Wilderness and Cultural Awareness Programme (WCAP)

The Wilderness and Cultural Awareness Programme (WCAP) is run by iMfolozi Wilderness Trails under the larger Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Environmental Awareness Programme - Khwezela. Aiming to bring the youth of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi's neighbouring communities into the iMfolozi Wilderness area, the programme identifies High School youth (16-18 years) and gives them the opportunity of going on a Wilderness and Cultural Awareness Trail from the Mbiya Camp, and then assists them to carry Environmental Awareness Programmes into their communities.

The purpose of the WCAP programme is:                                                                                  

• To transfer oral traditions and skills

• Allow reserve access to surrounding communities

• Educate about the wilderness and conservation issues including endangered species such as black rhino

• Job creation

• Creation of personal interest in conservation amongst the communities surrounding the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP)

Location

The Mbiya Camp is situated on the bank of the White Umfolozi River, near the western boundary of the iMfolozi Wilderness Area of the internationally renowned Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

The area is rich in fauna, flora and cultural heritage, enabling local youth to have access to some of Zululands most pristine bushland, which lies within the Zulu Kings Traditional hunting grounds.

 The WCAP programme consists of three phases:

Phase 1 - Youths who have an interest in nature conservation are selected to take part in the programme through liaison with schools neighbouring the park. This is linked to the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Kids and Parks Programme.

Phase 2 - The selected kids are taken on a trail into the iMfolozi Game Reserve wilderness area led by a 'wise man' - retired field ranger from the surrounding community- and protected by a field ranger. Here they are exposed to the benefits of the wilderness and its ethos and application to everyday life together with linkages to local culture and traditions.

Phase 3 - The youths are assisted in setting up environmental clubs at their schools and organising outings into the reserve. This is aimed at formalizing the environmental awareness in the school curriculum, in line with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife's Biodiversity Environmental Programme (BEEP).

The cost of running Mbiya Trails is kept to a bare minimum to enable as many groups to be reached as possible. The trails are free to all participants and are funded by donations from the public and NGO's.

The methodology of the Wilderness and Cultural Awareness Trails include:-

• Wilderness education with the focus on the spiritual aspect

• Zulu traditional stories around the night fire

• Zulu traditions and how they link with nature ie. Medicines made for plants, edible plants, skills that were used in the wilderness of the past eg Rope making, basket making, pot making.

• A solitary experience (either at nights around the camp fire or in a safe area during the day)

• Interpretive walks which interweave the zulu culture and nature

• Staying at Mbiya Camp (a traditional Zulu homestead) close to the smells, scents and feel of a wild environment.

• The groups are kept to a maximum of 8 so that an intimacy with nature can be felt.

• The trails are conducted in the youths home language ie. Zulu

 IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROGRAMME PLEASE CONTACT:-

The Manager: iMfolozi Wilderness Trails:                                                            

iMfolozi Wilderness Trails

Mpila Camp

iMfolozi Game reserve

KwaZulu Natal

Phone: (035) 550 8478

Email: mftrails@kznwildlife.com