Inhaca Island Eco-Tourism Info
Eco-Overview
Inhaca Island is becoming popular as a tropical island eco-tourism destination.
The island habitat consists of central cultivated fields, grassy northern plains and eastern usnea-covered dune forests.
Extensive exposed mudflats fringe the western and southern shores at low tide. Three largely undamaged coral reefs flank the island's western perimeters, all of which are protected marine reserves.
Mangroves cover large sections of the northern shores and southern Saco Bay. Among 160 coral species are Staghorn and Plate corals.
Marine Life
Eye-catching fish amongst others around the islands are; Moray eel, Potato bass, Barracuda and Kingfish.
Others present are; Brindle bass, Scorpionfish, Butterflyfish, Pufferfish, Parrotfish and Seahorses.
Whale sharks and Manta rays visit the island waters in the summer months.
Birding Info
Inhaca is home to ca 300 bird species, resident and migratory, but the island suffers from a detrimental House Crow infestation since the 1970's.
Bird species of conservation concern are; Pink-backed Pelican, Lesser Crested Tern, Crab Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Mongolian Plover, Terek Sandpiper, Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Mangrove Kingfisher, Grey-rumped Swallow and Spotted Ground-Thrush.
The southerly Nhaquene Swamp and Saco Bay are strongholds of the rare Sooty Falcon.
Northerly Portuguese Island is a roost for several Tern species.
Special birds of limited distribution are Rudd's Apalis, Neergaard's Sunbird and Pink-throated Twinspot.
TAG & RELEASE POLICY...
As most fishing sports visitors come to the island to catch the next "Big One" and to improve on current "Record" catches, and as the Island and the local marine environment is a Nature Reserve, the lodge and islanders do actively support and encourage a fishing Catch and/or Tag and Release policy as much as possible.... - Of course we dont mind you bringing a small evening meal home for the fire...
Also please note that certain big "Game fish" like the stunning "Sailfish" are now illegal to catch and bring to the island so if a catch of this nature is completed we strongly advise and promote a Release of your prize catch as quickly as possible for the benefit of the fish and future visitors to the islands..
We hope all our guests will support our efforts to maintain our natural marine and wildlife on and around the islands of Inhaca.
MINIMUM IMPACT ECOTOURISM
It may not seem important to most visitors to worry about taking small care when interacting with the environment. Garbage cast away or harm done to the vegetation by a visitor has little meaning to most people, but thousands of these small details slowly but will surely destroy the island’s sensitive eco-environment.
Plan and CAREFULLY prepare your trip -
There are seven elements to be considered when planning a trip:
- Identify and register your trip expectations;
- Identify the skill and capability of the participants in your group;
- Select suitable destinations that combine with your targets, personal skill and capabilities;
- Plan travel activities that combine with your targets etc;
- Study the area you would like to visit as much as possible before your trip;
- Choose equipment and clothing intended for your comfort and safety;
- Evaluate your trip upon return, and write down the changes & challenges you shall make next time you travel.
Take care of the visited sites and locations -
Therefore, please avoid contaminating the water and ground sources and only go to places where other visitation is already established as much as possible.
Concentrate your environmental "impacts" on already impacted areas. (ie: by using the same tracks as others) On sites where vegetation is dense, try to restrict your activities to the utmost, like walking on paths that are there without making them "wider".
Take a rest off a road or path only on or in "Durable" areas: like rocks, sand, or Dry or dead vegetation.
Bring back what you took along -
Bring always back all the garbage produced by you and, if possible, also that found on the way. - Always take outside the visited area the remains of foodstuff and used containers.
Island visitors garbage is to often always a problem, and dirt is the main impact factor, destroys the environment and may affect the wild and natural life of an area.
Leave behind what you found - Stunning beauty..!
Allow other visitors after you to also have the wonderful sensation of “discovery”, for example: don’t touch or damage rock or plant formations, and don’t gather plants; archaeological objects, shells and other objects.
Reduce “your surroundings” alterations to the minimum.
Learn about the environment through calm observation at a distance, so that any animals or wild-life are not scared and driven away.
Walk silently and don’t pursue, feed or frighten the animals.
Large groups of people frequently damage the environment more, and may disturb wildlife and marine creatures, thus ideally try to keep your group small.
If you have a larger group, divide it up into smaller parties, if possible, to reduce eco-impacts.
Please like you do at home, encourage your children to lean how to keep our island environment clean so they and their children can enjoy the beauty of the islands in years to come..
Reduce the garbage -
It is possible to leave the major part of the “potential garbage” at home or the lodge.
Reduce the volume of the remains/ leftovers and its packing’s and save weight by packing solid food in plastic bags and liquids in recyclable containers.
Under no circumstances should food remains be buried, since they turn into an attraction for small animals and island children.
Be considerate with others visitors -
Show courtesy for other visitors and nature lovers. - Many people like you, seek out these lush tropical locations to experience and just listen to nature.
Excessive noise, domestic animals without leash and damaged surroundings affect the adventure for all. Events must adjust to the setting.
Remember that the environment is a future heritage for the next generations of your family. It is up to you to keep it healthy and beautiful for them as well.
Enjoy and learn from the locations you visit, but please respect your nature and its wonderful treasures.
Please help us keep the island clean for all..!!
