17 of the Best Eco Lodges in the World

From pristine beaches to spectacular mountain vistas, these boutique eco resorts from the new book Authentic Ecolodges by Hitesh Mehta offer unforgettable experiences, while leaving a light footprint. By Brian Clark Howard

Chumbe Island Ecolodge, Tanzania

Everyone deserves a vacation, and there are more accessible destinations to choose from than ever. Luckily, there are also many wonderful "green travel" options that reduce environmental impacts and promote the well-being of host ecosystems and communities, not to mention provide guests with life-changing experiences.

The new book Authentic Ecolodges by Hitesh Mehta is a beautiful celebration of some of the world's most innovative and exciting ecotourist destinations, from the highest mountains to the balmiest coasts. Quite literally the settings of dreams, these eco lodges inspire a better way of living on the Earth.

According to Mehta's book, just south of Zanzibar Island is Chumbe Island Coral Park, Tanzania's first marine-protected area and one of the world's most diverse reefs. Chumbe Island Ecolodge supports the local community and provides good jobs for women, which is rare in that part of the world.

Chumbe's seven bungalows are self-sustaining, with solar lighting, natural passive cooling, graywater recycling, composting toilets and "eco-showers" of filtered rainwater. A stay on this island paradise is as low-impact as it is unforgettable.