22 Mar 2022
Tags: Sustainable Travel, ecolodges, ecolodge, Sustainable, Luxury Travel, #luxuryhotel
Original Travel has seen a rise in demand from clients wanting to switch out bigger brand hotels in favour of community lodges - properties that are owned and run by the local community.
This trend is very in keeping with Original Travel's Travel Less, Travel Better concept, which was launched in response to an appetite to make travel a more meaningful experience. Staying at a community lodge not only immerses the visitor into the local area, but enables them to support it, knowing that their money is directly contributing to the local economy.
Tom Barber, Co-Founder of Original Travel, says: 'Over the years, we have worked with many community lodges, including Il Ngwesi in the Laikipia region of northern Kenya. Generally considered as the pioneer for the community lodge idea, Il Ngwesi is somewhere I have visited many times, and it's a wonderful “proof of concept” that's now being taken up around the world.
'Since launching Travel Less, Travel Better, we have seen an increased desire by clients to spend their holidays wisely. This has manifested in many ways – going away less often but for longer, or opting for slow travel, are just two examples – but consciously staying in community lodges is perhaps the most exciting as it's so mutually beneficial. The visitor enjoys a much more rewarding and memorable experience and the communities can get back on their feet after an incredibly hard two years. It's win-win and we're very happy to play a role in it.'
This award-winning ecolodge near the Mararoi hills in Laikipia District opened in 1996, when the local Masaai elders made the critical decision to stop cattle ranching on one area of their land, build a high quality eco-lodge and reintroduce game species. The wonderful result is constructed entirely out of local materials and supports six Maasai villages with education, health and livelihoods projects by providing jobs and business opportunities through the lodge, new tourist activities and anti-poaching patrols. Profits from the lodge contribute towards secondary and university school fees and provided funds for local school buildings, health personnel and buildings, along with buying more land for grazing. A partnership with VSO Jitolee in Kenya empowers many local women to start their own businesses to produce beadwork for local and national markets. The lodge has six rooms, with an open layout to experience nature at the fullest. Some rooms offer opportunities to view wildlife or to sleep out under the stars. Enjoy the chance to witness a range of birds and animals at the waterhole supplied by a nearby spring to enjoy peace and quiet.
Prices from £4,565 per person, based on 2 sharing and including flights, transfers, 11 nights' B&B accommodation and guided activities. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Kasbah Toubkal in Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Located in the village of Imlil and in Toubkal National Park, the Kasbah is set below Jebel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. This is the perfect place for peace and seclusion as there is a shared belief that the beauty of the National Park should be accessible to all who respect it. The hotel was built and is run by the local Berber community and has 17 rooms along with a beautiful garden and terraces to gaze out at the surrounding mountains. Enjoy yoga classes and hikes through the villages and mountain. The Kasbah has been awarded a slew of awards for services to sustainable tourism. Staying at this lodge provides the community the ability to preserve the environment, support the local populations and specific NGOs such as Education for All, a charity that enables young girls from local villages to pursue their education by providing scholarships and boarding houses.
Prices from £1,470 per person, based on 2 sharing and including flights, transfers, 8 nights' B&B accommodation and guided activities. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
This camp is a model of ecotourism owned by the Himba tribe, Namibia's last semi-nomadic people. To stay here is to learn about fascinating Himba culture and appreciate the stark landscapes of one of the world's oldest deserts. Serra Cafema is one of the most remote camps in southern Africa, with just eight chalets crafted from wood and thatch. Activities include boating on the Kunene viewing Angola's mountains, exploring the dunes by foot or in game vehicles spotting a range of animals.
Prices from £6,685 per person, based on 2 sharing and including flights, transfers, 13 nights' B&B accommodation and guided activities. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Located close to the Pakaraima Mountains, Surama Eco-lodge is managed and conserved by the local Makushi Amerindian community. The lodge's cooks, farmers, drivers, fishermen, construction and maintenance workers are all recruited locally. The small village welcomes visitors and offers more than a place to stay. Children and local guides from the Makushi Amerindian community can show guests around the village, neighbouring wildlife, forest and grasslands. Along with accompanying guests on hikes, river canoe expeditions and visits to community schools and traditional events. There are eight circular huts with private bathrooms. There is no hot water but there is no need for it given the warm climate, along with the chance to detach from technology as there are no TVs or internet.
Prices from £3,055 per person, based on 2 sharing and including flights, transfers, 13 nights' B&B accommodation and guided activities. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Based in Yasuni National Park, the Ecuadorian Amazon, Napo Wildlife is the perfect spot to experience indigenous culture. The Kichwa Añangu people employ a sustainable eco-tourism model and re-invest all proceeds back into community projects including renewable energy, education, and health care. FAP Fundacion Amazonia Productiva is an Ecuadorian non-profit foundation that supports sustainable ecological and social development projects to find alternatives for forgotten local families and communities. The lodge helps generate economic development, generating jobs, food for generations and the regeneration of natural resources. The centre has 20 cabins. Take part in learning more about the Kichwa Añangu community at the cultural centre, learning about ancestral customs and traditional practices. There are a range of activities from canoe excursions and kayaking to bird tours.
Prices from £5,470 per person, based on 2 sharing and including flights, transfers, 11 nights' B&B accommodation and guided activities. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Haida House, Canada
Marvel at British Columbia's north coast where Haida House is committed to protecting the beautiful nature and land. The lodge is 100% owned by the local Haida First Nations community and offers an authentic Haida Gwaii experience from cultural and heritage programmes, immersive eco-adventures and regional cuisine with a variety of fresh seafood and local seasonal vegetables drawn from inspiration of the land, forest and sea. Haida cultural values are reflected everywhere, ensuring career opportunities for indigenous Haida citizens, along with strengthening the economy. As proud stewards of the community, locals are guided by the concept of Yahguudang, this means respect for all living things and the interdependence that binds the two using nature as inspiration. Haida Tourism properties are Sustainable Tourism Gold Certified. The lodge has 10 rooms along the ancient forest and Tlell River that can house up to 22 guests. Around the property lies 50 acres of river and the serene ocean at the front door, along with a fruit orchard and forest trails. The package includes 3 nights at l'hermitage in Vancouver, a Granville Island foodie tour and private Vancouver art tour followed by 4 nights 'Discover' package at Haida House in an oceanfront.
Prices from £5,800 per person, based on 2 sharing and including flights, transfers, 7 nights' B&B accommodation, meals and guided activities. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
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For more information contact:
020 3582 4990
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Notes to Editors:
Original Travel curates tailor-made itineraries, crafted by destination experts, to 77 countries worldwide from Anguilla to Zimbabwe. Since its launch in 2003, it has created 50,000 itineraries, each unique and adhering to the company ethos that “Life is in the Detail”.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Original Travel launched a flexibility pledge that allows clients to change their dates or destination up to 30 days prior to departure. For new bookings made before 30th April 2022 and for departures until 31st December 2022, while you still need to pay a 20% deposit at the time of booking, your final balance is now not due until 30 days before travel (this is usually 60 days). We will also offer you the full flexibility to change the trip up to 30 days prior to departure. You can, for any reason, change your destination to any other, and to any date up until the end of 2022, and there will be no charge. For all bookings where we cannot fulfil the trip due to changes in travel restrictions, we will postpone your trip - again at no charge - to any departure date until the end of 2022, or offer credit against any future departure, or refund all monies paid.
Original Travel is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Ltd, who are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and who offer a brand new travel insurance policy that includes cover for cancellation or curtailment of a trip due to contracting coronavirus, or through being quarantined or refused permission to travel due to infection or suspected infection. This insurance policy is only valid for travel to countries where there is no FCDO advice against all but essential travel. Full details can be found on a new section on Original Travel's website, entitled 'Coronavirus Confidence'.
Original Travel also has its own specialist dive division. Original Diving is the world's only luxury dive travel outfit.
Three of our consultants were recognised in Conde Nast Traveler's 2022 Travel Specialists list, including Co-founder Tom Barber as family specialist, Jacqui Brooks as Indonesia specialist and Oliver Rodwell as Mexico specialist, giving an excellent snapshot of our expertise.
Original Travel clients enjoy a wealth of additional services they would not find with any other UK tour operator, including:
- Access to a network of 70-plus Concierges who live locally, know their destinations inside and out and are extremely well-connected. They lend fantastic ground support, offering insider recommendations, facilitating any last-minute changes and troubleshooting.
- A brace of additional services designed to make departure easier than ever. Every Original Travel client, regardless of whether they're off on a long weekend to Seville, or a multi-destination sabbatical, will enjoy UK airport meet and greet, fast track UK check-in, fast track UK security*, lounge access and pre-booked flight seats. There are also upgrade options to include: a luggage transfer service from your home to the airport; fast track check-in and security and lounge access on your flight home; fast track through immigration on your return to the UK.
- The knowledge that not only will Original Travel absorb the carbon footprint of their international flights, but also - in an industry-first - car-hire and transfers, and other flights (even if booked independently).
- The knowledge that they are contributing to Our Foundation, which supports nearly 100 humanitarian projects in 30 developing countries. To date, nearly £1.5 million has been invested to support five key areas: child protection, vocational training, economic development assistance, preservation of cultural and natural heritage and safeguarding the lifestyles of indigenous peoples.
