As we become more aware of the damage we are inflicting on our planet, most of us are also trying to reduce our carbon footprint and change the way we do things to respect our environment more.
Doing the right thing doesn’t mean you have to do the dull thing though. Just as we incorporate eco-friendly practises into our daily lives, we can also bring it into our vacation planning.
Ecotourism has become a big business. The International Ecotourism Society defines tourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people”.
This is a definition that can be applied to everything from how you travel, to where you stay and what activities you pursue while away. You can take the concept as far as you wish but every bit counts so even if you just choose to pursue environmentally friendly activities while away, you make a difference.
If ecotourism interests you there are a number of different associations and agencies that deal exclusively in this type of travel. Here are seven trips, in no particular order, that are extremely eco-friendly and look like they would be an absolute blast.
1. Lodge at Chaa Creek – Belize
Located on a 365 acre rainforest preserve, Lodge Chaa has been around since 1981. They offer a range of accommodations from basic (no electricity but nice, small camp casitas) to luxurious suites in the tree tops.
The resort preserve includes acres of forest trails, a natural history centre, a butterfly farm, canoeing on the Macal river, and guided tours. You can also go hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding.
There are local daytrips available to the village San Ignacio, Mountain Pine Ridge, Mayan pyramids at Xunantunich, the Mayan cities of Tikal and Caracol, Chumpiate Maya Cave, and other western Belize attractions.
Construction of the resort and its running is as environmentally friendly as possible. 10% of all revenues get put back into the community and environment through support of various programs and causes.
2. Feynan Ecolodge – Jordan
Located on the Dana Biosphere Reserve in Jordan, the Feynan Ecolodge makes full use of as many ecologically sound principles as it can. All electricity and water heating is done using solar power, heating is provided by burning the natural by products of the olive crops, and almost everything is recycled, reused or composted.
It is staffed almost entirely from local communities and the art and handicrafts are also all locally produced. So is the vast majority of the food served, all of which is vegetarian and based on traditional Arabic cuisine.
The reserve is home to a wide variety of animals and plants including many rare species of birds, animals and plants. Guides are available as are mountain bikes. Canyoning and hiking trails are plentiful as are archaeological ruins to explore.
The Ecolodge was originally an archeological campsite. At night, retreat to the rooftop terrace and witness an unparalleled view of the stars.
3. Canopy Tower – Panama
You can live in the treetops with the birds. This one caters especially to avid birders since it provides a chance to see them up close in the canopy although there are plenty of other activities for nature lovers.
They offer a variety of tours depending on what types of animals and sites you are most interested in seeing including mammals, birds, butterflies, historical sites and ruins, and attractions. You can also go ziplining through the canopy.
The best feature though is undeniably the observation decks on the tower that bring you up close and personal with an incredible array of birds as well as Geoffrey’s tamarins, mantled howler monkeys, and two- and three-toed sloths.
Many of these animals are not normally seen up close because they usually remain high in the canopy. They have many setups that make things easier for birders and photographers looking to get a closer look.
4. Masai Mara Ecotours and Gorilla Trek – Kenya & Rwanda
Ecotours conducts tours all over the globe. They are committed to using local resources including guides and employees, provisions, and locally run lodging. In the case of this particular tour part of the revenue is donated to support the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project as well.
The first part of this tour is spent on safari in the Masai Mara. You then journey to Rwanda and Volcanoes National Park. You get to visit one of the Mountain Gorilla tribes that inhabit the volcano slopes and spend time at the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project where you will learn about efforts to save these endangered animals.
You will also be able to visit Dian Fossey’s grave and visit endangered Golden monkeys as well. This is one of those once in a lifetime trips.
5. Daintree Ecolodge & Spa – Australia
Located in World Heritage Designated Daintree National Park, the Daintree Ecolodge provides a unique combination of traditional Aboriginal culture and art with typical ecotourism activities such as hiking and exploring the forest trails and a world class spa.
Accomodations are in Bayans in the heart of the rainforest, overlooking a freshwater pond. The food is a fusion of cosmopolitan Australian cuisine and traditional Aboriginal cooking and uses local produce wherever possible.
The activities offered include traditional Aboriginal walkabouts with a Kuku Yalanji (the local tribe) guide, exploration of traditional activities such as spear fishing, and exploration of the rainforest. Daintree is home to many unique species and is the oldest living tropical rainforest on Earth.
Areas to explore include mangroves, estuaries, creeks, billabongs, lowland rainforest, cane and grasslands. The diversity is tremendous and at the end of the day who doesn’t want a soothing massage that incorporates traditional Aboriginal ideas?
6. India Ecotours Tiger Safari – India
If you ever wanted to see live tigers in their natural habitat, then this is the trip for you. You visit two national parks known for tigers – Corbett and Bandhavgarh, the latter is believed to be the inspiration for Rudyard Kiplings’ Jungle Book.
There are also temples, forts and historic sites to explore with your guides. You start off with a brief stay in Delhi and then it is on to the parks where you will do both driving and elephant-back safaris.
You can add an extension if you wish to see the Taj Mahal and Agra as well. As with all Ecotours programs everything is done as locally as possible. In this case the donation goes to the World Wildlife Fund’s tiger conservation efforts in the area.
7. Madagascar Photo Expedition Ecotour – Madagascar
Madagascar is one of the most unique places in the world. It is home to all of the lemur species, more than half of the chameleon species, and more than 170 different species of frog. It is a nature lover’s paradise.
You’ll visit the capital, Atananarivo before venturing off to the first reserve, Andasibe-Mantadia. One of the highlights of the trip is a lecture by Dr Erik Patel on conservation efforts in Madagascar and saving the endangered silky Sifaka lemurs.
The island has many, many lemurs (over 40 species) and receives enough eco-tourists that the animals are habituated to human visitors and there are many opportunities to get close up photos.
Eco-tourism isn’t for everyone and the trips listed tend to involve a reasonable amount of activity. Eco-tourism really began in South and Central America and then kept moving outward to the many places on the planet with wildlife to spare and lots to see and preserve. It has also now moved into more traditional tourism zones such as Europe.
If safaris and rainforests are not your idea of a great trip, you can still support the environment while exploring the French countryside and many other less rugged places. Look for tours that try to make use of locally produced goods, local staff and lodgings that are environmentally-friendly.
You can also create your own eco-friendly vacation by making sound choices when it comes to where you stay and what you do while away. Remember, it’s not a vacation if you don’t have a good time!
Cover photo: www.getawaylounge.com.au
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