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Thirty years ago, I went to Sri Lanka’s southeastern coast in search of great surf, but it was the jungle nearby—and elephants thriving within it—that made a lasting impression. Today, this rare slice of Asia remains largely untouched, thanks in part to the owners of Tree Tops Jungle Lodge. A winner of Wild Asia’s 2008 Responsible Tourism Awards, the two-room hideaway sits on the edge of Yala National Park and employs local villagers as cooks, guides, and caretakers. Its ecotourism model is simple yet effective: Sustainable income equals elephant protection (doubles from $150, all-inclusive; treetopsjunglelodge.com).

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