Visit WLT's Conservation Projects

See the wildlife acres you have helped save!

When supporters ask us whether they are able to visit the land they have helped save, the answer is a resounding YES! Here’s how to go about it, although as you may imagine, some of the conservation projects are located more remotely than others, and are therefore harder to get to …

The following conservation projects, or areas near the reserves, can currently be visited:

• Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, Belize
• REGUA Reserve, Brazil
• Fundación Jocotoco Reserves, Ecuador
• Estancia la Esperanza (Ranch of Hopes Wildlife Refuge), Patagonia
• Danjugan Island, Philippines
• The Wild Lands Elephant Corridor, India
• Kites Hill Farm, Gloucestershire, UK

Visit a WLT project to see ancient sites such as this Mayan temple in Rio Bravo... (Photo: Dominic White)

Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, Belize 

WLT's first conservation project, the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area is owned and managed by local organisation Programme for Belize, and located in the north-west of the country. The reserve has excellent accommodation facilities for small and large groups of visitors. Cabana and dormitory accommodation is available at the La Milpa Field Station and dormitory accommodation is available at the Hill Bank Field Station. Visits need to be pre-arranged. Contact Programme for Belize to make a booking or see www.pfbelize.org.

REGUA reserves Brazil

The visitors lodge at REGUA (Reserva Ecologica de Guapi Assu) in Brazil is located on a hill overlooking the recently recreated wetlands, and is surrounded by a natural amphitheater of forest covered mountains.

The lodge sleeps up to 12 people, and has recently been renovated to allow a very comfortable stay for its guests. All meals are provided (vegetarians can be catered for with advance notice), and guests can relax with a cold beer on the verandah after a hot day trekking in the jungle, and watch humming birds at feeders in the garden.

....Admire the view and watch the wildlife from the comfort of the lodge at REGUA... (photo by Alan Martin)

REGUA has created a number of trails (suitable for a range of fitness levels) for walking in the jungle, and there is also a sheltered hide at the edge of the wetlands for bird watching. REGUA guides are available to give information about the animal and plant life along the trails as well.

The reserve is less than 2 hours drive from Rio de Janeiro International Airport, and arrangements can be made in advance to collect and drop off guests. If you would like to visit REGUA contact REGUA.

Fundación Jocotoco Reserves, Ecuador 

Of the 7 country-wide reserves that have been purchased in Ecuador so far, 2 are currently accessible by public transport and have accommodation where visitors can stay:

• Tapichalaca Reserve
  Located in south-east Ecuador this reserve can be accessed by bus, on the Loja-Zumba route. The road runs through the reserve and passes the visitors lodge located on the reserve. This is well sign-posted, and local bus-drivers are familiar with it and will stop there on request.

• ...Sleep close to nature (this is the visitors' lodge at the reserve in Tapichalaca)... (photo: Nigel Simpson)

  Buenaventura Reserve
  Located in southern Ecuador, this reserve can be accessed by bus, on the Pinas-Machala route. Again the road runs through the reserve and is well sign-posted.

Accommodation is available at both reserves and costs around US$100 per night (inclusive of all meals and 18% government taxes). Bookings can be made through Neblina Forest Travel.

Estancia la Esperanza (Ranch of Hopes Wildlife Refuge), Patagonia 

Further off the beaten track, the Ranch of Hopes, located in the buffer zone of the Valdes peninsula, is not accessible by public transport. Accommodation on the reserve is currently under development, although very basic accommodation is sometimes available. If you would like to visit or stay at the estancia, contact WLT.

...And, of course to see lots of rare and wonderful wildlife such as this Magellanic Penguin, Patagonia. (Photo: Kirsty Burgess)

Danjugan Island, Philippines 

The island is located off the western coast of Negros within the Philippines, and although no accommodation is available, strictly controlled numbers of visitors are allowed on the island, and facilities are available for scuba diving. If you are interested in visiting Danjugan Island, contact WLT.

The Wild Lands Elephant Corridor, India 

Due to its remote location in the far north-east of India, as well as the sensitive nature of the project (working with a tribal community), it is unfortunately not possible to visit this reserve yet. It may however, be possible to visit national parks and other wildlife reserves within the Garo Hills region. For further enquiries, contact the Wildlife Trust of India.

Kites Hill Farm, Gloucestershire, UK 

WLT’s UK reserve is open to visitors throughout the year (See map & directions to Kites Hill). Information about the Kites Hill Nature Trail is given on site, although we advise that caution is taken, especially during wet or windy conditions.

Have you visited one of WLT's conservation projects?

Perhaps you have already visited a WLT projects site? Why not email your pictures and comments to WLT - we may include some on the website in the future.

Read about project visits by WLT staff and supporters:

• Belize: With Daryl Hannah in the Rainforests of Belize
• India: Protecting Endangered Elephants by Following in the Footsteps of The Jungle Book
• Patagonia: Bill Oddie on the Ranch of Hopes