Tiwai Island in Sierra Leone has emerged as a must-see off-the-beaten-path destination in 2026. It was ranked first on Intrepid Travel’s latest “Not Hot List,” recognising lesser-known destinations prioritising sustainable tourism and authentic cultural encounters.
Tiwai Island, located within the Gola Forest National Park, is a community-run wildlife sanctuary also known as the “Land of the Apes.” The small rainforest haven is home to chimpanzees, rare colobus monkeys, and a variety of other species that thrive beneath a canopy of towering trees. According to Intrepid, the sanctuary’s community-led management model and recent UNESCO World Heritage site designation have helped raise its profile while reinforcing conservation goals.
Visitors are drawn to Tiwai for its deep sense of wilderness and the opportunity to help a destination develop tourism responsibly. Local leaders and conservationists have developed a 10-year tourism strategy aimed at welcoming visitors in ways that protect sensitive ecosystems while providing tangible benefits to nearby communities. The emphasis on ecological stewardship and community empowerment is exactly what Intrepid’s Not Hot List aims to highlight.
The list also includes several other destinations where meaningful travel experiences are being created away from the crowds. The Tien Shan mountain range in Kyrgyzstan takes second place, with high-altitude trekking combined with immersive encounters with nomadic traditions. Sierra Norte in Oaxaca, Mexico, ranks third. It is a network of eight self-governing Zapotec villages that use a cooperative tourism model to limit visitor numbers, maintain pristine trails, and reinvest revenue to keep young residents rooted in their communities.
The complete 2026 Not Hot List.
1. Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone.
2. Tien Shan Mountain Range, Kyrgyzstan.
3. Sierra Norte, Mexico.
4. Vis Island, Croatia.
5. Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey.
6. Arunachal Pradesh, India.
7. Via Transilvanica, Romania
8. Ruta de las Flores, El Salvador.
9. Oulu, Finland.
10. Great Basin National Park, USA.
Each option reflects destinations that strive to balance visitor interest with long-term conservation and community well-being, appealing to travellers who value meaningful discovery over mass tourism.
