When you are thinking of wildlife holidays you need to focus on how you can make the most of the time you have. While many destinations can offer you amazing wildlife experiences you must focus on the ones that offer sustainable tourism.
Choosing responsible tourism isn’t just about following the trend but collectively contributing towards preserving biodiversity and preventing habitat destruction. Hence, when you choose destinations for ethical wildlife holidays you ensure that animals are observed in their natural habitat without any interference.
With ethical wildlife holidays you not only preserve nature and wildlife you also support local communities that thrive on the environment and ecosystem. This supports and provides for the livelihood of the local people and creates incentives for them to engage in conservation efforts.
With Naturetrek holidays you can look for destinations where you can enjoy ethical wildlife holidays. This would ensure that you can enjoy nature and wildlife holidays without increasing your carbon footprint.
Kenya
Kenya has always been one of the top destinations for wildlife holidays and safaris. Hence, you can visit Kenya which promotes sustainable tourism.
Credit: Łukasz Ciesielski – Contact: Facebook – Own work
While you are in Kenya you can always find tours that focus on responsible wildlife viewing practices. This prioritizes the well-being of the animal while making guidelines that ensure that most animal encounters are non-intrusive and respectful.
Kenya is also a great place that offers diverse landscapes and therefore you can look out for other safari experiences. You can skip the jeep game drives and instead opt for boat safaris in Kenya that provide a different experience altogether. Similarly, you can also do nature and bush walk safaris that offer a more immersive experience.
You can also stay at places like Giraffe Manor where you get to feed and interact with Rothschild giraffes.
India
When you are thinking of wildlife holiday destinations that promote eco-friendly tourism you can add India to your list.
This country with its diverse landscape can provide you with some amazing nature and wildlife experiences that are hard to find elsewhere. India has been championing various sustainable tourism initiatives like the protection of Bengal tigers in Ranthambore and the preservation of the Great Indian Bustard. Also, you will find many wildlife reserves and national parks in India that run eco-friendly lodges and responsible trekking tours.
You will also come across various projects that highlight local artisans and their products offering economic benefits to the people. Various eco-friendly lodges and camps in India practice energy conservation, waste management and water recycling efforts.
South Africa
If you have never been on a wildlife trip before South Africa seems like a great place to begin with. This is among the top wildlife destinations in Africa where you can make the most of your wildlife holidays.
Credit: Diriye Amey from Locarno, Switzerland – South Africa – Drakensberg
With stunning national parks and wildlife reserves you can have a great time exploring Africa’s Big Five. While exploring these national parks visitors can engage in responsible wildlife viewing practices that ensure that animals are not disturbed. You can also stay at various eco-friendly lodges and camps that focus on better waste management, energy conservation and water recycling methods. This would ensure that you can have a great time in South Africa without impacting the environment negatively.
Costa Rica
Known for its rich biodiversity, Costa Rica has been one of the leading nations in the world focusing on eco-friendly tourism.
The country has been making efforts to keep wildlife and nature protected and at the same time focus on responsible tourism. As you explore Costa Rica you will find plenty of environment-friendly lodges that allow you to feel close to nature.
The lodges are made from recycled materials naturally available which ensure that nothing goes to waste. Also, you can look out for sustainable wildlife tours where you can hire local guides that take you through the stunning national parks and dense jungles of Costa Rica while sharing some interesting stories, details and trivia.
Botswana
For many decades, Botswana has practised sustainable tourism which makes this place among the top destinations for ethical wildlife holidays.
Joachim Huber
The government here has been making efforts to promote responsible tourism while helping the locals to participate actively. Hence, when you visit Botswana you can find many national parks that offer responsible viewing practices. Also, when it comes to outdoor activities you can try bush walking safaris, mokoro rides, horseback riding safaris and even boat safaris that offer visitors a unique way to experience Botswana without increasing their carbon footprint.
You can also look out for various local tour guides that can take you to secret spots for unforgettable safari and wildlife holiday experiences.
Australia
It would be hard to not include Australia when you are seeking wildlife holiday destinations that promote sustainable tourism.
Australia has always been one of the destinations for solo and family wildlife holidays. Here you can come across various endemic and native species like koalas, kangaroos, and many other mammals. Also, Australia works hard to promote and support reef preservation. If you are into marine wildlife you can head to places like the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.
While you are looking for accommodations you can also find many eco-friendly lodges and camps that focus on environment-friendly ways making them a comfortable place to stay without harming the nature around.
Tanzania
Apart from Kenya, Tanzania also offers sustainable wildlife tours that ensure that you are not harming nature as you explore the habitat. Known for the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater you can have a great time here exploring the natural landscape.
Credit: William Warby from London, England – In the Ngorongoro Crater
While you are exploring Tanzania you can stay at various luxury and budget lodges that are eco-friendly. This ensures that you are contributing to the preservation and protection of the ecosystem and local species. You can also visit the local communities and tribes that can share details on their lifestyle and traditional customs and provide you with an experience like no other.
Those seeking outdoor activities can look out for various boat safaris, hiking and trekking and hot air balloon rides that would allow you to enjoy the pristine landscape of Tanzania.
Bhutan
One of the most underrated destinations that you can head to is Bhutan. Like many other destinations on this list, Bhutan also practices responsible wildlife tourism ensuring that visitors can engage in various wildlife activities without interrupting the animals and birds.
They follow high-value low-impact tourism and therefore limit the number of visitors to the country. As you explore Bhutan you can look out for various walking tours that allow you to explore their green spaces at your pace.
You can also look out for various local tour guides that can help you spot species like the elusive snow leopard and the majestic Bengal tiger.