When you explore with us, you don’t just witness the natural world—you help protect it.
Sensitive tourism deepens our connection to nature, safeguards vulnerable ecosystems and wildlife, supports the communities that steward these wild places, and drives a sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world that stays with you long after you return home.
At NWS, conservation isn’t an add-on; it’s embedded in everything we do.
We pledge to uphold the highest ethical standards, partner with trusted conservation organizations, employ local guides, and ensure that every journey contributes to meaningful, lasting impact.
Wildlife has an intrinsic right to exist—but sensitive tourism also ensures it has an economic reason to stay wild. From poachers-turned-porters to empowering indigenous-led conservation, our trips channel economic benefits back to the land and the people who protect it. We carefully select destinations and projects, including many lesser-known and least-developed regions, where tourism can have the greatest impact, proving that wildlife and wild spaces are worth more alive—both inherently and economically—than lost. Whether through park and concession fees, hiring expert local guides, or creating sustainable livelihoods that encourage local stewardship, your journey directly contributes to safeguarding these places for generations to come. By travetravellingling with us, you become part of the solution—protecting wildlife, preserving landscapes, and making conservation economically viable.
We uphold the highest ethical standards in wildlife tourism, working only with trusted, carefully vetted companies and individuals on the ground who share our commitment to senstive travel. An NWS journey means no exploitative experiences—no lion petting, no baited interactions, no wildlife performances. We strive so that every encounter is respectful, responsible, and prioritizes the well-being of the wildlife we are there to witness. We don’t just put you in the “right place, right time”—we ensure that these moments are ethically conducted and deeply meaningful, honoring the wildlife in their own backyards. From expert guides to conservation-driven lodges, our partners uphold the same high standards, ensuring that every aspect of your journey support long-term conservation efforts.
We collaborate with carefully selected individuals, companies, and organizations that are not only committed to sensitive tourism but are also at the forefront of tackling the planet’s most urgent environmental challenges. From combating wildlife trafficking and species relocation to surveying glaciers at the edge of the world, our partnerships drive real impact while offering travelers unparalleled access to conservation in action. We are one of the only small ships cruising in the High Arctic, and we are proud to be members of AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), ensuring our Arctic journeys adhere to the highest standards of sensitive tourism, protecting fragile ecosystems while fostering a deeper understanding of polar conservation. We are also one of the four founding industry partners of African Parks, supporting their groundbreaking work in rehabilitating national parks, securing critical habitats, and providing sustainable livelihoods for local communities. Through this partnership and collaborations with other nonprofit organizations, we offer our travelers extraordinary opportunities—whether meeting gorilla doctors in Rwanda, supporting citizen science alongside explorers and glaciologists in the High Arctic, or deploying camera traps to track elusive Siberian tigers.
These partnerships not only expand our ability to protect species, lands, and cultures but also provide grounded hope for the future—hope built on action, collaboration, and long-term commitment. By embedding conservation into every journey, we create meaningful connections between travelers, local experts, and the landscapes we seek to protect. As our network of aligned partnerships continues to grow, so too do the opportunities for our travelers to witness and contribute to conservation efforts firsthand—gaining a richer, more nuanced understanding of the world’s most extraordinary places and those working tirelessly to preserve them.
Our Expeditions for Change offer a hands-on approach, providing exclusive, insider access to the most critical conservation efforts. Beyond responsible travel, these trips involve direct funding to impactful projects, allowing clients to contribute to initiatives like polar bear den protection. With embedded projects, scientific contributions, and substantial financial support, these expeditions reflect our deeper conservation commitment, ensuring that your journey plays a vital role in preserving wildlife and landscapes for future generations. Explore upcoming Expedition for Change adventures here. Get in touch to design your own Expedition for Change here.
We are honoured to bridge the gap between conservation and travel by facilitating donor trips and field journeys for organizations, nonprofits and organizations. Many of these groups are deeply focused on their critical conservation work and may not have the resources or expertise to manage complicated travel logistics. Our expertise ensures these journeys support conservation efforts without disruption, allowing organizations to focus on their mission while we manage every detail behind the scenes. We believe that there is nothing more powerful than witnessing conservation efforts in action; these firsthand experiences inspire long-term commitment and help sustain vital programs. We recognize that much of this work must be carried out discreetly to protect vulnerable wildlife and ecosystems. With the utmost respect and confidentiality, we handle the complex logistics of bringing key stakeholders—whether high-end donors, researchers, or media—into the field.
At NWS, we recognize the importance of giving back to the communities we visit. Through our partnership with Pack for a Purpose—a global initiative operating in over 60 destinations—we empower travelers to bring essential supplies that directly support local needs. Since its inception in 2010, Pack for a Purpose has delivered over 217,827 kg / 480,000 lbs of crucial resources to communities worldwide. We actively share this initiative to our travelers, providing guidance on how they can contribute effectively. Additionally, we are committed to integrating Pack for a Purpose into all staff travel whenever possible, reinforcing our dedication to meaningful, sustainable impact.
Conservation isn’t just something we support from afar—it’s a value we live by every day. From riding the bus or biking to work to buying local and choosing fair-trade, organic coffee, small, mindful decisions add up to a meaningful impact in combating climate breakdown and environmental destruction. Our commitment doesn’t stop there. Each year, NWS dedicates time to hands-on conservation efforts in our local community—whether through UK-based rewilding projects or direct support for grassroots organizations. Some of our recent initiatives include: Pelican Parcels and Knepp Estate Rewilding.