Eco-tourism has evolved significantly over the last decade and travellers are becoming mindful of their environmental impact, they are starting to seek out new and non-traditional forms of accommodation that take sustainability seriously.
Eco tourism involves responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment and improving the well-being of the local people. It typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.
Here are the 10 most beautiful ecolodges, eco hotels and eco resorts in the world, in no particular order.
Daintree Wilderness Lodge, Australia:
The Daintree rainforest is a Unesco World Heritage site
Ecocamp Patagonia, Chile:
Certified with an environmental management system, this Chilean-owned eco-lodge offers the tourist luxury glamping with amazing views of the Torres del Paine mountain.
Their unique domed suites are designed in a traditional dwelling style of the region.
Lapa Rios Lodge, Costa Rica
Located on the Pacific Ocean, Lapa Rios lodge opened its doors in 1993, and it is considered a pioneer in ecotourism.
It is amidst the protected rainforest on Osa Peninsula, in Costa Rica. The eco lodge is unique for its salted pools and roofs that use the ocean breeze for cooling.
Campi Ya Kanzi Eco Lodge, Kenya
Owned and operated by the Maasai people and overlooking the Kilimanjaro, this luxury safari camp is translated ‘Camp of the Hidden Treasure.’
Phinda Forest Lodge, South Africa
The Phinda Forest Lodge is actually one of the first eco-lodges in the world with a great blend of environmentally conscious and sophisticated luxury.
Topas Ecolodge, Vietnam
Located in the scenic hills of Hoang Lien National Park, North Vietnam, Topas Ecolodge prides itself on its sustainability and protection of the local people.
The lodge itself is made up of 33 individual mountain bungalows built in rustic-style single bedroom houses from local white granite.
Garonga Safari Camp, South Africa
This luxury tented camp allows travelers to experience a Safari camp like you never imagined possible. They try to reduce their carbon footprint by using solar panels and the heater pump system reduces its electrical consumption by 80%.
Kura Design Villas, Costa Rica
This six-room luxury eco hotel is located in the hills of Uvita, above the waters of Marino Ballena National Park.
Built to be sustainable, it offers you so much luxury. They use photovoltaic solar panels for electricity and heating the water, and their L-shaped infinity pool is filled with saline water.
Three Camel Lodge, Mongolia
Three Camel Lodge is found deep in the heart of the Gobi Desert. Inspired by Mongolian nomadic culture, the ecolodge accommodation resembles that of authentic Mongolian gers – traditional tents made with layers of felt and canvas over a wooden latticed frame.
El Nido Resorts, Philippines
The four resorts in Palawan live by a green ethos, which includes buying their products and employing staff locally, giving guests the opportunities to experience nature and the area’s culture, and building new sustainability programmes every year.
