The 2026 Travel Edit: Nature Positive Edition

For 2026, the mission is clear: we aren’t just visiting nature; we are part of its recovery. As the "touch grass" movement matures from a TikTok trend into a travel philosophy, the industry is shifting toward regenerative tourism—experiences that leave a destination better than it was found.

From "Tick-Box" Sustainability to Radical Respect

Here is what’s defining the nature-positive journey this year.

The Deep Dive: How to Be "Nature Positive" in 2026

1. Adopt the "Proximity Lens"

The biggest trend for 2026 is the end of "too close for comfort." Following the ATTA® White Paper, nature-positive operators in Africa are now implementing the 4D Framework:

• Distance: Maintaining species-specific buffers to ensure animals never feel "hunted" by cameras.

• Duration: Capping sighting times (e.g., 20 minutes) to allow wildlife to return to natural behaviors.

• Density: Limiting the number of vehicles or people at a single site to prevent "swarming".

• Directional Freedom: Ensuring wildlife always has a clear exit path and is never boxed in.

2. Seek "Touch Grass" Reset

Travelers are increasingly using nature as a "collective reset" for mental health. According to Airbnb, searches for stays near National Parks have surged by 35%, with travelers seeking "wilderness gateways" that offer forest bathing, cold plunges, and rewilding participation.

3. Support Indigenous and Community Co-Governance

2026 is a bumper year for Indigenous tourism, particularly in Australia and Canada. Nature-positive travel means choosing operators that are community-owned or co-managed, ensuring that tourism dollars directly fund local livelihoods and ancestral land protection.

Stargazing in Kenya, ©MOYO

4. The Rise of "Noctourism"

Noctourism is a recognition that nature doesn't sleep when the sun goes down. Think night safaris and dives, to stargazing and Northern Lights. This creates an incredible opportunity for communities. For example, you can now experience astro-tourism in Kenya, with the Samburu people honoring their heritage by sharing ancestral wisdom (alongside science) through bonfire storytelling sessions.

We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to experience this ourselves in December, and we can't wait to share more about how you, too, can enjoy this for yourselves!

It’s important to be mindful, however, that any encounters during the dark hours should be approached with great care for wildlife. Choosing an ethical operator, ideally one that contributes to conservation and uses low/no artificial lighting, can help to prevent any interference and unnecessary stress.

The 2026 Nature Positive Challenge

At MOYO, our purpose is clear. We want to connect people with nature, whilst supporting wildlife, biodiversity, and communities. That’s why this year’s travel trends are ever the more important to us. 

To that end, we’re challenging everyone in the MOYO community to try out Nature Positive travel this year. That means:

• Asking about practices: Before booking a safari or marine tour, ask for their proximity rules (the 4Ds).

• Going off-peak: Book your next reset during a "hidden season" to support year-round community employment.

• Reading the land: Choose one "non-viral" destination—like the Greater Côa Valley or Rwanda's Akagera National Park—where your presence provides vital conservation funding.

  
  

The tourism sector faces a defining choice: continue eroding our planetary boundaries or step up and redesign standards for a future where wildlife, communities, and operators thrive together. 

Of course, cost is a crucial factor when choosing and booking your travel experiences. But with a plethora of options available online, it can be challenging to determine which ones are truly responsible and ethical. 

That’s why MOYO is excited to be bringing you new, nature-positive travel experiences this year. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to find out more!