Garden Route self drive holiday, South Africa

In general this trip visits areas that promote responsible tourism and support local projects. Most of the areas that we visit require one to pay an entrance fee – all entrance fees are used to promote the organization/project that they run – this can range from protecting flora and fauna to helping them expand their current projects, conservatories and missions. These areas are visited to increase and educate those that may not know about these organizations that are contributing to responsible tourism in the Garden Route – this gives them the recognition that they deserve.

The Cape Garden Route is world-renowned for its scenic beauty and wilderness areas. By supporting this eco-rich route - by visiting Cape Point and Kirstenbosch - we are helping to protect invaluable flora and fauna species for years to come. This is done by paying an entrance fee which the area/organization uses to reinvest into their projects that they are involved in, - your money will go towards conservational projects that they are implementing, for instance Kirstenbosch will use the money to maintain the gardens and therefore protect the flora.

One of the areas that we visit on this tour is the Addo Elephant Park; this park is an elephant sanctuary to over 450 elephants! The elephants that are protected in this area also include some orphans that have been rescued. These animals – along with others – are now free to roam the area in peace and are free from the persecution that they have had to deal with in the past. By visiting this area we are supporting, promoting and ensuring that these animals can grow in tranquility without merciless hunting!

Another area that we visit is the Monkeyland sanctuary – this is the world’s first free roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. This sanctuary has rehabilitated caged animals and now allows them the freedom to roam around – something that they didn’t always have before. At Monkeyland, care exceeds the regulations regarding animal welfare. Monkeyland is, most importantly, a place where primates are rehabilitated both physically and emotionally. This strives to achieve an effective balance between conservation and economic reality. Supporting this helps to keep this sanctuary doing the good that it is bringing to these primates.

We as an organization, promote responsible tourism by making sure all of our safaris are in the guidelines of TIES, we also make use of local services at all possible areas. We make sure our tours visit areas that normally charge a conservation fee, a large portion of conservation fees are normally given to the local community.

In our Head Office we reduce the levels of energy used by utilizing energy-saving light bulbs and minimal heating – with thermal insulation in the ceiling cavities. The use of paper is reduced by increased training and the use of computer technology, as well as internal documentations being printed on both sides. Water is saved by using recycled kitchen waste-water as means to irrigate the company garden. The company makes use of indigenous plants that typically use less water then alien vegetation. Our refuse is divided into glass, plastic and paper, for appropriate recycling. As one can we see are a company that promotes responsible tourism in everything that we do.