How Country Walkers Guests Are Supporting Sustainable Travel in 2022

Sustainability is one of the most challenging issues among travelers and tour operators alike. This Earth Day, we want to celebrate the many ways you—as a Country Walkers guest—help us support responsible travel.

Naturally, walking has its own benefits in reducing your carbon footprint. But we all know it takes more than a hike to positively impact the world around us. And we know that doing good is also about supporting cultural and community preservation. The Country Walkers Sustainable Travel Committee works to identify and develop initiatives that have a positive impact on the environment, culture, health, education, and economies in the places where our guests visit. This dedicated group of volunteers also champions larger scale global support and smaller yet significant community programs right in our own Vermont backyard.

A portion of your trip cost goes toward all our initiatives. So by traveling with us, you’re supporting efforts in sustainability all over the world.

Here are just a few of the initiatives you help support by traveling with us:

Wild Pacific Trail Society (WPTS) 

Helmed and staffed by members of the Ucluelet First Nation tribe of British Columbia, the WPTS works to promote, expand, and maintain nature trails that lead walkers to some of the most breathtaking coastal and forest vistas on Vancouver Island. More than this, they strive to create educational programs that illuminate the natural and cultural treasures of the Ucluelet Peninsula on the island. Follow in their footsteps during our British Columbia: Vancouver Island Walking Adventure.

Ujubee 

The entire world benefits from bees. The South African researchers and educators of Ujubee—and its affiliate, Caretakers of Millifera Bees, or COMB—work to learn what these often-misunderstood insects need to stay healthy. They do much more than produce honey and build hives. They pollinate the world’s crops and interact with the ecosystem in innumerable and critical ways. To that end, Ujubee has created educational bee gardens, including one at Boulder’s Beach, where our guests visit. See what all the buzz is about during our South Africa Safari: The Cape & Kruger National Park tour.

South West Coast Path Association 

England, of course, is renowned for its walking trails. Some of the most scenic are in Cornwall, where the South West Coast Path cuts a graceful route along a scenic coast. The trail was laid by the coastguard years ago in an attempt to spot smugglers in the bays. Today, this walker’s paradise is maintained for future generations with meager government funds and generous grants and donations acquired and administered by the Association. You can experience the results of its commitment during our England: The Cornwall Coast Self-Guided Tour.

Nakatindi Village Bike Shop

In Africa, Country Walkers gives back to the communities that so generously host us. Mostly rural and subsistence-based, they welcome our guests into their school, hospital, and bead shop. Getting around can be a challenge for some people who live here, and opportunities for women are limited, so we’re proud to support the Chipego Bike Shop, run entirely by an enthusiastic group of women. You’ll visit Nakatindi and meet the bike mechanics during our Botswana & Zambia: Victoria Falls to the Okavango Delta Walking Adventure.