Bird tours 'booming in South Africa'
09 April 2008Holidays that incorporate birdwatching tours are developing into something of a trend in South Africa, according to reports.
Routes have been set up that offer visitors the services of a local guide, as well as accommodation in areas that are home to diverse bird populations.
BirdLife International said that existing routes have already generated some 46.2 million rand (£3 million) for local communities and more developments are planned in the popular Western Cape and Cape Town areas.
Dr Anton Odendal, BirdLife South Africa's project manager, said: "The Western Cape's wonderful variety of birds have enjoyed less of a profile than its other assets such as whales and wine.
"We'd like to see this change and these routes could help to achieve it."
South Africa, which will host the football World Cup in 2010, has endured some bad publicity of late after a number of tourists were robbed shortly after arriving at Johannesburg airport.
City police claimed that the incidents, which highlighted the importance of travel insurance, were not the work of organised gangs who were targeting travellers.
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