Visit somewhere utterly wild in 2023!
PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels
Visit somewhere utterly wild in 2023!
PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels
FEW PLACES ARE NOW SO REMOTE that they cannot be reached on a wildlife holiday, meaning there are endless exciting and responsibly run vacation options for those in search of a little animal magic. All the locations listed here give you the unbeatable opportunity to watch animals feeding, playing and interacting in their natural habitat.
BIRD WATCHING IN ECUADOR.The Chocó Rainforest of north western Ecuador lies three hours outside of the capital city, Quito. Recognised by the World Wildlife Fund as one of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet, the forest is home to over 900 bird species and 350 different varieties of reptile, many of which are indigenous only to this region.
GORILLA TRACKING IN RWANDA. High in the misty mountains of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, you find endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Under the guidance of experienced trackers, it’s possible to observe these fascinating creatures – the world’s largest primate – going about their daily lives, undisturbed.
TRACK BEARS IN ALASKA. A land of ice and snow, but also one of clear blue lakes and lush green mountains, Alaska is a true adventure destination. Head to the hills outside of Anchorage to enjoy a wilderness camping trip under starry skies, track grizzly bears with an expert guide and spot migrating whales from a kayak.
SWIM WITH JELLYFISH IN PALAU. Located on Eil Malk Island, 12,000-year-old Jellyfish Lake has provided the perfect conditions for a remarkable evolutionary quirk to occur. The lake’s millions of golden and moon jellyfish have no natural predators, which means they have evolved without their characteristic sting.
SAFARI IN SOUTH AFRICA. Madikwe, South Africa’s fifth largest game reserve, is ideal if you’re hoping to see The Big Five without the Kruger crowds. The reserve is home to some 66 species that include elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, zebra and kudu, plus over 300 varieties of bird. Madikwe’s malaria-free status makes it an ideal destination for families.
HANG WITH PENGUINS IN ANTARCTICA. Among the stringent rules aimed at protecting the wildlife in Antarctica is the stipulation that visitors are not to get closer than five metres to the penguins and other animals. But the penguins don’t know about the rule, so if you stand still, they will often come right up to you.