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Conservation Tour Namibia
In 1850, the artist Thomas Baines journeyed by ox wagon to a point just north of the Vaal River in South Africa. Throughout their journey, he and his companions hunted for the pot. For instance, the following diary entry, which Baines wrote on Tuesday, 26 March 1850 is typical; Crossed the little Vet River and Li spruit [stream] about eight miles from the new town of Winberg [Winburg] and in the distance saw a farmer chasing wildebeestes at a distance. The passage of the herd was marked by a cloud of dust and that of their pursuer by a smaller one, which at intervals gave place to a light wreath of smoke, when the herd would dart off with renewed speed. Sometimes a small rising of the dust would mark the passage of the ball and then the long booming report of his gun be borne down towards us by the gentle breeze. (reference below) This took place in the central part of what is now the Free State Province of South Africa. It goes without saying that nowadays travellers in South Africa do not hunt along the way; nor do they do so anywhere else in Southern Africa. The vast herds of game have gone, hunted to near extinction, replaced by cattle and sheep and constrained by fences and roads. Although travellers by road can still see wild animals, almost all of them are behind fences within the confines of private game reserves and conservancies. The great game reserves of Eastern and Southern Africa, such as Serengeti and the Kruger and Etosha National Parks, are both noble endeavours and sad reminders of a vanished glory. They were created to protect wildlife remnants from the rapacious onslaught that took place after the arrival of European settlers with their rifles and horses. However, sad as this is, it is likely that far more species would have been wiped out if these reserves had not been created. Because of the country’s desolation and isolation, in some parts of Namibia animals roamed free and wild much longer than in other parts of the continent. In fact, as recently as the 1980s, officials and army officers of the South African regime in Namibia were slaughtering free-ranging game such as springboks, oryxes, elephants, and rhinos in north-western Namibia. Partly in reaction to rapacious behaviour and partly as a result of the determined actions of some visionary and far-sighted people – no doubt provoked into action both by local and international concerns - conservation efforts began at the same time. Most of these initiatives focused on the animals that were most endangered, such as elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, and leopards, as well as less ‘prominent’ creatures such as wild dogs and vultures. The best of these initiatives has combined conservation with advocacy and education. A notable factor has been the growing alliance with local communities, many of which have become ardent conservationists. As we recount elsewhere, the development of communal conservancies is considered to be a Namibian success story. This tour takes you to the following conservation projects: Africat – the cheetah project Etosha – the country’s oldest and largest conservation initiative Huab – the elephant project Doro Nawas - a partnership between the local community and private enterprise in an area where elephants, rhinos, and other animals roam freely Save the Rhino Trust – rhino conservation, of course! Other worthwhile projects are the Cheetah Conservation Fund and the Rare and Endangered Species Trust, which has a particular concern for the Cape Griffon vulture. THE ITINERARY
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