Image related to website content

Damara Trail Wins Silver Award at International Tourism Film Festival Africa 2025

12 Jun 2025

CapeNature is proud to announce that its Damara Trail video series has won the Silver Award in the Tourism – Products category at the prestigious International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) 2025.

CapeNature’s videos stood out for their compelling storytelling, visual excellence, and ability to capture the essence of nature-based tourism in the Western Cape.

“We are incredibly proud that the Damara Trail videos have been recognised on an international platform. This award helps to underline our commitment to sustainable tourism offerings. Much like the Damara Trail itself, the video helps to tell the unique history and story of the Waenhuiskrans area to visitors both far and near."

Sheraaz Ismail, Executive Director: Eco-Tourism and Access at CapeNature

Competing against close to 28 other finalists in the category, the award recognises outstanding and innovative video content that promotes tourism experiences in a particular destination and across a variety of different tourism subgenre, which include: cultural, gastronomic, responsible and sustainable, health and wellness, wine, rural and agriculture, natural attractions, religious, shopping, astrotourism, UNESCO heritage sites, and eco-tourism.

Founded in 2019, the ITFFA honours video content from around the globe that showcases the richness of travel and tourism through various platforms, including social media, TV campaigns, promotional films, and documentaries. The festival plays a vital role in growing the African audiovisual industry while giving well-deserved recognition to creative professionals in tourism media.

The Damara Trail is a scenic and ecologically rich route that highlights CapeNature’s commitment to sustainable ecotourism and conservation. The award-winning video series can be viewed here: 

Embark on the Coastal Damara Trail with Us!

CapeNature extends heartfelt thanks to ITFFA for the honour and to everyone involved in bringing the Damara Trail to life on screen.

The Damara Trail is South Africa’s first slow hiking trail, located at De Mond Nature Reserve, near the seaside town of Arniston. This two-day, immersive experience features a 5km hike on day one to an overnight wooden deck facility, followed by an 11.5km coastal walk ending on the beach in Arniston. With interpretive signage highlighting local flora, fauna, history and geology, and a shuttle service back to De Mond, the Damara Trail offers a unique mix of adventure and relaxation.

Contact CapeNature at 087 087 8250 or visit booking.capenature.co.za to secure your spot and be part of the slow hike experience.

Share:

Related News

Impact of Inclement Weather in May 2026 displaying road damage
4 Jun 2026
Impact of Inclement Weather across CapeNature Reserves in May 2026

The last bout of extreme weather began in early May, when a cut-off low-pressure system hit the Garden Route. A week later, two powerful cold fronts swept through the rest of the Province, unleashing torrential rains and gale-force winds. The result has been widespread damage, with 85% of all reserves reporting at least some form of damage. The Cederberg region has emerged as the hardest hit.

Huis River aquatic invertebrate survey
3 Jun 2026 by Lonwabo Mkosi and Dr Martine Jordaan (Biodiversity Intelligence)
Huis River aquatic invertebrate survey strengthens partnerships for freshwater ecosystem conservation

In the upper reaches of the Huis River near Barrydale, a recent aquatic macroinvertebrate survey is helping to inform conservation decisions for the Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli), including the potential expansion of its range into upstream habitats in the river. The survey was conducted in partnership with

Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin fish
3 Jun 2026 by Dr Martine Jordaan & Lonwabo Mkosi (Biodiversity Intelligence)
Ongoing efforts to safeguard the Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin through monitoring

The Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli) is one of South Africa’s most range-restricted freshwater fishes. It is endemic to the Huis–Tradouw River catchment near Barrydale in the Western Cape. The species is listed as Critically Endangered due to its small and fragmented distribution, threats from invasive fish species, pollution, water abstraction, and habitat degradation.

Geelkrans Nature Reserve 1
22 May 2026
Western Cape conservation efforts highlighted on World Biodiversity Day

Every year on 22 May, International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is commemorated, and is meant to increase awareness about the many wonders of biodiversity, the numerous threats to it, and more importantly, what we can do to reduce or eliminate these threats. It marks 34 years since the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB) came into force and reinforces the pledge

Biodiv Winners
22 May 2026
The Big Biodiversity Challenge Returns to Inspire Young Eco-Champions

The Western Cape Environmental Education Friends (WCEEF), together with members CapeNature, Western Cape Government, SANBI, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Nature Connect, SANParks, Working on Fire, the City of Cape Town and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, announces the return of its flagship biodiversity competition for learners in grades 6 – 9.

C van Tonder
20 May 2026
CapeNature urges public not to unnecessarily remove chameleons following Garden Route storms

Members of the public are urged to assist wildlife responsibly following recent severe weather events in the Garden Route, and to avoid the unnecessary removal of chameleons from their natural habitat. Following severe storms experienced in the region over the last two weeks, many trees have lost branches or fallen entirely. As a result, some small animals have been displaced from their natural habitat.