We survived and are back safe and sound! Highlights - Cristo Redemptor in Rio, Iguassu and , of course Machu Picchu and many other Inca and pre Inca sights in Peru - Moray and Moras were very interesting and sights around Cusco also fantastic.
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Jutting out into the roaring Atlantic Ocean in a remote, desolate corner of Patagonia, the Valdes Peninsula is one of world’s great wildlife sanctuaries and provides safe haven to an extraordinary wealth of marine life. The peninsula lies on the eastern edge of Chubut province and encompasses some 4,000 km² of cliffs, lagoons, mudflats, bays and endless pounding beaches.
Experience the delight of the hand-cranked ferry over the river to Xunantunich, atop a hill overlooking the Mopan River and the Cayo District. The area, a primary ceremonial site built on a natural limestone ridge during the Classic Periodis composed of six major plazas, with more than 25 Maya temples and palaces.
Bolivia’s Amazon covers huge swathes of the country’s eastern lowlands, an endless sea of green which echoes with the shrill cries of monkeys and tropical birdsong. For visitors, the most popular destination for jungle adventures is the Madidi National park, two million hectares of protected mountains, cloud-forest and tropical rainforest.
Chobe National Park has an abundance of wildlife throughout the year and is famous for its migratory population of over 50,000 elephants as well as predators such as Lion, Leopard, Hyena & if your very lucky Wild Dog.
Covering approximately 11,700 square kilometres, Chobe National Park is the second largest in Botswana.
Kasane is a point of debarkation for the nearby Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Livingstone in Zambia. Spread out along the banks of the Chobe River, Kasane now boasts small shopping malls with all essential commodities and a plethora of arts and crafts shops. While its main attraction is the park, there are nevertheless attractions in and around the town.
The Khama Rhino Sanctuary twenty-five kilometres north of Serowe is the best conservation site for both white and black rhino, formally established to reintroduce rhinos into Botswana and gain the state of the sanctuary as a sustainable habitat for wildlife and rhinos’ specifically.
Maun is the fifth largest town in Botswana and the gateway into the Okavango Delta and Botswana’s wildlife areas. The city itself is an eclectic mix of modern shops and buildings and traditional native thatched huts and villages.
Tsabong is a small village in the Kalahari region, encompassing many historical buildings, including the colonial District Commissioner and Station Commander's houses, and many middle stone age sites. It also boasts the second oldest meteorological station in Botswana.
Uakari Lodge is a community-based eco-tourism project deep in the Mamiraua Reserve, a vast area of over a million hectares at the confluence of the Solimoes, Japura and Auti-Parana rivers. It represents the largest protected flooded forest in the world and is home to a breathtaking array of species including the iconic red-faced Uakari monkey.
The Fazenda Barranco Alto sits under the shadow a huge mango tree, a huge 11,000 hectare working cattle ranch located deep in the southern Pantanal some 120km northwest of Aquidauana. Surrounded by rolling savannah and gallery forest pocked with lakes and lagoons, the lodge sits on a gentle meadow slope that leads down to the famous Rio Negro.
Three hour’s drive from Cuiaba, gateway to Mato Grosso’s northern Pantanal, the Pousada Mutum is a beautiful lodge perched on the banks of the Mutum River. Set amidst glorious gallery forest and well-watered plains between Lakes Sia Mariana and Chacorore, it offers a wonderful introduction to Brazil’s Pantanal.
Kratie is a sleepy river town situated on the east bank of the mighty Mekong River. This picturesque town got off relatively lightly in the war years with much of the French architecture and the roads left in tact. There are many attractive French and Khmer homes scattered about, adding to the pleasant atmosphere and character of the place.
Campo Ma'an National Park located in the South of Cameroon’s, entire area consists of four logging concessions, an agroforestry zone, and an agro-industrial zone with rubber and palms plants.
The Dja Faunal Reserve created in 1950 became a World Heritage Site in 1987 and forms an essential part of the dense rain forest that make up the Congo Basin.
Korup National Park is the most remarkable tropical forest, and nature lovers will be astonished by the virtual plethora of fantastic wildlife that calls Korup home.
As well as a distinct and colourful array of birds and fish, Korup is home to a variety of rare primates including chimpanzee, red colobus, red-capped mangabey drill and red-eared monkeys.
The Lobéké National Park is in a gorilla protected region known for several western lowland gorilla sightings that live in the dense forests of the Congo River basin in southern Cameroon. Boumba National Park borders this area in the North West and Sangha River in the east separating Cameroon from the Central African Republic and Congo.
Ngoketunjia refers to a grassy plain looked over by the majestic Ngoketunjia mountain. Inhabited by semi-Bantu and Fulani people, this is a region where tradition and culture remain strong.
Nestled in the Eastern Central African Republic lies a wildlife refuge called Chinko. Despite decades of neglect a plethora of species survive here including a large population of chimpanzees, many carnivore and felid species, and at least 400 species of bird.
Dzanga-Ndoki National Park consists of roughly 400 hectares, encompassing many forest clearings, known as bais, and attracts the forest elephants looking for grazing and water. Other Wildlife roams freely including, forest buffalo, western lowland gorillas and the giant forest hog. There are many more species of monkey present, as well as some large cats and a wide range of birds.
The Lakes of Ounianga include eighteen interconnected lakes in the hyper-arid Ennedi region of the Saharan Desert.
This area constitutes an exceptional natural landscape of great beauty with striking colours and shapes. The saline, hypersaline and freshwater lakes are supplied by groundwater and are found in two groups forty kilometres apart.
The face of Patagonia, the awe-inspiring Torres del Paine adorns tourist brochures the world over and is South America’s most spectacular national park. Perched at the tip of the continent, the park was established in 1959 and encompasses some 2,400 km² of mountains, ice and rolling Patagonian steppe close to the border of Argentina.
Four hour’s drive from San Jose on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific, Manuel Antonio is one of the country’s most beautiful national parks. Established in 1972, it covers close to 2000 hectares of tropical rainforest which spills onto golden beaches and rocky coves. Off shore, desert islands are locked in coral reef and harbour dolphins and migrating whales alike.
Thin wisps of mist are suspended amongst the lush jungle canopy of Costa Rica’s most famous cloudforest reserve - Monteverde. Founded in 1972, the reserve straddles both the Pacific and Caribbean flanks of the Tilarán Mountains, Costa Rica’s great continental divide and encompasses some 10½ thousands hectares of tropical forest.
Ocean and jungle combine at the wonderful Lapa Rios, a beautiful eco retreat and thousand acre private reserve hidden amongst lush tropical forest deep in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. Built on a natural ridge, the lodge rises high above the lush canopy and boasts wonderful views over the sparkling waters of the Pacific and Golfo Dulce Bay.
Deep in the south western corner of Costa Rica surrounded by the rich waters of the Pacific and the Golfo Dulce, the Osa Peninsula is a breathtaking natural haven of rainforest, tumbling waterfalls and miles upon miles of palm-fringed beaches. Most famously, it is home to the Corcovado National Park, the jewel in the crown of Costa Rica’s park system.
In the north-eastern corner of Costa Rica, Tortuguero is one of the country’s most celebrated national parks, 77 thousand acres of rainforest, mangrove swamps and sheltered channels that spill onto the Caribbean. Accessible only by plane and boat, Tortuguero provides some of the last remaining nesting sites of four of the world’s eight species of green turtles.
Lola Ya Bonobo Sanctuary provides a home for orphaned bonobos. Long thought to be chimpanzees, bonobos are a separate species known for being more peaceful than their cousins. Endangered, with around 50,000 surviving in the wild, trails lead around large, forested enclosures, but the delightful bonobos are often seen hanging out at the front, especially in the morning.
The steamy Mindo Nambillo Reserve features over 20,000 hectares of lush valleys and rolling cloudforest and is a true paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike. Perched in the shadow of the snow-capped mountains between 1400 and 4778 metres above sea-level, Mindo forms part of the Andean Choco corridor, one of the richest biodiversity hotspots on the planet.
Ecuador encompasses a mere 2% of the continent’s rainforest yet boasts a dizzying third of the Amazon’s entire bird species. At the heart of country’s tropics, the Yasuni National park covers 9,820 km² of pristine rainforest and is arguably the most biologically diverse spot on Earth, designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1989.
Moka Lake or Biao Lake is in an ancient volcanic crater, and once served as a sanctuary to the high priest of the Bubis. This small lake-filled caldera cuts the summit of the forested volcano, and a crater lake lies on its northeastern flank. The volcano was classified as having been active during the last 2000 years although little is known about its geologic history.
Monte Alen National Park is a protected area covering 1400 square kilometres, home to gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, crocodiles and many other species of wildlife. Bordered by the large and fast-flowing Uoro river to the west, the main road from Niefang to Gabon forms the eastern boundary.
One of the wettest places on our earth, receiving 10,450mm of rain per annum, during the dry season from November to January, four species of turtles come ashore on the beaches here at Ureca to lay their eggs.
If you tire from watching the cycle of life, there are many opportunities for hiking in the nearby jungle.
Malolotja is one of the very best highland reserves in southern Africa, its 18,000ha wilderness of high rolling hills and deep forested river gorges offering a genuine wilderness in which hikers can lose themselves for days. The Malolotja river rises in the reserve, plunging over the 95m Malolotja Falls on its way to the Nkomati river, which cuts east towards the Indian Ocean.
Mkhaya Game Reserve, a private reserve, located between Manzini and Big Bend, is Eswatini’s most exclusive safari retreat. Here you leave your vehicle behind to join an expert private guide for game drives and bush walks. You then dine beneath the stars, before drifting off to sleep in your chalet to the noises of the night.
Mlilwane is Eswatini’s best-known nature reserve. It was here in 1961 that Ted Reilly – whose father had settled at the property in 1906 – first took action to save what remained of the kingdom’s wildlife, converting it into a sanctuary and rounding up animals from elsewhere around the country before they were hunted out.
Awash National Park protects a semiarid tract of Rift Valley floor inhabited by antelope such as the striking Beisa oryx and magnificent spiral-horned greater kudu.
A bird checklist of almost 500 species includes Arabian Bustard, African swallow-tailed kite, northern carmine bee-eater and the endemic yellow-throated serin.
Loango National Park’s warm streams crisscross pockets of thick forest and salty savannah, with vast island-dotted lagoons and miles of white-sand beaches providing habitat for all manner of creatures.
Known for its mythic surfing hippos, you'll find the largest concentration of whales and dolphins in Gabon's waters.
Nestled on a thin strip of land in the southern region of Gabon bordering the Republic of the Congo, Mayumba National Park is home to the most stunning natural sights Africa has to offer. The small coastal town of Mayumba serves as the steward for the nearly 900 square kilometres of protected land and sea that comprises this country’s premier national park.
It's not every day you can get up close and personal with elephants. Why not have a face-to-face encounter with these majestic animals, plus roving gangs of baboons, warthogs, waterbucks and antelopes? The park consists of easy walking flat savannah, with corridors of forest along the rivers and streams.
Most well known as the gateway to the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur sits just 3kms north of the UNESCO listed park. There are a few sights in the city itself which are worth a look including Lohagarh – an 18th century iron fort in the heart of the city, however it is only really visited by those heading to Keoladeo Ghana National Park.
Named after legendary British tiger hunter and photographer Jim Corbett, this famous reserve was established as India’s first national park in 1936. The park is located in the foothills of the Himalaya’s on the Ramganga River and astonishingly is home to over 580 species of bird as well as tigers, wild elephants, leopards, mugger crocodiles to name just a few species!
Located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is one of India’s largest and most popular National Park that offers a good chance of viewing tigers in the wild. The park boasts over two hundred tigers and leopards as well as deer, antelope, sloth bear, Indian wild dog and langur monkeys.
Situated on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River in the state of Assam, Kaziranga is most well known for being home to the Indian one-horned rhino, representing more than two thirds of the world’s total. Safari’s are generally conducted by elephant which adds to the adventure as you roam around the parks expansive grasslands.
Located in the southern state of Karnataka, Nagarhole National park was originally the exclusive hunting ground of the Maharaja of Mysore before being set up as a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and upgraded to a national park in 1988. Nagarhole is known for its lush forests and marshy swamps which surround a huge reservoir where safari’s take place by conical boats as well as on land by jeep.
Located in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, just two hours drive from Nagpur airport, Pench Tiger Reserve is less well known than the state’s other two national parks – Kanha and Bandhavgarh which in our opinion enhances the appeal as there are less visitors which makes for a more personalised visit.
Located near the town of Sawai Madhopur, Ranthambhore National Park is one of the main areas in India where tigers still roam. The park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and in 1973 became part of the project tiger programme, since being declared as one of the projects greatest success stories.
Sasan Gir National Park spans over 1,500 square kilometres and is the world’s last destination where you can see the Asiatic lion in the wild. Located on the Saurashtra Peninsular in far west India, the area is off the beaten track and not developed as a tourist destination which increases the appeal for the adventurous traveller and real wildlife enthusiasts.
Created in 1981, Satpura National Park is one of central India’s lesser-known parks and takes its name from the Satpura hill ranges of Madhya Pradesh. Satpura National Park is home to a variety of mammals including the tiger, leopard, sambar, bison and wild dog. Safari’s through Satpura are varied and can be conducted by canoe, elephant or jeep!
In the heart of the western Negev, lies the mysterious and beautiful Mount Karkom.
Presented in an unspoiled landscape, with its 847-meter-high limestone plateau slashed by dramatic ravines, Mount Karkom is believed to be the site of the biblical Mount Sinai mentioned in the Book of Exodus, as the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments.
At the heart of Israel’s vast Negev Desert, and lying in the Ramon Crater, is the world’s most massive erosion crater, known as Machtesh Ramon. Measuring 40km in length and between 2 and 10km in width, and shaped like an elongated heart this forms Israel’s largest national park, the Ramon Nature Reserve.
An outstanding natural wonder the Dead Sea is a mix of beach living and religious history. Here you can soak up the sun while Biblical scholars get their daily dose of religious history. The leading attraction is the warm, soothing, super salty water. Ten times saltier than seawater, but rich in chloride salts of magnesium, sodium, potassium, bromine and several others.
Amboseli lies immediately northwest of Mount Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. This park covers 392 square km and forms part of the much larger 3,000 square km Amboseli ecosystem.
Famous for its big game and its great scenic beauty the landscape is dominated by the towering Mount Kilimanjaro.
Kisumu City is a quiet port town on the shores of Lake Victoria with streets full of exquisite colonial architecture. Awarded City Status in 2001 Kisumu has grown into an attractive urban centre, with an excellent museum, one of Kenya's most famous open markets and excellent facilities for visitors.
High in the mist-wreathed hills of western Kenya the eighth highest mountain in Africa, Mount Elgon, is a towering volcanic giant, crowned by a vast caldera etched by glacial tarns, honeycombed by labyrinthine caves, fissured by valleys and cascaded by streams. Visitors can explore the forest, see the elephant caves and enjoy biking, and hiking.
Climbing to 5,199 meters, Mount Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa. The scenery surrounding this designated World Heritage Site is breath-taking, with pristine wilderness filled with lakes, tarns, glaciers, dense forest, mineral springs and a selection of rare and endangered species of animals.
Nairobi known as the safari capital of Africa is surrounded by 113 km² of plains, cliffs and forest that makes up the city's Nairobi National Park. Tourists can have their pick from numerous safaris, be it wildlife, cultural, sport, adventure, scenic or specialist ecotourism tours, restaurants, culture, shopping and entertainment.
As one of the most extensive coastal forests in East Africa after Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Shimba Hills National Park is a reserve rich in flora and fauna and hosts the highest density of African elephant in Kenya. Other animal species found are the Sable antelope, elephant shrew, bushy-tailed mongoose and other small mammals like fruit bats.
Tse'hlanyane National Park, is located deep in the front range of the Maluti mountains, with headquarters at the foot of the Holomo Pass.
The reserve owes its origin to the access road to the Hlotse tunnel adit for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). This protected area lies at the junction of the Tse'hlanyane and the Holomo rivers.
Amber Mountain or Montagne d’Amber National Park is an example of a montane rainforest habitat. Its unique microclimate gives growth to some impressive flora and fauna, in particular, the large conifers and epiphytic bird’s nest ferns growing out of them, giving the park a unique prehistoric feel. Lemurs are a common sighting, particularly Sanford’s brown lemur and crowned lemur.
World Heritage Site, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is famous being home to many endemic species, including 11 lemurs, of which the indri, the largest of all lemur species. Other species in the park include chameleons and tenrecs, and birdwatchers can expect to see velvet asity, blue coua, and nuthatch vanga.
Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1927. The Tsingies are karstic formations created by acidic water eroding the surface of limestone cracks, the result vast underground drainage systems and dramatic limestone structures. In between these lies the Manobolo River, surrounded by riverine and mangrove swamps.
Although only 580 sq km, Liwonde is perhaps the most popular of all the game parks. It is about 160 km north of Blantyre and only rather more than half that distance from the hotels on the southern Lakeshore. Additionally, game viewing is enhanced because the River Shire flows along its western border, allowing boat safaris as well as the usual ones on foot or in 4x4s.
The scale of this truly magnificent mountain must be seen to be appreciated. Its bare rock flanks tower to almost 3000m, dwarfing all that surrounds it. It lies to the east of Blantyre and is easily accessible. Visitors can drive around the foot of the massif in a day, but even more attractive is to trek and camp on the mountains.
Nyika is Malawi’s largest park. It extends across the great plateau. The name, Nyika, means "where the water comes from" and is, one of Malawi’s most important water catchments. The breathtaking scenery is at its best in the rainy season when over 200 types of orchid are in flower. The grasslands of Nyika are rich in wildflowers in other seasons.
One of the finest places to really get away from it all and experience wildlife in its most natural environments make the long and bumpy journey to the Danum Valley. It is located a two hour drive from the nearest town of Lahad Datu. The whole area is primary rainforest jungle far removed from human habitation.
For a truly unique experience in ancient rainforest but yet easily accessible from KL, Taman Negara is a great choice. Originally named King George V National Park, Taman Negara (National Park) is the first and the oldest official Protected Area in the country. It was gazetted to preserve the land's indigenous nature and was renamed Taman Negara after the nation gained independence in 1957.
Located on the Niger river bank, Ségou is known for its relaxed atmosphere. A perfect place to re-energise, to let sink in the travel experiences and to get to understand life on the river and in the surrounding villages.
Experience a city walk: along the river quay, through the Somono quarter or the grand structures of the colonial neighbourhood.
Time to leave the usual beaches and try a few excursions inland to get a feel for the heart of the island. Cooler than the coastal regions, the central plateau is situated between 400 and 600 meters above sea level. Starting from the South of Port Louis, this vast urban area is home to about 400,000 people, representing over one-third of the island's population.
The wildest and most beautiful landscapes of the island are in the South: sandy beaches bordered by cliffs carved by waves, rocky shores, sugar cane fields as far as the eye can see, and mountainous terrains offering magnificent panoramas. The integrated tourist area of Bel Ombre is also a model of its kind.
The West and South-West coasts of Mauritius are the driest areas on the island. At first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the African bush. Protected from the prevailing winds, the region boasts some superb hotels and lagoons calm enough for swimming, snorkelling, diving, water-skiing, kayaking, pedal boats and sailing activities.
The Bazaruto Archipelago consists of five idyllic islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangue. The Archipelago is genuinely one of the most beautiful destinations on the African continent. The area is now protected as a conservation area and national park, including the coral reefs surrounding the islands, making it the only official marine reserve in the country.
Lake Niassa is the 9th largest freshwater lake in the world, the third largest in Africa and one of the world’s most bio-diverse. Though utterly stunning it is still only visited by a handful of tourists heading to Malawi with the lake forming the border between the two countries. It has been declared a reserve and Ramsar site, protecting its abundant species and natural habitats.
Namibia's highest mountain the Brandberg Mountain Range is situated in the Erongo region in the western part of Namibia, ninety kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean and covers an area of 760 square kilometres.
The Range gets its name from an almost black appearance and the bright colours that the setting sun paints onto the mountains as if the whole area was on fire.
Etosha is one of Africa’s largest and oldest National Parks. The vast, salt pan that is visible from space, covers 2 270 000 hectares (5 500 000 acres) and is home to an abundance of wildlife. There are a number of waterholes, including both natural springs and fountains and others fed by man-made bore holes.
Sandwiched between the barren Namib Desert and the windswept South Atlantic coast, this harbour town is situated on one of the least hospitable coasts in Africa.
Messum Crater is not a meteorite or asteroid impact crater, it is part of an igneous ring complex and a once active volcano. regarded as among the wealthiest stone age sites to have been found in extreme arid landscape with average precipitation rates lower than fifty mm per annum, the centre part of Messum ‘volcano’ has collapsed into an area of eighteen kilometres in diameter.
Namibia’s largest conservation area contains some of the country’s most iconic attractions: towering sand dunes at Sossusvlei, the imposing canyon at Sesriem, forgotten shipwrecks and ghost towns along the icy Atlantic coast, stark inselbergs and mountain ranges, and lichen-encrusted gravel plains.
NamibRand Nature Reserve, a vast privately owned reserve covering 200,000 hectares and bordering the Namib-Naukluft Park, is situated near Sossusvlei in southwestern Namibia. Visit this area for a glimpse of the majestic landscapes of red Namib sand dunes, golden grass savannah and impressive purple mountain ranges.
Richtersveld Transfrontier Park straddles the border between South Africa and Namibia, and I is rich in plant and animal species all carefully adapted to survive in a seemingly barren desert landscape.
The ‘Skeleton Coast’ is renowned for being isolated, inhospitable and steeped in a spooky history. Over the years, many ships have run aground on this coast and these ships or ‘skeletons’ can still be seen lying deserted and corroding along the beaches forming a dramatic landscape.
Situated halfway between the little town of Outjo and Khorixas, the Vingerklip is one of Namibia’s most famous and remarkable rocks. Described as a huge rock finger it protrudes vertically into the air. Standing on a hilltop the Rock Finger and a height of 929 metres above sea level, the rock itself is 35 metres high.
Towering sandstone cliffs, dinosaur footprints, mysterious rock engravings and some of Namibia’s most rare and valuable game species are synonymous with the Waterberg Plateau Park.
The Bay of Islands was proclaimed when Captain James Cook stopped here on his round the world journey in 1769. Anchoring at Roberton Island, Captain Cook made contact with the local Maori People and immediately started trading with them. Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a half-hour walk along the beach from Paihia.
Christchurch is the principal city and international gateway for overseas travellers to the South Island. Known as the "Garden City", Christchurch enjoy a very English heritage. The first settlers in Christchurch arrived in four ships from England in 1850. Many of the historic buildings, sites and parks created in their name.
Rotorua is one of New Zealand's best-known tourist locations, revolving around the Maori People and culture, geothermal activity, natural hot springs, and spectacular volcanic landscapes. Rotorua's sunny days are ideal for all manner of outdoor activities, with fantastic walking or mountain biking trails, and excellent trout fishing.
The dark round domes of the Aïr Mountains rise out of the Saharan Desert, resembling a chain of islands in a sea of sand, this is the largest protected area in Africa.
The Termit Massif Total Reserve located in the southeast of Niger established in January 1962, covers an area of 100,000 square kilometres, comprising the entire stretch of Termit Massif and Tin Toumma desert, making it the largest protected area in Africa, providing habitat for many critically endangered species.
Remote Jebel Samhan towers over the eastern portion of the Salalah Plain and is riddled with limestone caves and sinkholes, traversed by deep and narrow mountain passes, some of which are up to a thousand feet deep. The desolate flat top of the Jebel is home to one of the last refuges for wild Arabian leopards.
Oman’s northernmost governorate, the Exclave of Musandam is separated from the rest of Oman and is home to some of the country’s most dramatic landscape. This is where the mountains meet the sea, and stunning fjords and crystal-clear waters make this one of the best diving and snorkelling spots anywhere in the world.
Thirty-Five kilometres from Sur at the easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula, lies a unique natural landscape, of golden deserts, unspoiled shorelines, lush green oases and rugged mountains. Ras Al Jinz is world renowned for the nesting of the endangered green turtle-Cheloniamydas and has the most critical nesting concentration on the Indian Ocean.
Staying at an eco-lodge deep within the heart of the Peruvian Amazon provides a wonderful base for exploring the rainforest’s extraordinary diversity and rich flora and fauna. Shrouded in lush vegetation and overlooking rivers and ox-bow lakes, the lodges evoke the traditional design of the indigenous tribes and offer fully inclusive jungle adventures.
An archipelago of 176 coral islands, 40 kilometres offshore from Jizan in the Red Sea, the Farasan Islands are considered one of the crown jewels of Saudi tourism. The sea and reefs surrounding the Islands are a diver’s paradise in which precious marine life remains mostly unaffected by tourism or divers.
The Banana Islands, surrounded by the Freetown peninsula, lie off the coast of Yawri Bay. Dublin and Ricketts are both linked by a stone causeway. The third, Mes-Meheux remains uninhabited. Dublin Island is known for its beaches, while Ricketts Island for forests. All the islands are accessible by boat, ferry and helicopter.
Tiwai Wildlife Sanctuary is located between two arms of the Moa River and is linked to the western edge of South Gola forest. Extending to 1200 hectares, Tiwai was gazetted as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1987. The local chiefdom supports the retention of the island, and other river islands as critical natural areas, which will maintain a vital ecosystem corridor
Wara Wara Mountain is considered a magical place for the adventurous at heart. The mountain is in the Koinadugu district about a five-hour drive from Freetown. The hill made up of metamorphic and igneous rock has few shrubs., but there are caves present within the Wara Wara hill.
The Blyde River Canyon Reserve extends along the Blyde River Canyon's winding path, offering impressive views over sheer edges dropping 800m into the riverbed below. The mountain scenery and panoramic views over the Klein Drakensberg escarpment are spectacular and were given the name of 'Panorama Route'. Viewpoints are named for the spectacle.
Gondwana contains a 1000 ha protected area for endangered and specialty species such Bontebok, Cape Mountain Zebra and sable. Guests can also enjoy informative Fynbos walks with their field guide and discover endemic birdlife that occurs nowhere else in the world, such as the Black Harrier and Orange Breasted Sunbird.
Previously known as the St Lucia Wetland Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park lies on the northeastern edge of KwaZulu-Natal in the sublimely beautiful region known as the Elephant Coast, includes Lake St Lucia, St Lucia and Maputaland Marine Reserves, the Coastal Forest Reserve, the Kosi Bay Natural Reserve and Mkuze Game Reserve with no fewer than 328 000 hectare
Spanning 13 000 hectares of the pristine African bush, Kapama offers the perfect sanctuary for a wide variety of wildlife. Here, over 40 different species of mammals including the Big 5 – elephant, lion, leopard, African buffalo, and rhinoceros, as well as 350 bird species, thrive in their natural habitat.
Showcasing one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences, &Beyond Phinda is home to Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), as well as 436 bird species. The reserve is particularly well known for close-up sightings of the elegant yet elusive cheetah, as well as the rare black rhino.
At the foot of the towering Warmwaterberg Mountains in the Little Karoo lies the unique safari destination of Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. Three Luxury Lodges and an adventurous Explorer Camp nestle in 58, 000 hectares of sculpted Cape Fold Mountains and wide-open plains. Take a three-hour scenic drive from Cape Town to the heart of the Little Karoo, along the
Thornybush is a 14,000-hectare private nature reserve that shares a fenceless border with the famous Kruger National Park in South Africa. Big 5 encounters are the standout experiences for our guests, with visitors particularly impressed with the lion and leopard sightings. It’s the vast diversity of wildlife.
Located in the Mpumalanga Province, north of the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve shares a fenceless border with the world-renowned Kruger National Park. This 60 000 hectare reserve is best known for its two very rare white lions that were discovered here in the 1970s.
Tsitsikamma National Park is a place of abundance and sparkling water stretching from the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south, Bloukrans River in the west to the Tsitsikamma River in the east. The indigenous forest made up of ancient yellowwood trees, magnificent fynbos plants, native flora and abundant birdlife.
Against the dramatic backdrop of the Korannaberg Mountains, Tswalu Motse is an isolated oasis which lies baking beneath the Kalahari sun.
Overlooking the stretches of semi-desert grasslands the property is scenically beautiful, its natural stone, thatch and wood structure illuminated by the changing light of day.
Located in the iconic Cultural Triangle on the Habarana to Polonnaruwa road, Minneriya National Park is most well known for its high population of elephants which is thought to be around 300 due to successful conservation work in recent years. The best time to visit the park is during the dry season from May to September when the animals are more active as they search for water.
Renowned for rivalling East Africa’s national parks, Uda Walawe features open parkland making it the ideal location for viewing vast herds of elephants, as well as leopards, wild buffalo and sambor deer. As well as being renowned for its wildlife Uda Walawe is probably Sri Lanka’s most scenic national park with the surrounding hills of Horton plains forming the most picturesque backdrop.
Wilpattu is actually Sri Lanka’s largest National Park and has only in the last couple of years reopened to visitors after the conflicts of the northern part of the country. The park is home to around 50 leopards which are the main drawcard as it offers a much less touristy experience than the national parks down in the south.
Sri Lanka’s largest and probably most well known National Park, Yala is a must visit for wildlife enthusiasts and offers one of the world’s best opportunities of seeing a leopard in the wild. The park consists of 1268 sq km of protected area comprising of grassy plains, forest, rocky scrublands and lagoons and runs along the country’s south east coast.
Located right on the edge of Yala National park Cinnamon wild Yala offers the ultimate in bush chic accommodation.
This elegant though simple hotel is located close to the park gates and has a splendid location between the lagoon and the ocean. The property comprises a number of chalets scattered across 10 acres of mixed evergreen forest and typical dry zone vegetation.
The Diana’s Peak National Park was launched in March 1996, encompassing the area of the three peaks; a total area of 81 hectares. It is now part of the National Conservation Areas. Most of the enclosed area is a natural forest, though there still remain many areas of New Zealand Flax which are steadily being cleared.
Lake Tanganyika is situated on the line dividing the floral regions of eastern and western Africa, and oil palms, which are characteristic of the flora of western Africa, grow along the lake’s shores. Rice and subsistence crops are grown along the shores, and fishing is of some significance. Hippopotamuses and crocodiles abound, and the bird life is varied.
Above the gently rolling hills and plateaux of northern Tanzania rises the snowy peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, it’s slopes and glaciers shimmering above the rising clouds. Kilimanjaro is located near the town of Moshi and is a protected area, carefully regulated for climbers to enjoy without leaving a trace of their presence.
Africa’s largest and oldest game reserve is one of its most scenic wildlife destinations; the Selous is utterly beautiful. The beauty of the park is matched by the quality of a safari here; boating, walking and fly camping compliment standard game driving in thriving wildlife areas. This is an outrageously good safari park and an essential component of any southern circuit itinerary.
The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s most famous sites and is said to have the highest density of wildlife in Africa. Sometimes described as an ‘eighth wonder of the world’, the Crater has achieved world renown, attracting an ever-increasing number of visitors each year. You are unlikely to escape other vehicles here, but you are guaranteed great wildlife viewing in a genuinely mind-blowi
Southernmost of the Galapagos Islands, Española is also one of the oldest whose dramatic cliff tops of Punta Suarez teem with sea-birds including Nasca and blue-footed boobies, oystercatchers, tropic birds and Galapagos hawks. More famously, the island provides the only nesting site in the entire archipelago for waved albatross which arrive between April and December.
One of the Galapagos’ most remote islands and often overlooked by cruises, Genovesa is a huge horse-shoe bay and sunken crater that teems with bird life. From the pristine coral beach of Darwin Bay, a trail leads past tidal lagoons to a viewpoint overlooking colonies of frigate birds and one of the largest and only nesting sites of the red-footed booby.
Perched on an extinct volcano with sweeping views across Santa Cruz island, Pikaia Lodge is a stunning contemporary eco-lodge that has raised the bar in terms of land-based Galapagos tours. At 450m above sea-level, it occupies a private Tortoise Reserve between the arid savannah and tropical highlands and enjoys near perfect conditions year round.
Murchison Falls became one of Uganda’s first national parks in 1952 At Murchison Falls, the Nile squeezes through an 8m wide gorge and plunges with a thunderous roar into the "Devil's Cauldron", creating a trademark rainbow The northern section of the park contains savanna and Borassus palms, acacia trees and riverine woodland. The south is dominated by woodland and forest patches.
Dubai claims to be the world’s fastest-growing city, and over the past four decades, this city has metamorphosed from a small Gulf trading port to become one of the world’s most exciting, and futuristic urban destinations. Fueled in part by petrodollars, its people’s ability is to dream the impossible.
This 87square kilometre desert island in the country's remote far west, with craggy interiors, swoops down to acacia-studded plains formerly the private retreat of UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed. His resolve and love of animals have inspired him to turn it into a wildlife reserve and bring together native species back from the brink of extinction.
Cat Tien National Park is located around 150 kms north of Ho Chi Minh City. It consists of about 50% evergreen forest, 40% bamboo woodland and 10% farmland, wetlands and grassland. The National Park is one of Vietnams most biodiverse regions, which explains the impressive range of wildlife that can be found.
This Park is an undiscovered gem with vast plains spectacular in the dry season and then transform completely from an arid grass flatland to a watery wonderland in the wet season when migratory birds arrive from far and wide.
Situated on the southwestern edge of the Lake Bangweulu basin, this park is a peaceful sanctuary and one of Zambia’s smallest national parks. With only 450 km2 Kasanka is well endowed with rivers, lakes, wetlands, forests, lagoons, meadows and dambos supporting a uniquely broad range of animals and abundant birds and fish.
Lavushi Manda is a picturesque park with rolling hills, rich riparian forest and beautiful rocky outcrops, with vast stretches of pristine hill miombo woodlands, large dambo wet grasslands, and a gallery of forests along the headwaters of the Lukulu and Lulimala rivers.
This remote park in the far west of the country is one of pristine wilderness. For the ardent bush-lover, the rewards are great indeed.
The Park’s game is spread out across the plains but to come upon a vast herd of blue wildebeest, a prowling wild dog, or pride of dozing lions in this forgotten piece of Africa is especially fitting because of its completely natural state.
In his search for ‘’the Smoke that Thunders” David Livingstone discovered one of the most majestic sights in the world and to this day, the spectacular Victoria Falls has the power to leave a man speechless with its beauty. It is beside this World Heritage Site that the quaintly colonial, Livingstone Town was born.
Lying on the southern shores of Lake Tanganyika in the Northern most tip of Zambia, Nsumbu covers an area of just over 2000 square kilometres and includes some of the most pristine shores of this vast Lake. Its beauty ranges from sandy beaches, vertical cliffs, rocky coves and natural bays to the rugged hills and deep valleys of the interior.
Sioma Ngwezi National Park is mainly covered by Kalahari woodland and the third largest Park in Zambia. As elephants return to the Park, seen at the southeast border where elephants have re-established an old migration route, the herds are now visible with several tracks in a corridor extending over more than one kilometre.
Victoria Falls presents a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. They are described by the Kololo tribe as Mosi-oa-Tunya -The Smoke that Thunders, in more modern times Victoria Falls is known as the most magnificent curtain of falling water in the world.
We survived and are back safe and sound! Highlights - Cristo Redemptor in Rio, Iguassu and , of course Machu Picchu and many other Inca and pre Inca sights in Peru - Moray and Moras were very interesting and sights around Cusco also fantastic.
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