The Best Ecotourism Holidays in Africa
Dreaming of an African escape? Travel with a clean and green conscience on one of these Culture Trip adventures.
The African tourism industry relies heavily on its nature and wildlife, and it’s so crucial that travellers choose eco-friendly holidays to help preserve it. Thankfully, ecotourism in Africa exists on many levels all over the continent – from camping out under the stars in the Sahara to supporting grassroots initiatives in remote communities. Sign up for one of these small-group adventures with Culture Trip, all of which align with our responsible travel commitments, to make your ecotourism holiday in Africa a reality.
Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripLooking for an expert's perspective?
Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
CentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.Next
CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea. Next
CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different. SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.Next
SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon. Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Next
Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers. Next
Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers. Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Next
Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise. Next
Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price Africa
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Next
Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt. Next
Epic Morocco
You’ll be immersed in culture and natural beauty from day one of this 11-day overland journey through Morocco. You’ll start by exploring Casablanca, Chefchaouen and Fes, and you’ll get invaluable cultural insight in the latter, when we go for a home-cooked dinner with a local family. Next up is the Sahara, where we’ll stop by a remote Gnawa village to learn about their spiritual music and dance, before heading to a luxurious desert camp for the evening. We’ll spend a night wine tasting and stargazing, before rising early for a sunrise camel ride. Up in the Atlas Mountains we’ll go on a guided hike and settle down for lunch with a local family before heading to our final destination, Marrakech, where an authentic Moroccan cooking class awaits.
From US$2369
Next available from 10th Feb 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Casablanca, Morocco
ENDS AT
Marrakech, Morocco
DURATION
11
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Splendid South Africa
With so much natural beauty and so many endangered species to protect, it’s no wonder South Africa is a leading example when it comes to ecotourism. This 11-day group adventure starts in Cape Town, where we’ll embrace the city’s diverse range of communities by visiting locals in Langa, the oldest Black African township in the city, as well as going for a Cape Malay cooking class in the Bo Kaap district, home to a historic Muslim-South African community. The trip also includes an ascent of Table Mountain for breathtaking views over Cape Town, the chance to kayak with penguins around the Cape Peninsula and a road trip into the Cape Winelands for a vineyard tour. You’ll explore the beautifully preserved Tsitsikamma National Park, before we spend two nights at a luxury lodge on Gondwana Game Reserve. Witness and learn about the ecosystems and wildlife that make South Africa so unique across up to four game drives during your time here. In your spare time you can also use mountain bikes to explore the area or go on guided birdlife and fynbos tours.
From US$2899
Next available from 3rd Feb 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cape Town, South Africa
ENDS AT
Cape Town, South Africa
DURATION
11
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Immersive Kenya
An eco-friendly holiday to Kenya is the stuff of bucket lists and this eight-day group tour takes you into the heart of world-renowned wildlife habitats such as the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park. When you’re not spotting the Big Five on game drives, you’ll be engaged in other ecotourism-based activities – such as visiting a giraffe sanctuary and multiple tribal cultural centres near Nairobi. You’ll have the chance to visit a local school in the Maasai Mara – you’re welcome to bring equipment and supplies for the kids – as well as spending a day at a rural Maasai village, where you can learn about tribal life by helping out with daily routines and embracing traditions of beadwork, food, music and dance.
From US$2959
Next available from 10th Mar 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Nairobi, Kenya
ENDS AT
Nairobi, Kenya
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Ultimate Egypt
We’re always trying to find ways of making our trips more sustainable, especially when it comes to the transport we use – check out our Rail Trips for an amazing collection of train-based itineraries, including one from Madrid to Morocco. Our Egypt trip isn’t part of that collection, but it does use alternative methods of transport to avoid long drives across the country. Having already explored Cairo and the ancient wonders of Giza, we’ll make the long journey south to Luxor via an overnight sleeper train. After one night at a hotel on the bank of the Nile, we’ll spend the rest of the trip using a river cruiser to go from Luxor to Aswan, stopping off to explore souks, tombs and temples, as well as a kayaking excursion down the Nile itself.
From US$2239
Next available from 23rd May 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cairo, Egypt
ENDS AT
Aswan, Egypt
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Additional words by Gethin Morgan.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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