Animal instinct: eco-friendly wildlife tours

Animal instinct: eco-friendly wildlife tours

A curated selection of eco-friendly wildlife tours that put animal welfare at the top of the agenda

We have just returned from an incredible diving trip in the Great Barrier Reef and saw first hand the importance of choosing eco-friendly wildlife tours to minimize the environmental impact of our travels.

We have always maintained that tourists should be able to visit vulnerable places as long as they do so in a sustainable manner. Of course, no tourism is without impact. Just last month, a cruise ship guard tragically shot and killed a polar bear in Norway.

When choosing eco-friendly wildlife tours, it's important to make decisions based on what's best for the animals. Tours should always maintain a distance from wildlife and keep interaction to a minimum. It is extremely important that ethical guidelines are followed.

The only way to truly ensure this is to use accredited operators who are genuinely motivated by concern for the environment and animal welfare. Sometimes this can mean paying more.

We've selected a handful of eco-friendly wildlife tours from around the world that offer the opportunity to see a range of wildlife in different environments.

Small ship cruise in Svalbard, Norway

Duration: 4 daysPrice: $1,800More information: Magnetic North Travel

alt="Eco-friendly wildlife tours Norway">magnetic north poleA walrus swims ashore in front of the S/V Linden

Magnetic North's philosophy is based on the Norwegian idea of ​​“Friluftsliv”, which translates to “living in the open air”. Her travels – based on a deep synthesis between nature and people – reflect exactly that. To celebrate World Oceans Day this year, Magnetic North has selected its favorite eco-friendly seafood tours, including this small ship cruise to Svalbard.

Aboard the S/V Linden, a three-masted wooden schooner, clients explore Svalbard's vast fjords, glacier-covered coastlines, remote mountains and unique wildlife, including polar bears (always from a distance), walruses and the arctic fox. Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago and lies deep within the Arctic Circle.

Great Bear Rainforest, Canada

Duration: 5 daysPrice: $3,860 USDMore information: Magnetic North Travel

alt="Eco-Friendly Wildlife Tours Ghost Bear">magnetic north poleThe spirit bear is found almost exclusively in the Great Bear Rainforest

The Kermode bear (also called the spirit bear) is neither an albino nor a polar bear, but a white variant of the North American black bear. It occurs almost exclusively in the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, Canada.

Spirit Bear Lodge is a community-based ecotourism venture owned and operated by the Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nations, who have inhabited the area for generations. Located in an archipelago on Canada's west coast, the destination is ideal for wildlife viewing. Visitors can expect to see grizzly bears, humpback whales, wolves, cougars and of course the elusive spirit bear.

India Tiger Quest

Duration: 7 daysPrice: $6,795 USDMore information: Natural Habitat Adventures

alt="eco-friendly wildlife tours Ranthambore">DreamtimeRanthambore is the best place in the world to spot tigers

Natural Habitat Adventures – or NatHab – was the world's first completely carbon neutral travel company and is the exclusive travel partner of the World Wildlife Fund. As a result, customers know that their money is helping to secure and transform the future of endangered natural areas.

The best place in the world to spot tigers, India's premier tiger safari destination is Ranthambore National Park in the dense jungles of southeast Rajasthan. NatHab's itinerary is strategically timed to coincide with early summer in India, when visitors are fewer and tigers are less elusive. In the warmer months, tigers head outdoors in search of water

In addition to the magnificent Bengal tigers, it is also possible to spot wildlife such as sloth bears, leopards, sambar, chital, langur monkeys, pythons and more.

Galápagos Hiking and Kayaking Adventure

Duration: 10 daysPrice: $6,495 USDMore information: Natural Habitat Adventures

alt="Eco-Friendly Galapagos Wildlife Tours">DreamtimeMarine iguanas are endemic to the Galápagos Islands

We visited the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador in 2014 while traveling on a budget. We would like to return one day and explore the islands from the ground and sea level with NatHab, who have a special paddling permit for the Galápagos National Park.

The basis for the trip is a chartered sailing catamaran that moves between anchorages overnight, meaning clients have all day to explore the various islands. Each day brings a new island to the itinerary with Baltra, Isla Lobos, San Cristobal, Española, Floreana, Santa Cruz and Bartolome.

With the Galápagos Islands home to an abundance of endemic species such as giant tortoises, marine iguanas, Galápagos penguins, fur seals, frigate birds and blue-footed boobies, there is plenty to keep nature lovers busy.

Wilderness of Borneo, Malaysia

Duration: 12 daysPrice: $9,595 USDMore information: Natural Habitat Adventures

alt="Eco-Friendly Wildlife Tours Borneo">DreamtimeOrangutans live in the dense rainforests of Borneo

NatHabs describe their trip to the world's third largest island (and the largest in Asia) as a "search for rare and endangered wildlife in the world's oldest rainforest." Further examination of her itinerary proves this to be fairly accurate.

Deep on the island of Borneo lies the highest and oldest rainforest on earth. Here, sheltered under the dense forest canopy, life thrives in the form of endangered orangutans, leaf monkeys, wild gibbons, flying lemurs, leopards and more than 300 vibrant bird species.

Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands

Duration: 24 days Price: $23,990 More information: Lindblad Expeditions

alt="Eco-Friendly Wildlife Tours Penguins Antarctica">DreamtimePenguins can be seen in their hundreds of thousands

As a partner of WWF and Natural Habitat Adventures, Lindblad Expeditions also works closely with the National Geographic Society to offer customers sustainable and environmentally friendly wildlife tours to some of the most remote areas on earth.

One of the greatest of these experiences is the ultimate Southern Ocean expedition to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Perhaps only the plains of the Serengeti can rival the wildlife spectacles of the wild Antarctic.

King, emperor and rockhopper penguins can be seen in their hundreds of thousands, along with herds of elephant seals and the world's largest bird, the albatross.

A video chronicler accompanies expeditions to capture the magic for customers.

Treasures of Tanzania Safari

Duration: 8 daysPrice: $8,170 USDMore information: AndBeyond

alt="Eco-Friendly Wildlife Tours Serengeti">DreamtimeA tree-climbing lion in Manyara

Speaking of the Serengeti Plains, AndBeyond specializes in African eco-friendly wildlife tours. Your signature experience explores the shores of Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and of course the Serengeti. Accommodation is in classic safari tent camps.

Wildlife highlights include tree-climbing lions in Manyara National Park, migrating herds of wildebeest and zebra in the Serengeti, and flaming pink flamingos flying in the Rift Valley. AndBeyond was founded in 1991 and its company ethos focuses on maintaining a healthy balance between land, wildlife and people.

Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Duration: 7 daysPrice: $2,720 USDMore information: Coral Expeditions

alt="Protect the Great Barrier Reef's Coral Garden">Atlas & BootsA colorful scene in the Great Barrier Reef

We recently spent seven days aboard the 35-meter catamaran Coral Expeditions II, a small ship expedition certified by Ecotourism Australia. Not only is a small ship a more sustainable way to see the Great Barrier Reef, it also allows access to exclusive anchorages inaccessible to day-trippers from the mainland.

The highlights of our week included diving at some of the most beautiful dive sites in the Great Barrier Reef amongst endless colorful corals, sea anemones and schools of colorful and vibrant reef fish. Another marine life highlight was encountering sea turtles both in the wild and at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.

Small-Group Madagascar Adventure

Duration: 17 daysPrice: $3,200 USDAdditional information: Responsible Travel

alt="Eco-Friendly Wildlife Tours Lemurs Madagascar">DreamtimeWild lemurs can only be seen in Madagascar

The key lies in the name of Responsible Travel, which has specialized in eco-friendly, small-group wildlife tours since its founding in 2001. Customers are spoiled for choice with over 5,000 adventures on offer in hundreds of destinations. We selected two options, both of which offer unique animal experiences.

The African island of Madagascar is the only place in the world where lemurs can be seen in the wild. The best places to see lemurs in Madagascar are Parc National Mantadia and Parc National de l’Isalo. Both parks are included in the itinerary and offer their residents excellent protection as well as knowledgeable guides and strong infrastructure for visitors. In addition, part of the parking fees finances community projects.

Canadian Rockies and National Parks of America

Duration: 20 daysPrice: $3,200 USDAdditional information: Responsible Travel

alt=“Eco-Friendly Wildlife Tours Bison 1″>DreamtimeBison in Yellowstone National Park

Another eco-friendly wildlife tour from Responsible Travel that piqued our interest was this journey through the Canadian Rockies and some of the largest US national parks, following two of North America's most famous mountain ranges from south to north.

The wildlife highlight would be watching bison in Yellowstone National Park in the USA. If you plan the trip right (August is ideal), you can experience the rut (mating season) in America's national parks. In August, herds of bulls gather to compete for females. They use aggressive noises and behaviors to assert their dominance and “courtship postures” to secure a mate.

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