As some destinations around the world struggle with overtourism, many travellers are vowing to ensure their holidays are a force for good.
Preserving land and water for the betterment of the environment and of the communities that live in wildlife-rich destinations not only benefits those places directly but also helps to preserve beautiful spots for tourists to continue visiting in the future.
Several organisations offer conservation-based trips that give travellers the chance to get close to nature and leave behind a positive mark. Here are five of the best to bookmark for 2025.
Tag sharks, turtles and manta rays in Belize
Travellers can experience what it’s like to be a tropical marine biologist on a trip to Belize from February 22 until March 1 run by MarAlliance Expeditions. The central American adventure involves a dive near Ambergris Caye – the country's largest island – to tag and measure sharks, manta rays and turtles.
MarAlliance Expeditions, a company set up by marine conservation scientist Rachel Graham, provides training so that travellers help conduct snorkelling surveys, launch underwater cameras and more. The data collected will be used to learn more about the habitats and marine life.
Track pangolins, rhinos and elephants in Kenya
A wildlife extravaganza in Kenya run by Extraordinary Journeys is a chance to contribute to conservation efforts. There are opportunities to get up close and personal with elephants in Buffalo Springs National Reserve, working with the Save the Elephants charity. In the Maasai Mara National Reserve, travellers accompanied by park rangers can track pangolins, check camera traps and participate in a game drive in search of big cats.
At the Lewa Wilderness, one of Kenya's oldest and most private safari ventures, visitors will be on the trail of endangered black rhinos. In Tsavo East National Park, there is an opportunity to join rangers in the hunt for super tuskers – African elephants with tusks that weigh upwards of 45kg. Trips are available from June to October or January to February.
Repair and rebuild hiking trails in Patagonia
One of the world's most exceptional ecological parks, Torres del Paine in Patagonia boasts wildlife like guanaco, Andean condors, pumas and huemul deer. Under the shadow of South American mountains and glacier peaks, travellers can help to protect the fragile environment on Conservation VIP's 12-day trip from March 23 until April 3.
Travellers, who must be able to hike 6km a day, will help rebuild hiking paths, clip vegetation and remove rocks. There will also be a chance to experience the best of Patagonia, spotting icebergs while boating across Lago Grey and hiking to the granite monoliths that give the Torres del Paine park its name.
Study whales, dolphins and turtles in the Azores
Atlantic Ocean treasures can be studied in the Azores archipelago on a conservation adventure run by Biosphere Expeditions from March 29 until April 7. Participants will join researchers on a catamaran to track and photograph sperm, blue, fin and humpback whales, plus bottlenose and Risso dolphins.
The data will be used to assist conservation and management strategies. If conditions allow, travellers will also get the chance to spot loggerhead turtles, trapping, measuring and tagging them. Accommodation is provided in a guesthouse on Faial Island.
Protect baby turtles in Panama
The Mariato community on the Pacific Coast of Panama's Veraguas works hard to conserve nesting sea turtles. Volunteers can join locals and researchers at the Tortuga Marina and stay in a small house inside the sanctuary. There, they will take part in midnight beach patrols to collect newly laid eggs before relocating them to safe nests where they will be protected from predators.
Early in the morning, volunteers can join the team releasing newly hatched olive ridley, hawksbill and green turtles into the ocean. Travellers will be taught how to do this responsibly, ensuring that human interaction does not disrupt the turtles' memory when the females need to return to the beach to nest. Volunteers are welcome from June to February and for periods of no less than 10 days, with a $25-a-day fee going towards food and lodgings.
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Indoor Cricket World Cup
Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty
Biography
Her family: She has four sons, aged 29, 27, 25 and 24 and is a grandmother-of-nine
Favourite book: Flashes of Thought by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Favourite drink: Water
Her hobbies: Reading and volunteer work
Favourite music: Classical music
Her motto: I don't wait, I initiate
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Barbie
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
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Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
