www.bushdrums.com believes in, and as much as possible deals with individuals, locals, hotels, lodges, camps and private operators that work and understand the practises of ecotourism. Our philosophy is to be as unobtrusive on the land and waters as ethically possible, and includes practice of eco-tourism; thus applying minimum-impact considerations to all of our insight information within practical and economically viable guidelines.
There are a great number of attractions in East Africa but the effect of tourism on fragile environments and indigenous tribes & cultures is often non considerate and degrading by tourists and at times professional bodies that operate in these areas. We want to make our readers and members understand the implications of being non considerate and avoid contributing to further damage whilst recognising that local & foreign visitors can bring great benefits – if these benefits are used and practised in the correct manner. Our endeavour is to minimize disturbance of wildlife; – the ideal encounter and experience with bird, fish or wildlife to us is one where we come, observe and then leave with the fish or animals hardly knowing or sensing our presence!
www.bushdrums.com will not endorse wildlife harassment in any form or for any reason. Nor will we endorse spooking or feeding fish, bird or wildlife at any time to provide closer viewing unless carried out only by qualified, trained and recognised professionals who understand and respect the latter.
www.bushdrums.com tries to provide an intelligent traveller's alternative to the countless adventures of safaris & trekking whether being on holiday for pleasure or for work reasons. Through our contacts and write ups you will learn, see and understand that there are more animals out there to be seen other than the well know magnificent “Big Five”. We shall attempt through our website not to make you feel like “another” package tourist.
Simba and I, try to personally select businesses and individuals that we believe practise and understand the ethics of bushdrums.com. We appreciate that companies and operators at times need to “hang a carrot” to attract animals or birds for viewing or to photograph, however we want our readers and travellers to understand that this is carried out by professionals who place such items with care and understanding. These are usually the private quality operators and ones that understand and more importantly respect wildlife. These are operators that back their four wheel drive vehicles clearing the path not to obstruct an oncoming heard of elephants, rather than those who block the paths to get a better photograph for their personal album or by drivers who simply want a bigger “tip”; not considering the consequences their selfish behaviour has on wildlife.
I am currently working on a project together with the Food and Agricultural section of the United Nations (FAO) where we are hoping to have a better working relationship with the locals and group ranches to help clear fences & plantations set up by locals in the Kimana area.
This area is a very important Wildlife Migration Passage or Path that provides freedom of passage to migratory animals such as gazelles, wildebeest, zebra, elephant, giraffes, buffalo as well as many other wildlife species into and from national parks in Kenya & Tanzania such as Amboseli, Serengeti, Tsavo and Masai Mara. These wildlife migration paths have been “blocked” over the years due to farming and various professional projects such a water pipelines and roads – these THOUSANDS OF SQUARE KILOMETRES OF PARKS have had the luxury of freedom of movement for millennia; sadly in the Kimana area, the migration path for the 4 mentioned parks has been reduced to an incredible 800 METERS……!!!
I spent some time speaking to locals and professionals in the effected areas and was amazed by the arrogance and ignorance some large and small operators had towards this environmental time bomb which shall effect wildlife and in consequence tourism in the future.
Thankfully there are some qualified operators that understand and are willing to work for the future of the wildlife and ecosystem which will in turn benefit them financially and hopefully as recognised professional companies. These are the individuals and companies we want to help promote and work together with.
Furthermore we hope to create an open and honest online notice board for private operators (private sector) such as lodges, camps, hotels etc. and to act as a link of communication between the private sector and all NGOs (Non Governmental Organisations) that work and understand the practises of ecotourism. Our philosophy is to be as unobtrusive on the land and waters as ethically possible, and includes practice of eco-tourism; thus applying minimum-impact considerations to all of our insight information within practical and economically viable guidelines.
We wish to form a forum and a section on our website where private operators and NGO’s can write in and place constructive comments on a “neutral” website on various subjects hoping to shorten the “gap” of understanding between all parties.
At www.bushdrums.com we want our readers and members to understand the implications of being non considerate and avoid contributing to further damage to all wildlife whilst recognising that local & foreign visitors can bring great benefits if handled in the correct manner.
We will try to select personally and with your help, businesses and individuals that we believe practise and understand the ethics of www.bushdrums.com and help promote them due to the benefits that they provide via eco-tourism.
Hopefully we can strive to find and maintain a balance between providing memorable opportunities for our users, while maintaining an ethical and non-disturbing approach to all wild animals. We hope our readers, guests, clients and writers will assist in our endeavour to maintain purity on the land and ocean.
Thank you,
Cody and Simba – Founders of Bushdrums.com
