One of our luxury fly in safaris visits two of Great Plains Conservation’s spectacular properties located in the Okavango Delta and Sapi Reserve mentioned below. This participative safari in Africa contributes directly towards their most ambitious project to date, called Project Rewild, as well as other philanthropic projects.
Only two fly-in safaris are still available for the 2023 safari season!
TOURISM CONTRIBUTES TO THE PRESERVATION OF AFRICA'S MAGNIFICENT WILDLIFE
RESTORING ZIMBABWE'S SAPI RESERVE
Of the world’s land biomass, 36% comprises of humans and 60% of our livestock. That leaves only 4% for wildlife.
For Africa’s wildlife, tourism, and more specifically safaris in Africa, forms a vital part of the overall quest to secure their existence for future generations. At the heart of this lies conservation tourism, which is defined as “commercial tourism which makes an ecologically significant net positive contribution to the effective conservation of biological diversity” This type of tourism plays an essential role by providing a source of funding to various philanthropic projects, salaries of park rangers and guards, management activities such as ecosystem monitoring, anti-poaching patrols, invasive species eradication, and environmental educational programs.
PROJECT REWILD
Great Plains Conservation is a perfect example of how conservation tourism is assisting in restoring wildlife to one of Southern Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas. Their most ambitious project to date is called Project Rewild Zambezi. The plan is to translocate 3000 animals across Zimbabwe, including elephants, wild dogs and lions.
One affected area is the Sapi Private Reserve in Zimbabwe, located on the Zambezi River. The reserve was hunted since 1957 and came into the Great Plains Conservation fold in 2016 as a critical, fragile, decimated landscape. The 290,000-acre Sapi Reserve is set on the Zambezi River and bordering Mana Pools National Park and forms the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Given its pivotal position in conserving the broader Zambezi Valley, Great Plains took on the responsibility of managing this landscape – reclaiming it for wildlife and ending hunting. Working with teams of world-renowned experts and in close partnership with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, their strategy for this unique wildlife haven includes conservation tourism, where you, as the guest, play such an important role. Your safari in Africa directly contributes to these incredible projects!
A SAFARI IN AFRICA - MUST DO - THE NEW KIRI CAMP!
I recently visited the new Kiri Camp in the Okavango Delta to see what our clients can expect. The camp is raised on wooden decks to give one a view of the beautiful Kiri floodplains, which stretch out in front of the camp.
The luxury tents are designed to incorporate the surrounding ebony forest under which the camp is situated. The use of wood, canvas and reeds is primary to the architecture of this stunning camp.
It offers a combination of both game drives and water activities. Based on a private concession, these activities will take you to some of the more remote areas in the delta, previously inaccessible. A motorboat ride during peak flood times promises to enthrall you and captivate you, with the chance to see iconic wildlife from the river. Glide on quiet mokoro’s through the water lilies and view wildlife from below as you sail along at water level height.
The wildlife in the Kiri area is diverse and plentiful, renowned for its lion and buffalo interactions and rare wild dog numbers. Off-road and night driving are allowed, as are armed nature walks through the surrounding islands with knowledgeable guides.
A must-visit destination during your next safari in Africa!
Riaan Beekman (African Aerial Safaris Founder)
