Travel provides us with endless opportunities to explore some of the most incredible wildlife destinations on the planet. However, it is important that we should do so in a responsible manner, in order to safeguard the environment and protect our flora and fauna for future generations to come.
Decades of rampant wildlife tourism has already damaged our fragile national parks and reserves, as a result mature lovers are now seeking places that promote conservation and uplift the local communities for sustainable travel.
As we fast forward 2023-24, a buoyant growth has been forecast for the tourism industry. As such many of the destinations given below are bolstering their responsible offerings by offering tailor-made safari holidaysseeing the increased interest of the tourist to invest in a sustainable wildlife experience.
South Africa
The Noka Camp, Waterberg, Limpopo in South Africa is one of the few resorts on the planet that plough back 100% of their financial gain into the local community, for the benefit of the wildlife.
The camp enjoys a breathtaking location on a hilltop 100′ high, providing astonishing views of the Big 5 Lapalala Game Reserve and the meandering waters of the Palala River.
When it comes to sustainable tourism, the stunning lodge leads by example from generating their own electricity to manufacturing gin from the locally sourced products available in the reserve, apart from financing local animal breeding and relocation initiatives.
Brazil
From love of football to colorful carnivals and dense green forests, Brazil is a country where nature flourishes, especially since it holds almost 50% of the Amazon Rainforest, which is home to 10% of the animal species found worldwide.
Your journey begins in North Pantanal, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage and Biosphere Reserve known to have the best concentration of flora and fauna on the planet, while staying at the sustainable Cristalino Lodge, located in the middle of a private reserve.
The clear and clean waters of the Cristalino River are best explored by boat.The birdlife here is exceptional, while wildlife enthusiasts can spot animals high up in the canopy from the top of the nature towers. You can also explore the forest trails on foot, to engage in a unique wildlife hiking experience.
Kenya
Located in the wild northern part of Kenya, the Saruni Samburu luxury lodge enjoys a prime location in the Samburu National Reserve in a pristine and private wildlife conservancy. Tourism here is used to directly support conservation and give back to the community who in turn protect this valuable environment.
The area around Samburu is practically teeming with wildlife and is considered to be the most exciting in this part of East Africa, simply because of the abundance of rare species.
Moreover, the lodge is perched overlooking a number of waterholes and provides a spectacular view of some of the famous wild animals found in Samburu, which often gather here to quench their thirst.
Tanzania
The Southern Serengeti in Tanzania is characterized by classic grassy plains and acts as the setting of the eco Lemala Ndutu Mobile Tented Camp.This mobile camp is known for providing a truly authentic bush experience in the northern part of the Ngorongoro Crater.
The camp moves from North to South with the season, to ensure that guests get a ringside view during the period of the great wildebeest migration between December and March. Predators and other members of the Big 5 are easily spotted during these months and guests can watch the drama which unfolds at this time of the year from their convenient location on the edge of a marsh.
The camp has been recently renovated to offer guests a comfortable safari experience, especially at the end of a hard day in the bush. Meals are freshly prepared and the camp ensures that a sufficient amount is set aside for the local community whose efforts are vital for conservation of the wildlife of the region.
Sri Lanka
The Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Enselwatte Estate in Sri Lanka. This is a place where time stands still as the eco-friendly lodge has been especially designed to provide the guest an exceptional experience of the surrounding forest in its pristine glory.
The comfortable chalets are designed using recycled shipping containers and come with every amenity one can hope for in the middle of nowhere.The eco-tourism concept is very much visible in the architecture of the chalets, perched upon stilts overlooking a tea patch.
Bamboo panelling adorns the interiors, while the floor and the observation deck are made from discarded railway sleepers. There are numerous nature trails from the lodge which allow the visitor to observe the local wildlife, spot a few of the 147 bird species and experience the unique rainforest ecosystem.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Tucked away in a corner of a tropical forest in the spectacular Andaman Islands is an ecological collection of thatched tents and cottages which beckon visitors looking for a ‘green’ escape in the Bay of Bengal.
Barefoot at Havelock is probably the best sustainable accommodation option where guests can stay in spacious and tastefully decorated rooms, with attached bathrooms and all modern amenities.
Activities here include diving and snorkelling in the crystal clear waters looking for corals and other interesting marine animals. The key attraction at Barefoot is swimming with the elephants and enjoying a forest walk with these gentle giants along the beach.For those looking for a holistic experience, the in-house spa facilities at Barefoot are top class.
India
The Kanha National Park and Tiger Reserve is located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and enjoys a reputation as one of the best destinations for spotting tigers in the wild in the entire subcontinent.
Tucked away on the periphery of this famous park is Kipling Camp, the brainchild of Bellinda Wright, the driving force behind the Wildlife Protection Society of India, and one of the first eco-friendly lodges established here in 1982. As many as 15 acres of land has been set aside by the camp to offer minimum disturbance to the wildlife around the camp.
All the rooms have been constructed with the local style of architecture, connected by natural pathways and no fencing between the adjacent jungle and the property.The local community is engaged to keep the area clean and mingle with the guests for an unparalleled cultural and natural experience.The Gond artists and the local Bagia tribes find plenty of financial support from Kipling Camp.
The verdict
Eco-friendly resorts that combine comfort with greenery and wildlife are today the best launching pads for wildlife safari discoveries and for providing support to the local communities as well.
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