Mongolia, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Georgia, Tanzania, India, Indonesia, Peru and South Africa: Top Eco-Friendly and Community Tourism Destinations for Travelers Seeking Authentic Experiences Travel And Tour World
Mongolia, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Georgia, Tanzania, India, Indonesia, Peru and South Africa: Top Eco-Friendly and Community Tourism Destinations for Travelers Seeking Authentic Experiences
Published on September 21, 2025
In an increasingly globalized world, travelers are looking beyond the typical tourist attractions, seeking experiences that contribute to the local welfare and community development. Community tourism offers a unique opportunity to engage with local cultures, support women’s empowerment, and make a positive impact on the destination’s economy and environment. From staying with herding families in Mongolia’s vast Gobi Desert to exploring the rich heritage of Morocco, these community-based travel experiences provide an enriching and immersive way to explore the world. This form of tourism not only allows you to connect with authentic cultures but also enables you to contribute directly to community welfare and preservation efforts.
Whether it’s staying at eco-friendly hotels run by women in Sri Lanka or hiking through the farms and rice paddies of Bali, every journey can leave a lasting impact on both the traveler and the communities visited. The following list highlights the best community tourism experiences around the globe, offering visitors the chance to participate in local traditions, support sustainable initiatives, and make a difference through their travel choices.
Stay with a Herding Family in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert
Destination: MongoliaTrip Type: Community-based travelDuration: 5 daysTour Provider: Eternal Landscapes
In the vast and rugged Gobi Desert, travelers can stay with herding families, experiencing their daily life amidst the stunning steppes. Eternal Landscapes offers a unique chance to immerse in the traditional Mongolian nomadic lifestyle. The Erdenedalai Explorer trip allows guests to experience life in the “Middle Gobi,” a remote area often overlooked by tourists.
Support Local Communities: The tour is designed to empower women by employing female trip assistants and supports local welfare projects in the region.Cultural Experience: Along with visits to the capital Ulaanbaatar, guests can experience local projects working to improve the community’s lifestyle.
The tour, starting at $1,045 per person for a group of six, offers a chance to visit parts of Mongolia that remain untouched by mainstream tourism, contributing to sustainable travel in the region.
Hotel Run by Women in Sri Lanka
Destination: Sri LankaTrip Type: Women’s empowerment through tourismHotel: Amba Yaalu
Nestled within a mango plantation on the banks of the Kandalama Reservoir, Amba Yaalu is Sri Lanka’s first hotel fully staffed and managed by women. Opening its doors in January 2025, the hotel’s mission is to promote gender equality by providing employment opportunities for women, many of whom have historically sought work abroad.
Empowerment Focus: The hotel provides a platform for local women, empowering them to manage various aspects of the hospitality industry.Immersive Experiences: Guests can enjoy activities such as cooking classes, village visits, and more, contributing directly to local women’s livelihoods.
Rooms at Amba Yaalu start from $120 per night, offering an eco-friendly, immersive way to experience the vibrant culture and traditions of Sri Lanka.
Discover Morocco’s Rural Villages with Intrepid Travel
Destination: MoroccoTrip Type: Community-led travelTour Provider: Intrepid TravelDuration: 11 days
Experience South Morocco with Intrepid Travel’s South Morocco Discovery adventure, which takes you deep into the Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains. This journey offers numerous community-based experiences, including visits to local women’s cooperatives producing argan oil outside Essaouira and stays with Amazigh families in Tafraoute.
Cultural Immersion: Visit a women’s cooperative in Essaouira and explore the Amazigh culture of the Atlas Mountains.Sustainable Tourism: The tour provides direct benefits to local communities, creating a positive economic impact through visits to family-run businesses.
This £662 trip is not just about sightseeing—it’s about fostering connections with communities and supporting women’s initiatives in Morocco.
Serengeti Safari with a Clean Cookstoves Initiative in Tanzania
Destination: TanzaniaTrip Type: Community-based adventureTour Provider: G AdventuresDuration: 12 days
For those seeking an adventure that combines wildlife and sustainable development, the Serengeti Safari and Zanzibar trip offers a visit to the Masai Clean Cookstoves project. The project replaces traditional, hazardous cooking stoves with clean, eco-friendly models, improving health and reducing carbon emissions in rural areas.
Community Impact: The project employs women engineers who install clean stoves across 60 Masai villages.Wildlife and Culture: Enjoy a safari in the Serengeti and explore Zanzibar, all while contributing to a sustainable, community-driven initiative.
The £2,649 package includes a mix of camping, safaris, and cultural experiences that directly benefit local communities.
Preserving Traditional Customs in Georgia
Destination: GeorgiaTrip Type: Social enterprise and community tourismTour Provider: Wild FrontiersDuration: 13 days
Georgia’s wild landscapes and rich cultural heritage are preserved through the Tusheti region, a UNESCO-protected area managed by the Tushetian people. This 13-day community-led trip by Wild Frontiers offers an immersive experience, including stays in local villages and visits to social enterprise projects that empower locals and preserve traditional customs.
Cultural Preservation: Learn about ancient winemaking traditions in Kakheti and visit Nukriani Workshops, where local crafts are preserved.Sustainable Travel: The tour helps support the Tushetian community’s efforts to preserve their landscape and way of life.
The £3,090 tour provides an authentic cultural experience while promoting sustainability and community development.
Village Life in Peru’s Rukha Ayllu Project
Destination: PeruTrip Type: Responsible tourismTour Provider: Valencia Travel CuscoDuration: 14 days
In the Andes, the Rukha Ayllu project supports 25 families in the village of Huilloc, bringing much-needed revenue through responsible tourism. Visitors can stay with local families, learning about traditional weaving and local food, and engaging in tree planting activities that support environmental sustainability.
Cultural Exchange: Guests learn about traditional weaving and food preparation while engaging in tree planting to support the community.Improved Infrastructure: The project helps improve the village’s infrastructure and provides income through tourism.
The $2,607 trip, which includes meals and accommodation, allows guests to experience authentic Peruvian culture while supporting the local community’s development.
Volunteering with Children in Ghana
Destination: GhanaTrip Type: Volunteering and community engagementTour Provider: Gap360Duration: 2–12 weeks
The Ghana Teaching and Childcare Project offers a meaningful way for travelers to give back by teaching and caring for local children. Volunteers live with locals and contribute to youth development programs while experiencing Ghanaian culture firsthand.
Community Support: Spend between 4 to 6 hours a day working with children, while also engaging in local activities and exploring Ghana’s national parks and beaches.Immersive Experience: Gain a deeper understanding of Ghanaian culture through direct interaction with local communities.
Volunteering packages start at £599 for a two-week stay, including accommodation and meals.
Hiking Through Bali’s Regenerative Farms and Paddy Fields
Destination: BaliTrip Type: Ecotourism and community hikingTour Provider: Astungkara WayDuration: 10 days
Astungkara Way is an 85-mile hiking route through Bali’s rice paddies and farms, designed to boost community tourism and support regenerative farming. Hikers can stay with local farming families and participate in various daily activities that promote sustainable agriculture.
Farm-to-Table Dining: Enjoy organic meals produced by local farmers while staying with families along the trail.Supporting Regenerative Practices: The project helps promote regenerative farming practices that benefit both the environment and local communities.
The 4-day Tree to Waterfall hike costs approximately £276 per person and supports sustainable tourism and agriculture in Bali.
Dinner in a South African Township
Destination: South AfricaTrip Type: Cultural immersion and community diningSocial Enterprise: Township and Village
In the Western Cape, Township and Village offers an authentic dining experience in the Kayamandi township, where guests can enjoy a traditional Xhosa meal in a local family’s home. The project also offers guided walks, djembe drumming sessions, and an opportunity to engage with the local community’s rich history and culture.
Cultural Immersion: Engage in cultural activities such as drumming and learn about the area’s turbulent history.Economic Empowerment: Your participation directly benefits the local economy and supports community-based tourism.
Enjoy a three-course meal for 550 rand (~£23) and contribute to a social enterprise that’s empowering local communities in South Africa.
Conclusion: Supporting Local Communities Through Meaningful Travel
These community tourism experiences showcase how travel can go beyond personal enjoyment and contribute to local welfare, gender equality, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. By choosing these immersive and responsible travel options, tourists can help empower local populations, support sustainable practices, and foster meaningful cultural exchange. Whether staying with herding families in Mongolia or volunteering in Ghana, each of these trips offers a unique opportunity to make a difference while enjoying some of the world’s most beautiful and culturally rich destinations.