Organisation - March 8, 2012
Exclusive
Exclusive Oostvaardersplassen, announces a glossy brochure from the Dutch national forest service about this large marshland nature reserve.

Come to think of it, the Beekse Bergen area has more in common with the Oostvaardersplassen than you might think. In both areas, large ruminants keep the vegetation under control, and in both parks it is human beings who have created the right conditions. The wandering herbivores didn't come here of their own accord, and most of them are not indigenous. And you have to pay an entrance fee to look at the animals.
In Africa the game parks are only visited by rich whites, and that is something they do have in common with the Oostvaardersplassen, if I understand the forest service's intentions correctly. A two-hour excursion for a maximum of five people is going to cost a mere 300 euros (not including VAT), the brochure tells me. And if you wish, a table will be spread for you in amongst the wild animals. Now that, on the other hand, is something you'd be ill-advised to do in an African game park.