Eco-Conscious Luxury Tour Operators Practice Sustainable Tourism

Since its founding in 1983, Wilderness Safaris has been recognized as a leading conservation organization and responsible ecotourism operator, providing exceptional hospitality and wildlife experiences while creating sustainable camps and providing a positive impact on biodiversity conservation. The Kalahari Plains Camp in Botswana's iconic Central Kalahari Game Reserve is situated on an elevated central plateau, providing prime sun light exposure which allows the Kalahari Plains Camp to operate on solar power. The camp utilizes solar power in a variety of facets, from solar water heating to photovoltaic energy generation, powering everything from lighting to refrigerators and office equipment, water purification and pumping. Each building was also designed using double-layered canvas material to heat and cool rooms without expending large amounts of energy.

With over 40 years of practicing sustainable tourism and an active member of Tourism Cares for Tomorrow, Big Five Tours & Expeditions is committed to travel that preserves wildlife, cultural heritage and the well-being of the community and environment. Big Five focuses on low-impact sustainable tourism in eco-friendly lodges and cruise boats, offering safaris that interact with private conservancies such as the Selenkay Conservancy at Kenya's Amboseli National Park. Big Five also launched the Spirit of Big Five Foundation; a nonprofit dedicated to broadening conservation, poverty alleviation and providing education and healthcare in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America, and is funded entirely by the Sanghrajka family, the founders of Big Five Tours & Expeditions. The “Wild Australia” adventure offers an all-around eco-friendly experience from diving in the Ningaloo Reef to exploring ancient of Aboriginal lands in Arnhem Land. Guests also lodge in properties like Sal Salis and Barmurru Plains, which use solar power for energy.

For more than 35 years, Country Walkers has been a leader in active travel, with responsible tourism an integral part of its core values. Their tours reflect this dedication to preserve indigenous cultures and the environment. Country Walkers makes a donation on behalf of every traveler to the CW Travelers Fund which supports designated projects in the communities and habitats in which they travel. Country Walkers often partners with local people, communities and hires local guides such as anthropologists, naturalists and historians. Country Walkers is also a contributor to the Patacancha Project in Peru, a sustainable trout farm in a small village which provides nutritious school lunches to school children. Country Walkers also incorporates eco-friendly lodging into many of their adventures such as the “Utah: Bryce & Zion Canyons” trip, which utilizes a local stone, reclaimed redwood and Douglas firm beams.

Leading the sustainable tourism efforts in Mongolia, Nomadic Expeditions goes above and beyond to ensure the promotion and protection of the environment. With the recent opening of Three Camel Lodge, a luxury wilderness ger camp set in the Gobi-Altai Mountains, the lodge was built in accordance with environmentally sustainable guidelines and uses renewable energy sources including wind and solar power. Nomadic Expeditions also holds its own in the community by planting 8,000 new trees, and participating in anti-litter and school conservation programs. The tour operator has also teamed with environmental organizations including the Mongol Ecology Center, the Nature Conservatory and Mass Audubon to maintain sustainable tourism. In 2000 Nomadic Expeditions CEO Jalsa Urubshurow founded the Golden Eagle Festival with the commitment to preserve the Kazakh hunting tradition and protect the nomads' birds of prey. Held each October, this event celebrates the nomadic traditions of those who have lived in Mongolia for generations upon generations. Travelers can embark on an eight-day adventure and attend the festival.