Help
eco-lodges — English
Places where eco-tourists can visit and find accommodation and sustenance while enjoying nature (see “destination”). In the strictest sense of eco-tourism, such places should have no impact at all on the environment. This implies no electricity, no vehicular travel, no permanent built structures, no noise and definitely no creature comforts such as air conditioning, and a strict ban on personal items such as deodorants and cigarettes. Hiking trips in natural areas with no modern conveniences come closest to the true eco-tourism ideal, while highly controlled, exclusive, small-group, extremely expensive day-tours to the Galapagos Islands do in fact attain the ideal. However, most eco-tourists are people from high income brackets and do not really wish to “rough it” when they enjoy nature. They expect top-class hospitality and luxury accommodation. The so-called eco-lodges, of which there are hundreds all around the world, offer the well-heeled tourist with very deep pockets five-star accommodation, all modern conveniences and every luxurious creature comfort imaginable, and it all comes at a very steep price. By means of game drives, specially appointed look-out points, and luxurious hides the guests can observe nature and wildlife without foregoing any of their customary comforts. To the credit of the eco-tourism industry as a whole, there are some eco-lodges who make a commendable attempt at having as little as possible impact on the environment. Some of the eco-lodges in the Okavango Delta of Botswana, and some of the top-rate South African establishments are examples of note.
