Curfews due to the corona pandemic have led to the fact that animals have been able to conquer new habitats in many countries. Sea turtles on Koh Samui lay their eggs again on the now deserted beaches. But even before the Corona crisis, many hotels were very concerned about preserving and protecting the natural environment and its creatures. In many Green Pearls® hotels you can even meet animals in the wild right on your doorstep. From some animal watching we want to tell you here.
In the Alps: In search of the Big 5
You will find the Naturhotel Outside in the middle of the beautiful, untouched natural landscape of the Hohe Tauern National Park in East Tyrol. Environmental protection is very important to the operators. They see the natural environment as a place of power. They have joined forces with the National Park and can therefore offer free ranger tours. On the wildlife observation safari “BIG FIVE” you can observe golden eagles, mountain goats, chamois, vultures, and groundhogs in the wild. The tours are a great experience at any time of the year.
At the other end of the Alps, in the enchanting Maira Valley in Piedmont, lies the Locanda Mistral. Also here the nature is still untouched and has a lot to offer. The “Big Five” can be observed just as well in this area. Renato, the hotel operator, himself an enthusiastic and experienced mountain guide, will be happy to take you to the most beautiful corners of his homeland. He knows at which time and at which places the desired animals can be found.
Experience the magic of the forests: Deer and stags
For some city dwellers, however, it is something special to see deer or stags in their natural environment. Many of the green hotels are located close to the forest or in the middle of nature and the chances of meeting deer or stags are quite high. The Warper Forest near the hotel Okelmann’s offers this possibility. Deer are also frequently sighted near the Hofgut Hafnerleiten. Close to the organic and family hotel Gut Nisdorf, there is a small group of deer that like to stay in the former estate garden. This garden has not been farmed for 70 years and the deer feel especially comfortable there. A unique spectacle can be experienced in the Locanda Mistral during the autumn season: There you can watch deer rutting while enjoying an aperitif on the terrace.
Meet wild animals: wolves, bears & wild horses
But wild animals such as wolves and bears can also be observed near our Green Pearls® hotels. About a 25 minutes drive from Okelmann’s is the Wolfcenter Dörveden. The wolf sanctuary of the wolf center offers you the opportunity to get very close to the fascinating wild animals in the company of a staff member.
In the Inkaterra Machu Pichu Pueblo Hotel there is a very special project dedicated to the protection of the Andean bear, also called a spectacled bear. It is Peru’s only bear species and is endangered by its ever decreasing habitat. Inkaterra supports the bear through the “Andean Spectacled Bear Program”. In the rehabilitation center, you can observe the bears that are nursed here at close range and even help the keepers with feeding.
The wild horse enclosure near the Creativhotel Luise is also worth mentioning. Here you can watch the animals grazing on about 90 hectares of land. Nature regulates the coexistence of animals and plants almost without human intervention. The whole area is under nature protection, which is why other species such as rare birds and insects can be regularly sighted in this area.
Vacations on the farm with a difference: water buffalos, lamas & a donkey
Vacation like on the farm can also be experienced in many of our green pearls. At Hofgut Hafnerleiten cats and chickens run around the hotel grounds. At Okelmann’s you will meet the reception dogs Frieda and Mala, on the neighboring farm there are cows, sheep, and some cats. Also exciting is the water buffalo farm in the immediate neighborhood of the Okelmann’s. Here you can even ride on a water buffalo. Not far away there is an animal shelter with lamas.
From the cuckoo to the sea eagle: A paradise for ornithologists
A paradise for birdwatchers so the bio and family hotel Gut Nisdorf calls the promising natural environment around the hotel. A special sensation is the migration of cranes in autumn. Up to 70,000 animals are in the area around the Günzer See in October, which then make their way south. Ornithologists get their money’s worth all year round. In spring they hear the cuckoo, in summer the skylark. At the house and in the stable, flour, and smoke-swallows brood. In the winter, you discover singing and hump-swans from Russia: Their singing can be heard until deep into the night. On a bicycle tour along the Bodden you can discover up to 9 different birds and between Nisdorf and a neighboring village, a pair of white-tailed eagles have their nest. Kites make their rounds above the village and a family of owls is living nearby.
This year’s absolute highlight was the young seal in the fishing port, which, according to the German Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund, undertook its first major excursion. You will certainly not be bored here!
But also Tongsai Bay on Koh Samui is in no way inferior: More than 60 bird species live on the area of the hotel on over 28 hectares! One of the reasons for this is that during the construction of the resort it was made sure not to cut down a single tree.
Animal observation in harmony with nature
The founder of Tongsai Bay was very concerned that nature should not be destroyed when building the hotel. Khun Akorn Hoontrakul fell in love with the beautiful bay and planned the hotel to be built with a minimum impact on the environment. No tree should be felled, no animal should be hurt or disturbed. The result is a place in harmony with nature, where people, plants, and animals can live together in harmony. Here you can even see the otherwise very shy lazy monkeys on the hotel grounds. The current owner of Tongsai Bay Gob, the son of Khun Akorn Hoontrakul, is also committed to continuing the project in the spirit of his father and is involved in animal welfare projects such as the local elephant sanctuary.
The Creativhotel Luise is also concerned about the smallest creatures. More than half of the 3000 m2 large hotel area consists of green spaces. The large gardens, the green roof terrace, and the orchard offer an ideal hiding place for small animals and insects. They find their home in deadwood, insect hotels, and sandstone walls. For its commitment, the green hotel was even awarded the title “Blossoming Business” by the Bavarian Ministry of the Environment in 2019.
There is a lot to discover in our Green Pearls® hotels. Here, not only are the natural habitats of the animals protected and preserved, but also actively expanded where possible.
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