The more ecotourism the better?
 

I saw this quote in a previous topic and thought it deserved it's own thread!

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I find something ironic....

If the tented camps in the Mara are billed as ecotourism ventures (environmentally friendly, socially conscious, benefits to the local population, etc, etc)...... if that is REALLY true.... then shouldn't more and more camps be viewed as a good thing?

However, if more camps are viewed as a negative thing... then i would assume that the camp can't really claim ecotourism.

Yet.... if you look on the websites for any of the 86 lodges/camps located throughout the Mara... you will see they ALL brag about their ecotourism endeavours!!!

Something doesn't line up!

Hi simba
Of course it doesn't make sense to allow more and more camps within the mara ecosystem to be licensed.

Even if all camps now have water management, waste water management, waste management etc in place (most camps haven't) - the number of camps alone over shadows any effort to call them environmentally friendly because they have an impact on to the environment as being part of a huge camp settlement. Not as single camp maybe. But as a part of a whole.

I would encourage you to visit www.bushdrums.com. A forum dedicated to mostly Kenya - founded by two Kenyan cowboys who are dedicated towards eco tourism, wildlife etc etc.
There are good discussions about that kind of topic.

It's free of charge - just register and start your thread.....

SV

Even Richard D. Estes (Safari companion) has sent his Congrats to the founders for that site/forum.

SV

Rhetoric question...
Thanks BigLion for bringing up the subject

The "slogan" <i><green> Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints </i></green>
A lodge leaves a bit more

<i><green>
SV thanks again for the link
BTW Estes has written "The Behavior Guide to African Mammals"
- the companion' is a shortened version...

Simbakubwa,

Good marketing?