| South African Resort, Tswalu Kalahari | | | | |
| Reserve, wins International Wildlife | | | | To preserve sound ecotourism practices and |
| Conservation Awards for its commitment to | | | | reduce the environmental impact of tourists, |
| ecotourism and ecosystem preservation. | | | | very low numbers of tourists are accommodated |
| | | | within the area. Reserves guides are trained |
| South Africa's Mystical Kalahari Desert is an | | | | in minimal impact principles and they |
| ecotourism paradise that only decades ago was | | | | restrict their vehicular activities to areas |
| demolished by cattle and farmers who | | | | of low impact, while guests are encouraged to |
| inhabited the impoverished stretch of red | | | | partake in horse-back safaris and guided |
| svannah sands. | | | | walking trails so that they can feel the |
| | | | Kalahari sand between their toes and explore |
| The Kalahari Desert is one of the premier | | | | the habitat rather than just chasing after |
| wildlife destinations in Africa. The area had | | | | big game. |
| previously been farmed with little regard for | | | | |
| the environment, and as a result, the very | | | | Travelers may encounter the heard rare black |
| essence of the authentic Africa it once was | | | | rhinos that were relocated to Reserve in |
| had been almost completely destroyed. | | | | 1995. As recently as 1970, an estimated |
| However, thanks to the destruction of dams, | | | | 65,000 black rhinos could be found throughout |
| removal of houses and fences and | | | | sub-Saharan Africa. But in eastern Africa, 90 |
| re-establishment of indigenous game such as | | | | percent of them were killed in the 1970s. Now |
| cheetah and lion, it is now on the road to | | | | there are fewer than 2,500 left, in pockets |
| resembling the real Africa that nature | | | | in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, |
| intended. Unwanted plants have been removed | | | | and Tanzania. There are now 27 black rhinos |
| and rare wildlife and game has been brought | | | | in the Kalahari reserve, representing nearly |
| back. | | | | a quarter of South Africa's total black rhino |
| | | | population. |
| As an environment that had largely been | | | | |
| unnoticed in terms of socio-economic | | | | As the reserve protects and grows the |
| development, the communities within this | | | | diversity of wildlife and through ongoing |
| region had been unfortunate in that they had | | | | conservation efforts, inventory of |
| not had the opportunity to benefit from any | | | | invertebrate species and animal numbers are |
| formal education or schooling, nor had they | | | | continuously growing a habitat that is |
| been exposed to any social welfare programs. | | | | completely natural and restored to its own. |
| As the area has become established within the | | | | With close to 350 varying species of mammals, |
| environment, many inhabitants are now | | | | birds, reptiles and even frogs. As research |
| employed by the Reserves that provide | | | | into the area continues, and ongoing |
| ecotourism attractions to travelers. Not | | | | discoveries are made. |
| only do those employed benefit from this | | | | |
| investment, so also do the people in the | | | | The development of the reserves ecotourism |
| surrounding regions benefit form the economic | | | | project to restore the conservation of the |
| impact that tourism has on this development. | | | | Kalahari region relies heavily on |
| | | | successfully being able to achieving these |
| The Kalahari Desert provides an attractive | | | | three principle goals: restoration of the |
| location for ecotourism as visitors are able | | | | natural environment to a pristine condition, |
| to experience the unique spirit of the | | | | re-establishment and protection of biological |
| Kalahari Desert while also being exposed to | | | | diversity and maintaining the natural |
| the projects and ongoing commitments to | | | | ecological processes that is characteristic |
| 'restore the Kalahari to itself'. There is | | | | of the Kalahari environment. The Kalahari |
| an overwhelming dedication to promote a | | | | Reserve aims to restore the ecological |
| culture of sustainable use and conservation | | | | processes that define the Kalahari ecosystems |
| of South Africa's natural heritage and | | | | and offer a safe haven to endangered species |
| supporting conservation projects aim to | | | | while also providing habitat for the |
| foster the bio diversity of the county's | | | | protection of the regions unique |
| mammals, birds, insects, fish, reptiles and | | | | bio-diversity. |
| vegetation. | | | | |