Nonprofit Registration No: 001-298 NPO

Public Benefit Organisation Exemption No: 930 004518

BirdLife South Africa Birder Friendly Tour Operator

Application Form 2017/18

BirdLife South Africa aims to develop South Africa into the world’s leading birding destination for the benefit of birds, their habitats and communities through responsible avitourism. This is vital for the long term conservation of the countries wild birds and their habitats. This is achieved by developing a network of Birding Route’s through South Africa as a product that focuses on providing resources and information to the birding community. BirdLife South Africa will ensure that birders are able to access up-to-date information on birding in South Africa, which includes where to find specific bird species, where to stay and who to go birding with. An integral part of the Birding Routes is partnerships with birding tour operators as birders either require a fully guided tour or advice for self-drive options.

The following information should be noted before submitting this form for assessment.

  • The Operator and its Guides must be fully accredited tour operators/bird guides.
  • The Operator must commit to the use and support of BirdLife South Africa’s “Birder Friendly” accommodation suppliers where ever possible;
  • The Operator must commit to the support of community bird site guides where ever possible.

Please ensure that you provide the following documentation for all guides when submitting this application:

  • THETA/FGASA qualifications
  • Public Liability insurance
  • Public Drivers Permit

Contact Details

Name of Enterprise
VAT Registration Number
Name of contact person
Designation of contact person
Physical Address
Postal address
Telephone number
Cellular Number*for two free bird call ringtones as per membership benefits
Facsimile Number
Email Address
Website Address
Name of contact person for enquiries
Name of contact person for reservations
Reservations Email address

Supplier Terms

Please provide as much information as possible about the services your tour company offers:

Country or countries of operation
Province or provinces of operation
Areas of expertise other than birding
(trees / animals / culture and history etc.)
Do you offer scheduled tours in South Africa?
Do you offer scheduled tours elsewhere globally?
Do you offer self-drive options?

Criteriafor self-assessment

Please indicate your current situation:

  1. Does your company utilize community bird guides where possible?

  1. Does your company utilize Birder-friendly accommodation suppliers where possible?

  1. Does your company endeavour to support local community development programmes whilst on tour (i.e. visit local cultural villages and curio shops)

  1. Is your company involved in the development of any particular conservation programmes and/or community development projects?

  1. Does your company recruit and employ staff transparently, to create a diverse workforce in terms of gender and ethnicity?

  1. Do you demonstrate sound environmental and social practices to your clients i.e. responsible tourism and conservation ethics and inform guests about local custom and traditions and appropriate behaviour??

  1. Would you be prepared to notify BirdLife Travel of any unethical tourism practice and/or contravention of the Birder Friendly criteria by Birder Friendly members?

Joining fee

Joining Fee and annual renewal thereafter (South Africa): / R1 200.00
Joining Fee and annual renewal thereafter (SADC countries): / R1 770.00

*wet June 2018

** This includes an annual subscription to African Birdlife magazine

List of Benefits for joining up as a BFE Tour operator

  • Use of the ‘Birder Friendly’ logo and branding
  • A listing on the BirdLife South Africa website where clients will be able to contact your company directly for bookings
  • Marketing of South African itineraries through the website
  • Direct contact with clients wanting assistance with self-drive itineraries
  • BirdLife South Africa membership
  • Subscription to African Birdlife magazine
  • The opportunity to market your products through the monthly newsletter
  • Listing of special offers on the website and in the newsletter

Commitment

I wish to participate in the BirdLife South Africa “Birder Friendly” initiative and would like BirdLife South Africa to consider my self-assessment for this purpose. I understand that BirdLife South Africa reserves the right in its absolute discretion to refuse to accept this application and to require any establishment or enterprise to cease using the BirdLife branding in any form whatsoever.

Payment procedures

No payment should accompany this form. On receipt of the completed Application Form, BirdLife South Africa will assess the application. On approval, a Tax Invoice will be sent and upon receipt of payment, the membership will be processed accordingly.

Information Supplied By:

Name:
Designation:
Date:

Please return the completed form to:

Natasja Retief

EMAIL: OR FAX: 086 511 5171

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