Are you planning a trip to New Zealand?  Then you may want to add Wellington’s ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience to your itinerary.

Opening in April, one of New Zealand’s newest eco-t0urism attractions will be its new permanent exhibition, “ZEALANDIA: The Exhibition”, showcasing New Zealand’s natural history and conservation movement.

ZEALANDIA was named as one of the top 75 green tourism companies in the world by The Guardian.   In a forested valley, it is home to some of the rarest native New Zealand animals and gives visitors a chance to see  species like the ‘living fossil’ the tuatara and forest parrot the kaka.

Says Nancy McIntosh-Ward, ZEALANDIA CEO:

“It’s a great recognition of ZEALANDIA’s international reputation as a model eco-tourism attraction, and the groundbreaking work we have done to bring many of New Zealand’s rarest species back to the mainland. Being not-for-profit, every single visitor we get makes a real, tangible contribution to New Zealand’s natural heritage. Hopefully they also take away a deeper appreciation of our impact on the natural environment. This ethos is what ZEALANDIA is all about. It’s much more than a showcase of a few iconic wildlife, it’s an experience, an involvement in the natural world. And what’s great is that it’s just minutes from downtown Wellington, it shows what you can do to create a green space in the heart of an urban jungle if you put your mind to it.”

For more info, check out ZEALANDIA online.

Image courtesy of ZEALANDIA

Japanese Macaque, © Mark Brazil

If you’re looking for the perfect eco-tour in 2010, then you might find it with Natural Habitat Adventures.   A member of Adventure Collection and exclusive Conservation Travel Provider to World Wildlife Fund, the company offers all carbon neutral trips.

“Seasonality matters in travel, and eco-tours in particular are dependent on the lifecycles and climates of the wildlife and destinations they visit,” says Natural Habitat Adventures.  “But whatever the season, someplace on the globe is perfect for discovery.”

Natural Habitat Adventures experts recommend these 12 months of  their 2010 nature adventures:

1. January: Wolves and Wildlife of Yellowstone

2. February: Bhutan: Spirit & Nature

3. March: Wild Panama

4. April: Classic Galapagos

5. May: Scotland’s Wild Highlands and Islands

6. June: Family Canyons Adventure

7. July: Hidden Alaska

8. August: Wild Madagascar

9. September: Mexico’s Sea Turtles

10. October: Classic Polar Bear Expedition

11.  November: Journey through Copper Canyon

12.  December: Secluded Botswana

Photo credit: Martin Sammtleben

Are you passionate about travel photography?  Then you may be intrigued by Wild Photography Holidays which specializes in small-group photography holidays and workshops in unique locations in Iceland, northern Spain and India.

The company has just announced its new summer 2010 departures to Iceland.  Its four new Icelandic itineraries are : Southern Contrasts – Glaciers, Volcanoes & Waterfalls; Flowers and Landscapes of the East; Trails of the Deserted Fjords and Highland Exposure.

Says Geraldine Westrupp, co-owner, Wild Photography Holidays:

“Iceland’s young, raw, dramatic landscapes and superb ambient light combine to produce an incredible array of photographic opportunities that are quite simply without equal. By venturing beyond the beaten track, each of our distinctly different and well-paced holidays makes the most of Iceland’s wide open spaces and stunning natural scenery, allowing guests to capture unique images of places that few other visitors have seen.”

Photo credit: Martin Sammtleben

Wild Photography Holidays also plans upcoming northern Spain trips – Mountains, Forests and Villages of the Picos de Europa.

In its Responsible Travel Policy, the company says it’s committed to: “protecting the environment; respecting local cultures ; benefiting local communities; conserving natural resources and minimizing pollution.”

For more info, visit Wild Photography Holidays.

What will be the Top 5 Travel Trends in 2010?

Adventure and luxury travel website iExplore predicts these 5 travel trends:

It’s All About Value. “Bargain hunting will still abound in 2010 as consumers have been trained by the deep discounting of the past two years to seek out the lowest prices—however, in 2010 consumers will be willing to spend if they feel like they are getting a unique experience at a good price.”

Ecotourism Here to Stay. “Not a new trend, but will still continue to play a part in consumer’s travel decisions in 2010—consumers are looking for hotels and resorts that are eco-friendly as well as destinations like Panama, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Belize that offer the opportunity to explore the rainforests, jungles and get back to nature.”

Baby Boomers Taking Experiential Trips. “Over 75 million Baby Boomers in the United States continue to shape trends. This is an active and affluent group and instead of just passing down their money, they are choosing to create lasting memories and spend the inheritance by taking their kids and grandkids on cultural and experiential vacations—hiking the Machu Picchu Trail, African Safari’s and Alaskan Adventures.”

Travel: Not a Game of Risk.  “Due to the uncertain economy and insecurity about jobs and investments, many more travelers are taking out trip insurance in advance of big trips.”

Unique and Customized Itineraries. “The customization trend that is so popular and prevalent in other consumer categories has hit travel. Consumers want truly unique and off the beaten path itineraries that cater to their passions and hobbies—for example: trips to Southeast Asia that focus on photography, cooking classes in Italy or fishing in Argentina with a private guide.”

Are you planning a 2010 trip to Africa?

Then you might be interested in the Gap Adventures Africa Overland program. Recently, the adventure travel company announced it will guarantee all Africa Overland departures through to mid-2010 except for the standalone Kenya and Tanzania Overland trip (DKTO).

The Africa Overland tour network features 40+ itinerary options in nine countries including some 20 new 2010  options.  Among these African destinations are small villages in Malawi; isolated beaches on Zanzibar and adventure spots in Victoria Falls and Jinja.

Says Gap Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip:

“These guaranteed departures provide a fantastic opportunity for our passengers to explore more of Africa’s pristine destinations in the sustainable, authentic manner they expect from us. Adventurers can rest assured that their once-in-a-lifetime journeys to embrace Africa’s beautiful and bizarre wildlife and culture will depart as planned.”

For more info, check out Gap Adventures online.

Image courtesy of Gap Adventures

Adventure travel company Terra Incognita ECOTOURS has announced it’s offering two 2010 departures for its Giant Pandas in the Wild ecotour.

Recently, the company, which specializes in wildlife-focused ecotours, completed the first successful U.S. Giant Panda expedition to the Foping Reserve. In China, there are 50+ panda reserves protecting more than 10,400km² and only an estimated 1,600 giant pandas left on the planet.

Says Terra Incognita ECOTOURS:

“The giant panda is a true icon for endangered wildlife, but today the future of these bears is particularly fragile, as this peaceful mammal faces a number of threats. Its forest habitat in the mountainous areas of southwest China is fragmented, and giant panda populations are small and isolated from each other. Meanwhile, poaching remains an ever-present threat.”

The ecotour allows travelers the chance to learn about the endangered giant panda and see the bears in their natural habitat.  Terra Incognita ECOTOURS also offers daily guided trips to  Xi An, the Shaanxi History Museum, the Wild Goose Pagoda, the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horse Museum and Beijing and the Great Wall of China.

For more info and other ecotours, check out Terra Incognita ECOTOURS.

Image courtesy of Terra Incognita ECOTOURS

Have you ever had to postpone a trip and been forced to pay additional charges?

Gap Adventures has now adopted a new Lifetime Deposit policy which lets passengers postpone trips indefinitely at no extra charge.  The company says it understands that travel plans change and sometimes need to be delayed and listened to traveler feedback.

The adventure tour operator offers 1,000+ small group experiences, safaris and expeditions on all seven continents to more than 100,000 travelers a year.  Its  adventures focus on wildlife encounters, active travel and cultural interaction, ideal for travelers who want to get off-the-beaten track and experience local culture.

In an adventure travel industry first, passengers who forced to delay a departure will now retain their initial deposit with Gap Adventures for life. The no-questions-asked Lifetime Deposit policy allows passengers to save their initial deposits for Gap Adventures for use at a later date.

Says Bruce Poon Tip, founder of Gap Adventures:

“We see this as an opportunity to once again demonstrate our commitment to leading with service and change this industry-standard practice. We understand the needs of our travelers and we feel that providing this extra flexibility will enhance their travel experiences with us. Under the new policy, deposits are also transferable. Our passengers are telling us they need flexibility now more than ever.  This new policy fits in perfectly with our core mission to provide the best customer service in the industry, which is an essential part of the life-changing adventures that our loyal travellers have come to expect from Gap Adventures.”

The original passenger may transfer the initial deposit to another traveler of their choice at no additional charge. They can also donate their deposit to the non-profit Planeterra Foundation – Gap Adventures will then match the value of that donation.

For more details, check out GapAdventures.com.

Image courtesy of Planeterra Foundation

Image courtesy of South Australia Tourism Commission

Fancy voluntouring in South Australia?  No worries, there are lots of available voluntourism projects from contributing to field research on endangered species to taking part in flora surveys on camel back.

Here are several organizations offering voluntourism experiences:

Earthwatch Australia is an organization that involves the public in scientific field research. Volunteers collect data under scientists’ direction and work as expedition members, sharing the costs of the research among them.  On a two-day expedition on Kangaroo Island, they learn about Australia’s most unusual animals and help conserve their ecosystem. Staying at the solar powered Pelican Lagoon Research and Wildlife Centre, they participate with researchers in searching for, radio-tracking, observing and recording the daily activities of the island’s echidnas and goannas.

Conservation Volunteers Australia runs programs throughout Australia where visitors can join, including tree planting, seed collection, endangered species protection, weed control, flora and fauna surveys, walking trail construction, fencing and environmental monitoring. In South Australia, projects include helping researchers build and maintain facilities as well as monitoring little penguins at Pelican Lagoon on Kangaroo Island.

Explore the Outback Camel Safaris is a nature-based educational camel safari operator that offers exploratory tours to discover more about the Australian wilderness and heritage on camel back.  Daily activities can include expedition-style camel trekking and riding; flora and fauna survey and identification; historical research and interpretation; general exploration; camel handling; outdoor adventure camping and navigation.

Saunders Gorge Sanctuary is a 1364ha sheep grazing property that has been converted into an eco-tourism conservation area.  Voluntourists can get involved in the ongoing conservation work and preservation of the natural environment, including local flora and fauna surveys.

Arid Recovery is a community and industry conservation initiative dedicated to the restoration of Australia’s arid lands. The project is centred around a 60km² Reserve located 25km north of Roxby Downs, in South Australia’s Outback.  Opportunities can include volunteers assisting with research and monitoring at the reserve.

Birds Australia Gluepot Reserve is one of Australia’s largest community owned conservation reserves and scientific research centre, located in the semi-arid South Australian mallee. Gluepot is home to six nationally endangered bird species and 17 regionally threatened bird species.  Ongoing special activities which require volunteer input are re-vegetation, malleefowl grid surveys and black-eared miner counts.

Image courtesy of Wild Planet Adventures

Have you dreamed of eco-touring India?

Wild Planet Adventures’ trip Ultimate Wildlife Safari: Leopards, Tigers and Palaces offers a combination of India’s cultural experiences and classic wildlife safaris.

The trip features 5 safaris in different National Parks, by jeep, elephant-back and camel-back, where travelers can experience the sight of wild leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, tigers and more.  Travelers will also explore “the golden-hued desert strongholds of Jodhpur and Jaipur, the magnificent Taj Mahal, the remote villages of Rajasthan and off-the-beaten-track Assam and meet the Bishnois sect of Hindus who revere wildlife as part of their religion.”

For more info, check out Wild Planet Adventures online.

Gap Adventures is increasing its worldwide offerings by 185 new trips in 2010.   The company is featuring dozens of new destinations, a new trip style and an expanded list of activity options.

Here are Gap’s Top 10 New Trips for 2o10:

1. Paris to Prague Adventure

2. Project Kenya and Safari

3. Budget Galapagos

4. Istanbul to Cairo Adventure

5. Thailand Sailing – Koh Phi Phi to Phuket

6. El Salvador Express

7. Mayan Encounter

8. Machu Picchu Adventure

9. Vic Falls to Zanzibar Overland

10. Sail Belize

For more trips, visit GapAdventures.com.