By Rachel Lee
All national parks in South Africa are now available on Google Street View, says the country's embassy.
The announcement of 170 new trails in South Africa's national parks and reserves follows on from The Mzansi Experience launched in March 2016, which showcased prominent tourist attractions, including Kruger National Park, Table Mountain and Cape Point.
The trails, launched on Nov. 6, extend the Street View imagery of South Africa's wilderness areas to include all 19 national parks, 17 previously "un-trekked" nature reserves and many sites of natural, cultural and historical significance in all nine provinces
More than 200 South African volunteers from across the country were involved in the 12-month project, mapping out the parts of South Africa they call home. Many volunteers were SANParks, CapeNature and KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife rangers and guides. Others were avid hikers, nature lovers and tech enthusiasts.
"The hundreds of volunteers who helped along the way proved to be truly passionate about showing the best of South Africa through their participation in the loan program," said Google program manager Magdalena Filak.
The project forms part of Google's Street View Camera Loan Program, which encourages anyone to apply to borrow the 360-degree camera technology and help map the planet.
The team of volunteers was coordinated by loan program partner Drive South Africa.
Andre Van Kets, outdoor enthusiast and founder of the Cape Town-based travel company, applied for the technology when he realized the potential to showcase South Africa to travellers around the globe.
"For the first time, travellers and wildlife lovers from across the globe, can explore the full spectrum of South Africa's diverse wilderness areas on Google Maps and Street View,"
South African Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona said, "Technology is profoundly influencing how travellers interact with the tourism and hospitality ecosystem, from booking online and sharing experiences on social media.
"In the technology sphere, insights and research-based knowledge will help drive innovation."
Street View users can now walk in Nelson Mandela's footsteps, climb seven new trails to the top of Table Mountain, hike the famous five-day Otter Trail, track cheetah on foot and walk with elephant and other wildlife.
Additionally, seven of South Africa's eight UNESCO World Heritage sites are waiting to be experienced, according to South African Tourism.
Users can see Mapungubwe Hill, home to an ancient African civilisation, the Richtersveld with its arid moonscapes, the towering Drakensberg Mountains, and iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's oldest UNESCO site and a critical habitat for a range of species.
All national parks in South Africa are now available on Google Street View, says the country's embassy.
The announcement of 170 new trails in South Africa's national parks and reserves follows on from The Mzansi Experience launched in March 2016, which showcased prominent tourist attractions, including Kruger National Park, Table Mountain and Cape Point.
The trails, launched on Nov. 6, extend the Street View imagery of South Africa's wilderness areas to include all 19 national parks, 17 previously "un-trekked" nature reserves and many sites of natural, cultural and historical significance in all nine provinces
More than 200 South African volunteers from across the country were involved in the 12-month project, mapping out the parts of South Africa they call home. Many volunteers were SANParks, CapeNature and KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife rangers and guides. Others were avid hikers, nature lovers and tech enthusiasts.
"The hundreds of volunteers who helped along the way proved to be truly passionate about showing the best of South Africa through their participation in the loan program," said Google program manager Magdalena Filak.
The project forms part of Google's Street View Camera Loan Program, which encourages anyone to apply to borrow the 360-degree camera technology and help map the planet.
The team of volunteers was coordinated by loan program partner Drive South Africa.
Andre Van Kets, outdoor enthusiast and founder of the Cape Town-based travel company, applied for the technology when he realized the potential to showcase South Africa to travellers around the globe.
"For the first time, travellers and wildlife lovers from across the globe, can explore the full spectrum of South Africa's diverse wilderness areas on Google Maps and Street View,"
South African Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona said, "Technology is profoundly influencing how travellers interact with the tourism and hospitality ecosystem, from booking online and sharing experiences on social media.
"In the technology sphere, insights and research-based knowledge will help drive innovation."
Street View users can now walk in Nelson Mandela's footsteps, climb seven new trails to the top of Table Mountain, hike the famous five-day Otter Trail, track cheetah on foot and walk with elephant and other wildlife.
Additionally, seven of South Africa's eight UNESCO World Heritage sites are waiting to be experienced, according to South African Tourism.
Users can see Mapungubwe Hill, home to an ancient African civilisation, the Richtersveld with its arid moonscapes, the towering Drakensberg Mountains, and iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's oldest UNESCO site and a critical habitat for a range of species.
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