Zanzibar, the notorious 18th century slave-trading island, is attracting slaves of a different kind these days. Chumbe Island Coral Park, just 8 miles from Zanzibar is a magnet for ecotourists.

The first privately managed marine park in the world, 24 hectares of pristine coral rag forest and reef, has 7 luxurious, palm thatched ‘Eco-bungalows’ overlooking the sea. Following eco-ethos, even when fully booked this recognized global leader in ecotourism and ‘2001 Green Hotelier of the year’ is never crowded.

Park rangers monitor illegal fishing, coral bleaching, lead school excursions and act as snorkeling and trail guides. The island is home to the rare Coconut Crab, the largest crab on earth.

Solar power heats the filtered rainwater, you wash with locally produced organic soaps and what looks like a regular toilet is actually an ‘eco-toilet’ which prevents pollution of the marine environment. The restaurant serves up a mix of Zanzibarian, Arabic, Indian and African dishes for both vegetarians and carnivores.

Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd, P.O.Box 3203, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Tel & Fax +255-(0)24-2231040; From £100 per person per night
Email: info@chumbeisland.com
Web: www.chumbeisland.com

Wrap up warm for clear winter days or bask on long summer nights at Birch Pond Lodge in Alaska's secluded Sustina Valley. Birch and Spruce trees shelter the lodge, which borders the 22,000 acre Alaska State Park with views over the nearby Talkeetna Mountains and Mt. McKinley some 100 miles away.

Visitors can arrive by bus, car or shell out £94 and take the round trip by floatplane from Lake Hood in Anchorage to your cabin doorstep.

2 comfortable Eco-cabins, one constructed of ‘Beetle killed’ Alaska White Spruce, are kept cozy in winter with heating fuelled by dead wood from the forest. Further accommodation is available in the main lodge. Cabins are equipped with sanitary composting toilets. Solar panels are used in the summer months.

Hiking up glacier carved valleys, skiing in the winter months and canoeing are big draws. Wildlife buffs have good chances of spotting Moose, otter, lynx, beaver and bears. Feeling peckish? Get in the kitchen and learn how to make birch syrup.

Birch Pond Lodge, P.O. Box 370, Willow, AK 99688
Email: BirchPnd@pobox.alaska.net

Web: www.birchpondlodge.com/
Phone: 907-495-3000; fax: 907-495-7663
Cost: £142 per person per day with a 2 day minimum stay (full board & activities included)

©2003 Graham Holliday

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