Each year on the 22nd of April, the world celebrates Earth Day and whilst travel and sustainability don’t always go hand in hand, it’s a sector of the travel market that is rapidly expanding.
More and more people are looking for opportunities to minimise their impact on the planet and instead adopt a more responsible and sustainable way of travelling.
But for those unsure of where to start, the luxury travel company Unforgettable Travel has rounded up some of their favourite eco-conscious destinations around the world – perfect for anyone looking to have a travel experience that is both memorable and sustainable!
- Stay At A Lodge Encasing An Ancient Baobab Tree in Tanzania
You literally can’t get closer to nature than when staying at Tarangire Treetops Lodge, located in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania. Particularly when staying in the Main Lodge, nestled at the heart of the reserve, as it sustainably encases a thousand-year-old baobab tree!
A symbol of life and positivity in African culture, the trees date back to prehistoric times but are, unfortunately, expected to lose the majority of their habitats within the next 70 years.
Tarangire Treetops offers the opportunity to live side-by-side with the endemic Baobabs, hoisting guests high amongst the treetops in luxury bedrooms that are crafted by local communities and boast jaw-dropping views of the Tanzanian horizon.
Expect to be greeted by friendly local Masaai tribesmen upon your arrival, enjoy candlelit dinners whilst watching wildlife drink at the Lodge’s own watering hole and experience the intimacy of a walking safari where you can tread on the tracks of animals made minutes before.
A stay at Tarangire Treetops also contributes to supporting local conservation efforts, sponsoring schools and medical clinics, and giving back to residents of the surrounding areas.
While Tarangire has some incredible Baobab trees, another park to consider for these beautiful trees is Ruaha National Park. Located in Southern Tanzania, it is famed for its buffalo herds, lion prides and, of course, its 1000-year-old Baobab trees.
Head to Unforgettable Travel to be inspired by Southern Tanzania Safaris here > https://unforgettabletravel.com/southern-tanzania
A stay at Tarangire Treetops can be booked as part of Unforgettable Travel’s Tanzania tours. More information can be found here > https://unforgettabletravel.com/tanzania
- Visit An Extraordinarily Isolated Marine Refuge In Indonesia
Imagine waking up to the sound of waves gently beating on the shoreline, strolling across white sand beaches and admiring crystal clear waters, all whilst in one of the most biodiverse places on the planet…
Well, you can at Misool Island Resort, a refuge for marine life that stretches 300,000 acres and focuses on the conservation and biodiversity of local species. Nestled amongst the uninhabited islands of Raja Ampat in Indonesia, the remote resort takes two full days to reach from Singapore or Jakarta.
Located in one of the only pristine reef systems left on the planet, guests can fully immerse themselves in nature in this flourishing marine reserve. Here you can dive amongst schools of manta rays, nesting turtles, thriving coral reefs and even swim in a nursery for baby sharks.
Experience this completely untouched part of the world, which is 165 km from the nearest port and 20 km away from the nearest village, whilst contributing to protecting the future of the planet. Misool works in partnership with local communities, for whom conservation comes first, with local rangers on hand to protect the sanctuary at all times from shark and bomb fisherman and the live fish trade.
A stay at Misool Island Resort can be booked as part of Unforgettable Travel’s Indonesia tours. More information can be found here > https://unforgettabletravel.com/indonesia
- Literally Sleep Under The Stars In A Conservancy In Kenya
Sleep beneath the stars, literally, at Loisaba Conservancy in Kenya. Located on a rocky kopje (think Pride Rock from the Lion King), Loisaba Star Beds offers guests the opportunity to sleep on handcrafted, 4-poster beds that are rolled out onto raised wooden platforms each night and jut out from their thatched-roof lodges.
Fall asleep under the endless African night sky and then watch the sun rise on the horizon whilst observing the native wildlife frolick at the local watering hole. You can also enjoy the warm hospitality of the welcoming Samburu warriors throughout your stay, and venture out during your days to experience Loisaba in all its glory.
Larger than ten of the world’s fully-fledged nations, Loisaba is a conservancy within Laikipia Country, owned by the Loisaba Community Trust, it stretches 57,000 acres and is committed to ecological and wildlife conservation in Africa, both protecting and enriching critical wildlife diversity in the landscape.
Your stay contributes to the conservation of the surrounding wilderness area, and supports community education, enterprise and health-related programmes in the surrounding Samburu tribal community.
A stay at Loisaba Conservancy can be booked as part of Unforgettable Travel’s Kenya tours. More information can be found here > https://unforgettabletravel.com/camp-loisaba-tented
- Support 8,000 Locals With A Stay At A Secluded Island Retreat Near Singapore
Located near the Indonesian island of Bintan, just a two hours boat and road transfer from Singapore, but feeling a whole world away from civilisation, Cempedak and Nikoi are private, Indonesian islands that offer the ultimate castaway experience.
Here you can unwind in secluded and spacious villas at the edge of the rainforest, each with beach access and sea views and boasting modern furnishings that nod to the local environment.
Yet the resorts are not just focused on utmost luxury and also have a strong ethos towards sustainability, striving to have a long-term positive impact on the local communities and environment through a range of initiatives.
Both Cempedak and Nikoi contribute to The Island Foundation, an organisation built solely to improve learning opportunities for children living in the Bintan region through local teacher training, community engagement and learning centres.
The islands are also partnered with The Long Run, a sustainable travel charity that uses tourism to overcome social and environmental challenges and directly supports 8,000 people in the local community through efforts.
A stay at both Cempedak and Nikoi Island Resorts can be booked as part of Unforgettable Travel’s Singapore tours. More information can be found here > https://unforgettabletravel.com/singapore
- Stay Amongst Some Of The World’s Most Endangered Wildlife In Borneo
Nestled deep in the jungles of Borneo, Tabin Wildlife Reserve is dedicated to providing memorable experiences and enhancing appreciation for the local wildlife and nature in a sustainable manner.
The wildlife reserve, which is considered to be the largest in Malaysia and stretches 300,000 acres, is now home to some of the most critically endangered species in the world including the Sumatran Rhino, Borneo Pygmy Elephant and, of course, our fascinating cousins the Orangutan.
Spend the day admiring them during jungle treks where you can also cool off in the beautiful local waterfalls. In the heart of the reserve, Tabin’s authentic, Bornean timber bungalows sit raised above the forest floor and are the perfect place to retreat to and watch the wildlife move amongst the shrubbery below.
When at the reserve, you can also visit the Sabah Ficus Germplasm Center, which nurtures the local biodiversity by replanting native fig seeds in areas that have suffered deforestation as a result of palm oil plantations or logging.
A stay at Tabin Wildlife Reserve can be booked as part of Unforgettable Travel’s Borneo tours. More information can be found here > https://unforgettabletravel.com/borneo
Article and images supplied by SEO Travel
