Eco Holidays

posted by Catherine on Apr 30

There is so much ‘greenwash’ about these days - how can you be sure you are choosing the right one?

Just searching for ‘eco friendly beach resorts’ or eco friendly family vacations’ on the internet can bring you up websites and resorts that are clearly not eco holidays at all!  They have just made sure that they use the ‘right’ words to get to the top of the search engines.

And even some websites that talk about eco lodges and responsible tourism might not actually have any proof of the ‘green ethics’ of the location.  It may be as simple as that they have recycling bins, wash your sheets less and heat their water using solar power - which is no real struggle if they are based in the tropics anyway!

So, How Can You Tell?
Well, just as with other products available today including electrical appliances, safety gear and organic food - there are certification programs to prove a company’s eco credentials - and to check the properly based on non-flexible criteria.

Rather than somebody reading Eco Friendly Hotel A’s website and then saying - ‘Oh, it’s lovely.  They take all your recycling away, cook only local food and have planted only native plants’, these certification bodies will actually go there and analyse those actions.

For example, they may say they separate all the recycling - but where do they send it and how?  What if they send it all down to their local tip (which may be a ruined piece of forest) or they just burn it on a distant patch of wasteland?

Then the local food could be a problem.  Are they growing crops that are ‘water demanding’ in a dry climate just to please the guests?  Are they catching rare wildlife for the plate, or fishing unsustainably in a polluted or degraded river or lake?  What species are they hunting and are they safe to eat?

By checking for these certifications you will make sure you get the real story.

Why Check For Certification?
Just as with membership to any exclusive club or society, association or certification with a well known responsible tourism or ecotourism body will allow your business to stand out from the crowd.

So, if a company, business, hotel or manufacturer can prove beyond a doubt that their products are certifiably eco friendly (having been tested by experts) then they know that they are among the best eco holidays out there - and have the backing of certification.

This obviously helps you as a consumer to choose the best holiday company or hotel based on your beliefs or desires.  Rather than having to research every hotels website looking for eco friendly attributes - you could just look for the logo that represents what you are hoping to find from your holiday.

For example, 1 logo might mean that the hotel is ‘minimizing their impact on the local environment and protecting wildlife’ (Natures Best), whereas others might be looking at whether a hotel is trying to ’reduce waste, energy consumption, water and facilitate use of public transport (Green Tourism).

Some countries have their own eco labels, whereas other certifications are internationally recognised.

How Does Certification Help?
Well, apart from reducing your holiday search from ‘all the hotels in Argentina that use the word ‘eco holidays’ in their search engine ranking’ to ‘Eco Logo A registered eco hotels in Argentina’, it also means that you will not feel disappointed with your choice of trip upon arrival in terms of responsible or eco traits - but also that you know that you are spending your money on something that really is making a difference to the location and the people that you wish to visit on your trip.

And, if more and more people start to ask for, or search for, those resorts and eco lodges that have these certifications - then more companies will want to become certified to improve their own business.

And, if a company are claiming that they are eco friendly or are ‘one of the best eco lodges in so-and-so’, then why wouldn’t they want to prove that by getting certified?  If they are doing all these things anyway - why not prove it?

Don’t be embarrassed to ask what their eco credentials are before booking.  I mean if you were a vegan and saw a tasty cake for sale - wouldn’t you want to check that it was free from animal products before you ate it?

posted by Catherine on Sep 2

Heading To South America for a bit of eco adventure!

There are some fantastic wildlife areas in Argentina and the country has so much to offer the visitor that I thought I would try to interest you in some of the eco lodges here that offer that little bit of uniqueness that you would expect from your vacation.

The following 3 locations are spread over the country and include stays in locally run estancia - a large ranch or farm estate.

La Alegría Eco Lodge - Misiones, Iguazu Area:

A small and personal destination submersed in the jungles and waterways of this ancient and wildlife-filled part of the country.

There are only ever a maximum of 6 guests so there is no overcrowding or overuse of resources. There is also little need to stock up with excessive amount of other supplies as the types of guest this attracts are not there for just a ’sunny vacation with all the extras’ - people come here to be at one with nature and to explore the many habitats in peace!

Accommodation is in log cabins, designed and heated in the traditional ways. The freshwater swimming pool is fed by a 100% hydraulic pump from the nearby stream and isn’t treated with chemicals.

Most of the meals are grown and prepared on site, and the hosts join their guests for all meals allowing for some great story telling and traditional celebrations! Your hosts Patricia and Marcelo are also experts on the local area and offer guided tours, horseback trails and other adventures.

Or they just leave you alone to find your own way or just relax in the pool!

Yacutinga Lodge - Misiones, Iguazu Area:

Not far from that lodge is this unique biological lodge that has links to a wildlife reserve and the work of the WWF - as a result it is a bit pricier!

The buildings are made of local materials and set in harmony with natures shapes, totally integrated and the wildlife habitats are literally on your doorstep. Each of the fantastic and spacious rooms has it’s own private and uninterrupted view of the forest outside.

The outside comes inside here, and fallen trees and plants fill the reception and rooms - making it a bit quirky. Almost everything used is from the forests - yet only 4 out of the 570 acres of this pristine wilderness are inhabited by the buildings.

Activities here range from helping out with surveying, planting of indigenous trees, to awareness courses on the natural resources and guided walks. There are thousands of trees, plants, birds, insects and mammals to find in these forests and the funds from your visit will help to make sure that they remain there!

Rincón del Socorro - Esteros del Ibera.

This delightful 12,000 hectare former cattle ranch has been amazingly transformed into a nature reserve by it’s current owners. Using identical resources and techniques they have restored the farm house over 2 years - but adding the modern touch.

Covering both wetland and savannah habitats there will be plenty of places you can just get away from it all by yourself - or get immersed in the whole wildlife packages that the hosts offer.

There are plenty of activities on offer, including horseback riding, canoeing and wildlife watching - and nearly all activities are included in the price so you can make the most of it all. Sit yourself down in the tack room for a traditional drink of afternoon ‘mate’, of wander around the wonderfully restored buildings.

Meals are mainly local and organic and the meat is free-range - well, there is no shortage of land here! Using local traditional foods and gourmet dishes for meals, there is something for everyone, and the local wines will no doubt go down a treat!

posted by Catherine on May 28

I was reading about some of the best Eco Lodges in South America, and 1 name kept reappearing.  This relatively inexpensive resort in the Andes seemed to be winning all the awards and getting all the coverage - so I went to find out more.

The Lodge:
Perched on a mountain-side in the Ecuadorian highlands, this rural idyll couldn’t be better located for you to enjoy this great wilderness without leaving a trail of destruction behind you - only a carbon footprint the size of a baby mouse!

Set on the edge of a deep canyon, within site of a great volcano and high mountain peaks and right next to a cloud forest to boot!

One of ‘The Top 50 eco lodges In The World’ as voted by National Geographic in 2009, one of the ‘Top 10 EcoLodges’ by Outside Magazine. ‘Winner’ of the Ecotourism Awards in 2006, ‘Winner’ of the EcoClub’s EcoLodge Awards in both 2006 and 2008, ‘Highly Commended’ as ‘Best In A Mountain Environment’ by the Responsible Tourism Awards in 2005 and ‘Winners’ of the Sustainable Tourism Awards - need I go on?

Year after year through the past 5 years, this resort is getting awards and excellent customer testimonials!  Just check out the website for all the delightful comments this place receives!

What Do They Offer Then?
The website goes into great detail about all of it’s eco-credentials including the composting toilets, community projects and success stories, organic gardens, 100% vegetarian menus, reforestation activities and so much more - all with great photos of the action and those involved.

They even wrote to the Ecuadorian Government outlining 7 ways to promote and strengthen eco tourism in Ecuador, including using the Internet as a powerful tool, developing education in sustainability and conservation as well as improving waste management and finance packages for private eco-companies.

In their extensive and interesting listings, The Black Sheep Inn writers take the time to recommend local events and markets, local scenery and wildlife as well as locally-run activities to all their guests as well as offering discounts and incentive to guests who arrive by bicycle!  Certainly something not everyone can do if travelling direct from the US for example - but I suppose if you spend a night or 2 in a neighbouring village then arrive on a hired two-wheeler - the discount is yours and the money stays in local hands!

You can even take a peak at their inclusive packing list based on local weather and potential excursions for guests to encourage reduced reliance of western necessities and the excesses that we love!

What’s The Catch?
There is no catch - they are exactly what they say they are and years of awards and customers can’t be wrong!

Their prices are very reasonable and start from just $32.50 per person in shared bunk to £160 for a double room with private bathroom.  All prices include full board, tea and coffee on tap and purified water for all guests as well!  The same price if not cheaper than many standard hotels in the country - or the whole continent!

The longer you stay - the cheaper it gets as well!  By staying there for longer - not only will you save travelling around but you will also get to know the area a lot better and benefit the local communities.  So as a thanks for this, the Black Sheep offers 10% off for nationals, student card holders (ISIC) and the over 60’s, jumping to 15% discount for 4 nights or more.  Kids under 3 are free and under 9’s are half price!

What Else?
The website also allows you to donate to the community with funds or old computers and they are even advertising for a new manager for the EcoLodge itself - so check out the job description (and make sure you are fluent in Spanish) before applying!

What a life that would be!

posted by Catherine on Mar 27

This longer-term volunteer project could be the opportunity of a lifetime!!

There are many short-term opportunities out there for volunteering and fit with most peoples work schedule - but some of the longer-term options will very likely change your life!

Take the following volunteer placement as an example: 12 weeks working in a Safari Lodge in Africa for about the same amount of money (rent, bills and food) that you would be spending back home!

As with all volunteer packages it doesn’t include international flights or other travel arrangements, but everything else while you are there is included.

What Do I Do There?
Well, you will be helping to run the lodge, so it will include general maintenance, working with the guests, helping the local community and enjoying the wildlife of course!  There will be many an opportunity to get close to the wildlife here.

The company involved will plan to speak with you at length before you go so that you are matched up with the best location for your abilities, skills and to a certain extent your preferences.

Naturally, they will not want to waste their time and money and your time and skills by putting you in a location that is beyond your ability or in a country you didn’t want to visit!

And you certainly won’t perform at your best if you really aren’t happy sleeping in a tent and using an outdoor shower! All options are considered carefully to make the best of your time and to get the most out of your trip.

What Else?
The package comes with training in the UK before you leave and 24 hour support the whole time you are away. You even get a small salary to spend whilst you are abroad.  All food and lodgings are included as is on-site training.

All the camps featured are eco-friendly and strive to be responsible locations - for example using local resources and natural energy. These eco-credentials are a integral part of the camp and your experiences and training will allow you to pass on your knowledge and enthusiasm to all the guests that visit during your stay!

Education is a very important part of this trip.

You may also be required to work alongside nature and wildlife teams in removing snares and rehabilitating injured and orphaned animals - which would of course be amazing! 

Many sites also have strong links with local communities, so if this is an area you are interested in or have the skills to teach in your skill set, then this could become the main focus of your trip here.

Getting There & Away:
Depending on the time and season of your eco adventure, they can also offer international travel options, or allow you to make your stop at your safari lodge as part of a larger or worldwide trip.

Why not travel the length of Africa by overland tour bus to get to your lodge and then head down to The Cape afterwards? Or stop-over in Africa as part of your round-the-world journey from India or Australia on your way back home?

The Details:
Holiday Details: Responsible Travel act as the agent
Countries: Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi.
Costs: from £2400 (12 weeks) - depending on location and park fees

I am seriously considering this one myself!  What an experience, and what a story to tell……

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