Ka'Ingo Private Reserve & Spa activates Responsible Tourism
Saturday 12 May 2007
“Tourism is now the world’s largest economic sector and, in South Africa, accounts for one in every eight jobs. The sector’s growth has placed a heavy burden on local economies, cultures and environments, which calls for responsible management. Responsible tourism, which is underpinned by sound environmental, social and economic principles, offers a way to minimize ecological impact, benefit local communities and reduce poverty. It is undoubtedly the way of the future.” – taken from an excerpt by Mohammed Valli Moosa, former Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, South Africa.
As individuals, we often become emotionally linked to animals and forget about the entire eco-system within which we operate. Erosion control, the removal of fixed structures, correct placement of water points, rehabilitation of overgrazed areas, the stocking rate applicable to the carrying capacity and the scaling down of roads are all vitally important in ensuring South Africa’s environmental sustainability.
Ka’Ingo Private Reserve & Spa forms part of the malaria-free UNESCO-declared Waterberg Biosphere in Limpopo Province. At the time of its acquisition by Zorgvliet Portfolio on 1 June 2002, the now 5-star graded Ka’Ingo was in close-to-dilapidated condition. In order to reverse the extensive damage done to its natural heritage, the Reserve is implementing various proven and effective conservation management techniques that include the introduction of fire to decrease all the dead material and to clear the rapidly encroaching veld.
“Internal environmental impact assessments are conducted by expert ecologists before any infrastructure is built at Ka’Ingo to determine the appropriateness of development on the Reserve and to identify any ecological problems before they occur,” comments Nick Callichy, Reserve Manager of Ka’Ingo Private Reserve & Spa.
These combined efforts ensure the reinstatement of Ka’Ingo to its former glory thus positioning it as a unique brand of “untouched bushveld”. And, since wildlife plays a fundamental role in Ka’Ingo’s tourism efforts, game hunting and poaching on the 8,700-hectare property is strictly prohibited. As one of only two Big Five game reserves in the region that are open to the public, Ka’Ingo boasts more than 4000 head of game representing approximately 35 species (including the Big Five and four new Cheetahs), 350 bird species and diverse plant life.
“Exceeding Ka’Ingo’s carrying capacity would have detrimental ecological effects for the region, so we take great care introduce only animals that exist naturally in the Waterberg,” he adds.
The two forms of wildlife management applied at Ka’Ingo are ‘game naturally roaming the reserve’ and ‘intensive game farming’ such as the Reserve’s Sable and Clean Buffalo Breeding Programmes. Ka’Ingo’s intensive game farming involves the re-introduction of rare endemic game to the property, such as Simchelle, Ilka, Matthew and Lisa, the recently introduced Cheetahs.
“We are passionate about Ka’Ingo and serious about our work here so we do not, under any circumstances, compromise the Reserve’s ethics concerning any form of fauna or flora which form part the Ka’Ingo’s foundation,” states Ross Howat, General Manager of Ka’Ingo Private Reserve & Spa and Dinkweng Safari Camp.
Water and borehole management is integral to the Ka’Ingo’s tourism and wildlife management practices and involves the collection of rain water through a system of dams and catchments. A water reticulation system has been installed to achieve this important goal and the airfield at Ka’Ingo is, for example, irrigated in a way that minimizes wind drift and therefore wastage and loss of water.
“We have no permanent water sources at Ka’Ingo so we rely solely on ground water supplies, which we draw from boreholes located in ecologically correct areas on the Reserve where maximum gain is achieved and chances of dams and other catchments drying up are minimized,” confirms Howat.
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