1. EMPOWERING LOCAL COMMUNITIES
From the Galápagos to Madagascar and the polar regions, G Adventures has partnered with the Jane Goodall Institute to offer 20 wildlife-focused tours where funds go directly into protecting wildlife and empowering local communities. G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip has long been honoured as a visionary travel industry leader who is changing the face of travel for the better. Take a 12-day tour through Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda on wildlife safari drives to spot big cats (cheetahs, leopards and lions) with opportunities to visit a Maasai village and learn about this nomadic culture. You’ll also get a chance to visit G Adventures for Good projects like the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre, which provides education and vocational training to women so that they can gain better employment opportunities. gadventures.com/jane-goodall
2. CONNECT TO COUNTRY
There are few places where you will feel such a strong connection to the landscape as South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. This 95,000-hectare national park, with its 17-kilometre-long sunken natural amphitheatre, Wilpena Pound, is nothing short of humbling. Advanced ecotourism-certified Wilpena Pound Resort is the only accommodation within the park and there is nothing but nature on your doorstep. Spend your days with Adnyamathanha guides listening to traditional stories of the land; discover ancient rock art, gorges and canyons; and watch the dramatically changing colours of the landscape at sunset. You’ll leave with a whole new appreciation of both the land and the Indigenous peoples who call this place home. wilpenapound.com.au
3 Howe amazing
When you’re seven million years old, it takes a lot of work to stay looking good. Lord Howe Island, 600 kilometres off Australia’s East Coast, has not only preserved its alluring good looks, it’s commanding the South Pacific catwalk, proving beauty is more than skin deep. This tiny island is a leader in sustainable development, and its conservation practices are the world’s envy. Lord Howe Island is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed location surrounded by a Marine Park, and has some of the planet’s rarest flora and fauna. But, preserving it
