Sleeping in an eco hostel or safari lodge abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is sleeping in an eco hostel or safari lodge abroad like?

• Sleeping in an eco hostel or safari lodge is about staying in a place where nature, sustainability and experience are central.
• Instead of a standard hotel or hostel, the accommodation is often located in a special environment, such as jungle, savannah, mountains or coastal areas. The place where you sleep is not only practical, but an important part of your experience.
• What makes it different is that comfort and luxury are sometimes secondary to sustainability and location. You may have fewer facilities, but you get peace, nature and a unique experience in return.
• Many eco hostels and lodges consciously work:
  • with local materials and sustainable energy.
  • together with local communities.
  • with respect for nature and animals.
• You often also notice that:
  • you start living more slowly.
  • you are more aware of your impact.
  • your environment plays a larger role in your day.
  • silence and nature become more important than comfort.
• In practice, it often feels like a combination of traveling and slowing down, with a positive impact. You are less concerned with “What is the next step?” and more with “Where am I now?”.
• Sleeping in an eco hostel or safari lodge is an experience in itself, a conscious choice and a special way of traveling.

What are the reasons for sleeping in an eco hostel or safari lodge abroad?

• To deepen your awareness of the environment and nature: directly experience how ecosystems work and what your role is in them.
• To better empathize with other ways of living and dealing with nature: see how local communities and accommodations deal with sustainability.
• To deal flexibly with less comfort and other circumstances: adapt to what is there, instead of what you are used to.
• To make conscious choices in how you travel and what you find important: you develop your own vision on sustainability and impact. 
• To be more involved with your environment and experience: you travel less superficially and focus more consciously on where you are. 

What skills and motivations do you need to sleep in an eco hostel or safari lodge abroad?

• Environmental awareness: you understand and respect nature and the way of life at the location.
• Flexibility: you deal with less comfort, different routines and unexpected circumstances.
• Empathy: you are open to local customs and the way nature and community are treated.
• Have courage: you consciously choose a different, sometimes less comfortable experience.
• Being involved: you experience your environment actively and with attention.

What are the best countries and locations to stay in an ecohostel or safari lodge abroad?

• Strong eco and nature experiences: Costa Rica, Peru, Indonesia, Thailand: many eco hostels in jungle and nature reserves.
• Safari and wildlife lodges: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana: safari lodges in the middle of nature reserves, often with wildlife experiences.
• Sustainable and small-scale tourism: Sri Lanka, Nepal, Morocco, Mexico: many initiatives that work together with local communities.

What are the risks of staying in an eco hostel or safari lodge abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

What are the risks of staying in an eco hostel or safari lodge abroad, and what happens with some regularity:

• that you stay in remote areas where access to medical care is limited, which can have a significant financial impact if something happens or you become ill (for example if you have to be evacuated).
• that you will have to deal with insects, animals or natural conditions that you are not used to, which can pose health risks.
• that comfort and hygiene are more limited than expected, which can affect your night's sleep and energy.
• that you are dependent on the organization on site, for example for transport, food or activities, which means you have less control over your own planning.
• that costs can be higher than expected, especially at safari lodges where experience and location often come at a premium.
• that you have to mentally get used to peace, quiet or the lack of distraction, which can be unexpectedly intense for some people.

Are you insured while staying in an eco hostel or safari lodge abroad?

• During activities and trips abroad, the coverage of your own health insurance in your homecountry may be insufficient, or even lapse. See the pages on insuring activities abroad.