The Donkey Tracking Route, which goes through the scenic Cederberg Mountains, was officially opened by Tourism Minister, Derek Hanekom, in Wupperthal, Western Cape.
The Department of Tourism has established amenities that tie in with the hiking and outdoor lifestyle of tourists to the Cederberg. Bridges and footbridges improve access for tourists; campsites and backpackers lodges have been developed to provide overnight accommodation; and shaded picnic sites with fencing and animal gates were built.
Tourists can book rides on traditional donkey carts owned by members of local communities along the route, which provide a unique, eco-friendly way of experiencing the mountainous terrain.
“Tourists are attracted to South Africa not only as a destination with diverse sightseeing opportunities but also to experience a different perspective. Wupperthal offers these experiences in great measure,” said Minister Hanekom.
The Minister also opened two backpacker lodges and handed over accommodation facilities for 62 tourists and 35 camping sites to the community.
The project has been designed to be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. The Suurrug and Wupperthal lodges have solar energy power sources, making this the first ‘Green Tourism’ project in the department’s Social Responsibility Implementation programme.
