Responsible wildlife-watching holidays
Here are five responsible wildlife-watching holidays from guerilla watching in Rwanda to bird-watching in Peru.
Seabirds on Skomer Island, Wales
The National Nature Reserve of Skomer Island off the Pembrokeshire coast is one of the best places in Britain to view seabirds, especially puffins. Farmhouse accommodation (www.welshwildlife.org/skomerIntro_en.link) is managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales with tourist income put towards the island’s conservation. Ferry info: www.dale-sailing.co.uk; 01646 603110
Wolves, Sweden
Track wolves and stay out overnight in a traditional lavvu tent (the Sami version of a tipi) stopping off en route to hear about the work of the Grimsö Wildlife Research Station - Sweden´s leading research centre for predators such as Lynx, Brown Bear and Wolf. www.naturetravels.co.uk, 01929 463774
See Peru’s national bird
Few must-see birding experiences can be as easy as seeing the daily appearance (at dawn and dusk) of Peru’s national bird, the splendid male Cock-of-the-Rock, just 20-minutes’ walk from your cabin in the Pampa Hermosa Reserve in the heart of the Peruvian jungle where a ban on tree-felling has meant the birds are thriving. www.pampahermosalodge.com; +51 225 1776
Elephants in Wilderness SafariDesert elephants in Namibia
In the remote north-west, home to local Himba communities, track the elusive desert elephant, and gain insight into the cheetah and leopard conservation work of the AfriCat Foundation. Proceeds support Save the Rhino Trust. www.steppesdiscovery.co.uk; 01285 643333 (Left: Desert elephants. Photo: Steppes Discovery/Wilderness Safaris)
Gorilla watching, Rwanda
Get up close to these majestic beasts with an experienced guide from Rwanda Eco-Tours who trips are managed by a local Rwandan who was awarded a young conservationist prize by the IUCN for his work in turning gorilla poachers into tourism guides. www.rwandaeco-tours.com, +252 500 057.
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This article, by Richard Hammond, was first published in the February issue of Geographical magazine, available in WHSmith and many independent newsagents. Subscribe online or order your copy by calling +44 (0)1795 414 881
See also The Responsible Traveller: responsible wildlife watching
