Abstract
M.Sc. (Geography)
Maputoland is one of the few remaining wilderness areas along the South
African coast on which to base a progressive tourist industry. The
area between Dog Point and Sodwana Bay was selected as the study area,
as the area calls for responsible development. The area lends itself
to various nature-orientated activities and therefore the development
of a hiking trail will be investigated.
Compliance with the following two principles is necessary in order to
ensure the success of a hiking route: (a) the environment must be
protected and (b) the environment must satisfy the needs of a hiker.
Both the principles mentioned are taken into account in the application
of Hugo and Bewsher's (1993) comprehensive trail development model.
It is for this reason that the model is applied to designate the most
suitable location for a hiking corridor.
In order to identify a hiking corridor the five planning phases of the
comprehensive trail development model must be applied.
Identification of primary parameters that in conjunction form
ecological units: When vegetation and geomorphological units, which
can be represented spatially, are laid over one another, new units
known as ecological units, are formed. These units are placed in order
to suitability and divided into functional planning zones...