ECOTOURISM SITES

EUROPE

Hiking in Andorra

Small, but mighty, ecotourism in Andorra often comes down to skiing and hiking. While most adventurers head to the landlocked tax haven between Spain and France to hit the slopes, experiencing hiking season in Andorra is incredibly rewarding. Between the valley trails, nature reserves, and designated ecotourism routes, a hiking holiday in Andorra is fit for anyone. 

Soomaa National Park, Estonia

Experiencing ecotourism in Estonia can mean many things to many people, but often the country’s impressive national parks are part of the equation. In particular, Soomaa National Park, which transforms into an ethereal place during the “fifth season” spring floods. Visiting during that time is an ecotourism experience that will stay with you for a very long time.

The Inspiring Landscapes of Scotland’s Western Islands

Looking for an ecotourism experience at the end of the earth? Head to Scotland’s Western Islands, where the landscapes are dramatic and captivating, and the experiences available are about as remote as you can get in the UK. With renewable energies, sustainable mindsets, and ecotourism experiences aplenty, Scotland’s Western Islands are an ideal setting for an unforgettable journey.

The Calm Beauty of Finland’s Lapland

An exceptionally eco-conscious country, Finland is a haven for ecotourism experiences, including its region of Lapland, one of Europe’s greatest unspoiled wildernesses. In the far north of Finland, beyond the Arctic Circle, sits one of the most peaceful landscapes you can find. In the land of the midnight sun and the Aurora Borealis, ecotourism in Finland’s Lapland is a calm and impressive experience.

Slovenia: Alpine Ecotourism

Slovenia is one of most pristine alpine ecotourism destinations in Europe. Under the yolk of communist Yugoslavia from World War II until the 1990s, Slovenia remained relatively undiscovered. Since Slovenia gained its independence at atime when ecology and conservation were already

buzz words in the general lexicon, efforts were made from the onset to create a best-practices model for sustainable tourism. This green approach to tourism, as well as the unspoiled beauty of this alpine country, has lead Slovenia to win the EDEN award(European Destinations of Excellence) for three consecutive years, from 2008–2010.

AFRICA

GabonA protected paradise

Situated in central-west Africa, Gabon is a somewhat obscure but relatively prosperous and stable country with a wealth of biodiversity. More than 10 years ago, then-president Omar Bongo declared 10% of the country's landmass – mostly covered in tropical forest – a network of national parks. This move made Gabon a serious contender in eco-tourism, yet because of a lack of infrastructure, these 13 wondrous reserves are largely unknown.

For those willing to wander into uncharted territory, incredible wildlife and landscapes await in Loango National Park on the country's western coast. From surfing hippos and humpback whales to coastal lagoons and expansive savannah, this park will stun any adventurous traveller. (Michael Nichols/National Geographic Stock).

Feathered bountyGabon is a largely undiscovered, but

spectacular destination for birding, with more than 300 species residing in its borders and more arriving periodically to breed along its shores. The country's national parks are an excellent place for birdwatchers and naturalists to observe a variety of exotic species at close range in an unspoiled setting. (Michael Nichols/National Geographic Stock).

Life in Zambia’s lush Luangwa Valley

A valley of four parksLife in Zambia’s remote Luangwa Valley falls

in step with the seasonal rhythms. For nearly half of the year, vegetation flourishes as the region is flooded with rain. But come the start of the dry season in May, the conditions are perfect for viewing the region's 60 animal species – including buffalo (pictured), elephants, lions and hippos – as they congregate around the available water sources. The 52,000sqkm valley is home to the North and South Luangwa Parks, Luambe Park and Lukusuzi Park. (Frans Lanting/National Geographic Stock).

Gorilla spotting in the Republic of Congo

Parc National Nouabalé-NdokiWhen a team from National Geographic magazine called this northern corner of Congo “the worlds last Eden” in the mid-1990s, they chose their words wisely. The forest is known for its natural clearings in which elephants and gorillas gather, and the World Conservation Society (WCS) has built viewing platforms alongside these clearings where travellers can ogle the antics of Congolese megafauna.

Tanzania’s Mahale Mountains National Park

In addition to being one of the best places in the world for up-close encounters with chimpanzees, Mahale Mountains National Park, nestled on the Lake Tanganyikan shoreline in western Tanzania, is absolutely stunning. Forested mountains cascade down to the lake shore, the mist-covered peak of Mount Nkungwe rises up in the background and crystal-clear waters teeming with fish lap against white sand coves.

Entering Mali’s Dogon World

World Heritage site in AfricaMali’s Dogon Country can feel like a deliciously

African evocation of the remote. Dogon villages have no electricity. Nor are they linked by a single paved road. Dogon cosmology and the spiritual obligations it entails ranks among the most intricate of all African stories, layered with meaning and mystery. Its architecture, too, has an otherworldly quality, clinging to the Bandiagara Escarpment as if an extension of the rock itself.

At the same time, the Dogon Country is no idyll of blissful isolation. The ancient walking trails that connect each Dogon village with the next are now frequented as much by tourists as by locals. The woodcarvings that stand at the centre of Dogon life and ceremonies are now valued as much for the money they can bring in as for their spiritual power. And the Dogon tell a joke, only half in jest: what does a typical Dogon family consist of? A mother, father, two children and a French anthropologist.

AUSTRALIA/OCEANIA

Kakadu National Park in Australia

Kakadu National Park spans more than 110,000 square kilometres and is the largest national park in Australia. For the eco traveller touring Australia, this is a site not to miss.Filled with wetlands, aboriginal cave paintings, and an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, Kakadu is said to have six seasons in one year (including a monsoon period) during which its landscapes undergo stunning transformations.

Kakadu National Park

PELELIU ISLAND

PELELIU ISLAND Complete your experience with one of the ecotourism site of Palauan Islands with an exciting and enlightening tour of Peleliu island, where one of the Pacific's bloodiest battles ever were fought.

KOKODA TRACK/KOKODA TRAIL KOKODA TRACK/KOKODA TRAIL is a single-file foot thoroughfare that runs 96 kilometres (60 mi) overland — 60 kilometres (37 mi) in a straight line — through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea. The track is the most famous in Papua New Guinea and is known for being the location of the World War II battle between Japanese and Australian forces in 1942. Found in Papua New Guinea.

NORTH AMERICA

Cocos Island Cocos Island is a prime ecotourism destination in Costa Rica. A World Heritage Site, ranked among the top 77 nominees for the world's New 7 Wonders of Nature. Costa Rica is one of the key activities of the tourism industry in the country. By the early 1990s, Costa Rica became known as the poster child of ecotourism. The country is among many developing nations that look to ecotourism as a way of cashing in on the growing demand for this popular trend of travel. Ecotourism draws many tourists to visit the extensive national parks and protected areas around the country. Costa Rica was a pioneer in this type of tourism, and the country is recognized as one of the few with true ecotourism.

QUIRIGUÁThe ruins of this small Mayan city include temples, rocks carved in the form of mythological animals and eleven large stone monuments inscribed with hieroglyphics, including the largest ever discovered in the Mayan world. The city flourished until the 10th century, when it was abandoned for unknown reasons, and the ruins are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Found in Guatemala.

La Redonda in Cuba La Redonda is one of the favorite natural attractions to visitors that choose their holidays to Cuba in the keys of northern central Cuba. This lake is located in the municipality of Moron, in the province of Ciego de Avila, the closest city to Key Coco and Key Guillermo, which is a tourist destination called Jardines del Rey. It is an ideal place for ecotourism, allowing human interaction with nature. An ecological boat tour through the wonderful mangrove ecosystem that conform the lake allows the contemplation of natural attractions with a high degree of conservation, as well as specimens of the flora and fauna, both native and migratory.

El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico

Formerly known as the Luquillo National Forest and the Caribbean National Forest. Located only 45 minutes east of San Juan, El Yunque spreads across 28,000 acres of northeastern Puerto Rico. The forest is world-renowned for its incredible biodiversity - thousands of plant species and hundreds of small animal and bird species call it home.

Copper Canyon Landscape

Copper Canyon In the Chihuahua State, Copper Canyon is ideal eco-cultural location, as it is an isolated, breathtaking area that is also the home of the Tarahumara Indians. Found in Mexico.

SOUTH AMERICA

Ecuador: Education for the Future

Ecuador is blessed with incredible resources, and fortunately the ecotourism industry in Ecuador is well aware of it. The government is influential in promoting ecotourism in the country, from its support of local conservation programs to its commitment to sustainable tourism. The Galapagos Islands reap the benefit of this, and as such are one of the most regulated National Parks in existence. Industry leaders, such as Yachana, are committed to local involvement and empowerment through education, demonstrating Ecuador’s growing role in the progression of ecotourism.

Chile’s Easter Island

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rapa Nui National Park is one of the most popular sites of ecotourism in Chile, and is Easter Island’s primary tourist attractions. As such, significant efforts are in place to preserve the island’s fragile ecosystem, and visiting is a great opportunity to learn more about being a responsible traveller.

Canaima National Park, Venezuela

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Canaima is the sixth largest national park in the world, and a cornerstone of ecotourism in Venezuela. This exciting and pristine landscape is sure to impress, considering almost two-thirds of the park is occupied by massive rock plateaus, creating dramatic vistas and imposing waterfalls, including Angel Falls, the tallest waterfall in the world.

ASIA

Sariska Tiger Reserve - Rajasthan, India

Built in 1894 by maharaja of alwar, the Sariska Palace is today counted one among the few best grand heritage hotels in the country. Once a royal hunting ground, the Sariska Tiger Reserve was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955 in an effort to protect the Bengal tigers, as well as other animals indigenous to the area including jungle cats, golden jackals, four-horned antelope and the Great Indian Horned owl. Located in the Alwar district of the state of Rajasthan, the Sariska Tiger Reserve is a great getaway for any nature lover, but it thankfully doesn’t require an adventurer’s endurance of the elements. Experience the reserve, but stay at the grand heritage hotel, Sariska Palace, located within the park – no tent necessary.

Taman Negara - Malaysia

Taman Negara was declared for conservation in 1938 and became Malaysia's premier national park and the largest in the country covering over 4343 square kilometres of forest.Encompassing three states -- Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu, is Taman Negara, one of the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The national park within the forest has also developed into one of Malaysia's most famous ecotourism destination, with Gunung Tahan as the highest point for mountain climbers.

Mekong Discovery Trail - Cambodia

The Mekong River carries Southeast Asia’s cultural diversity and history from Laos’ forested northern mountains to Thailand and Cambodia’s rice fields.One the world's longest rivers, the Mekong River winds its way through mountains of Laos to the heartlands in Thailand and Cambodia, creating an ecosystem that’s only rivalled by that of the Amazon. Dozens of community-based ecotourism programmes cover differ parts of the river, each allowing people to get a rare glimpse into traditional local life.

Whale Shark Ecotourism Programme - Donsol, Philippines

Donsol, a small town in Sorsogon, Philippines, is home to a large number of nature-focused attractions, including being the “Whale Shark Capital of the World.” Whale sharks can be seen there between November and June, with presence peaking between February and May. Far from exploiting its natural advantage, Donsol has turned to ecotourism to protect its whale shark population while at the same time support the local community. The incentives by the government and NGOs to promote ecotourism in the area have created a protected home for the shark while also benefitting the local fishing economy.

Satwa Elephant Eco Lodge - Indonesia

Satwa Elephant Eco Lodge is located within Way Kambas National Park, Lampung province of Sumatra, Indonesia. The national park covers an extensive 130,000 hectares of land and is the home to several endangered species, such as the Sumatran tigers and rhinoceros and a significant population of Sumatran elephants. Set within an extensive walled garden full of tropical fruit trees are four cottages that are fully equipped with basic amenities that are powered by renewable solar energy.

What you can do: Famous for its elephant sanctuary, guests can go on elephant safaris within the national park. Other activities include bird watching, tours of local attraction and village visits. Part of all activity fees go towards sustaining the national park. 

ANTARCTICA

NAVIGATE THE DRAKE PASSAGE

In order to get to Antarctica, you must first navigate the infamous Drake Passage. With waves that can easily reach heights of 30 feet, the question was not whether our boat could survive the journey, but whether anyone on it would escape seasickness. Luckily the weather conditions were in our favor on the way to Antarctica, but coming back was a different story. The Polar Pioneer broke through rampant waves for days on the return to Argentina. Even walking through corridors was a dangerous activity: You had to time the wave perfectly to avoid being thrown down the stairs. To escape the dangers of the staircases (and settle my wavering stomach), I admit to curling up in my cabin for several hours each day. However, the round trip to this magnificent continent and all it had to offer was well worth the risks.

HIKE THE SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS

Our first sight of land after leaving Argentina was the South Shetland Islands. Located north of Antarctica, these islands stand as a gateway to the continent and are a frequent stop for tourists. One can hike for hours there, not only because of the knee-deep snow slowing your steps, but also because of the amazing panoramic views. But watch your step! Gentoo penguins will wobble nearby, seals will bask in the sun, and various seabirds will circle overhead. In addition to the wildlife, artifacts from past decades of human activity can be found all around. Deception Bay, which was created by a volcano, still houses the rusting whale oil tanks left by the once active whaling industry. These islands are a must-visit part of any journey to the awe-inspiring continent of Antarctica.

WATCH FOR WHALES IN THE LEMAIRE CHANNEL

This is one of the first channels you’ll pass through once you reach the Antarctic Peninsula. One of my best memories of Antarctica’s landscape is from this fjord-like channel, where the cliffs jut straight out of the water. This “mountain range” dwarfs each side of this narrow channel for miles ahead. The perfect reflection on the smooth water seems to bring the mountains even closer. As your boat navigates this tricky channel, you won’t be able to take you eyes off the seemingly untouched landscape. With humpback whales often escorting boats through the channel, the trip will leave you in awe of nature’s beauty.

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