The South West of Western Australia has a national and international reputation as one of the world’s 25 top-priority global biodiversity hotspots and contains some of the world’s highest level of endemism in both flora and fauna (in everyday language that’s lots of different types of plants and animals unique to this region!). The South West is a living museum of natural history. More than 3700 million years of geological history is recorded in the rocks of the south west and the landscape that you will travel over has been 270 million years in the making!

Daktari has a strong conservation ethos. We place a strong emphasis on ecological sustainability and minimising potential impacts to the environment.

Daktari is accredited by WA Conservation and Land Management (CALM), which ensures we uphold high standards of care for the environment we operate in.

Daktari proudly supports the following organisations:

• The Munda Biddi Trail Foundation.
  This is a not-for-profit organisation that was formed to assist the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) and other land managers get the trail project off the ground and it continues to be involved in trail development and planning. The Foundation is responsible for raising community awareness of the trail, and promoting its use by residents and visitors. The primary role of the organisation is to get cyclists using the trail and to provide facilities and resources to ensure that it is a quality experience for everyone involved
  
  Web Address: www.mundabiddi.org.au
  
  
• WWF Australia.
  World Wildlife Fund For Nature have been working globally since 1961, and locally since 1978. They are part of the WWF International Network- the world’s largest conservation organization, who help to protect and conserve our most biologically outstanding land, freshwater and marine habitats. They do this through the full spectrum of conservation activities- from on the ground field projects through to long-term large-scale programs and policy formation through to public and political campaigns.
  
  Web Address: www.wwf.org.au
  
  
• The Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
  This is a national, independent, non-profit organisation committed to saving Australia’s native wildlife from the very real threat of extinction. They create reserves to protect habitat and threatened species, and establish new populations where threatened species have become locally extinct.
  
  Web Address: www.australianwildlife.org

Daktari is committed to operating within strict ethical and environmental guidelines. Our guides and clients are expected to demonstrate respect for the areas we visit, and for the people, animals and plants with which we share this. Here is a brief overview of our minimal impact / operational policy. This policy has been developed in line with the recommendations of the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), the Western Australian Mountain Bike Association (WAMBA), and the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation and adheres to the internationally recognized ‘Leave No Trace’ outdoor ethics standards. Your guide will brief you further on more tips before you begin riding.

Travel on durable surfaces

• Travel on established tracks
• Always cycle ON the track and avoid cutting corners or widening the track – even when muddy or wet.
• Avoid skidding – to protect the trail surface and prevent erosion.
• Always look ahead to the path you want to follow. “Murphy’s” rule states that if you’re looking at an obstacle you want to avoid, your bike will go right to it!

Dispose of waste properly

• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect rest spots for rubbish or spilled foods. Pack out all rubbish and leftover food.

Leave what you find

• Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them
• Take nothing except photographs and memories
• Don’t introduce non-native species
• Don’t remove any native species

Respect wildlife

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them
• Never feed native animals. Feeding wildlife potentially damages their health, alters natural behaviours, and may expose them to predators and other dangers
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and rubbish securely

Be considerate of others

• Respect other visitors and the quality of their experience
• Be courteous. Use bike bell to alert other track users of your approach.
• Slow down when passing others.
• Riders going uphill have right of way over riders going downhill
• Take breaks away from the track
• Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises and respect the wildlife of the environment around you- remember you are visitors in their backyard!
• Respect that riders have different abilities and “look out for each other”
• Make sure you acknowledge other cyclists with a hello, and a thank you if they have moved aside for you to pass. You never know when you may need their help.
• Drink plenty of water and often. If you wait until you feel thirsty to drink, you’ve waited too long, and could already be becoming dehydrated.