African Dream Adventures

ADA STRIVES TO BE RESPONSIBLE IN ALL APPLICABLE ASPECTS OF OFF-ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

South Africa is from a product base point of view regarded as “an ecotourism world in one country” – truly a destination par excellence.  It has a proud past with valuable environmental assets that can be utilised by our outdoor lovers to grow a brilliant future. The splendour of South Africa with its unbelievable potential is highly desired and has the opportunity to position itself amidst this high growth global economic activity as a prime global ecotourist destination. 

South Africa has a coastline of around 3000km stretching between Namibia in the west and Mozambique in the east. The country offers a most scenic portfolio of often snow-covered mountains in winter with some ski slopes (albeit facilitated), sandy beaches, forests, desert dunes, grassland and savannah, rocky shores and coral reefs, not forgetting its lazy rivers and streams. South Africa is very proud of its marine reserves, national parks, transfrontier parks and conservation areas, game reserves, nature reserves, world heritage sites, game farms and more than 10 000 privately run destinations offering a variety of ecotourism products and supporting infrastructure. At these destinations the ecotourist can enjoy a multitude of outdoor activities, such as quading, 4X4-ing, game viewing, horse riding, backpacking, mountain biking, wildlife photographing, river/ white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, yachting, snorkelling and scuba diving, angling, fly-fishing, fishing and hunting, horse, camel and elephant trails, hot air ballooning, sky diving, parasailing, and many more… 

However, this “growing” process has to be managed responsibly and sustainably. Accordingly, those environmentalists and naturalists who are rightly concerned about our ecological carrying capacity and the sustainable utilisation of our glorious outdoors – which we all love dearly and enjoy because of its soul refreshing characteristics – should not simply be shot down for being green or emotional. We should realise that if the carrying capacity of the outdoors is widely and irresponsibly exceeded over the long term, an ecological crash could occur in which case many (species of) animals and plants might be driven towards extinction and we seriously affected. Just as any farm can only carry a particular sized herd of sheep, it will get totally overgrazed should more be kept where after desertification is inevitable – is that what we want? Certainly not ADA! ADA supports a holistic strategic framework to ensure long-term financial and ecological sustainability within the off-road sector.

Whether we’re happy with the former Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism’s decision to ban 4X4s on beaches or not, we don’t have an option but to become much more environmentally responsible should we want to continue enjoying our magnificent outdoors.  In a speech delivered on 14 April 2005 to the National Council of Provinces, the current Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, gave notice that in addressing the protection and expansion of freedoms in South Africa, his Department thought it sometimes necessary to create regulations that will ensure change.  He believed a sector which should move rapidly towards better regulated and more equitable practices is the “owners and users of inland 4x4 recreational driving tracks.”  He said that there are some irresponsible 4x4 vehicle and track owners whose activities continue to damage sensitive sections of South Africa’s inland environment, and made reference to the impending National Off-Road Workshop initiative which would be convened as a pleasing indication that the 4X4-sector was prepared to take its responsibilities seriously and initiate a review of the situation from within.  He also said that “a grading system for 4x4 tracks, including environmental grading, and the creation of a representative sector body would be positive steps. However, he mentioned that regulations will still be required and if there are not concrete proposals forthcoming from the 4X4-sector within the next 6 months, Government will have to issue these unilaterally although this would not be our first choice.”

Taking cue from the challenge posed to the off-road sector by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, ADA pro-actively reflected on the significance of off-roading to the 4X4, quad and two-wheeler fraternity and decided to put forward guidelines that should be considered for responsible and ecofriendly off-roading. i.e.

• nature and the environment and South Africa as a whole is available for us to experience and enjoy as long as

• we conserve and respect God Almighty’s creation;
• we utilise nature and its ecosystems sustainably with a view of allowing our children an equal amount of enjoyment;
• local communities at least benefit from our off-road activities.

• off road activities, as well as any ATV tours and expeditions must be environmentally friendly and socio-economically sustainable and practiced reponsibly and honestly.  ADA regards it its duty to promote responsible, sustainable and ecofriendly 4X4-ing, quading and two-wheeling in line with the initiatives of Government to manage the South African outdoors also for at least equal enjoyment by our children;

• out riders must

• respect the out ride leader’s guidance and be obedient;
• at all times stick to beaten tracks and ride nimble-footed – never take short cuts through the veld and especially sensitive areas;
• always ride with the out ride party and never stray away;
• always bear safety in mind and wear safety equipment;
• preferably have silent (standard) exhaust systems fitted to and ride preferably less polluting 4-stroke ATVs;
• regularly stop with the party, dismount, walk about, rest and to take precautions against exhaustion;
• never consume any alcoholic beverages, (il)legal and prohibited medicines, stimulants, substances prior or during out rides which might negatively impact on your driving/riding skills, judgment and discretion;
• always know the vehicle manufacturer’s use prescriptions and honour the warnings;
• always ensure proper and professional maintenance of vehicles and keep them in a good and trustworthy condition;
• master handling of his/her vehicle dedicatedly;
• always act nobly and be caring towards others – also onlookers;
• always prevent the frightening and horrifying of domestic and wild animals;
• always avoid spinning;
• never use firewood excessively – avoid bonfires – dead wood belongs to the environment;
• pro-actively ensure that NO veld fires are EVER started due to careless handling of burning wood in camp fires and still burning cigarette

RESPECT THE BOKKIE-SIGN WITH THE TEAR IN THE EYE!

• always limit dust and engine noise to a minimum;
• remove all refuse and never leave anything behind except the shallowest of tracks.

In “WALKING THE ECOFRIENDLY TALK”, ADA guides you towards exhilarating levels of responsible and ecofriendly out rides around the country.  

DO JOIN ADA FOR GREAT OUT RIDES TO THE GREAT SOUTHERN AFRICAN OUTDOORS ! ! !

Enquiries will be welcomed by ADA on 086 146 6328 or email us at heine@adasa.co.za