Wilderness Safaris wins eco award

TOUR operator, Wilderness Safaris, has received the seventh annual international Condé Nast Traveler Ecotourism Award in recognition of its endeavours in sustainable eco-tourism. The award will be published in the June edition of the American travel magazine and highlights some of the company's activities such as its community work in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe as well as the rhino re-introduction project at Mombo in Botswana. The selection process for the 2001 Ecotourism Award was conducted by 11 highly respected international judges. In response to the award, a company spokesperson said Wilderness Safaris believed that it had achieved a realistic model of sustainable eco-tourism, which benefited the conservation authorities, the neighbouring rural communities and the private sector. (Miguel de Sousa)