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Galapagos Islands National Park Rules

March 21, 2019
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Galapagos Islands offer fabulous Galapagos wildlife and up-close Galapagos Animal encounters and spectacular scenery. The Galapagos Islands are a World Heritage Site due to the many endangered species living there. All visitors must follow rules and protect the environment on the islands.

Galápagos National Park, established in 1959 and beginning operations in 1968, is Ecuador’s first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In Galapagos, only 5 islands have any type of human settlement, which are generally the largest in the archipelago. Since the 1960s, tourism in the Galapagos Islands has exploded, with more than 220,000 annual visitors and this number continues to grow. More hotels are being built and boats being commissioned each year.

The Galapagos National Park regulates immigration and tourism in the entire Galapagos archipelago, very few Ecuadorians are allowed to move there.

What are the Galapagos Islands National Park Rules?

  • Flash photography is not permitted when taking photos of wildlife. Professional photography and videos recorded for commercial purposes must be authorized by the GNPD. Drones are also another photo-taking element that is not allowed according to the Galapagos National Park Rules!
  • Visitors to any protected areas within the Galapagos National Park must be accompanied by a naturalist guide authorized by the GNPD.
  •  Stay on the designated trails at all times.
  •  Do not disturb the animals or remove any native plants or rocks.
  •  Do not transport any organic material into the islands, or from island to island. No plants, rocks, animals or their remains, such as bones, pieces of wood, feathers, rocks,
    sand, corals, shells, or other natural objects should be collect, moved or disturbed. Cooperate fully with all environmental inspection and quarantine officials during your visit.
  •  Avoid approaching the wildlife and keep a distance from them of at least 6 feet (2 meters).
  •  Do not feed the animals as this can cause health problems.
  •  Do not carry food and/or foreign elements into visitor sites.
  •  Do not approach animals that are resting or their nesting sites.
  •  Smoking and/or campfires are strictly prohibited within the Galapagos National Park, as fires poses a serious risk to the flora and fauna of Galapagos.
  •  Cellular and satellite phone use is prohibited in visitor sites.
  •  Do not take or buy any products or souvenirs made from banned substances, including black coral, shells, lava rock, animal parts, or any native wood or vegetation prior to leaving Galapagos. This is illegal and must be reported.

Galapagos turtle
Photo credit: Anthony C / Flickr

  •  Conservation is part of everyone’s responsibility. Our ability to show that we care allows us to become Galapagos supporters and ambassadors of conservation.
  • Dispose of all trash and/or recyclable waste in the designated containers
  • Travel only with tour operators and/or boats authorized to work in the protected areas of Galapagos.
  • Remain on marked trails at visitor sites and respect signs at all times for the protection of wildlife, and for your safety.
  • Camping is only allowed in a few authorized areas in the Islands. Request authorization to camp at the Galapagos National Park’s offices at least 48 hours in advance.
  • Practice “leave-no-trace” principles in order to maintain the beauty of the environment.
  • Fishing is only permitted on recreational tour boats authorized by the GNPD.
  • Motorized aquatic sports, mini-subs, and aerial tourism activities are not permitted in the Galapagos National Park or Marine Reserve.

The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the highest levels of endemism species found nowhere else on earth. Some of them includes the giant Galapagos tortoise, marine iguana, flightless cormorant, and the Galapagos penguin — this is the only penguin species to be found in the Northern Hemisphere.

Learn more about the Galapagos National Park rules and experience the islands in an environmentally conscious way.

Featured photo credit: Paul Krawczuk / Flickr
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Serengeti Tanzania

Serengeti Tanzania

April 27, 2019
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The Serengeti ecosystem is a geographical region in Africa. It is located in northern Tanzania. It was established in 1952 and spans approximately 18,600 sq miles.

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is rich with wildlife, endless plains and it is home to some of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.

The park is known for its huge wildlife populations including lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, and almost 500 bird species. It is ranging from the very large ostrich, the Ashy starling, the Black crake, Ficher’s lovebird, Hartlaub’s turaco, the red and yellow barbet and very small finches. It is consisting of up to 2 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras and 350,000 thompson, impala and grant’s gazelles migrating annually during the great migration from the plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania to the grasslands of the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

There’s a wide variety of accommodation available, from luxury lodges to mobile camps to stay in the Serengeti Ecosystem. Each camp is divided into each of the regions in the Serengeti National Park namely the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Ikorongo and Grumeti Game Reserves, the Maswa Game Reserve and the Loliondo Game Control Area where you will find the Serengeti Ecosystem.
This Serengeti Map you’ll give you more information about the general size and area.

Serengeti

Following the Wildebeest migration from Serengeti National Park to Maasai Mara National Reserve, the best time is December to July. If you want to see the predators the best time is June to October and it’s recommendable to have three or four day’s safari, especially if you are interested in getting the ultimate photography.

Many travelers also visit Northern Tanzania to experience the vibrant Maasai culture in the Ngorongoro Highland, taking day trips to their villages to learn more about this enigmatic person who has lived in the area for centuries.

Popular Tanzania safari activities include safari game drives, walking safaris, balloon rides and local Maasai tribe village tours.

The park is divided into four distinct areas – the central Seronera Valley, the Western Corridor, the Northern Lobo and Kogatende areas, and finally the Southern Plains.

Below is a general description of the Serengeti’s four sections:

  • The Southern plains area of the Serengeti has easy to access and offers a great place to see the herds from about December to March and the calving season in February is particularly rewarding, but wildlife is generally much more scarce during the dry season.
  • The Central Serengeti and Seronera area is most visited as wildlife viewing is good all year-round and it has the most lodging options, but at the same time, it is the most crowded section of the park.
  • The Western area or Western Corridor offers decent wildlife viewing all year round with the migration reaching the Grumeti River around May or June and the river is also a great place to view crocodiles and hippos.
  • The Northern Serengeti area (Kogatende, Lobo, Loliondo)  is the least visited and most remote section of the Serengeti but also offers some of the top luxury camps and lodges in the country. Possibility to see Mara River crossings here around July and August and several camps in the north offer walking safaris and off-road experiences.

Protecting of Serengeti Tanzania

As in many other areas in Africa, the Black Rhino was almost poached to extinction in Serengeti in the 1990s. Because rigid protection measures were put in place, the population of this endangered species grew again.

FZS is continuing its engagement in close collaboration with Tanzania National Parks, by providing critical financial and logistical support

To help ensure the effective long-term protection of elephants, rhinos, and other wildlife, FZS supports the Serengeti park authorities in coordinating anti-poaching and monitoring activities and in improving intelligence gathering capability

Want to learn more about other sustainable destinations? Check our other Sustainable.

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef vs Ningaloo Reef

December 4, 2019
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Australia is home to not one, but two stunning coral reef systems – Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef. Coral reefs deliver ecosystem services for tourism, fisheries and shoreline protection. Barrier reefs are separated from a mainland or island shore by a deep channel or lagoon. A fringing reef also called a shore reef.

Scientists have only just begun to understand how reefs can contribute to medicine, already coral reef organisms are being used in treatments for diseases like cancer and HIV.
The zooxanthellae algae which live symbiotically inside the coral polyp give the corals their amazing colors.
In recent years scientists have discovered cold-water coral reefs off the coast of Norway and deep underwater in the Mediterranean Sea.

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef. The reef contains over 3000 individual reef systems and coral cays and hundreds of tropical islands with some of the world’s most beautiful golden beaches. The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world and the only living thing on earth visible from space.

Activities at Great Barrier Reef:
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  • Hot Air Balloonin­g – experience the beauty of North Queensland by taking an exhilarating Hot Air Balloon trip over the Atherton Tablelands with spectacular views to the ocean.
  • Island Day Trips – explore the reef and rainforest on Green Island Reef island, discover the uninhabited Frankland Island or visit any of the other islands.
  • Low Isles Sailing Cruise – A variety of vessels are on offer including the Santa Maria, Coral Princess and Coral Sea Dreaming
  • Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Flight – Enjoy amazing aerial views flying over the Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef and surrounding islands.
  • Visit Whitehaven Beach – Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach is one of the world’s most unspoiled and beautiful beaches.
  • White Water Rafting – Looking for something new and adventurous and see parts of this region that you might normally not be able to see – try white water rafting in tropical Queensland.

The problem with the Great Barrier Reef is that it could be pretty expensive if you’re traveling on a budget.

You must go on a boat tour to get out to the reef, which most people will only make it out one time during their trip. If the weather or water conditions aren’t great for going out then you are missing the time of your trip. The conditions often aren’t very good, for example for snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef and less visibility.

But for people who want to explore coral reefs there is another, better option – the Ningaloo Reef.

Activities at Ningaloo Reef:

Ningaloo Reef marine life
Photo credit: Michael Sale / Flickr

Ningaloo Reef

Ningaloo is home to the world’s largest fringing reef and it is located just a few feet away from the northwest coastal region of Western Australia. This makes the Ningaloo Reef Australia’s easiest access coral reef experience. It is famous for its whale sharks which feed there from March to June and the reef, which is also rich in coral and other marine life. During the winter months, the reef is part of the migratory routes for dolphins, dugongs, manta rays and humpback whales.

The World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef is one of the longest fringing coral reefs in the world with almost 300 kilometers of unspoiled underwater paradise.

In 1987, the Ningaloo Reef has declared a marine park in order to protect the unique environment and its inhabitants and in 2011, the Ningaloo Reef and Ningaloo Coast received UNESCO World Heritage listing. This Reef is one of the most biologically diverse marine environments on the planet with more than 250 species of coral and over 500 species of fish.

Ningaloo’s hub town of Exmouth is a 1250-kilometer (777-mile) drive north of Perth or you can fly to Learmonth Airport and then rent a car. Alternative you can use Integrity Coach Lines which also travels from Perth to Exmouth.

Rare sea turtle species such as the loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles hatch here in late January and February.
You can swim with Whale Sharks, snorkel and dive the reefs, or just wander along the shoreline exploring the crystal clear waters for an appreciation and close up view of the aquatic world and nature at its premium.

Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, the diving and snorkeling sites of the Ningaloo are right along the coast and the Navy Pier, near the town of Exmouth, is considered one of the best shore dives in the world.

Activities at Ningaloo Reef:

There are many ways you can experience the Ningaloo Reef from above or below the waterline.

  • Whale shark swim – Swim with the enormous whale sharks who arrive between March and July. These massive creatures are not harmful to people. They are the world’s largest fish with spans up to 40 feet long.
  • Whale watching or humpback whale swim tours Between June and November, watch humpback whales or join them for a swim.
  • Watch sea turtle – Between January and February, watch sea turtle species hatch on guided, eco-interactive trails.
  • Scuba diving trips, snorkelling tours – Grab your snorkel and swim through coral lagoons and gardens in a calm and protected coral bay.
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Coral reefs around the world are under increasing stress due to a combination of local and global factors.

Coral reefs are highly sensitive to environmental change. Multiple stressors, in isolation or in combination, may lead to dramatic deterioration that can result in loss of reefs.

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