Nature Tours

Nature tourism is all about visiting natural areas and is closely aligned with rural tourism. Places that nature tourists might visit include beaches, forests, or national parks. Activities focus on the natural environment rather than visiting artificial features; think stargazing and hiking, for example. There are locations right across the globe that are perfect for nature tourism.

Why is nature tourism important?

Nature tourism is essential as it allows people to see and appreciate the beauty of our natural environment. Through this kind of tourism, we can escape the pollution and pressures of city life – it is good for our physical and mental wellbeing to be out in nature, breathing in fresh air and seeing lush greenery or sparkly blue seas. Nature tourism also encourages visitors to take an interest in the natural environment, which may translate to them making a more conscious effort where environmental issues are concerned. This is good because climate change is an ever-present and ongoing issue. Following this, nature tourism gives landowners, local communities and governments more reasons to preserve and care for natural areas. If they know people will come to visit, it is in their best interest to look after these places, and it is an excellent incentive for developing their sustainable tourism provision. Visiting tourists can do wonders for the local community's pride in this way. As with all tourism, natural tourism brings in money. This economic boost trickles down through a whole community; people need places to stay and food to eat, and they want to buy souvenirs. Hikers may need to buy replacement walking boots, and weary explorers will always need somewhere to rest their heads at night. Jobs are created, and economies are boosted through natural tourism in the surrounding areas of specific locations.

What is the difference between nature tourism and ecotourism?

Is nature tourism different from ecotourism? But, yes. They are very similar, but ecotourism is a more specialised branch of nature tourism if we were to define the difference in some way clearly. Nature tourism is about visiting an area – responsibly, yes – rather than actively aiming to learn about the environment and participating in its protection. A nature tourist might visit a beach and admire its beauty, while an ecotourist might join in with a beach clean-up. The lines are blurred, of course, as they so often are when we try to differentiate between types of tourism.

Bird watching

Bird watching is an example of soft nature tourism. People of all ages and abilities can do this, with or without a guide. You need some background knowledge of bird species (or a book explaining them) and perhaps some binoculars. The Gambia is a hotspot for bird watching!

Scuba diving

This is more of an example of brutal nature tourism. It’s much more adventurous and requires specialist equipment, a guide, or a lot of training/experience. Head under the water to see what kind of nature is on display down there: coral, fish, shells, and so much more. It’s subjective, but Barracuda Point in Malaysia is apparently the most beautiful place in the world to scuba dive… and I am a big fan of diving in Dahab, Egypt, too!

Scenic driving

This is another ‘soft’ activity in that it is low-risk and doesn’t require physical exertion. The North Coast 500 in Scotland is an example of a famous scenic drive –a great way to experience nature. From rolling hills to winding rivers, there is so much to see out of the window from the comfort of your car. Another fantastic example is the King's Highway in Jordan, where you will see endless deserts, canyons and incredible rock formations.

Camping

Camping is, again, an example of soft nature tourism. While it’s a little more ‘involved’ than scenic driving, for example, it is still relatively low-risk, and most of us are able to participate. Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand is said to be one of the most beautiful places in the world to camp, with its green landscapes and snowy mountain scenery. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro gives you some fantastic camping opportunities, too—just make sure you buy the best wild camping tent!

Hunting

While controversial, hunting tourism is an example of nature tourism as it takes place in natural spaces. It is one of the tricky categories, as you need special equipment to do so, and it can be pretty dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. It is also often a point of discussion for ethical tourism.

Stargazing

For the most part, this is a very safe activity and falls into the soft category again. Guided tours are available in all of the best stargazing locations, such as El Teide National Park in Tenerife, and it has even spawned its tourism branch. This is known as dark sky tourism, and many examples of activities fall within this. They include stargazing alongside seeing the Northern Lights, watching an eclipse, astronomy tours, and staying in accommodations that offer a clear night sky view, such as glass domes.

Bushwalking

This can be dangerous because it involves going off the beaten track and walking through bushes or rough ground. Therefore, we can categorise this as brutal nature tourism; it is something you would do when hiking and gives you a bit of an adrenaline kick!

Visiting parks

One of the easiest and most common forms of nature tourism is visiting a park. Whether this is a UK national park or your local green space at home, visiting a park is a definite example of this type of tourism. You’ll see birds, insects, flowers, trees, grass and more. Stroll, cycle through or sit and eat a picnic surrounded by nature.

Fishing

Fishing falls between the soft and hard categories. You do need specialist equipment, but with most types of fishing, there is little to no risk to life involved. But you need to be in nature—by or even on a lake or river—to do it, so it definitely counts as a form of nature tourism. People have been fishing for years for food gathering, but it is also a recreational hobby many enjoy.

Kayaking

This is another middle-of-the-road activity. Although kayaking can be dangerous, it usually isn’t—you’ll often have a guide with you, and of course, specialist equipment (the kayak) is required. It’s an enjoyable activity that many people enjoy!

Beaches

You can visit a beach and do… nothing! This is still an example of nature tourism, as beaches are natural environments. Bali has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and tourists flock there to relax and soak up the sunshine. Beaches are also usually near bars and restaurants, and you might find people doing beach yoga or watching the sunrise/sunset. Thailand even has all-night moonlight beach parties. They are versatile and beautiful locations!

Cycling

Again, this is another activity that could be considered hard or soft. It depends on where you go. A gentle bike ride along a specific cycle lane through a park differs from mountain biking in harsh terrains. It’s all about the level of ability you have and what risks you’re willing to take. But cycling is a great way to get out and about in nature. It is also a low-cost and eco-friendly activity, which makes it a winner from many angles.

Nature tours

These tend to be longer than many activities mentioned above, which you may do regularly but for a few hours at a time. Nature tours are days or even weeks-long trips out into the wilderness with nature and wildlife experts. You might travel by air or train or go on a cruise, and your guide will be on hand to point out every aspect of nature there is to see. These nature tours will take visitors to some of the most beautiful destinations, such as trekking in Chiang Mai, Croatia, seeing the glaciers in Iceland and Alaska, and gazing at the best waterfalls in Finger Lakes. They’ll set you back a fair bit, but the memories you’ll make seeing bears, waterfalls, and glorious sunsets will more than makeup for it!