Best holiday destinations for nature lovers
If you’re a nature lover then the world is quite literally your oyster when it comes to choosing a destination that’s perfect for you. This is because nearly every single country on our beautiful planet has something amazing to offer, from scenic views and breathtaking landscapes to a whole host of incredible creatures. Here are a few ideas!
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
The Canadian Whistler mountain resort is North America’s premier ski resort, and boasts over 8,000 acres of skiing terrain. Nature lovers can indulge in some apres ski bird watching near the Squamish River Valley. The optimum time to go is in December and January, as this is when you can witness the gathering of the regal bald eagles (the world’s largest, in fact!).
Whistler has beautiful sights all year round, and something not to be missed is the Peak 2 Peak Gondola ride, which is 1700ft high! As you glide across the mountains, you will see breathtaking views of the grand landscape and clusters of rich green forests. In the summer, you can even see families of bears roaming around the pine trees below! There are also numerous nature trails at the foot of the mountain, such as the Lost Lake.
La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
The heart of an array of natural wonders, La Fortuna de San Carlos has hot springs, an active volcano, cliffside waterfall, and much, much more in its midst! Proyecto Asis is 45 minutes from La Fortuna de San Carlos and is a rehabilitation centre for wild Costa Rican wildlife. Visitors can volunteer for the day, and go on a tour around the complex. If you’re lucky, you could get the chance to hold hands with monkeys, and take selfies with a sloth!
The La Fortuna waterfall is a great family activity (if you’re prepared to descend the 500 steps down to the waterfall’s base and climb them back up again!), and you will not be disappointed. You can bathe in the refreshing water, as well as paddle in the clear side pools which are full of wild fish. Make sure to visit the Free Natural Hot Springs that are nearby too!
Kasanka National Park, Zambia
Situated in North Zambia, Kasanka National Park is a sublime wilderness full of woods, swamps, rivers and lakes housing a range of endangered species. You can take a safari ride to Luwombwa Lodge followed by a canoe ride down the Luwombwa river, or wake up at the crack of dawn to see the sunrise across the Wasa Lake. If camping in the wild is more your scene, you can choose from three campsites in Lavushi Manda National Park; Lavushi’s diverse landscape has a winding river which leads to the Congo basin, with many large Mpofu yellowfish inhabiting the river. The area is also renowned for its spectacular birds.
Butterfly Tour, Nepal
If you’re a butterfly lover, Nepal is the place for you. A butterfly paradise, Nepal is abundant with 643 species of butterfly! You can explore the undiscovered areas between the Godavari botanical gardens, the vast forests at the Phulchowki summit, as well as a peak at the Kathmandu Valley edge. The best time to visit is from March until October to see the butterflies, including rare species such as the Kaiser-E-Hind and Krishna Peacock, amongst many others.
We hope these vibrant destinations have given you some inspiration for when you next jet off on your holidays!
