Is Egypt The Latest Ecotourism Destination?

You may not think of Egypt as a particularly eco friendly destination, but with millions traveling to this destination every year ecotourism is becoming increasingly important. Keep reading for all of the amazing ways ecotourism in Egypt is making a big impact. 

What Is Ecotourism?

According to the Rainforest Alliance, “The key principles of ecotourism include minimizing impact, protecting biodiversity, building environmental awareness, and respecting local culture. Typically, the primary attractions for ecotourists are flora, fauna, and cultural heritage.” 

Protected Areas

In recent years, the consequences of environmental degradation caused by massive development along the Red Sea has been brought to the attention of the Egyptian government. As a result, there are a total of 21 protected areas, including St. Catherine protected area, Ras Mohamed National Park, and the Wadi Rayan protectorate making travel to Egypt more eco friendly than ever before. 

Eco Lodges And Resorts

A number of resorts and lodges have begun to participate in eco/sustainable certification programs designed to assess their environmental footprint, these include popular certification programs such as Green Globe Certification and Green Star Certificate Program. So far there are a total of 83 hotels and lodges  in Egypt that have received eco-friendly certification. 

One of the most famous eco-lodge is Basata, which is located on the Red Sea coast. The main goal of this eco-lodge is to create a straightforward and unique form of tourism that has a low impact on both the native inhabitants and the surrounding environment. Basata was built with natural materials, and all waste is used at the camp as either fertilizer or building material. This eco-lodge is certified by Green-Key. 

Eco Tours

Eco tours are becoming increasingly popular. There are even eco tour companies that offer incredible options for ecotourism in Egypt. If you’re wondering how responsible travelers can travel through Egypt, there are several ways to increase sustainability. You can opt to snorkel or dive the Red Sea with an environmentally friendly dive club. These clubs are incredibly careful not to cause harm to reefs while diving. They also give tips to divers on how to help with the preservation of the reefs and the vibrant natural wonders that surround them. Some great options include the Seahorse Dive Club and Camel Dive Club. Check out the Green Fins website for more great eco friendly dive options. Find out more about Red Sea diving by reading Sustainable Red Sea Diving and Eco Initiatives. 

Cruising the Nile is one of the popular tourist attractions in Egypt travel. Of course, it’s easy to find large cruises, but these are not environmentally friendly. If you are interested in cruising the Nile responsibly, you can absolutely take a felucca, an environmentally friendly sailing experience on the Nile. Feluccas are traditional wooden sailboats found on the Nile River that operate without any motors. These are a  calm and relaxed alternative to large cruises, perfect for those wanting to leave less of a carbon footprint. A fantastic felucca cruise can be found at Responsible Travel. 

Not sure where to start? Check out some of the eco friendly tour companies that are surfacing to accommodate Egypt travel. Companies like Eco Travel Egypt offer different eco tours, trips, camping and dives in Egypt. ECO Egypt is another amazing option for planning an eco-friendly travel to Egypt. This campaign aims to connect adventurous travelers with Egypt’s ecological sites and protected areas. It offers suggestions of eco-friendly hotels and lodges, diving centers, and even sustainable Egyptian products. They are certified by Global Environmental Facility (GEF).

Travel to Egypt has never been more sustainable, making it the perfect destination for eco conscious travelers. Ecotourism in Egypt includes initiatives to protect areas of the country and eco friendly lodges and resorts, as well as eco tours. What are you waiting for? Cruise the Nile on a felucca or dive the Red Sea to see the vibrant life beneath the water. 

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