones, is located 18km upstream from the Victoria Falls on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River. The camp consists of 10 luxury thatched chalets, two of which are honeymoon suites, set amongst lush riverine vegetation. The communal area with dining facilities, a library, pub and pool, overlooks a calm stretch of the Zambezi River. The River Club combines well with Wilderness' Botswana and Zimbabwe itineraries, appealing to those who want to enjoy the sights and sounds of Victoria Falls away from the crowds. Richard Branson buys South African Lodge, May 16 1999 British entrepreneur Richard Branson has purchased the prestigious Ulusaba Game Reserve in South African for over US $6 million. The game reserve will undergo an extensive transformation and will be made the Southern African flagship of Mr. Branson’s Virgin group of hotels. Ulusaba will retain its own identity but will be upgraded and refurbished and transformed into an ultra-exclusive property. Branson plans to take the reserve and its two exclusive lodges to new heights by implementing the same formula that was used in developing Virgin's Necker Island Resort, a private holiday destination for the ultra-wealthy in the British Virgin Islands. Branson who plans to turn Ulusaba into the "world's ultimate game lodge", will take full ownership of the lodge in mid-June. New South African Tourism Tax, May 16 1999 April 1, 1999 saw the official launch of a new 1% South African tourism levy which will be added to the cost of all tourism-related products. The levy is expected to raise some US $24 million in international tourism marketing funds each year. The accommodation sector has been the first to give its wholehearted support to the levy. Down to earth with Drifters, May 16 1999 Drifters Adventours now operates a fully inclusive 17-day tour covering Mozambique together with South Africa's Kruger National Park (KNP) and Zimbabwe. Drifters' marketing director, Ken Hill, is pleased with the response to its new tour, which was launched in January. After a day in the Kruger National Park, four days are spent exploring Mozambique, with activities including camping on tropical beaches, 4x4 beach driving and snorkeling. The tour then moves through to Zimbabwe's Save Game Park where three nights are spent in Drifters' own rustic bush camp with days spent in an area renowned for its excellent game viewing. Hill says that due to the conditions experienced on this particular tour, clients must expect delays, detours and other inconveniences. The tour departs fortnightly on Thursdays. Gauteng-based Drifters operates a wide range of adventure and camping safari travel options throughout the southern African using its own fleet of customized vehicles, and owns Drifters Inns throughout Southern Africa. New USA – South Africa Flight, May 16 1999 South African Airways will commence a 3 day a week Boeing 747 service to Atlanta (via Accra, Ghana) on November 1, 1999. The announcement follows the conclusion of an agreement with Ghana Airways, which will see the West African airline ceasing flights to South Africa, and entering into a codeshare arrangement with South African Airways on the Johannesburg-Accra route. Millennium Bug May Cause Embargo Of African Airports, May 16 1999 Many airports in Africa may face a possible embargo on their operations if adequate data on their compliance to the millennium bug is not provided by the end of June, 1999. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Co-ordinator of Africa's Y2K project, Gabriel Wolde, said in Accra this past Thursday that little information has so far been gathered on the operations of most airports on the African continent. ''Apart from Cairo airport which has been visited and rated among category one, the rest of Africa is categorized into two and three. For category two and three we don't have much information to determine their readiness for year 2000.'' He said as part of a co-ordinated program of the 260-member IATA, questionnaires have been issued out to airports of member countries, but the response from Africa is "Very slow. What it means is that most airlines cannot fly to such airports in 2000". Zimbabwe Wins World Travel Award, May 23 1999 Zimbabwe beat the rest of the world when they clinched both the Gold and Silver medals as the "Best Incentive Destination for 1998" at the Travel and Meetings Association's (ITMA) annual banquet held at EuroDisney in Paris this past April. World's Largest Jazz Event Swings to Cape Town, May 23 1999 Organizers of the annual North Sea Jazz Festival, the biggest event of its kind in the world, in The Hague, Netherlands have signed a deal with sponsors to bring some of the best international jazz artists to Cape Town for a huge festival. The Cape Town festival is planned for March of 2000 and possible venues include the Good Hope Center, the new Artscape Nico, the Company's Gardens or the Grand Parade. Tourism to Namibia Growing, May 23 1999 Namibia currently ranks seventh in income generation from tourism in Africa. South Africa and Morocco hold the top two spots. Developer’s Death Doesn't Stop Mozambique Tourism Project, May 23 1999 American tycoon James Blanchard has died without seeing much progress being made on his dream project - a massive theme park in Mozambique. James Ulysses Blanchard III, the controversial, paraplegic American tycoon, died of a heart attack in March. He was 54. Staff at Blanchard Mozambique Enterprises (BME) say once his estate is settled, his widow will continue developing 90km of coastline from Maputo to KwaZulu-Natal, encompassing the Maputo Elephant Reserve. Zimbabwean-born Richard Fair was appointed to manage the reserve from April 1 and brings years of experience as a game warden in Botswana and South Africa. Fair says BME has introduced 24 kudu and 14 waterbuck, supplied uniforms and radios for 43 scouts, refurbished their derelict lodgings, and set up regular anti-poaching patrols to control spotlight hunters who drive in at night from Maputo and Ponta de Ouro to shoot buck and wild pigs. Environmental activists in Maputo still doubt BME's capacity to manage such a large area. "It lacks capital and a team of experts. How can they manage the reserve without a biologist?" asks Antonio Reina, regional director for the Endangered Wildlife Trust. Virgin Airlines Won't Fly on New Year's Eve, May 23 1999 Virgin Atlantic Airways said it will ground its 25 plane fleet on New Year's Eve - to give its employees a special night off, not because of any concern that computers will malfunction due to Y2K problems. The airline does not plan to start any new flights on 31 Dec, only let those in the air land that day. It will resume service on January 1, 2000 based on its normal schedule. Tourist’s Attacked Again in Kenya’s Masai Mara, May 30 1999 On Friday, May 21, 1999 six tourists were attacked by two gangsters armed with AK-47 rifles about 30 kilometers from the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya. The tour group, comprised of three Australians, an American, one person from Israel and another from the United Kingdom, were not physically harmed however lost their money and watches. The attackers did not touch travel documents, which included traveler’s checks. Speaking to reporters Narok police commander Nicodemus Diffu said "this is yet another sad attack in Maasai Mara. Kenya's name is tainted again". No arrests have been made. Kenya Forms Special Tourist Security Force, May 30 1999 The Kenyan government has formed a special security squad to supplement security forces within and outside the Maasai Mara National Reserve following the attack on tourists by armed raiders last week. Operatives from the Kenya Police, General Service Unit, Kenya Police Reserve and Kenya Wildlife Service Rangers were deployed to safeguard visitors. Don't be late for South African Airways, May 30 1999 South African Airways is trying to reduce flight delays caused by late passengers. Passengers must be at their boarding gate no later than 20 minutes before departure, or else they will be considered a "no show". Airport announcements now warn passengers that their luggage will be offloaded if they are not at the boarding gate at least 10 minutes before take-off. Late passengers will have to wait for the next flight. Passengers often check-in and then sit elsewhere, arriving late for their flight and causing delays. Wildlife Society of Zimbabwe Gets Land / Support, May 30 1999 The Wildlife Society of Zimbabwe has secured a lease on a portion of land in the Charara Safari Area, in Kariba. The land is the site of the society's Kuburi Environmental Education Center and campsite on the lakeshore. The granting of the lease follows successful negotiations with the Zimbabwe Ministry of Mines, Environment and Tourism, as well as the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management said Shirley Cormack, the society's president. She added that the society has been guaranteed funding from the German Development Service (GDS) Zimbabwe, for salary and running costs of the Programme for Environmental Awareness Kariba (Peak) run by the society's Kariba branch. Peak was founded in 1995 with financial and technical support from GDS and other international and local donors. The main aim of the project is to teach practical skills needed for the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources. Kruger Airport Takes Off, May 30 1999 The multimillion Rand Kruger Park International Airport will start to rise out of the Mpumalanga soil outside Hazyview before the end of this year. The airport, scheduled for completion in April of 2001, will serve one of South Africa's busiest tourist regions. When complete Kruger Park International (KPI) will become a transport hub in Mpumalanga, with road and rail links to Nelspruit, the Kruger National Park and eventually the Maputo Corridor. Kenya Wildlife Service Losing Millions to Fraud, May 30 1999 The Kenya Wildlife Service has been losing close to 100 million Kenyan Shillings (US $1.6 million) a year through fraud by employees and game rangers. As a result, it will introduce a magnetic card to replace hard cash used by tour operators taking visitors to game parks. KWS director Richard Leakey told hoteliers in Mombasa recently the smart card would enable the organization to seal the loophole through which KWS rangers and tour drivers have stolen millions. Besides facilitating entry into game parks, the cards will improve the image of the organization. The maximum period taken to clear a vehicle through the gates will be three minutes. Dr Leakey said "We are tightening expenditure and improving revenue collection in a bid to make the organization self-sustaining". Return to Weekly Update Archive |
