Top 5 Ecotourism Destinations in 2020

Human encroachment is a problem that continues to threaten the survival of some endangered species in areas of high biodiversity. Eco-tourism was started to protect these species while allowing access to outsiders. It is a type of tourism that not only aims at conserving the natural environment but also at empowering communities that live around these areas. Eco-tourism began in 1901 with Sierra`s club outing program, whereby members would go on annual hikes so that they could be active workers in the preservation of the environment. The money you spend on these Eco-tourist sites goes directly into their conservation and, helping the communities around them. Want an adventure to escape the cold nights of the coming winter in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic is over? Here are some of the best tropical Eco-tourist destinations I would suggest you visit. Most of the places I have chosen places are in the tropics so it’s a bet you will have sunny days on your vacation this December holiday.

Seated in the middle of the Congo basin, Rwanda hosts a good share of tropical rain forests in Africa. The Rwandan rain-forests have been home to the endangered silver-back mountain gorillas. If you want to see King Kong in real life, you should go to Rwanda. The male silver back gorillas stand up to 6 feet tall and can weigh up to 400 pounds. The species is endangered because of poaching for its rare hide. Conservation efforts have however been put in place to prevent the complete annihilation of the species from the phase of the earth. Ecotourism has employed thousands of people from the neighboring communities of the Volcanoes Mountains National Park. While still in Rwanda, you should make an effort to visit the Nyungwe Mountains Park where you will marvel to see the chimpanzees. Nyungwe Park boasts of 1000 species of animals, including 300 species of birds and 13 species of primates. It is a haven for any photographer who wants to capture photos of rare mammals in their natural habitat.

The Lewa conservancy in Kenya is the best eco-tourist destination when you go for a safari to Kenya. Lewa boasts 14% of the total population of Black Rhinos in Kenya, which is about 600. The high demand for the Black Rhino horn by the Asian market saw an increase in its poaching. Lewa Conservancy in Kenya took the initiative to save the Rhinos from the brink of extinction. There were about 20,000 Black Rhinos in Kenya alone in 1983. Lewa also hosts some of the big five namely, the lion, the elephant, the giraffe, and 400 species of birds. To see the rest of the big five, the cheetah and the leopard, visit Ol Pejeta conservancy. Ol Pejeta was home to the last remaining Northern White Rhino in the globe, Sudan. It is now home to the two remaining female members of the subspecies. While still in Kenya, you will have missed out on a great adventure if you don`t visit the Majimoto hot spring on your way to the famous Maasai Mara National Park. It is a three-kilometre drive from Kenya's capital city, Nairobi. Majimoto is an Eco-tourism site where you camp with the Maasai community as you learn their way of life. You can also enjoy a long natural hot bath in the clear hot springs of Majimoto. If you are bored with the green carpets of Kenya`s inland vegetation, consider taking a trip to the sandy coastal beaches. The warm weather and cool breezes at Diani beach in Mombasa will make you wish you never had to go back home. There are also loads of traditional cuisines in the coastal region of Kenya that you should try out.

The south islands of New Zealand host the Hector and Maui dolphins, the smallest and most playful in the world. It is estimated that there are only 1200 hector dolphins surviving today and, they can only be found in New Zealand. Akaroa harbor, a marine reserve, serves as an entrance for these dolphins. You can find them in the harbor basking and swimming away on a sunny day. You will be thrilled by their playful nature when touring the waters in a boat. To get closer to the action, diving sessions are offered by local companies at the beach. You can also enjoy a cool sunbathe in the nearby Akaroa beach while you sip a margarita. When you have had your share of fun at the beach, you should consider traveling to the boiling mud pools of Wai o Tapu wonderland.

Ever seen a humpback whale in real life? If no, you should visit the Ballena National park in Costa Rica and see these beautiful mammals. The whales come to the coast of Costa Rica between December and April every year to mate before returning to the North. The stretches of coral reefs also attract Iguanas which come to feed on the algae. Snorkeling and deep-sea diving are a tourist favorite at the islands of Las Tres Hermanas which surround the Ballena Island. While at Costa Rica, you should visit the Corcovado National Park which has 13 ecosystems. It is one of the areas of the greatest biodiversity in Central America. You can savor your eyes to the pleasure of watching some of the rarest species on the planet including; Baird's tapirs, the Harpy eagle, the Red-backed squirrel monkey, and Jaguars. The 23 kilometers beach stretch will leave you delightfully tired, after which you can take a cold swim under a waterfall in the rain forest. There are other Eco-tourists sites in Costa Rica such as the Arenal Volcano Mountain National Park, Cano Island, Tabacon hot springs, and the Monte Verde Cloud National Reserve.

The island country of Sao Tome e Principe is an Eco-friendly destination you ought to visit as you trot around the globe. It has little to offer other than its majestic natural forests and golden sandy beaches. You can enjoy epic hikes and mountain biking as you listen to the crashing waves on the Northern coast. The coast of Sao Tome e Principe is an important turtling nest and, you can find four species of turtles here. There are also several species of exotic birds like the Giant Sunbird and the Principe Kingfisher which are endemic to the archipelago. When you are done with hiking, you can enjoy the traditional cuisines such as Feijoada (bean stew with Pork or fish) with a chocolate dessert. Sao Tome e Principe is a leading cocoa exporter and, you bet the chocolate is good.