Fogo Island Inn, Canada ©Alex Fradkin

Positive Impact Properties

When done responsibly, travel can have a real, long-lasting positive impact on the world; on the local communities, wildlife and environment, as well as us as travellers. By staying at the properties below, you can support incredible and often pioneering work whilst, of course, coming away with your own memories and a great holiday. 

The following list isn’t exhaustive, but rather another example of how travel can be a force for good. Look out for our green Positive Impact boxes across our property pages on our website.

Anjajavy, Anjajavy
Anjajavy, Anjajavy, Madagascar
Sifaka in tree, Anjajavy, Madagascar
Anjajavy, Madagascar
Kids playing, Anjajavy, Madagascar
Anjajavy, Madagascar
Baobab trees, Anjajavy, Madagascar
Anjajavy, Madagascar
Anjajavy, Anjajavy
Anjajavy, Anjajavy, Madagascar

Anjajavy

In a country battling rampant deforestation, Anjajavy stands head and shoulders above other properties when it comes to conserving Madagascar’s threatened habitats. Its conservation centre trains and employs guides, rangers and trackers. The aim is to prevent forest fires, tackle poaching and eliminate illegal logging, whilst also raising awareness of environmental issues in the neighbouring communities.

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Outdoor dining, Grootbos private nature reserve, Garden Route, South Africa
Grootbos, South Africa
View from Lodge, Grootbos Forest Lodge, Hermanus, South Africa
Grootbos, Hermanus, South Africa
View from Suite Lounge, Grootbos Forest Lodge, Hermanus, South Africa
Grootbos, Hermanus, South Africa
Suite Lounge, Grootbos Forest Lodge, Hermanus, South Africa
Grootbos, Hermanus, South Africa

Grootbos

Positioned between mountain and sea, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is 2,500 hectares of wilderness showcasing the flora of the southern tip of Africa. The reserve was established to conserve fynbos, an evergreen fire-adapted vegetation type that occurs in nutrient poor soils. Making up 80% of the Cape Floral Kingdom – the smallest of the six floral regions in the world – fynbos is incredibly diverse. There are over 9,500 species of plants and flowers occurring in the area, of which over 6,200 are endemic.

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Private Beach Dining, Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia
The Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia
Pool Villa, Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia
The Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia
Main Pool, Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia
The Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia
Beach Villa, Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia
The Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia
The Datai, Aerial view, Langkawi Island, Malaysia
The Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia

The Datai

Immersed in rainforest within sight of the unspoilt Datai Bay, this conservation-minded property has established its own ambitious trust to focus on positively impacting the local environment, wildlife and community. As part of this, The Datai has made a commitment to fully embrace recyclable, reusable and biodegradable materials. They have partnered with sustainability NGO Sahabat Alam to achieve this, with the ambitious aim of eventually ensuring no waste at all is sent to landfill.

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Shinta Mani Wild, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia
Shinta Mani Wild, Kirirom National Park, Cambodia
Shinta Mani Wild, Tent Interior, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia
Shinta Mani Wild, Kirirom National Park, Cambodia
Shinta Mani Wild, Tent, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia
Shinta Mani Wild, Kirirom National Park, Cambodia
Shinta Mani Wild, Waterfall Restaurant, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia
Shinta Mani Wild, Kirirom National Park, Cambodia
Shinta Mani Wild, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia
Shinta Mani Wild, Kirirom National Park, Cambodia

Shinta Mani Wild

Positioned on the southern edge of Cardamom National Forest, this beautiful tented camp sits within a private nature sanctuary. Owing so much to the idyllic natural environment that surrounds it, Shinta Mani Wild has invested in ensuring the long-term survival of this ecosystem. The camp entirely funds a dedicated Wildlife Alliance ranger station, which deals with everything from collecting snares and arresting poachers to confiscating illegal logging equipment.

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Bedroom, Gal Oya Lodge, Gal Oya National Park, Sri Lanka
Gal Oya Lodge, Gal Oya National Park, Sri Lanka
Gal Oya National Park, Sri Lanka
Gal Oya National Park, Sri Lanka
Elephant, Gal Oya National Park, Sri Lanka
Gal Oya National Park, Sri Lanka

Gal Oya Lodge

On the edge of the remote Gal Oya National Park, Gal Oya Lodge is acutely aware of the lure of poaching for the local community. They have worked hard to engage with poachers, training and employing them in order to provide an alternative source of employment. The lodge currently employs three ex-poachers and also offers a fully-funded naturalist training programme to school leavers, with the hope that this will encourage future generations to embrace tourism rather than poaching.

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Alladale Estate, Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom
Scotland
Bedroom interior with double bed with checked cover, white walls and grey headboard.
Scotland
Dirt track leading to stone single storey cottage surrounded by undulating green hills an mountains against blue sky.
Scotland
Valley in autunmal colours with track leading to cottage and mountains behind.
Scotland
Rear view of three people walking along a track surrounded by autumnal, mountainous landscapes.
Scotland
Close up of brown and black striped wild cat.
Scotland
Shaggy orange highland cow with horns staring straight at camera with others stood in background.
Scotland

Alladale Wilderness Reserve

This beautiful Scottish wilderness is home to just three exclusive-use lodges and is renowned for its rewilding programme, spearheaded by owner Paul Lister. Since he has owned Alladale, 900,000 trees have been planted and red squirrels have been successfully reintroduced. These projects have made huge strides in restoring the reserve to its natural habitat, paving the way for the long-term ambition to reintroduce bears and wolves.

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Fogo Island Inn, Canada ©Alex Fradkin
Fogo Island Inn, Canada ©Alex Fradkin
Fogo Island view from Marconi site, New Foundland, Canada
Canada
Fogo Island Inn Rooms ©Alex Fradkin
Fogo Island Inn, Fogo Island, Canada
Iceberg, Fogo Island, Newfoundland, Eastern Canada
Iceberg, Fogo Island, Newfoundland, Eastern Canada
Fogo Island Inn ©Alex Fradkin
Fogo Island Inn, Fogo Island, Canada

Fogo Island

Dramatically positioned on a rocky outcrop on Fogo Island, off the Newfoundland coast, this inn is remarkable for more than its location. Operated and owned by Shorefast, a registered charity, it is an entirely not-for-profit venture, having been constructed through philanthropic support. This means that all funds generated can be reinvested back into the local community or go towards supporting Shorefast’s charitable projects. 

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Pacuare Lodge, Canopy Suite, Rio Pacuare, Costa Rica
Pacuare Lodge, Rio Pacuare, Costa Rica
Rafting, Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica
Rafting, Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica
River Suite Bungalow, Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica
Pacuare Lodge, Rio Pacuare, Costa Rica
Rafting rapids, Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica
Rio Pacuare, Costa Rica

Pacuare Lodge

Tourism provides valuable jobs in developing areas, often helping incentivise local communities to reject more harmful sources of income. The jungle hideaway of Pacuare Lodge is an excellent example of this, with an explicit focus on only employing local people. In fact, whilst 1 in 5 jobs in local communities close to the lodge is directly linked to tourism, Pacuare Lodge provides an impressive 70% of these jobs.

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View Our Positive Impact Holidays


We have chosen to align our vision for Positive Impact Travel and in particular our holiday ideas with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Not only do these goals offer a comprehensive guide to solving the challenges facing our planet, but they act as a focal point for all of us to rally together and support as one. Look out for our UN SDG boxes on our holiday ideas across the website, showing you the impact you can make in destinations such as Kenya, Rwanda, India and the Galapagos Islands.

Jaguar, Belize
Jaguar, Belize
Sunrise over Jungle, Sri Lanka
Kandy, Sri Lanka
Aerial view of a river delta with many tributaries and jungle covered islets at sunset.
Mekong 4,000 islands, Laos
Kids swinging on vine, Cameroon
Cameroon

Positive Impact Travel

At Steppes we believe in the power of travel as a force for good. This is fuelled by our continuously unwavering mission to inspire, guide, and enable you as a traveller to have deeper, richer, and more connected experiences on your journeys with us.

We are firm believers in the idea that as a traveller, once you are able to explore our world you will have the privilege of being an ambassador for differing species, their environment and global communities. It is our responsibility at Steppes to showcase how best to connect worlds and help you leave a positive impact for generations to come.

Make a positive impact

Thoughts. Opinions. Experiences

Ala Kul Trek, Arashan Gorge, Kyrgyzstan
Sustainability
A changing world requires changing behaviour
Jarrod Kyte
A year ago, in January 2023, the headline on the front cover of The Week was stark: ‘Crisis in the Alps.…
Feeding baby elephant, Reteti Orphanage, Kenya
Sustainability
The Steppes Travel Fund For Female Guides
Jarrod Kyte
Gender equality is a fundamental human right and as articulated by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, ‘a necessary foundation for a…
Keel-Billed Toucan, Costa Rica
Stories
Costa Rica: The gold standard for sustainability
Clare Higginson
Mañana es ahora. Tomorrow is now.  This is a sign I’ve just seen whilst travelling here in Costa Rica. Even Los…
Waves on the shore
Sustainability
It’s B Corp Month!
Justin Wateridge
This month, March, is B Corps Month. It’s the time of year when B Corps from every corner of the globe…
Two bonobos sat in grass, Democratic Republic of Congo
Opinion
Footprint vs Handprint
Justin Wateridge
There is rightly much focus on the carbon footprint of our travels, in particular that of flying. Conversely, there is not…
Tea plantation, Nyungwe, Rwanda
Sustainability
Reflecting on the last year, with a look to the future
Jarrod Kyte
Between September 2021 and September 2022, we have supported organisations and projects who focus on female education and renewable energy -…
New saplings Brigg, Scunthorpe
Sustainability
Back to Brigg – Revisiting our tree planting project
Jarrod Kyte
At the end of 2018, some of the Steppes Travel team made the journey north to Brigg to kickstart our tree-planting…
Land iguana, Galapagos Islands
Sustainability
Paying a Fair Price for Nature – Galapagos Park Fees
Jarrod Kyte
The world’s natural assets are undervalued. One doesn’t have to look too hard to see evidence to support this statement: rainforests…
Morning River Cruise, Amazon Rainforest
Sustainability
We’re B Corp Certified
Steppes Travel
At Steppes we believe in the power of travel as a force for good. This is fuelled by our continuously unwavering…
White-tailed eagle or sea eagle, Scotland
Travel
Nature’s guardians on Scotland’s west coast
Jarrod Kyte
While endangered flapper skates will never be the poster boys of conservation, the beautiful marine environment they inhabit on the Argyll…

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

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