1 Kenya

Tassia Lodge ticks all the right boxes: it's Maasai-owned, eco- and family-friendly and cheaper than many African safari lodges. As well as game drives you can visit the very untouristy cultural village.

· From £150pp including drinks and activities (food extra) based on 9-12 sharing on an exclusive basis through Tribes Travel (tribes.co.uk).

2 Australia

Kooljaman at Cape Leveque 220km north of Broome is a fantastic Aboriginal-owned wilderness camp.

· From A$16 per adult to camp to A$240 for a safari tent on stilts overlooking the beach. kooljaman.com.au.

3 Ecuador

Under pressure from oil companies who wanted to destroy the forest, the Añangu community built Napo Wildlife Centre to provide local jobs and income for themselves and their children. Overlooking Anangucocha Lake and surrounded by primary rainforest, it is one of the best wildlife viewing lodges in the country.

· A four-day stay costs from £340pp including all meals and activities through Reef and Rainforest (reefandrainforest.co.uk, 01803 866965).

4 Canada

Join a bear-watching tour on magnificent Princess Royal Island in British Colombia run by the first nation community of Klemtu - your base is this cute waterside lodge.

· £872pp for three nights including float-plane from Vancouver, all meals and activities through Frontier Canada (020-8776 8709, frontier-travel.co.uk)

5 Guatemala

If you want to combine visiting ruins with wildlife viewing, a visit here will help the community in their efforts to protect the local ecosystem.

· Seven-night itinerary costs from £1,631pp with flights through Tim Best Travel (timbesttravel.com, 020-7591 0300).