With its cultural and species diversity,as well as its magnificent landscapes, Southern Africa has gained a top spot amongst world-wide travel destinations. Not only South Africa and Namibia, but also Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Mauritius, Tanzania and Zanzibar, are attracting more and more travellers to their shores. This makes it all the more important to think about the ecological footprint and the impact that tourism has on the local population and its wildlife areas. Sustainability is one of the many important aspects, according to which African Moments selects its partners.
Anvil Bay Camp is a perfect example of this. The Camp came to fruition by realising that preserving the fragile ecoystem of the Maputo Special Reserve could only be achieved through the co-operation with and the upliftment of local communities. The Mozambique Government’s landmark decision to grant the Chemucane Community an ecotourism concession in the Reserve has resulted in such an opportunity. The Chemucane Tourism Company (CTC) is a philanthropic trust and joint venture formed between the Chemucane community and the Bell Foundation. With funding from the World Bank and the Bell and Ford Foundations, the CTC, which has built and operates Anvil Bay beach camp, has already created great benefit for the community in terms of skills transfer, construction and hospitality employment, as well as the sourcing of local materials, produce and services. All benefits from your holiday accrue to the community while concession fees go towards conservation efforts in the park.
Similar experiences and examples can be experienced in many destinations within Southern
Africa. Instead of mass tourism, you can experience unique African Moments that are truly responsible and sustainable –for you as the guest, but as well as for the local population and the conservation of the wonderful fauna and flora.
