Top 30 Sustainable Travel Companies and Conscious Destinations Around the World

Travel isn’t just about where you go. It’s about how you show up.



And for conscious travelers, the journey begins long before takeoff. It starts with questions: Who benefits from this trip? What impact will I leave behind? Is there a better way to travel?

At Mang’ola Life, we believe travel can be a healing act—for the earth, for others, and for ourselves. We are a sustainable travel company based in Tanzania, our regenerative safaris connect people with place, community, and purpose. And we're not alone. Across the globe, more and more travelers are choosing meaningful experiences over mass tourism.

Here, you'll find a curated guide to the best sustainable travel companies and destinations. Let this be your compass to move through the world with intention.

What is a sustainable travel agency?

A sustainable travel agency is more than eco-marketing. It’s a company that bakes ethics into every part of your journey. These are the folks who:

• Offset or reduce carbon emissions
• Hire and empower local people
• Work with communities, not around them
• Preserve nature, instead of extracting from it
• Design low-impact, small group experiences

Many are also certified by:

• B Corp (social and environmental performance)
• GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council)
• Rainforest Alliance (environmental sustainability)

But certifications aside, the most important thing is their actions. Sustainability isn’t a logo—it’s a daily practice.

How to pick a sustainable travel destination

Where you go matters just as much as how you go.

Choosing a destination isn’t just about stunning views—it’s about understanding the footprint you leave behind and the ripple effect you create.

Here’s what to look for when selecting a destination that aligns with your values:

• Places that protect biodiversity
  Think of destinations that take conservation seriously—like national parks, marine reserves, and community conservancies. These areas aren't just beautiful; they're critical habitats for endangered species and ecosystems. Your visit can help fund their protection—if done right.
  
  
• Regions with overtourism policies
  Ever been somewhere that felt more like a photoshoot than a place? Truly sustainable destinations have limits: permits for treks, daily visitor caps, or timed entry to fragile sites. These aren’t inconveniences—they’re signs the place is respected and protected. (Example: Bhutan’s “high-value, low-impact” tourism model.)
  
  
• Destinations that center local & Indigenous communities
  Choose places where the culture isn’t just displayed—it’s lived. Where you can learn directly from locals, eat at family-run restaurants, and contribute to businesses that actually stay in the community. Look for tours led by Indigenous guides, or lodges that reinvest profits into local education and healthcare.
  
  
• Encourage slow travel
  Avoid the “5-countries-in-10-days” mindset. Sustainable destinations make space for longer stays, deeper learning, and fewer flights. Spend more time in fewer places—it’s better for the planet and way more fulfilling.

Travel companies around the world

These are companies that don’t just offer trips—they offer transformation. Whether you're dreaming of diving into coral restoration, trekking through mountains with Indigenous guides, or waking up in a solar-powered ecolodge surrounded by wildlife, these travel brands go beyond tourism. They invite you into experiences that give back—to people, to planet, and to your own sense of purpose.

1. Mang’ola Life

Rooted in Tanzania, Mang’ola Life curates regenerative safaris grounded in ancestral knowledge, conservation, and meaningful community exchange. Every journey is designed to reconnect travelers to the land and themselves, while directly supporting local education and sustainability efforts.

2. Intrepid Travel

B Corp-certified and carbon-neutral, Intrepid is a global leader in ethical small-group travel. Their experiences are immersive, often led by locals, and champion low-impact tourism with a strong emphasis on supporting women-owned businesses and grassroots projects.

3. G Adventures

At the heart of G Adventures is community tourism. Their "G for Good" initiatives reinvest in local economies by supporting social enterprises, Indigenous communities, and underrepresented entrepreneurs across the globe.

4. Byway Travel

Byway crafts no-fly, slow travel itineraries across Europe using trains, ferries, and scenic walking routes. Their carbon-positive trips are all about discovery through movement—with less stress and a deeper sense of connection.

5. Responsible Travel

More than a travel agency, they are advocates for justice in tourism. They vet every experience for authenticity and ethics, and even publish honest reviews and critique the industry’s shortcomings. Transparency is part of their DNA.

6. Adventure Alternative

This mountaineering and trekking company blends adventure with ethics. Beyond leading awe-inspiring climbs, they invest in community infrastructure, education, and healthcare where they operate—especially in Nepal and East Africa.

7. Gondwana Ecotours

Specializing in intimate, eco-minded experiences—think gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Alaska auroras—they partner with Indigenous guides and conservationists to ensure every trip leaves a positive footprint.

8. Seacology

Seacology links your travel experience to direct environmental action. Every booking supports island-based conservation efforts like preserving mangroves, coral reefs, and building schools in exchange for local protection.

9. Natural Habitat Adventures

In partnership with the WWF, these wildlife expeditions focus on minimal waste, education, and immersive animal encounters—from polar bears to elephants. All trips are 100% carbon offset and thoughtfully designed.

10. Earthwatch Institute

Perfect for the science-curious traveler. Join real research teams in the field—tagging sea turtles, monitoring glaciers, or documenting biodiversity—while funding critical environmental studies.

11. Regenerative Travel

This platform gathers boutique hotels and lodges that go beyond sustainability by healing ecosystems and empowering communities. Every stay becomes a contribution to something larger.

12. Context Travel

Context offers deep-dive cultural experiences in cities around the world. Led by chefs, historians, and local academics, their walking tours are small, slow-paced, and centered on meaningful human exchange.

13. Kind Traveler

Their “Give + Get” model connects travelers with vetted hotels and local charities. A portion of your booking directly benefits community programs, wildlife conservation, and mental health initiatives.

14. Lindblad Expeditions

These small-ship ocean adventures integrate science, education, and sustainability. Their partnership with National Geographic adds extra layers of learning and conservation to each trip.

15. BIO HOTELS

With a network of climate-neutral, organic hotels across Europe, BIO HOTELS is a pioneer in green hospitality. From alpine retreats to city escapes, every detail is designed with health and the planet in mind.

16. Undiscovered Mountains

Focused on sustainable adventure in lesser-known European regions, they support local economies, reduce group sizes, and invest in environmental restoration.

17. Above Safaris

This East African tour company champions conservation through community engagement. Their tours include visits to women’s education initiatives, local conservation projects, and ethical wildlife encounters.

18. Audley Travel

A tailor-made travel company that prioritizes local partnerships and eco-conscious choices across all continents. Their curated trips are luxurious without being wasteful.

19. Charitable Travel

With commission-free booking, they redirect profits to charitable organizations. You choose where your funds go—from reforestation to refugee support—every time you book.

20. JORO Experiences

Luxury travel, reimagined. JORO creates bespoke journeys rooted in sustainability, conservation, and purpose. Ideal for travelers who want exclusivity and impact.

21. Fairbnb

An ethical alternative to Airbnb. Half of your booking fee goes directly to community projects, such as youth empowerment, local farming, or heritage preservation.

22. Green Getaways

A trusted directory of eco-retreats, lodges, and sustainable accommodations around the world. From Australia to Iceland, every stay is vetted for its green practices.

23. Contiki’s Sustainable Travel Options

Contiki’s “Travel With Purpose” program offsets carbon, reduces single-use plastics, and incorporates local experiences to introduce young travelers to sustainability early on.

24. Earth Changers

A purpose-first travel platform connecting people to trips that support education, conservation, and social justice. Think of them as eco-matchmakers for conscious explorers.

25. The Long Run

Their members meet rigorous 4C criteria: conservation, community, culture, and commerce. This global collective includes some of the most thoughtful lodges on Earth.

26. EcoCamp Patagonia

Iconic domes in the Chilean wilderness powered by renewables and built with minimal impact. Ideal for those who want raw nature without sacrificing comfort.

27. Black Tomato’s Eco Journeys

Known for luxury experiences, Black Tomato now offers tailor-made journeys with a sustainability angle—from low-carbon flights to supporting local conservation.

28. Journey Latin America

In-depth, cultural travel through South and Central America. Their team prioritizes long-term relationships with local communities and minimizes environmental impact.

29. OneSeed Expeditions

Adventure travel company that reinvests 10% of every trip into microloans for women entrepreneurs. Trek, climb, or bike with purpose.

30. Wild Philanthropy

Focused on African safaris that fund conservation directly. Your trip helps maintain wildlife corridors and support vulnerable communities.

*Disclaimer: While all these companies incorporate elements of sustainability, the depth and approach vary. We encourage travelers to explore each one’s mission, impact, and partnerships to ensure they align with your values. Conscious travel isn’t about perfection—it’s about informed, intentional choices.*

Need help finding more sustainable experiences and destinations?

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to conscious travel. Whether you're craving culture, adventure, rest, or reconnection, there’s a better way to explore the world.

At Mang'ola Life, we craft regenerative safaris that slow you down and bring you closer to what matters.

Check out the best sustainable safaris around the world

Safaris don’t have to harm. They can heal. Look for:

• Community-based lodges
• Low-impact transport
• Wildlife conservation efforts
• Cultural exchanges led by local guides

Want to start with one you can trust? Explore our Tanzania Life Expedition

Let your journey mean something

The future of travel isn’t about ticking off landmarks—it’s about making each step matter. It’s about connection over consumption, and stories over souvenirs.

You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need to start with intention.

Choose the kind of journey that fills your soul and gives back—to communities, ecosystems, and the future of this planet.

Let your next trip be more than beautiful—let it be meaningful.

Start your sustainable adventure with Mang’ola Life—a travel company rooted in purpose, community, and regeneration in the heart of Tanzania.

Because how you travel… becomes part of the story you tell the world.