DESTINATIONS NATURE | SUSTAINABLE TAVEL
LIKE THIS? COSTA RICA
Nature is at the core of Costa Rica’s appeal. Conserving the country’s 500,000 wildlife species – from hummingbirds to howler monkeys – is top priority, with a quarter of the country designated as protected land. Key draws include the Arenal Volcano and its lush surrounds, complete with mineral springs and the cloud forests of Monteverde (which translates to ‘green mountain’).
BELIZE
WHY GO: English-speaking Belize is known for its 185-mile barrier reef – the world’s second largest – but more than half of its land is nature reserves and protected parks. Here’s where to send clients who dream of spotting wildlife, from birds to big cats.
THE HIGHLIGHTS: Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve, the only reserve on the planet devoted to this big cat species, is thought to support the densest population of jaguars in the Americas. The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary wetlands offer a habitat
for birds including kingfishers, while the nearby Mayan Lamanai ruins can be accessed by boat through thick, ancient rainforest. Belize’s own Sustainable Tourism Certification Programme
is in the works. To take the pressure off natural dive sites, a new wreck dive site, The Witconcrete, was created, providing another place to see manatees, turtles, manta rays and dolphins. The tourist board has also launched a Belize Specialist
Programme training with OTT, including a module on marine life. BOOK IT: Responsible Travel has a Belize 14 Day Holiday, starting at £2,750, based on departures in April-November. Price includes accommodation, meals, in-destination transport but not flights.
responsibletravel.com
TRY THIS SOUTH AFRICA
Alongside world-class wine and cosmopolitan Cape Town, South Africa’s major pull is its vast, varied landscapes. Kruger National Park is home to 147 animal species, from hippos to warthogs, and of course all the big five. Other must-sees in the country are the dramatic Blyde River Canyon and the coastal Garden Route.
NAMIBIA
WHY GO: Namibia was the first African country to write environmental protection into its constitution, helping to increase lion, rhino, cheetah and zebra populations. Landscapes include woodland savannah and ethereal deserts.
THE HIGHLIGHTS: The red sands of the coastal Namib Desert stretch along the length of the country. It comprises the NamibRand Nature Reserve, whose dunes and rocky canyons are home to gazelles, hyenas, wild cats, antelopes and desert elephants. Stargazers will enjoy its clear skies: NamibRand has been named Africa’s first Dark Sky Reserve. Many tours take in Etosha (‘great white area’), set across
the continent’s biggest salt pan. Lions, leopards, giraffes, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos and zebras all live in the national park. On the coast, Pelican Point is a prime spot for kayaking out to meet marine life, including bottlenose dolphins. BOOK IT: Wild Frontiers has a 15-day Adventures with Purpose: Namibia trip from £5,795, for departures between September and April, including all meals, transport and accommodation, but not flights.
wildfrontierstravel.com
TRY THIS
LIKE THIS?
travelweekly.co.uk
28 SEPTEMBER 2023
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PICTURES: Shutterstock/SvartKat,
christianthiel.net, milosk50, Belikova Oksana; Renee Altrov; Morenovel/
Dreamstime.com
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