The best African safaris for any traveller

Safari means ‘long journey’ in Swahili. Today, safari-goers can bypass the arduous up-country trek of yesteryear and be deep in the African bush within 24 hours of Heathrow. Nonetheless, that earlier, romanticised era of Blixen and Hemingway retains its allure.

So, with half a continent at your disposal, where do you start? Should it be the endless plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti or the hidden waterways of Botswana’s Okavango? Would you rather sit back and enjoy the spectacle of wildebeest herds sweeping across open savannah? Or are you, perhaps, the more active type, who dreams of paddling past lazing crocodiles or tailing a pride of lions on foot?

Your choice of safari comes down partly to the wildlife. For most first-timers, the ‘Big Five’ top the wish list – for the uninitiated, that’s lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino, so named because they were once considered the hunter’s most dangerous adversaries. Many places boast all or most of these, but some offer better odds than others. Then there are the equally iconic giraffes, zebras and hippos – not forgetting the fascinating smaller stuff, from chameleons and dung beetles to meerkats and hornbills.

The good news is that – at least in general wildlife terms – you can’t really go wrong. Whilst each destination has both its specials and its absentees (no point looking for springbok in the Serengeti, for instance, or cheetahs in Luangwa), the sheer richness and variety at almost any one of them, and the grandeur of the African backdrop, is bound to blow you away.

Skip ahead:

The best safaris for first-timers

The best safaris for second-timers

The best safaris for connoisseurs

Safari FAQs and further reading

The best safaris for first-timers

These safaris get you straight to Africa’s best-known wildlife, including most of the Big Five, and needn’t break the bank in the process.

1. Masai Mara, Kenya

Masai Mara, Kenya. (Dreamstime)

Picture just one safari destination and chances are it’s this one – if only because many a TV documentary has made Kenya’s teeming savannahs, flat-topped acacias and lazing predators emblematic of a continent.

The Masai Mara is a northern extension of Tanzania’s Serengeti, and the huge herds of wildebeest and other grazers that arrive from July to October dominate the park’s ecology in a similar way. This jaw-dropping spectacle is a magnet for predators; there is no better place to notch up lion and cheetah in double-quick time, helped by the open terrain and the cats’ ease around vehicles. Other draw-cards include elephant, giraffe and rare black rhinos.

The Mara’s downside is its popularity, sometimes leading to intrusive clusters of minibuses. For a more exclusive experience, head to upmarket camps in the west. Rough roads and seasonal flooding rule out self-drive for first-timers.

Budget: Options at all price levels

When to go: Cooler and more accessible during dry season, May-Oct

2. Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. (Dreamstime)

The Serengeti is arguably the best-known wildlife spectacle on the planet. Everything that applies to the Masai Mara – its northern extension – applies here, from the scale of the great migration to the ease of sighting predators. Except that the Serengeti, at nearly 15,000 sq km, is nearly ten times bigger, which means that its plains are that much more ‘endless’ and there is a greater habitat variety. It also means that visitors are a little thinner on the ground than in the Mara. The centre of the park, around Seronera, is often busy but private concessions in the north and west offer more exclusive options.

Ngorongoro Crater sits a short drive to the east, still within the Serengeti Conservation Area. This volcanic caldera encloses 250 sq km of plains, forest and lakes, and harbours an improbable concentration of wildlife – including lions, elephants and black rhinos. Such riches draw the crowds, and the place can sometimes seem like a wild zoo. But should your lifetime’s safari-going be confined to a single day-trip, then it should probably be here.

Budget: Options at all price levels

When to go: Year round; migration moves with the seasons; conditions best Jun-Oct

3. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park, South Africa. (Dreamstime)

Some purists argue that South Africa’s premier national park is too crowded and managed. Certainly, its tar roads and large camps are not to everybody’s taste. But its 22,000 sq km mean room for all comers, with enough backroads and bush camps to satisfy those with serious wilderness cravings.

Whatever your tastes, there’s no denying the wildlife. With the Big Five (including both rhino species) all thriving, plus cheetah, wild dog, numerous large herbivores and 500-plus bird species, you will see a huge selection here. The secret is the habitat variety, from hills and savannah to woodland and riverine forest. Abundant water helps, with perennial rivers ensuring game concentrations year round. All-weather roads also make this a top bet for the rainy season.

The upside of development is choice. From exclusive lodge to large public camp, and from night drive to wilderness trail, Kruger really does offer everything. First-timers and budget travellers will probably find this Africa’s easiest and most rewarding safari destination.

Budget: Options at all price levels

When to go: Year round; main rains Nov-Mar

4. Chobe National Park & Moremi Game Reserve Botswana

Chobe National Park, Botswana. (Dreamstime)

Botswana is a dry land yet, paradoxically, some of its best game viewing is by water. Come the dry season, wildlife throngs the riverfront in the far north of Chobe National Park, where boat cruises pass countless elephants and buffaloes. Lions and hyenas roam the loop roads, while sable are among the many herbivores. Victoria Falls is just a day-trip away.

Further south, the Moremi Reserve protects the eastern fringes of the Okavango Delta, where seasonal waterways lure prolific game numbers from the surrounding mopane woodland. Predators, including wild dog, are abundant. Boat cruises across the lagoons or mokoro (dugout canoe) trips down the narrow channels offer plentiful big game and bird life.

These two destinations are often combined, transferring either by air or an arduous road trip – the latter via Savuti, famed for elephants, lions and hyenas. Both can be crowded in peak season. Self-drive is only for the experienced but there are budget mobile packages (using government campsites), plus numerous lodges.

Budget: All price levels

When to go: Jun-Oct (peak Okavango floods May-Aug)

5. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. (Dreamstime)

Zambia’s top park is generally seen as a destination for the more discerning, thanks to its expert guiding and small, owner-run lodges promoting an all-round bush experience.Nonetheless, South Luangwa is also a top spot for first-timers. Toward the end of the dry season game concentrates in great numbers around the shrinking river and its hippo-choked lagoons, and – with the exception of rhino and cheetah – you can expect easy viewing of a full wildlife spectrum. Night drives allow the thrill of following big cats on the prowl – there is no better park for leopard – while guided walks offer an enthralling ground-level insight into the bush. Indeed, this park is known as the home of the walking safari.

This is a challenging destination for the independent traveller – more high-end lodge territory. But you can expect an excellent all-round safari for your money, with top wildlife, attention to detail and raw bush appeal.

Budget: Medium / High

When to go: Peak game viewing Jun-Oct; floods during rains (Nov-Mar), when some camps close

6. Etosha National Park, Namibia

Etosha National Park, Namibia. (Dreamstime)

Etosha is Namibia’s Kruger, with roads and facilities suitable for the self-drive, budget safari. The harsh, semi-arid terrain is not to all tastes, though, with its thorn scrub, calcrete rubble and vast, shimmering saltpan. And with no rivers, you can forget about hippos and crocs.

The best ploy here is to stake out one of the park’s many spring-fed waterholes and wait for animals to arrive. The end of the dry season sucks a procession of thirsty game from the parched bush. Zebra, giraffe, oryx and others all jostle for position, giving way to boisterous elephant herds and cantankerous black rhinos. Lion prides lurk in ambush.

Each public camp overlooks a busy waterhole, floodlit by night, so during the dry season you need never leave camp. The rainy season brings lush growth and flamingos flocking to temporary lagoons. A number of private concessions in the park’s southern and western reaches offer more upmarket guided safaris.

Budget: Options at all price levels

When to go: Peak game viewing Jun-Nov; pans flood Jan-Mar

The best safaris for second-timers

With big game already under your belt, these safaris take you away from the crowds to relax and enjoy a fuller appreciation of the wildlife.

1. Mana Pools & Lower Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe/Zambia

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. (Dreamstime)

The Zambezi River meanders east towards the Indian Ocean across a broad floodplain between towering escarpment walls. Come the dry season, the valley’s mosaic of islands, oxbows and river terraces fills up with wildlife: large herds of elephant and buffalo move down from the hills, while lion and other predators stalk prey along the river.

This picture-book panorama straddles two countries: on the Zambia side (north) it forms the Lower Zambezi National Park; on the Zimbabwe side it falls within the Mana Pools World Heritage site.

Absentees include rhino, wildebeest and giraffe – but this place is more about quality than quantity. The scenic backdrop invites you simply to sit and soak it all in – which is no bad strategy, when wildlife wanders through the riverside lodges at will.

Road access is rough and the emphasis, especially on the Zambian side, is on the upmarket. Activities include game drives and bush walks. This is Africa’s top canoeing destination: wildlife lines the banks and hippo pods lurk around every bend. Wilderness trails in Mana Pools are only for the adventurous.

Budget: Medium / High

When to go: Peak game viewing May-Oct; no road access to Mana Pools during rains (Nov-Apr), when many Zambian camps also close

2. Okavango private reserves, Botswana

Okavango private reserves, Botswana. (Dreamstime)

If a trip to Moremi has whetted your appetite for the Okavango, a number of private concessions offer a more exclusive window on this fabulous wildlife area. Each has its own attractions according to terrain – some more water-based than others. The reintroduction of both white and black rhinos means that the area now boasts the complete Big Five, while highlights include Africa’s best wild dog viewing and dramatic lion/buffalo interactions.

Access is almost entirely by air and many of the lodges are extremely swanky, with prices to match. Your money gets you fabulous locations, top guides, a glorious wilderness area pretty much to yourself and a chance to enjoy activities – such as walks, night drives and even elephant-back safaris– that are not available inside the national park.

Budget: High

When to go: Year round; peak game viewing Jul-Oct

3. Laikipia Plateau, Kenya

Masai scouts on safari. (Dreamstime)

The Laikipia Plateau lies at the southern boundary of Kenya’s northern frontier, with dramatic views of snow-capped Mt Kenya to the south. With similar wildlife to that in nearby parks of Meru, Samburu and Buffalo Springs, it comprises around a dozen private concessions, notably the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, that have joined forces in one enormous conservation initiative. This protects one of Kenya’s healthiest wildlife populations, with elephant, buffalo and all the major predators in good numbers, plus reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra and more than half the country’s black rhinos.

Laikipia offers an exclusive Kenya alternative to the Masai Mara; lodges – some very imaginative – tempt guests with everything from camel trekking to fishing. It has become a pioneering area for ecotourism, with many properties owned by the local community. The high altitude means that large areas are malaria-free and usually cooler than the Mara.

Budget: Medium / High

When to go: Year round; some lodges close with the ‘long rains’ (Nov-Mar)

4. Imfolozi Wilderness Trails, South Africa

Imfolozi Wilderness Trails, South Africa

Imfolozi is synonymous with white rhino and wilderness trails – it was here that Africa’s second-largest land mammal made its stand against extinction a century ago, and this is where conservationist Ian Player developed his wilderness trails concept, encouraging a more holistic appreciation of the wild.

Close encounters with white rhino are common as you tramp through the undulating bush. Black rhino also thrive, while elephant, buffalo and all major predators are present. But the trails are as much about appreciating tracks, birdsong, insects and plants as big-game thrills. Camping is basic, guiding outstanding and the total wilderness immersion memorable. The park is easily reached on good roads and the trails come at bargain KwaZulu-Natal Parks Board prices. Book in advance.

Budget: Low

When to go: Trails (2, 3 or 4-day) run mid-Feb to mid-Nov

5. Ruaha National Park, southern Tanzania

Ruaha National Park, southern Tanzania. (Dreamstime)

As Tanzania’s ‘southern circuit’ has developed in recent years, so this once obscure park has become a favourite. It offers classic big game in a remote setting, with the few camps spaced far apart.

Attractions include Tanzania’s largest elephant population, plus numerous buffalo and the full spectrum of large predators. Its geographical position between two biomes – the east African acacia savannahs and the southern African miombo woodland – means an unusual mix of species, including, for example, both greater and lesser kudu.

This reserve is often combined with a visit to Selous. Lodges are upmarket and access is generally by air. Game viewing is best during the dry season, when large herds gather around the rivers, though birding is excellent in the rainy season. Activities include both night drives and day walks in the company of expert guides.

Budget: Medium / High

When to go: Year round; some lodges close with the ‘long rains’ (Nov-Mar)

6. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. (Dreamstime)

Uganda is best known for its gorilla trekking and, with Kenya and Tanzania receiving most of East Africa’s safari visitors, its game parks are often overlooked. True, this park suffered heavily from poaching during the country’s recent turbulent years, but the wildlife has returned with astonishing speed.

Today elephant and buffalo once again roam the lakeshores, while hippos crowd the Kazinga Channel and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha thrive on the abundant kob, waterbuck and other antelope.

While the first-timer is assured plentiful big game, the more experienced safari-goer will find that the unusual variety of habitats, for a relatively small park, offers an impressive diversity. This runs to chimpanzees in the forested gorges and rare shoebill in the papyrus swamps. The bird list of 610 species is exceptional by any standards. A full range of activities and accommodation is available, including boat cruises, and all beneath the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Budget: Options at all price levels

When to go: Wettest months Apr-May and Oct-Nov, when some roads are impassable

The best safaris for connoisseurs

These safaris are for those who’ve chalked up all the greatest hits and now want to go a step further, in search of unusual wildlife or a true wilderness experience…

1. Northern Damaraland, Namibia

Oryx in Northern Damaraland, Namibia. (Dreamstime)

The harsh, semi-desert landscape of Damaraland, in north-western Namibia, lies outside any national park. This is a land where the dramatic geology, ancient rock art and unique plant life are of as much interest as the wildlife. Nonetheless, a fair selection of game wanders the stony plains and sandy wastes, with pride of place going to the uniquely desert-adapted elephant and black rhinos.

Other highlights include giraffe, oryx, mountain zebra and the occasional predator, including cheetahs and rare brown hyenas.

A series of river valleys, generally dry, enables visitors to penetrate deep into the rugged terrain; a number of exclusive lodges offer safaris both on foot and by 4WD. You will not be ticking off a Kruger-style checklist of game, but expect an awe-inspiring dose of true wilderness, with the rare opportunity to track black rhino on foot and camp out under the stars.

Budget: High

When to go: May-Nov (camps closed during rains)

2. Katavi National Park, Tanzania

Hippopotami at Katavi National Park, Tanzania (Dreamstime)

Most parks in Africa push the ‘ultimate wilderness’ line, but this one is hard to beat, being so far off the beaten track – even by Tanzania’s standards – that only a few hundred visitors get there each year. Its terrain comprises mixed woodland and two huge grassy plains, where the herds congregate. The only permanent water sources are the Katuma and Kapapa Rivers, which heave with hippos in the dry season. Elephant are plentiful, while lions tail the numerous buffalo.

This park is for safari connoisseurs who want the bush entirely to themselves. Flights to this remote corner of western Tanzania are expensive, and the park’s few, small permanent camps offer an upmarket and intensive wilderness experience. Distances are such that game drives often last the day. Walking is excellent, and overnight camp-outs – with all the trimmings – can be arranged.

Budget: High

When to go: Open all year; game viewing best May-Nov

3. North Luangwa, Zambia

North Luangwa, Zambia. (Dreamstime)

The ultimate safari frisson: coming face to face with a lion on foot. This remote park has similar terrain to South Luangwa but a wilder feel and a fraction of the visitor numbers.

The game is shy and sightings less reliable – the legacy of past poaching, but due also to the wildlife’s sheer unfamiliarity with humans.

Big buffalo herds draw lion prides, while hyenas and leopards are abundant.

Only three small camps operate in the park so you will feel you have the place to yourself. Access is generally by air and activities are almost entirely on foot. Top-notch guides track the wildlife and reveal the secrets of this pristine environment.

Budget: High

When to go: May-Nov (camps closed during rains)

4. Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana

Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana. (Dreamstime)

The Kalahari’s sandy grasslands and woodlands are an arid, challenging environment, where much wildlife is highly nomadic. This place is at its best early in the year – January to May – when rains bring fresh growth, and thousands of springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, eland and others arrive for the grazing. Predators include cheetah, both hyena types and the Kalahari’s famous black-maned lions. Meanwhile a wealth of specialised residents ranges from ostriches to meerkats.

Until recently, access to this enormous wilderness (at more than 50,000 sq km, the park tops Serengeti, Kruger and South Luangwa combined) was restricted, and visitors could enter on a mobile safari only. Today two permanent camps inside the park complement those outside. Game viewing can be hit and miss, and some species – notably elephant, hippo and buffalo – are absent. Nonetheless, the scale and isolation are impressive.

Budget: Medium / High

When to go: Best game viewing Jan-May, though access can be difficult then

5. Southern Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania

Southern Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania. (Dreamstime)

Less famous than the Serengeti, Selous is Tanzania’s largest game reserve and the safari linchpin of the ‘southern circuit’. Its terrain differs from the savannahs of the north, with woodland, mountains and riverine forest. Game is not as visible as in the Serengeti, but the numbers and variety are impressive, with large populations of elephant, buffalo, lion and hippo, plus local specials such as sable and wild dog.

The Rufiji River runs through the park, dividing it in two. Most safaris are confined to the smaller northern sector, where a handful of upmarket lodges offer the full range of activities, including boat trips on the Rufiji.

Budget: High

When to go: Year round; activities adapted to seasons

6. Liuwa Plain, Zambia

Liuwa Plain, Zambia. (Dreamstime)

This remote savannah in the Barotseland district of western Zambia was once the hunting ground of the Litunga, king of the Lozi people. Today it is a national park, but so far off the safari circuit that it requires a serious expedition to get there. The few visitors who make the trek – by water and road – find themselves alone in a vast plain of grass, punctuated only by scattered pools, palm stands and the munching of innumerable blue wildebeest.

The wildebeest arrive with the rains to form the largest herds outside the Serengeti, their numbers peaking between November and June, and are joined by zebra and other grazers.

Hyenas are the dominant predators, with a few wandering wild dog and cheetah, and a small lion population. But Liuwa is not a place to tick off big game. Its flora and birds are as special as its mammals, and – best of all – it offers adventure, isolation and the unknown. At present, just one company leads expeditions here.

Budget: High

When to go: Expeditions in May/Jun and Nov/Dec

Safari FAQs

From volunteering with the wildlife to avoiding malaria, your burning questions answered…

Safari sunset (Shutterstock)

When is the best time to go on safari?

If it’s simply big game you’re after, conventional wisdom favours the end of the dry season, when wildlife comes to water and sparse vegetation helps visibility. Come the rains, the bush bursts into leaf, herds disperse and some places become inaccessible.

But the rainy season also brings baby mammals, better birdlife, gorgeous skies and fewer tourists. The rains in southern Africa last roughly November-March; in East Africa the pattern is more complex. Check local factors: in the Luangwa Valley, a few lodges offer excellent ‘emerald season’ safaris during the rains; Kalahari wildlife is best immediately after the rains; all-weather roads in Kruger mean there is no bad time to go.

What should I bring with me on safari?

Lightweight, breathable garments with sleeves and trousers (to protect against insects after dark) will do, plus trainers, a hat and something warm for evenings. If you’re tracking on foot, neutral colours are important – animals spot anything white or colourful. Tsetse flies are attracted to dark colours – there’s good reasons why khaki is the perfect colour for safaris.

Camera or not, you’ll need binoculars: views can be distant, and Africa’s birdlife soon turns non-birders into ardent twitchers. Also pack a torch, for getting around camp and spotting wildlife after dark; spare batteries, as recharging is often impossible; and field guides (especially birds) as, even with experts on hand, it’s nice to check.

Aren’t the animals dangerous?

As a tourist the dangers are negligible, so long as you do as you’re told. If you’re in a vehicle, most animals will ignore you: you can sit in an open jeep metres from a pride of lions and they will barely register your presence (though always allow elephants plenty of space). On foot, your guide will avoid risky situations and, in reality, most animals will be avoiding you. In a canoe, you’ll be told the protocol with hippos.

Never feed or encourage any wild animals: the most dangerous are probably those scavenging around busy camps, such as baboons, which have lost their fear of humans. It’s best to assume all water holds crocodiles.

Will I be stuck in a vehicle all day?

For an outdoor pursuit, safaris can be surprisingly sedentary. And with the amount of food you’re likely to down – especially at a lodge – the more active can become frustrated by lack of exercise. Self-drive travellers should aim to keep drives reasonably short and allow leg-stretch time at camps and picnic sites. Consider packages that offer walks – or try a full walking safari, where most of your time is spent on foot. Other active options include canoeing, horse-riding and mountain-biking. Areas without dangerous game, such as Malawi’s Nyika Plateau, tend to offer more. Try Victoria Falls or Namibia for adventure sports.

Where are the best guides?

A good guide can turn a safari into a life-changing experience. Zambia’s guides, especially in Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi, have an excellent reputation – the product of a rigorous training system. Similar high standards are associated with northern Botswana, Namibia and Tanzania.

On the whole, you will find the best guides at private lodges, where they live on site and know the terrain and wildlife inside out. Guides on budget packages may be sharp-eyed and helpful, but will seldom have the same level of knowledge and expertise. Only the elite are entrusted with walking safaris, and these include those leading the Kruger Park and Imfolozi wilderness trails.

Do I really need a guide on my safari?

Guides, despite their virtues, are not essential. There is much to be said for doing things your own way; you may not see or learn as much, but you’ll have the thrill of finding and working it out for yourself. You can also follow your own agenda, without compromising for the sake of a group. Parks with a good infrastructure, such as Kruger, Etosha and Hwange, make life easy for the DIY safari-goer: you can follow the map, check sightings boards and swap news with other visitors. Doing your own thing in the wilds of, say, the Okavango or Serengeti is only for the seriously equipped and experienced.

How do I choose a good tour operator?

Shop around – and not just for price. The best operators should offer an advisor who knows the destination first-hand and can answer your queries from personal experience. They should highlight honestly the pros and cons of the season in which you intend to visit, make clear any ‘extras’ (eg park fees, activities) and explain how long you actually spend in each place, not just en route. Be wary of wildlife ‘guarantees’: good operators know wild animals don’t work to itineraries. For peace of mind, your UK operator should be an ABTA or AITO member and ATOL protected.

How can I safari responsibly or get more involved?

A good operator will state their responsible tourism policy clearly in their brochure or on their website. Ask about animal welfare and conservation guidelines, carbon offset schemes and whether the lodges they represent use sustainable resources and support the local community.

Your own behaviour makes a difference, whether on a package or travelling independently. Never feed or harass any wildlife. Obey speed limits and take out your rubbish, if camping in remote areas. Find out more about the local community – ideally by talking to the local people themselves – and whether there is a project to which you can contribute.

23 of the best places to visit in June

June is a popular month for travel around the world, and for good reason too. Some of the world’s best-loved wildlife can be seen in June, there are plenty of summer festivals underway, and the weather’s at its peak around many parts of the globe.

But we’re not interested in the world’s honeypot sites or mass tourist destinations at Wanderlust. Instead, we want to help you find an adventure away from the crowds. So whether you’re looking for a travel experience to last the month, or are in the process of plotting your next city break in the sun, we’ve got the best, lesser-visited June destination recommendations for you.

Skip ahead to your chosen travel type by clicking on one of the below, or keep scrolling for the full list:

The best places to visit for wildlife watching in June
The best longer-term travel experiences for June
The best June destinations for nature and ideal weather
June’s biggest arts and cultural experiences

The best June destinations for wildlife watching

1. Borneo

A young orangutan in Borneo (Shutterstock)

With June being a dry month with little rainfall in both Sabah and Sarawak, the weather is a good reason in itself to head to Borneo. Add in the fact that June is one of your best shots for one of the world’s rarest and most inspiring wildlife experiences, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you were already booked, packed and on the plane.

Trees start to fruit in June, and orangutans start to come out in the wild Sabah forest to pick up these tasty treats. If you’re lucky, they’ll come close enough for an incredible sighting. June is also when you’ll see green and hawksbill turtles on the remote, sandy Lankayan Island.

Mulu National Park and the Batang Ai region in Sarawak are also great for trekking in June’s weather conditions. Head to Mulu during dusk and watch the jawdropping spectacle of three millions bats leaving their cave in search of an evening meal.

2. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

A leopard looms over South Luangwa National Park in Zambia (Dreamstime)

April until October is Zambia’s dry season, but after July the bush dries out and starts looking a little thirsty for rain. Also, from July onwards visitor numbers start to soar, and safaris and wildlife experiences start to get busier.

To miss high season (and the highest prices), plan your trip for June. You’ll still have a very good chance of spotting the likes of leopards, elephants and giraffes gathering by the rivers, or in the thinning vegetation.

Don’t forget to wrap up warm for morning safaris. The days may be toasty, but the mornings are typically a tad nippy.

5. San Juan Islands, Washington, USA

Spot orcas leaping out of the water in the San Juan Islands (Shutterstock)

In June, life in the USA’s San Juan Islands tends to revolve around the busy Salish Sea. Aside from the region’s year-round collection of resident southern orca, the summer also sees humpbacks kelping in the waters off San Juan’s Lime Kiln State Park, where they are sometimes spotted from land, though kayak and, more specifically, boat tours offer a greater chance of sightings.

If that’s not magical enough, take an evening kayak trip from San Juan’s pretty Roche Harbor to the still waters of Garrison and Westcott Bays, where you may be able to see bioluminescence twinkling in the darkness. Tours typically start in June, with the long, hot days providing the best conditions to see this natural phenomena up close once night falls.

4. Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya

A small herd of wildebeest in the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya (Dreamstime)

Masai Mara is a must-visit destination for anyone with a love for big cats. Lions, leopards and cheetahs live happily in this Kenyan reserve. The prides who call the Mara home are even a little bit famous, thanks to TV shows such as Big Cat Tales andBig Cat Diary.

July to October is considered high season, just like it is in South Luangwa. Avoid the bulk of the crowds clamouring for the same sighting, without really reducing your chances of a stunning big cat spot, by going instead in June. Go towards the end of the month specifically to try for a glimpse of Kenya’s wildebeest migration, too.

5. Mountain gorilla trekking, East Africa

A mountain gorilla is Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda (Dreamstime)

Trekking the Virunda mountains of Rwanda and Uganda, you can enjoy mountain gorilla sightings throughout the year. However, it’s awfully misty in the mountains, so you’ll be peering through cloudy air to witness the wonder of the gorillas in their natural home.

Dry season takes place from June to September. Expect it to be busy during this time, however the viewing conditions are spectacular. Make sure to book a tour well in advance, to ensure your place for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The temperature is also very palatable for a decent hike, too. It does climb as July and August roll on, so it’s worth keeping that in mind.

6. Jaguars in the Pantanal, Brazil

A jaguar by the water in Brazil’s northern Pantanal (Shutterstock)

Both the northern and southern Pantanal in the depths of Brazil offer the best of the best opportunities to spot a jaguar in the wild. June is the start of dry season, which ends in October, making it the ideal weather conditions for a sighting.

Fortunately, the jaguars in the Pantanal are used to the idea of seeing humans around, so a respectful jaguar-spotting session shouldn’t spook them too much.

The northern Pantanal is thought to practically guarantee a sighting, but the Caiman Ecological Reserve in the south also offers great jaguar-watching experiences.

The best June destinations for longer-term travel

7. Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, Australia

Ningaloo Reef makes up around 50% of all living coral in the Indian Ocean (Shutterstock)

While Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is faring better these days, with scientists cautiously optimistic that it is gradually recovering from the bleaching events that have affected its corals in recent years, another conservation success story continues to lure travellers to the remote coast of Western Australia.

The 260km-long Ningaloo Reef makes up around 50% of all living coral in the Indian Ocean. It’s every bit as impressive as its eastern cousin and yet still not nearly as developed, making it a much quieter alternative in the winter months.

The big story here has always been whale sharks. By June, you’re slap bang in the middle of the migration season (Mar–Jul), when these graceful fish arrive en masse in search of krill and plankton. Snorkelling beside them knowing that strict rules ensure the creature’s safety (not always the case in other countries) makes the experience even more unforgettable.

June also sees a huge increase in manta ray numbers in Exmouth, as they zip past divers and snorkellers at lightening speeds – enough to give you whiplash from swivelling your neck. Then there’s dugongs, dolphins, turtles and miles upon miles of beautiful coast and corals to explore… if you have the time.

8. Yosemite National Park, USA

Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park, USA (Shutterstock)

There’s probably no better time to enjoy the high waters, rugged landscapes and glorious colours of Yosemite National Park. Early June’s weather makes for a typically dry, warm visit, and the larger crowds don’t roll around until later in the month and through summertime. If you walk just 15 minutes away from Yosemite’s honeypot sites, you’ll get the feeling of total seclusion.

The epic double waterfall, with its three cascades of varying heights, gets its flow of water from the winter’s melting snow, and experiences peak runoff in June, before drying up in the summer. You can check how Yosemite Falls is flowing, via live webcam.

Sentinel, Bridalveil, Vernal, and Ribbon Fall – four more of Yosemite’s iconic waterfalls – are also flowing in full swing by June. Ribbon is the single largest drop in North America, too.

9. Greenland

The brightly-coloured Saqqaq village in western Greenland (Shutterstock)

In June, Greenland’s low humidity makes it feel a little warmer. But the main reason Greenland makes our June list is because you can see for miles on end thanks to the crisp, clean air and low moisture. So far, in fact, that it may throw you off kilter: towns, mountains and fjords may seem closer than they actually are.

Still, if you plan properly, you can enjoy great hikes in near-perfect weather, and in edge-of-the-world surroundings. There are countless things you can do beyond simply admiring Greenland’s natural beauty – it’s certainly not a ‘short break’ destination. UNESCO heritage sites, Viking ruins and the perfectly quaint Saqqaq village, pictured, are just a few.

10. Ladakh, India

Shanti Stupa in Ladakh, India (Shutterstock)

Welcome to the near-mystical region of Ladakh in India. It’s a walker’s paradise. The surrounding views of the Himalayas and Karakoram mountain range are totally unchallenged, and it’s the highest point in the entire Kashmir Valley, 3,000 feet above sea level.

The desert cities of Leh and Kargil are also worth a visit, known for their fascinating Buddhist temples and ample trekking routes.

June is an idyllic time to venture here. The weather warms up as the snow dissipates, and Ladakh opens itself up to visitors. The roads leading into Ladakh are fully open, and you can expect a variety of choice in hotels, places to eat and other amenities.

11. Peru

Inti Rami takes place in June in Peru (Shutterstock)

June in Peru brings with it not just seasonal sunshine, but the Sun Festival (Inti Raymi), a celebration with roots deep in Inca culture. It was outlawed under Spanish rule, only to re-emerge in the mid-20th century; now locals freely parade the streets of Cusco in wild costumes, as events – and visitors – overtake the city and Sacred Valley. It all culminates in a grand procession to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman and ends with the beseeching of the sun god for a kind harvest.

While the crowds head to Cusco for the festivities, there are still ways to experience Peru’s history in June and not have to jostle shoulder to shoulder. It might be peak trekking season here, but barely a fraction of the number that visit Machu Picchu make the four-day trek up to Choquequirao, an Inca citadel three times the size of its more famous cousin yet still largely unclaimed from the surrounding jungle.

Alternatively, head north to the Andes, where the once-unassailable fortress of Kuélap tells the story of the Chachapoya (‘Cloud Warriors’), who pre-date even the Inca. The hike up is unnecessary these days (there’s a cable car), though the views – at around 3,000m – of the pillowy Utcubamba Valley below are breathtaking.

The best June destinations for pleasant weather and nature

12. Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Scenic Barra in the Outer Hebrides (Shutterstock)

June is the perfect time to explore Scotland’s remotest corner. The busy summer ferry schedule makes island-hopping the Outer Hebrides a breeze, as you explore a scattered region where over half of all residents still speak Gaelic, with boat trips out to its furthest-flung isles also just starting up again in June.

Each island has its own character, from the serene beaches of Barra to the art galleries of Stornoway (capital of Lewis & Harris), to the Calanais Standing Stones of Lewis. There’s wilderness too, with the Hebridean Whale Trail taking you to spots where sightings of whales and dolphins are likeliest.

Adventure comes in the form of boats out to the remote isle of St Kilda (100km off mainland Scotland), ably defended by dive-bombing skuas. The island is listed by UNESCO for both its wildlife (home to over a million seabirds) and culture, with visits to a vast colony of breeding puffins making a charming addition to wandering the historic ruins of the old town.

13. The Azores, Portugal

The Azores in June is pleasant weather for water activities (Shutterstock)

The natural beauty of the Azores comes into full focus in June, with its big hydrangea blooms decorating the island in a mix of pinks, purples and blues. For the most impressive bursts of blue by the archipelago, set your sights on the island of Pico, and admire the bushes of hydrangea highlighting Mount Pico volcano.

June is also prime time for spotting dolphins and whales off the coast of the Azores. Tours can be arranges off various ports, but we heading to Horta on Faial, where you can also visit a museum that brings the history of humans and marine animals to life.

14. Guernsey

A greenhouse of flowers in Guernsey (Shutterstock)

The good folks of Guernsey celebrate an annual Spring Walking Festival which continues into the beginning of June and is perfect for nature lovers.

When not exploring on foot, there’s plenty to discover on this Channel Island: the historic, beach-side Fort Grey, Victor Hugo’s old home, and the Sunday concerts held outdoors in Candie Gardens, which run throughout summer.

Head to the local bars to try the gin, Guernsey’s speciality. Visit a local distillery or just head to the pub and give one or two (or three) local samples a whirl.

15. New York State, USA

The famous lighthouse in Montauk village, at the very edge of Long Island, New York (Shutterstock)

Generally, you can expect lovely weather from Long Island in June. The Hudson Valley turns a lush, deep green that’s striking against a clear blue sky. For exploring on foot, we suggest strolling through the village of Cold Spring, the arty town of Beacon, or hiking Breakneck Ridge.

Once you’re done, keep going on the train to the very edge of Long Island, and find yourself where the richest of locals ‘summer’: East Hampton and Montauk. Enjoy dreamy, chilled-out beaches and mellow cycling paths, as the best way to get around (if not by car) is by bike.

Famous for appearing in The Affair and Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, you’ll probably feel familiar grabbing lunch at the Lobster Roll, or exploring the Montauk lighthouse, pictured.

The best June destinations for festivals, culture and arts

16. Tel Aviv Pride, Israel

Join Pride parades in Tel Aviv (Shutterstock)

This is officially Pride Month for the world’s LGBTQ+ community, although events are far from limited to June. The roots of the month lie in New York’s Stonewall riots in late June 1969, consequently other countries often choose their own significant dates to mark their LGBTQ+ history. But a few things unite them all: street parties, music and parades.

Tel Aviv is no different, and its miles of beachfront, fine restaurants and diverse nightlife only adds to the occasion as Pride arrives in time for June. The annual parade starts from Me’ir Park (Gan Me’ir), where a large festival of music, drag shows and speeches precede a cavalcade of floats and marching groups who dance, shimmy and glide through town towards the beach.

Best of all: when you’re done with partying, you can do day trips to the mineral spas and buoyant waters of the Dead Sea to recover.

17. Basel, Switzerland

Art Basel takes place in Miami, Hong Kong and here in Basel, Switzerland (Shutterstock)

Art Basel is a yearly, international art show that draws the world’s most influential and cutting edge artists to Miami, Hong Kong and to the Swiss city after which it is named. In June you can immerse yourself in the ‘artworld’ and admire installations, displays and modern artworks, and hear daily talks from the artists themselves, in a variety of locations across the city.

Other festivals hosted in Basel in June include the the Swiss Yodelling Festival and Summerstage Basel.

Basel also has a host of galleries and attractions you can explore year-round. Marvel at Basel Minster, the gothic, 18th century cathedral with its impressive twin spires. Sit near Markplatz main square, and enjoy a coffee and a pastry. If you’re still feeling creative, head to Museum Tinguey, the Basel Paper Mill (Museum) and enjoy sitting by Carnival Fountain – a fine piece of sculpture work in itself.

18. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest’s famous Szechenyi Baths, in the sun, before everyone arrives… (Shutterstock)

Budapest, Hungary’s capital, is full of surprises – not least the myriad festival celebrations to partake in during the month of June.

Sure, enjoy the classics: ruin bars, the thermal Szechenyi Baths and a cruise down the Danube, but be warned, they will be busy. Afterwards, get involved with the local summer celebrations, including the week-long Danube Carnival, complete with folk dance performances, dance workshops, fairs and craft markets.

Savvy travellers will also want to take advantage of concerts in Budapest Park – Europe’s biggest open-air entertainment centre. Or see what’s on at Budapest’s newest cultural hub, the House of Music.

19. Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s stunning Rhodope Mountains are the backdrop for the music festival Meadows In The Mountains (Shutterstock)

The Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria are undoubtedly the perfect setting for a fairy tale… but also, as it happens, a truly unique music festival experience.

In June each year, the mountains are filled with revellers looking to enjoy the music and art-driven Meadows In The Mountains festival, which invites dance acts to perform on a stage with this spectacular view (pictured) as their backdrop.

Beyond the music, the festival has strong principles on protecting its natural environment, and encourages those who come along to travel as sustainably as possible.

20. Sweden

Midsummer celebrations in Gothenburg (Shutterstock)

Anyone who has ever seen Ari Aster’s 2019 horror flick Midsommar would be forgiven for being wary of Sweden’s annual summer rites, but the reality is decidedly more playful thanks to a feast of dancing, pickled herrings, strawberries and schnapps. It’s also a chance to see Sweden at its most relaxed.

The longest day sees locals flock to the countryside and regions such as Darlana, where vast forests and identikit red-painted cottages (the copper paint is a handy wood preservative) spill to the horizon. Just about every village there has a maypole, every head bears a ring of flowers, and the shores of Lake Siljan fill annually with a procession of longboats.

Alternatively, head for Gothenburg and the Bohuslän Coast. The former’s Slottsskogen park sees plenty of maypole action, while ferries to the 8,000-island archipelago offshore deposit travellers in tiny fishing villages that offer a glimpse of traditional life amid the dusky glimmer of midnight sun.

21. Newfoundland & Labrador, Atlantic Canada

Spot icebergs in Newfoundland and Labrador (Alamy)

In early June (and often late May), the town of St Anthony in Newfoundland and Labrador witnesses the arrival of a trail of huge icebergs that drift down from the Arctic, having calved from Greenland’s glaciers during the spring and been carried south before they have a chance to melt.

Over the years, this annual event has been turned into the Iceberg Festival, as travellers join boats exploring what is known as ‘Iceberg Alley’ in search of monster ’bergs, puffin colonies and up-close sightings of migrating humpbacks – the world’s largest population drifts right by the coast in the summer.

One sad note is that climate change is taking its toll on the festival, with fewer and smaller icebergs making it down from the Arctic each spring. Who knows how many more years Iceberg Alley has left in it, so join in the fun while you still can to see one of the great frozen wonders.

22. Galveston, Texas, USA

Head to Galveston for Juneteenth freedom walks, festivities and parades (Shutterstock)

On 19 June 1865 in Galveston, Texas, Union soldiers delivered the news to the enslaved people of the South that the Civil War had ended and they were free. That this came two-and-a-half years after Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation first promised freedom is a tragedy in itself, yet the date has since sparked one of the USA’s most uplifting holidays: Juneteenth.

It was only declared a US federal holiday in 2021, after years of campaigning. Now the day is marked across the country, with festivities that run the gamut of parades, rodeos, cook outs and music events, all with the common aim of celebrating the Black community. Nowhere is this better experienced than where it all started.

Head to Galveston, an island off the coast of Texas, for days of galas, freedom walks, festivities, parades, picnics and a sobering dose of history. All events are open to the public and offer a way to delve into a past that should never be forgotten.

23. Murcia & La Rioja, Spain

Murcia’s stunning cathedral, Spain (Shutterstock)

Two Spanish cities: lots of cultural attractions in June.

Murcia, in Spain’s south-east, has a brilliant festival taking over its June calendar: the Baby-Jumping Colacho Festival, where men literally hop over babies in the street. Let’s say it’s… unusual!

Meanwhile, over in Haro in the north of Spain, a peaceful-yet-messy ceremonial wine-chucking battle called The Battle Of Wine takes place, at the end of June each year.

Catch up on our Uganda event

More than 300 of you tuned into our Uganda event to hear Charlotte Beauvoisin, writer of the award-winning blog Diary of a Muzungu, speak live from this incredible country alongside other expert speakers from Wildlife Worldwide and the Uganda Tourist Board. We learned all about Uganda’s incredible wildlife and fascinating culture.

If you missed the event or had to leave early, then don’t worry. We have the full recording of the event plus the answers to your questions right here…

Watch the full recording

Your questions answered

Where was Charlotte talking from?
I was talking live from Kyaninga Lodge a high-end lodge near Fort Portal and Kibale Forest (so a good base for chimp tracking).

Can you drive yourself around Uganda or is it easier to get a driver?
Self-drive holidays are possible but not recommended if you haven’t done an African road trip before. We always recommend having a driver guide. They know every road – and pothole! They will tell you what time you need to leave your lodge for your next activity, maintain your vehicle and generally be a really good addition to your experience of Uganda. Ideally hire a trained guide with expertise in your particular interest e.g. safari, birding, culture, etc. If you do choose to self-drive, don’t drive at night. Very few roads are lit and it can be dangerous. I frequently take bus trips between Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. It’s incredibly cheap but they don’t have the best safety reputation. I would recommend this road trip for the rainy season.

Can you self drive in the game parks?
Yes it’s possible to drive yourself in the game park but you must stick to the marked tracks. Failure to do so may result in a cash fine or even eviction from the park. If you travel independently, you will need to have an armed ranger escort, at your (small) cost. Choose the right one, and you will have an expert guide to the park. Although the idea of doing your own game drive sounds exciting, local people know exactly where the different wildlife hunts and sleeps. (It’s amazing what you may drive past while looking in the other direction!)

What budget do you recommend per day, excluding air fares?
Options can vary wildly according to the standard of accommodation and the number of people in your group. You generally pay a little more for being inside a National Park. Uganda has a range of accommodation from homestays and campsites to mid-range accommodation and luxury lodges with spas and butler service. Daily rate would include: 4×4 vehicle with English-speaking driver and fuel. Most vehicles are minibus vans. For best value, travel in a group of four or more; Accommodation and meals; Activities such as game drives and nature walks (excluding gorilla / chimp tracking permits).

Generally speaking, allow a budget of $200 or more / day to cover all of the above. If opting to stay in high-end lodges, daily rates would start at $450 per person.

How accessible and reliable is medical care?

The first thing to remember is to buy travel insurance before you travel to Uganda. It’s easy to access basic medical advice and clinics but if you take regular medication, do bring a good supply with you. It can be difficult to access certain medicines outside Kampala, however, you will easily find malaria testing and treatment facilities, for example. Prevention is always better than cure. Minimise health risks by taking antimalarials, sleeping under a mosquito net and alerting your guide or travel company if you are feeling unwell. Drink bottled water (few tourists complain of stomach upsets in Uganda).

For more serious health issues, you would need to get to a town or even Kampala. Medivac evacuation (by helicopter for example) is available but very expensive. Compared to many, Ugandans have not been badly hit by COVID-19. Read my advice about various health and safety issues based on my 10+ years living in Uganda.

What is so special about seeing mountain gorillas?

What isn’t special about a mountain gorilla? They are the largest primates on the planet and are gentle giants. Coming face-to-face with such a beautiful species is a once in a lifetime encounter. Words really don’t do the experience justice, but I can’t recommend it enough. It really will change the way you see the world. You can see mountain gorillas with Wildlife Worldwide.

How does seeing chimpanzees differ from seeing mountain gorillas?
Both are obviously incredible experiences but they do have their differences. The first difference is the terrain. The mountain gorillas can be a little tougher to get to – as their name suggests they live in the mountains of south west Uganda whereas the chimps live in a habitat of rolling hills. The next major difference is the experience with the two species. The gorillas are usually very sedate and the encounters are incredibly intimate. The chimpanzees by comparison can be incredibly intense, often on the move and very noisy. Both are magical wildlife experiences and I can’t really recommend one over the other, so if you are going to Uganda I suggest you make the most of both. You can see chimpanzees with Wildlife Worldwide.

Where and when is the best time and place to see giraffe and elephants?
The best place to see giraffe would definitely be Murchison Falls National Park. Elephant can be easily seen in both Queen Elizabeth & Murchison Falls National Park. Typically, as for any safari, the best time to visit is in the dry seasons when the weather conditions are more favourable.

How easy is it to see the Shoebill Bird?
I once saw three Shoebills on the Delta boat ride in Murchison Falls National Park. Their size makes them easy to spot but they are shy and very few in number. Make sure you have an expert guide. If you absolutely have to see the Shoebill and time or budget are an issue, why not pass by Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe? In addition to the Shoebill, you can see indigenous species such as elephant, lion, white rhino, chimpanzee and serval cats. Another location that is an easy drive from Entebbe is Mabamba Bay. Although the Shoebill can be viewed in other parts of Uganda, the above are the most popular Shoebill viewing destinations.

Wildlife Worldwide’s recommended places to see wildlife in Uganda
There are so many, but here are the best spots and what you can see in each:

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Mountain gorillas.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Mountain gorillas & golden monkey.

Queen Elizabeth National Park – Tree-climbing lion, elephant , chimpanzee, Ugandan kob.

Kibale Forest – Chimpanzees, other primates and birds.

Murchison Falls National Park – Nile crocodile, countless bird, typical safari species giraffe, elephant, lion, buffalo and hippo.

Kidepo Valley National Park – The only place in Uganda you can see cheetah and very good for lion. The landscape here is spectacular.

Mabamba Swamp – Shoebill.

Top travel tips from our expert speakers

Charlotte: Murchison Falls National Park in northern Uganda is the country’s most popular National Park (yet for all that, there are few tourists compared to many of Africa’s tourist areas). The park is named after the dramatic falls where the River Nile narrows from 1/2 a kilometre wide to just seven metres wide and plunges 43 metres. It’s a fantastic sight, seen from below via boat or from above. At the Top of the Falls, you can feel the power of the water in the rocks beneath your feet. I write about it in Stirring up magic at the Devil’s Cauldron, Murchison Falls. Murchison is an excellent safari destination, whether for game drives, safari boat rides, birdwatching or chimp tracking in Budongo. It is an excellent place to see the Shoebill, one of Murchison’s 400+ bird species.

Bret: For myself, as a wildlife photographer and guide, the undoubted draw in Uganda is the experience with the mountain gorillas. Although it is expensive and can involve a trek at altitude, it is up there with the most magical things you can do anywhere in the world. Even now, just thinking back to my first encounter with the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest I get emotional.

What did you have to say?

Thanks all. Now looking at a trip.

Thank you I will be booking!

Thanks very much. It’s been a great evening. Great words from great people. Thanks very much to Charlotte and your friends, good job.

Excellent evening, thank you!

Thank you, interesting as usual!

Thank you for a fascinating insight into Uganda. I really enjoyed the event and would love to visit there!

Thank you for a wonderful evening. It reminds us of the great time we had in Uganda (and that was without seeing the gorillas as we felt we weren’t fit enough for the trek). It also made us want to go again.

Things to do in Uganda

When most people think of Uganda, they rightly picture themselves deep in a rainforest, surrounded by mountain gorillas – surely one of the most exciting experiences East Africa can offer. But there’s plenty more to do here besides. Fascinatingly diverse, Uganda is a friendly, heritage-rich nation whose focus on sustainability is sure to impress travellers who like to tread lightly. Here are just five incredible travel experiences you can expect…

View the story

Go wild in Uganda: 5 incredible experiences

By Emma Gregg

1. See primates in their natural habitat

Tracking mountain gorillas has all the ingredients of an excellent adventure: despite gorillas being worryingly rare, your chances of a sighting are extremely good, and while the experience demands time, money and effort, it’s accessible to everyone that can afford it. As a bonus, tracking fees help fund conservation and rural community development.

The gorillas you can visit have been studied for many years and, though wild, are habituated to tourists. In Uganda’s two tracking destinations, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Bwindi’s main starting points offer the best chances of seeing them.

The day starts with an early-morning briefing. Hiking in a group of no more than eight, assisted by scouts, guides and porters, you follow paths that can be steep and tangled – but the moment your precious one-hour audience begins, you forget every ache and scratch. Our tip? If you can, book permits for subsequent days. Your first encounter will vanish in a flash.

Searching for habituated chimpanzees in Kibale National Park or Budongo Forest costs less, and is just as exciting – often more so, given the dynamic, vocal nature of chimp society. Your guided forest hike could reveal a peaceful family scene, or a shouting match; either way, you’ll never forget it.

Go birdwatching

Compared to the glamour and emotional high of tracking primates, lions or elephants, birdwatching is thoroughly under-rated. It’s time to change that: with the right guide, this is a low-impact, high-return pursuit that hones your observation skills and encourages you to travel mindfully, exploring varied landscapes in depth.

Uganda is not much bigger than Great Britain, but has almost double the avian biodiversity: well over 1,000 local and migrant species have been recorded here to date. As such, it’s one of the best places in the world to tick species off your list. But birding is not just about the numbers. Ugandan bird guides often have exceptional general knowledge, and can teach you as much about butterflies, bees and borassus palms as about ornithology. Many guides are self-taught but no less expert for that, and women are making their mark in this specialist field.

A stay in Kampala or Entebbe, which in December 2021 hosted the fourth African Birding Expo, will get your adventure off to a flying start: their gardens and wooded outskirts shelter colourful firefinches, sunbirds and weavers, along with chatty species such as bulbuls, pied crows and doves. Elsewhere, unmissable hotspots include Mabamba Swamp, island-dotted Lake Bunyonyi and, frankly, any of Uganda’s ten national parks.

Here are just five birds to look out for…

1. Grey crowned crane

Also known as the crested crane, this magnificently regal creature is an African icon and Uganda’s national bird. The grey in its name refers to its cape-like chest and wing plumage; its crown is pale gold in colour. Cranes can be spotted in Uganda’s wetlands and on the grassy banks of lakes and rivers.

2. Shoebill

Well over a metre tall and strangely lugubrious-looking, shoebills are pelican-like birds with grey feathers, a bulbous beak, long legs and large feet. They’re found in wetland areas such as Mabamba Swamp near Entebbe, where they stand stock still in order to catch fish and water snakes by surprise.

3. Saddle-billed stork

Widespread in sub-Saharan Africa but particularly strongly associated with East Africa, the saddle-billed stork is an elegant black-and-white bird with snazzy red and yellow colour-blocks. They prey on fish, frogs and crabs. Conveniently, they prefer not to stray too far from their favourite feeding grounds, so are easy to find.

4. Great blue turaco

When you’re on a single-minded mission to find mountain gorillas, the forest bird most likely to distract you – however briefly – is this colourful character, whose deep blue plumage, yellow-and-red beak and Mohican-like crest are impossible to miss. Enthusiastic eaters of leaves, flowers and fruit, you’ll often see them high in the trees.

5. Fox’s weaver

Uganda’s habitats tend not to be ecologically isolated, with many of its birds moving freely throughout East Africa. Just one species is known to be endemic: the Fox’s weaver, which is near-threatened and has never been seen beyond northern Uganda’s seasonal wetlands. Few records exist, making it a tempting objective for patient birders.

3. Make a splash in Jinja

1. Explore Jinja and the Upper Nile

Laid out on a wide peninsula that’s lapped by the waters of Lake Victoria and the Victoria Nile, Jinja is adventure central. Once Uganda’s industrial hub, the town now appeals to outdoorsy types, with whitewater rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, horse riding and a 44-metre bungee jump over the Nile topping its attractions.

2. Ride the rapids

Downriver from Jinja, beyond the Bujagali Dam, the Nile plunges over a series of Grade Three and Grade Five rapids – East Africa’s answer to the whitewater in Zambia’s Batoka Gorge. For the ultimate adrenaline high, book a half-day or full-day rafting trip, tackling the tumbling river in a six-strong team with an expert guide.

3. Kayak

For a different type of river challenge, try kayaking. Jinja’s whitewater kayaking instructors offer a thorough grounding, including how to read the river and control your craft in fast-moving conditions. Alternatively, for a gentler (and drier) experience, you could kayak on flat water: smooth, peaceful and gorgeous at sunset, Lake Bujagali is ideal.

4. Go Sport fishing

Jinja has two catch-and-release sport fishing seasons a year, corresponding to the calmest, driest months, from June to August and December to February. Set out in a speed boat across one of the region’s lagoons and you can fish for tilapia or Nile perch, mighty creatures that anglers attract with a lure.

5. Staying beside the Nile

Jinja has no shortage of places to relax your tired muscles after a day of adventures. Top-end choices include an upmarket boutique hotel decorated with colourful African fabrics and a cosy guesthouse with inviting hammocks in the garden. There are also backpacker hostels, simple city crash pads and a grassy campsite overlooking the river.

4. Immerse yourself in the national parks

1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

If you have a passion for nature in the raw and the budget for a gorilla tracking permit, make a beeline for Bwindi. Though definitely not literally impenetrable, it’s every bit as wild as its name suggests. A Unesco World Heritage site since 1994, this exceptionally biodiverse rainforest protects more than half the world’s population of mountain gorillas, and its rangers have been guiding tourists into their midst for almost 30 years. Bwindi is also home to elusive chimpanzees, baboons and duiker antelopes. Around 350 species of birds are found here, too – but you may well be too excited about the gorillas to notice more than a few of them.

2. Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee tracking is the main attraction in this beautiful, gently undulating forest. Setting off from Kanyanchu Visitor Centre, you’re guided along footpaths forged by forest elephants, making for the area where the park’s habituated community of chimps was last seen or heard. There’s a spacious, cathedral-like feel to Kibale’s groves of wild rubber, fig and ironwood trees, some of which are more than two centuries old. Plenty of light filters through the branches, offering superb opportunities for photography and video. Monitored by researchers and tourists since the 1990s, the chimps are largely unperturbed by the presence of strangers, and make noisy, energetic and entertaining subjects.

3. Kidepo Valley National Park

Far enough away from Uganda’s other parks to be relatively little visited, Kidepo Valley is an austerely beautiful region of rolling grasslands, edged by mountains and lapped by the deserts of South Sudan and northwest Kenya. Its hub is Apoko, in the Narus Valley. The region’s ecosystems were ravaged by wildlife poaching in the late 20th century, but have shown strong signs of recovery in recent years. The park’s maze of seasonal rivers, palms and shea trees protects lions, antelopes and a small but nationally important population of Rothschild’s giraffes – a species that used to be free-ranging and abundant throughout Uganda, Kenya and Sudan.

4. Lake Mburo National Park

Well-placed to break up the overland journey between Kampala and Bwindi, Lake Mburo is an under-rated wildlife-watching destination that’s home to Uganda’s only impalas, along with Burchell’s zebras and elands; the only other Ugandan park where you can see both the latter is Kidepo. Its acacia woodlands and abundant fresh water attract over 350 bird species, including the red-faced barbet, which is found nowhere else, and characters such as bare-faced go-away-birds, Abyssinian ground hornbills and saddle-billed storks. Since Uganda’s southern border lies only 25 miles (40km) away, this is a good place to look for species more often spotted in Tanzania than in Uganda.

5. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Uganda’s smallest national park is a lush pocket of rainforest, perched high in the clouds. It’s sometimes possible to see mountain gorillas here, but, despite the promise contained in its name, Mgahinga is not as reliable a gorilla-tracking destination as Bwindi, since its residents sometimes ramble across the border into neighbouring Rwanda or DRC. However, there are other primate species to discover here, including endangered golden monkeys that bound elegantly through the canopy overhead. Like Bwindi, Mgahinga is also the ancestral home of the Batwa people, who run craft workshops and cultural entertainment projects nearby.

6. Mount Elgon National Park

Thought to be at least 24 million years old, Mount Elgon is the oldest extinct volcano in East Africa. Straddling the border between eastern Uganda and Kenya, its vast free-standing base, 50 miles (80km) across, is the largest in the world, and long ago, before erosion took its toll, its peak was Africa’s highest. With unusual Afro-alpine vegetation underfoot and soaring lammergeyers overhead, Elgon’s moorland trails and enormous caldera have huge appeal for hikers, while Sipi Falls, to the northeast, is delightfully pretty. Nonetheless, the park remains little-known compared to Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya or even the Rwenzori Mountains, making visits peaceful and affordable.

7. Murchison Falls National Park

Named after the 19th century British geologist Roderick Murchison, the cascade at heart of this huge protected wilderness is a thundering, roaring spectacle, created by the fast-flowing Victoria Nile squeezing through an eight-metre-wide gorge in the Rift Valley Escarpment then plunging over a 45-metre wall of rock. For wildlife-watchers, a boat trip from Paraa on the broad river below the cascade guarantees thrilling sightings of mammals, reptiles and birds, with elephants and buffaloes patrolling the grassy banks, hippos yawning from the shallows, crocodiles lurking silently on the sand and herons scanning the water for frogs and fish.

8. Queen Elizabeth National Park

If you’re keen to see herds of kobs, the antelope that, together with the crowned crane, appears on Uganda’s coat of arms, a visit to QENP is a must. Lying on the Equator, with the jagged Rwenzori Mountains as a backdrop, it’s Uganda’s most popular park, and supremely diverse. Of the 90-plus mammal species and 600-plus bird species found in its varied habitats, highlights include elephants, buffaloes and lions, some of which have the endearing habit of climbing sturdy fig trees. This region is rich in cultural traditions , too, with the communities surrounding the park sharing aspects of their heritage through storytelling, music and crafts.

9. Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Running for almost 120km along the Congolese border north of QENP, the Rwenzori Mountains are a genuinely adventurous destination for determined hikers and experienced mountaineers. It was the Welsh explorer Henry Morton Stanley who immortalised the local name Rwenzori, meaning Rainmaker or Cloud King, when he mapped the mountains in 1888. Their distinctive vegetation ranges from tropical rainforest to alpine meadows featuring giant species of groundsel, lobelia and heather. The highest point in the range, Mount Stanley’s Margherita Peak, reaches 5,109m into the sky, and is Africa’s third highest peak after Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.

10. Semuliki National Park

The only swathe of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa, Semuliki is an ancient and fascinatingly diverse landscape. Situated close to the Congolese border, at a point where several ecological zones meet, its ironwood trees and glades harbour well over 400 bird species (around 40 of which are unrecorded elsewhere), more than 450 butterfly species and more than 50 species of mammal including leopards, monkeys and bush babies. However, despite this spectacular biodiversity, Semuliki remains an under-the-radar destination. Though few in number, its hiking trails are well worth exploring, and there are hot springs to discover at Sempaya, a short walk from the information office.

5. Meet the locals

Ugandans are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people you could ever hope to meet. Their rich cultural heritage is likely to make your trip as educational as well as enjoyable, while their natural hospitality is sure to add a warm dimension to the experience.

Some of Uganda’s indigenous peoples have created cultural attractions and shows that are designed to keep their traditions alive in the current era of rapid change, while enabling them to share their heritage with others. Many of these provide great entertainment by any standard; the performances given by the Batwa communities whose ancestral lands like within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are excellent examples of this.

Traditional dances worth seeking out in western Uganda include Entogoro, a stamina-testing courtship dance performed by the Nyoro, and Ekitaguriro, a celebratory dance performed by the Banyankole with arms raised, to honour their beloved longhorn cows.

Including heritage sites such as Kitagata Hot Springs, the reconstructed Kasubi Tombs and the 14th to 16th century Bigo bya Mugyenyi earthworks in your itinerary will add a deeper cultural and historical perspective to your trip, while to experience life in a Ugandan community through its food and drink, you could try your hand at making banana beer, sample ugali with groundnut sauce or simply tuck into the nation’s favourite street food, a rolex. Said to have been invented in Jinja, this is an omelette-stuffed chapati that’s been rolled up to make it easy to eat on the go – perfect for fuelling up at the start of a busy day.

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The 10 best places to see gorillas in the wild

1. Nigeria

Visitor infrastructure: 3/5
Chance of sighting: 1/5

Cross River gorillas are found only in Cross River State, where the government has invested heavily in tourism infrastructure (for example, the spectacular cable car up to the Obudu Cattle Ranch Hotel). However, the chances of seeing gorillas here are still slim. Their total population now consists of 200 to 300 individuals, spread across an area of 3,000 square miles, which includes Afi Mountain, Mbe Mountain, and the Okwangwo Division of the Cross River National Park. For this reason, scientists are cautious about habituating any.

But visiting the habitat does help to conserve it, and two outstanding primate sanctuaries and reintroduction projects – Pandrillus for drill monkeys and chimpanzees, and Cercopan for numerous monkey species – are based in Calabar.

2. Cameroon

Visitor infrastructure: 2/5
Chance of sighting: 3/5 (western lowland gorillas), 1/5 (Cross River gorillas)

Western lowland male gorilla (Shutterstock)

Cross River gorillas live in the English-speaking part of Cameroon bordering Nigeria, in small pockets of forest that are the focus of a conservation project but with no tourism component yet.

Western lowland gorillas live in the French-speaking part of the country. The WWF is developing ecotourism in Campo-Ma’an National Park in the south-west, but it’s early days so gorilla viewing is not guaranteed.

Limbe Wildlife Centre cares for about 15 western lowland gorilla orphans with a long-term goal – funding permitting – of rehabilitation back into the wild.

More rescued western lowland gorillas – orphans of the illegal bushmeat and wild animal trade – can be seen in forest enclosures at Mefou National Park, located close to the capital city of Yaoundé.

3. Equatorial Guinea

Visitor infrastructure: 1/5

The Monte Alen National Park is a spectacular forested park, and its rugged terrain served to protect it from commercial logging. As yet, there are no habituated western lowland gorillas. The tourism infrastructure is in early stages of development, and trained locals have started to conduct guided day treks.

4. Gabon

Visitor infrastructure: 3/5
Chance of sighting: 3/5

Western lowland male gorilla, Gabon (Shutterstock)

Gabon made a bold bid to diversify its economy by creating 13 national parks in 2002, most of them containing gorilla habitat. The western lowland gorilla habituation programme at the Mikongo Conservation Centre in Lopé National Park was terminated in 2010. But although visitors are no longer taken on specific gorilla-spotting treks, visitors can still see them while looking for other wildlife.

Moukalaba-Doudou National Park has some of the highest densities of gorillas, and an ecotourism project has begun there with help from The Gorilla Organization.

Loango National Park offers the rare combination of rainforest and Atlantic beach, where hippos have been seen surfing, whales and dolphins surface offshore and the forests are home to gorillas, chimpanzees and forest elephants.

5. Angola

Visitor infrastructure: 1/5
Chance of sighting: 1/5

Western lowland gorillas are found only in the Cabinda enclave, the part of Angola north of the mouth of the River Congo. There is little in the way of tourism infrastructure, but if it’s adventure you want..!

6. Congo

Visitor infrastructure: 2/5
Chance of sighting: 4/5

Since the loss of the habituated Lossi gorillas to Ebola in 2002, the nearby Odzala National Park now presents one of the best options for seeing western lowland gorillas. It’s currently home to two habituated family groups that can be seen by visitors. They can also be seen from hides as they visit bais (open clearings in the forest).

The most famous bai is Mbeli Bai, in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, where about 100 gorillas have been monitored by the Wildlife Conservation Society for a decade; gorilla groups can be seen wading into the marsh to forage for water plants alongside forest elephants, buffalo and antelope such as sitatunga.

Rescued western lowland gorilla orphans are being rehabilitated back into the forest in the Léfini Reserve (two hours’ drive north of Brazzaville), where visitors can view silverbacks on a forested island from a boat.

7. Central African Republic

Visitor infrastructure: 2/5
Chance of sighting: 4/5

Western lowland female gorilla, Central African Republic (Shutterstock)

One of the best places to track western lowland gorillas is Bai-Hokou in the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park. A WWF project has succeeded in habituating a group, and a calm contact is likely, though the dense forest and low light beneath the canopy make photography challenging.

8. Rwanda

Visitor infrastructure: 5/5
Chance of sighting: 5/5

Family of mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda (Shutterstock)

Rwanda is about the size of Wales, with good main roads (making it quick to get around) and a relatively well-developed infrastructure.

But it is the work of Dian Fossey, as dramatised in the film Gorillas in the Mist, that really makes Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park many people’s first choice for a mountain gorilla safari.

Relaxed gorillas and relatively open habitat – montane vegetation, often with stunning views – greatly improve the chances of good gorilla watching.

The professionalism and kindness of the guides – many of whom have spent decades helping visitors cope with steep slopes, stinging nettles and nerves – makes every muddy, gasping step that bit easier. But when it’s sunny, and the gorillas are only a short stroll from the park boundary, people tend to wonder what all the fuss is about!

9. Uganda

Visitor infrastructure: 5/5
Chance of sighting: 5/5

Mountain gorilla, Bwindi, Uganda (Shutterstock)

Second in popularity to Rwanda, the two gorilla parks in the south-west of the country offer different experiences. Mgahinga National Park is part of the tri-national Virunga Conservation Area, and its habituated gorillas often cross into the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, climbing to the top of Mt Sabinio, where Rwanda, Uganda and DRC meet, is an outstanding way to see the whole mountain gorilla kingdom – an island of forest surrounded by a sea of densely populated farmland.

Just to the north, on dramatically winding roads, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is more biodiverse and at a lower altitude. It has four groups well-habituated for tourism, and two more are being habituated to cope with demand. Some taxonomists regard the Bwindi gorillas as a separate sub-species of eastern gorilla – the lack of hair on their brow easily distinguishes them from their shaggier Virunga cousins.

One of Uganda’s real plus points is the range of other activities on offer: combine your gorilla tracking with the country’s other national parks and adventurous activities, from hiking the glaciers in the Rwenzori Mountains to white-water rafting on the Nile.

10. Democratic Republic of Congo

Visitor infrastructure: 1/5 (western lowland gorillas), 3/5 (eastern lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas)
Chance of sighting (security permitting): 1/5 (western lowland gorillas), 3/5 (eastern lowland gorillas), 5/5 (mountain gorillas)

Silverback eastern lowland gorilla, Democratic Republic of Congo (Shutterstock)

Three of the four sub-species are found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla tourism with habituated groups began here in the mid-1970s, in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a stronghold of eastern lowland gorillas, and this park still offers one of the best gorilla-viewing experiences. Bukavu is the nearest town (with some beautiful lakeside hotels), but check the security situation if entering DRC from Rwanda.

Mountain gorilla tourism in Virunga National Park is also excellent, if security allows. Things have improved since the early 2009 arrest of rebel leader Nkunda, but the area is still unsettled. However, even during the troubles many people visited the gorillas at Djomba on day trips from Kisoro, Uganda, because permits were available in the DRC and sold out in Uganda. Take advice on the spot – it can change from one week to the next.

Some western lowland gorillas survive in the far west of DRC in the beautiful Madiakoko Mountains, Bas-Congo, crossing back and forth from Cabinda (Angola), but you’d be a pioneer tourist here.

More on the world’s gorillas:

Know your gorillas – four species explained

Why Rwanda’s price hike for seeing gorillas is a disaster

Searching for gorillas in Brazzaville, Congo

Kate Humble goes gorilla-watching in the Democratic Republic of Congo

5 of the best African road trips

1. Namibia

Driving Namibia’s unsealed roads (Bresmedia)

Start and finish: Windhoek
Distance: 2,100km
How? Hire a car in Windhoek
Why? Stunning scenery, wildlife and lonely desert roads
Time needed: 10 days

With its good, unsealed roads and beautiful desert scenery, nothing beats Namibia. You can even tick off the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo) if you have a keen eye and a bit of luck.

Begin in the capital of Windhoek, before driving south to the towering dunes around Sossusvlei, which are at their most beautiful at dawn. Continue your desert journey to the charmingly Germanic seaside town of Swakopmund before driving up a small portion of the Skeleton Coast and heading inland to Etosha National Park. You might want to stop at a secluded lodge such as Vingerklip, on the way.

Etosha National Park is where the animal action is, although by now you will have already caught sight of springbok, gemsbok [oryx] and cheeky black backed jackals. At Etosha’s salt pan reserve you will be unlucky not to see elephants and lions, while you will almost certainly see giraffes and zebras. You can also have thrilling encounters with leopards and cheetahs at Okonjima – a nature reserve that’s home to the Africat Foundation – on the drive down the paved B1 back to Windhoek.

2. South Africa and Eswatini

Rhinos in Hlane Royal National Park, Eswatini (Bresmedia)

Start and finish: Johannesburg, South Africa
Distance: 1,750km
How? Easily driveable in a regular hire car
Why? Two countries, wildlife, beach and history
Time needed: 10 days

This loop from Johannesburg is a great two-country road trip, with easy border crossings between South Africa and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).

After a long flight it’s a bit of a drive from Jo’burg to Eswatini, so a stop in the towns of Waterval Boven or Badplaas is worth thinking about before crossing the border. There are a number of lodges and game parks in Eswatini, but Phophonyane Falls Ecolodge is a particularly nice place to stay before you loop around Hlane Royal National Park, where rhino encounters are pretty much guaranteed.

Driving back into South Africa, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve is perhaps one of the country’s most beautiful, with opportunities to see the Big Five. You can also spot whales out at sea, too. Further down the coast a stop at Ballito on the Dolphin Coast is worthwhile, before an interesting drive into the interior of KwaZulu Natal province to visit the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, which was made famous in the 1964 war epic Zulu. A guided tour of the battlefields is a must; try to find a Zulu guide for a local’s perspective.

The final day’s drive is across the Free State, but don’t forget to see a little of Johannesburg after you drop off your car. The city sometimes gets a bad press but it’s well worth an overnight stay, and a tour around the township of Soweto is highly recommended.

3. Tanzania

Self-driving is by far the best way to see Tanzania (Bresmedia)

Start and finish: Arusha to Dar es Salaam
Distance: 1,100km
How? Road Trip Tanzania supplies old but tough trucks and SUVs at affordable prices
Why? Wildlife encounters and a true taste of Africa
Time needed? About 10 days

The road into the Serengeti in Northern Tanzania is a bone shaker and car breaker, so many truck and pretty much all car hire companies will not allow you to drive into this vast national park. But that doesn’t mean you need to miss out on the wildlife if you opt to self-drive in Tanzania, as there is still Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks, plus the amazing Ngorongoro Crater, all of which are an easy drive from Arusha.

After visiting the national parks, backtrack through Arusha. Head on to the vibrant town of Moshi, a jumping off point for climbing Kilimanjaro, or if time is short, a selection of day hikes. Next up it’s an interesting journey to the magical Usambara Mountains and more hiking, before a well-earned rest on the Indian Ocean coast near Pangani.

The final day’s drive is to the former capital, Dar es Salaam. Chances are you’ll be caught in a traffic jam here so just go with the flow and enjoy the attention of vendors selling everything from fish and nuts to footballs and kites.

While much of this trip is on paved highways, there are unsealed roads in the parks, mountains and near the coast – as is the case with many African road trips.

4. Uganda and Rwanda

Mountain gorilla with three-day old baby in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda (Bresmedia)

Start and finish: Entebbe, Uganda
Distance: 1,800km
How? Depending on the time of the year going off the main roads can be tricky, so hiring a 4×4 is advisable
Why? Two exceptionally friendly countries, awesome wildlife and wonderful scenery
Time needed: Two weeks

You usually need to pre-book a ticket to see the mountain gorillas (it’s cheaper in Uganda), but it’s an experience not to be missed and it’s worth planning a Uganda/Rwanda road trip around a gorilla tracking adventure.

You will start in Entebbe near the main airport in Uganda. Set on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe is a chilled out town which is worth at least a night’s stop. Then it’s an interesting drive down to Lake Mburo National Park. The road is Tarmaced – but watch out for speed bumps, the blight of Uganda! Once in the park you can hire a ranger to take you on a walking safari.

From Lake Mburo it’s on to the border with Rwanda. Plan for a couple of hours to cross – and keep in mind that as with many African crossings, it’s simply about having the right paperwork, a sense of humour and plenty of patience. After miles of picturesque hills and tea plantations it’s on to Rwanda’s vibrant and booming capital, Kigali; then the sublime Lake Kivu, before heading back into Uganda for the gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – stay at the jaw dropping Lake Mutanda if you can.

Three nights at different locations in Queen Elizabeth National Park follow, before a drive north for a couple of days in the lovely and buzzing African town of Fort Portal. Close the loop back in Entebbe.

Many of the main roads are Tarmaced, but when it rains some unsealed roads and the tracks in the parks can get very muddy – which can make this trip a proper adventure.

5. South Africa and Botswana

A 4×4 with a roof tent (Bresmedia)

Start and finish: Johannesburg, South Africa to Maun, Botswana
Distance: 6,500km
How? Hire a truck with a roof tent from Johannesburg
Why? Everyone needs at least one big adventure in their lifetime
Time needed: At least four weeks

Once a five-country journey through southern Africa might have been seen as more of an expedition than a road trip. But many overland-equipped 4×4 hire firms are now available, so this is certainly doable if you have the time – and a sense of adventure.

Start in Johannesburg before visiting Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – stopping at Kuruman on the way – for a taste of the Kalahari Desert; then head into Namibia and north to the riverside town of Rundu. From there, head into Botswana and sleep out with the elephants in Chobe National Park; then see Victoria Falls in Zambia; Hwange’s wildlife and Matobo National Park’s scenery in Zimbabwe before returning to Botswana for a drive on to the Makgadikgadi Pan. Drop off your truck in Maun, then enjoy trips into the Okavango Delta.

You could spend a month on this adventure, and there are plenty of options to extend or modify the route. One warning, though, this trip takes some serious planning.

The ultimate USA road trip

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5 of the best road trips in Scotland

The 7 best trips to YOUR favourite emerging destinations

1. Stay with nomads in the wilds of Kyrgyzstan

A horse grazing at Song Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan (Shutterstock)

What better way to commune with the incredible landscapes of Kyrgyzstan than by staying in yurts in its alpine heart with YellowWood Adventures.

Wanderlust readers’ voted Kyrgyzstan their favourite emerging destination, and you’ll quickly understand why as you explore the area around its three most beautiful alpine lakes. You’ll stay in yurts beside Issyk-Kul, watch the local eagle hunters or ride horses deep in the Tian Shan Mountains.

Surrounded by mountains – and staying with nomad herders, as they graze their livestock on vast meadows – you’ll experience tranquility like nowhere else in the world. Plus, you’ll get to sample Kyrgyzstan’s hearty cuisine.

Trip:Kyrgyzstan Nomad Adventure

Who:YellowWood Adventures

Type: Small group

When: Jun

How long: Eight days

How much: From £1,449 (exc. flights)

2. Discover the colour, charisma and culture of Iran

Jameh Mosque in Isfahan, Iran (Shutterstock)

Join Peregrine for a two-week foray into Iran, one of the world’s most fascinating and lesser-visited countries.

Mysterious and unknown, Iran has always been alluring to the most adventurous of travellers. From breathtaking mosques, stepped hillside villages, cleverly-designed wind towers (badgirs) and bazaars full of colour and aroma, you’ll experience all of its charms on this trip.

A special dinner with a Zoroastrian family, dining in a garden of pomegranate and tamarind trees in Nartitee, is an undoubted highlight. And your local guide will help you uncover the layers of Iran’s chequered history, take you to the key sites, and help you find the bazaars and restaurants only locals know about.

Trip:Ancient Persia In Depth

Who:Peregrine

Type: Small group

When: Mar to May & Aug to Nov

How long: 13 days

How much: From £2,285 (exc. flights)

3. Meet Uganda’s wildlife superstars

A mountain gorilla walking through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda (Shutterstock)

This small wildlife-watching tour with Wildlife Worldwide has been designed to maximise opportunities to admire Uganda’s remarkable fauna, track gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and chimpanzees at Kibale National Park.

Uganda won bronze in the Emerging Destinations category of the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2020, partly because it has almost everything you could want in a wildlife destination.

Its habitats vary considerably between the extremes of the misty, undulating montane forest and the wide open plains of the savannah, meaning the wildlife is abundant and diverse.

There are gorillas and chimps (of course), as well as tree-climbing lions at Ishasha and white rhino in Ziwa. What more could a wildlife enthusiast ask for?

Trip: Uganda’s Unforgettable Wildlife

Who:Wildlife Worldwide

Type: Small group

When: Departures throughout the year

How long: 12 days

How much: £4,395 (exc. flights)

4. Experience the high-altitude highlights of Bolivia

Incredible reflections at Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia (Shutterstock)

Explore the best of Bolivia on this adventure through lively cities, otherworldy scenery and colourful market towns.

From the high altitude thrills of bustling La Paz, through the history of Potosi, and on to the surreal salt flats of Salar de Uyuni – there’s a vibrant mix of adventures and activities that deliver both excitement and intrigue.

Highlights include the bustling markets in La Paz, the moon-like landscapes of Valle de la Luna and the white-washed splendour of Sucre. The 4×4 ride through the salty scenery of the Salar de Uyuni lives up to the hype, as one of South America’s natural wonders, too.

Trip:Bolivia Highlights

Who: Intrepid

Type: Small group

When: Regular departures throughout the year

How long: 13 days

How much: From £1,185 (exc. flights)

5. Go wild in Tajikistan

A lake in the Fan Mountains, Tajikistan (Shutterstock)

Tajikistan is ideal for an outdoor adventure, and you’ll experience all of its wild and rugged charms on this Silk Road adventure with Dragoman.

You’ll travel across high mountain passes to remote villages and traditional communities, and get a taste of the semi-nomadic lives of the local people and striking mountain landscape they call home.

You’ll experience the country’s two mountain ranges: the Pamir and Fann Mountains, where you’ll trek and wild camp by the beautiful and iridescent Bibijan and Alaudin Lakes.

In towns like Osh and Khorog, you’ll explore well-stocked markets and bazaars, marvelling at the range of spices and merchandise on offer.

Trip:Tajikistan Explorer

Who:Dragoman

Type: Overland

When: Jun & Aug

How long: 17 days

How much: From £2,050 + US$400 kitty (exc. flights)

6. Travel the Silk Road in style

Sunset in Samarkand (Shutterstock)

The Silk Road countries of Central Asia have certainly captured the imagination of our readers, and what better way to experience their majesty than aboard the Orient Silk Road Express with Regent Holidays?

Travelling across four countries, passing mountains and taking in some of the most important cities on the legendary Silk Road, this luxurious train trip gives you a unique insight in to Central Asia’s gems.

With no internal flights, no long bus rides on dusty roads and no hauling your luggage from city to city, you can sit back and let the magic of the Silk Road wash over you. From Almaty in Kazakhstan to blue-tiled Uzbekistan, through to the spectacular mountain scenery of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – breathtaking landscapes and centuries-old cities are seemingly never-ending.

The carriages on this privately chartered train have up to nine compartments, each sleeping either two or four travellers. All you have to do is choose from Habibi, Ali Baba, Aladdin or Kalif class, and watch the scenery roll gently by.

Trip:Silk Road Landscapes By Private Train

Who:Regent Holidays

Type: Tailor-made

When: Sep

How long: 16 days

How much: From £5,195 (exc. flights)

7. Explore two winners in one: Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan

What does the Pamir Highway have in store? (Shutterstock)

Here’s your chance to visit two of Reader Travel Award winners in one: an epic adventure through Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan with Undiscovered Destinations.

It’s a journey that will take you through the mountainous heart of Central Asia, along the legendary Pamir Highway, between Dushanbe and Bishkek. You’ll explore ancient Silk Road forts, stay as guests in some of the most remote communities on the planet, and hike amidst stunning scenery.

This is an incredible adventure in a wild and untamed land that will find its way into your soul and never leave.

Trip:Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan: Along The Pamir Highway

Who:Undiscovered Destinations

Type: Small group

When: Jul

How long: 16 days

How much: From £2,445 (exc. flights)

More trips to your favourite countries:

10 trips to YOUR top countries from the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2020

The most popular Trip Finder adventures of 2019

Silk Road jewels: 7 extraordinary trips through the wonders of Uzbekistan

#WishIWasThere: The places team Wanderlust can’t wait to get back to

Guyana

– Lyn Hughes @wanderlust_lyn, Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief

The Seychelles

Local life in the Seychelles (Peter Moore)

I’m not usually a tropical island kind of guy – I enjoy a disastrous bus journey as much as kicking back on a beautiful stretch of sand – but something about The Seychelles got under my skin.

It’s true, the beaches are unbelievably stunning. But because I was travelling on a budget I got to hang out with the locals and sample their lifestyle: playing dominoes under a palm tree, drinking ice cold SeyBrews on the beach, sharing stories face-to-face instead of on social media.

When I was there, the cares and woes of the rest of the world seem a million miles away. What I wouldn’t give for that now.

– Peter Moore @petermooretravel, Associate Web Editor

Uganda

Mountain gorilla in Uganda (Shutterstock)

When I think back on all of my travels, the country that had the biggest impact on me was Uganda. It was my first solo trip and a huge adventure.

I felt completely at peace staying in the lush tropical rainforest and after a ten-hour trek through the Bwindi Impenetrable NP, my efforts were rewarded with my first ever gorilla sighting – it was exhilarating and a truly epic moment.

At times like this, you really value being able to get away from it all and find a whole new world.

– Zara Gaspar @zaralisa, Assistant Editor

The Netherlands

The UNESCO-listed windmills of Kinderdijk in the Netherlands (Shutterstock)

I’ve been reflecting on a few trips over the last couple of days, but the one destination I’m always dreaming about, without fail, is The Netherlands.

One of my favourite places on Earth is Kinderdijk, home to 19 UNESCO-protected windmills, first built in the 1700s, and surrounded by nature . It may be busy during the day in peak season, but off-season, close to closing time, I practically have it all to myself.

I also love setting up camp in Amsterdam or The Hague for as long as I can get away with it (not a literal camp, mind) – exploring every neighbourhood, lazing around in the parks, day-tripping to nearby towns and beaches, and trying to pretend to myself that I’m a local.

I can give someone directions, but only manage a few sentences in Dutch. So, I’m not quite there yet. Still, I can’t wait to get back on the Eurostar and escape to my home away from home.

There’s still so much of it left for me to explore. Next on my list: the sand dunes of Texel National Park.

– Elizabeth Atkin @elizabethkatkin, Digital Editor

Laos

Kuang Si Waterfalls (Shutterstock)

This time three years ago, I was preparing for a trip to South-East Asia. If you had told me then that right now we would all be grounded, I wouldn’t have believed you.

A defining moment for me on the trip – something that made me realise just how beautiful and diverse this world is – was visiting Kuang Si Falls.

After a long, rainy and slippery climb, I finally made it to the top. And it took my breath away.

I was literally standing on a bamboo platform over the very edge of the waterfall. I was at the exact moment that powerful body of water toppled over the side. Listening to the crash beneath my feet, feeling the cooling spray on my face and not being able to take my eyes off the verdant jungle in front of me that seemed to go on forever, I knew this was a moment I would never forget.

It was in that moment I realised I wanted to write about travel. I wanted my words to take other people to this incredible place and to see what I had seen and feel what I have felt.

A year later, I secured an internship at Wanderlust, and have been working for this incredible and inspiring magazine ever since – and enjoying every moment! I have the pleasure of bringing happiness to people’s lives by encouraging them to travel.

Things are bleak in our industry right now. Flights are grounded, hotels are empty and jobs are being lost. It’s more important than ever to remember the happier travel moments, not just to cheer us up, but to bring us hope that we WILL all be travelling again soon.

It won’t be long until our days are once more brightened up by orange-hued sunsets, thundering waterfalls, glittering skylines and spinach-green jungles.

– Rosie Fitzgerald @rosiefitzgeral9, Deputy Content Editor

Switzerland

Wengen Village in Switzerland (Shutterstock)

We awoke each day on our Interlaken campsite anticipating the brightly-coloured paragliders that would navigate the alpine morning thermals. Soaring effortlessly and gracefully in cloudless skies, their only company was the high-flying birds they mimicked with their skilful manoeuvres.

This always lifted our souls to similar heights for the day ahead, where we would be transported on a mixture of interconnecting ancient and modern railways, through wild flowered meadows to our own high-reaching elevations within the Swiss Alps.

The majesty of the mountains was simply staggering in both their breathtaking height and their sheer range. Unfolding layer after layer, they encircled vast shimmering blue lakes such as Thun and Brienz, the tall cascading waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen; and the picturesque village of Wengen, decorated throughout with beautiful flower-filled balconies.

Our overriding memory is one of Swiss time standing still during our appreciation of mother nature in all its pomp and splendour. A dream escape where each day, you could choose to explore a new adrenalin-fuelled activity, or simply another epic view.

– Mike Wright, Art Editor

Cuba

A casa particular homestay in Cuba (Shutterstock)

Back in 2017, I was fortunate enough to visit Cuba. My two-week stay on the Caribbean island is one that I often find myself lost in a daydream about, reminiscing on salsa, mojitos, cigars…

Travelling around as two young women was hassle-free – everyone we met gladly offered help with logistics and recommendations for the next leg of our Cuban adventure.

So much so, that I ended up getting a hair cut from a friend-of-a-friend-of-a friend (in fact, I’m not sure I ever understood the exact relationship) after mentioning it one evening, over a few mojitos, to the lady who owned the casa particular I was staying at.

The next morning, I found myself sat in the living room getting a fresh new Cuban ‘do, whilst her son and granddaughter watched!

Opening her home to a near stranger exemplified the kind-heartedness of every Cuban I met. I feel truly honoured to hold it as a travel experience.

– Lucy Bairstow, Senior Sales Executive

Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia

Pigeon Island (Shutterstock)

If I could be anywhere, it would be Pigeon Island.

Panoramic views over both the Caribbean, the Atlantic and the Piton Mountains. Beaches inviting you to slowly submerge yourself into to snorkel with tropical fish and turtles. Over 40 species of bird, including the purple-throated caribs, snubbing gravity as they fuss about the greenery.

Pigeon Island National Landmark sits at the north-west corner of Saint Lucia, a vital piece of local maritime history crowned by the hikeable Fort Rodney and Signal Peak ruins that continue to survey the local shipping lanes.

Visit both sites for a round trip and then crack open a well-deserved Piton beer on the beach while the water sprays through your toes.

– Tom Hawker, Managing Editor

Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

Elephants roam Ruaha National Park, Tanzania (Shutterstock)

As the world seems to slowly shut down, I find myself looking back at how much travel has taught me and pondering over life-changing experiences.

Right now, I wish I was in Ruaha National Park in Tanzania. While tracking lions, buffalos, giraffes and zebras, I learned more about wildlife than I could have hoped for and found myself amazed by the incredible flora, too.

But my favourite moment remains the morning we stumbled across an entire elephant family. From so close up and against the baobab-dotted landscape, these giant creatures truly looked majestic.

I’ll never forget the mixed feelings of admiration, peace and fear I experienced that day, gazing at them gently crossing our paths. A very humbling encounter.

– Fanny Moros, Circulation Manager

New York City

New York streets (Graham Berridge)

I was at a family wedding a couple of weeks ago and the bride and groom told me that they were off to New York for their honeymoon, and that they’d chosen New York as their destination after being inspired by photos I had posted online from my own New York trip a few years earlier.

I wasted no time in sharing my insider tips with the newlyweds, suggesting itineraries and recommending special places to eat and drink.

Regaling in my Manhattan adventures reminded me of what a great time I’d had and made me long for a return visit. It also filled me with excitement that soon the happy couple would also get to experience all that the Big Apple has to offer.

Our own travels inspire others to travel and create their own memories and special moments. I’m looking forward to a time when we can all get out and explore again but in the meantime, that’s where I wish I was.

– Graham Berridge, Art Director

Belize

– Simon Chubb, Global Technology Director

Rome, Italy

Piazza Navona (Shutterstock)

Even now, I wish I could be in Italy – just to revel in the indomitable Italian spirit.

Despite being on lockdown, the Italians have not given up hope. They’re out singing on their balconies, they’re celebrating their national identity by spraying their flag in the air to the joyful overtures of Nessun Dorma. If there was ever a time to feel such a force of identity and community, it would be now.

Five years ago, I had my very own Roman Holiday. Inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s royal capers around the Italian capital, I set off with my sisters to discover a modern land steeped in history, where past and present collided on every corner.

Roman ruins aside, my most memorable moment is the simplest: walking from the Spanish Steps, passing by the Trevi Fountain, on my way to Piazza Navona, melting gelato in hand.

Piazza Navona is busy, no doubt – but listening to street musicians performing, admiring the bursts of flowers draped over balconies, soaking up the sun with an Aperol Spritz at an outdoor cafe, with the mighty Pantheon just a short stroll away, seemed to me a perfect moment.

– Kirtey Verma @itsmekirtey, Editorial Assistant

Vietnam

One of Jackie’s memorable Vietnamese views (Jackie Scully)

This view changed my life. I climbed hundreds of steps in Hang Múa, Vietnam, to see it. Looking out over the landscape, I knew travelling would always be part of who I am.

Sat in a chemo chair in 2014, I decided to make every day an adventure. I promised myself I’d find awe-inspiring moments, not wait for them to find me. I couldn’t plan ahead, so I created a travel wish list.

Travel gives me space. It gives me hope. It has expanded my horizons in ways I didn’t think possible. And, for that, I am grateful to the booking engines, tourist boards, tour operators, airlines, hotels and, most importantly, the people in the sector for making that possible.

Uncertainty is everywhere at a time when we can go nowhere. Lives threatened. Jobs at risk. Attractions closed. Hotels empty.

When I became Exec Director of Think Travel & Wanderlust, I wanted to help the industry that gave me hope at a time when I couldn’t find it for myself. That is what, faced with a global pandemic, I’m determined to do.

Our suitcases are empty, but our memories are full of the unforgettable travel experiences. So let’s share them & fill our feeds with colour & hope. Join our #WishIWasThere campaign by posting a memory & tag us, and your fave travel brands.

We can’t travel, but we can travel with kindness.

– Jackie Scully, Executive Director

Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

White-faced capuchin monkeys resting on tree in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica (Shutterstock)

My honeymoon at Costa Rica’s Tortuguero National Park – not much is better than that.

It takes a while to get to – when I went, it was two flights, a bus and a boat, but it’s worth the wait. The wildlife, the sounds of the rainforest, the culture, the adventure and the incredible sunsets make it so magical.

We saw birds, iguanas, monkeys and en route we even saw some sloths. The neighbouring village is unspoilt. Unfortunately, we were out of season for turtle nesting, but I’ve heard that’s the best thing to do!

– Adam Lloyds, Commercial Director

Greece

Voidokilia Beach (Shutterstock)

I often find its those seemingly small travel moments that linger most in memory. Take my trip to the Peloponnese in Greece.

Sauntering down to its south-western tip, I fondly recall cycling past the hushed rustle of olive groves in the coastal breeze,that first crisp bite of a traditional Greek salad at a taverna andsplashing into the inviting azure waters of the crescent-shaped Voidokilia beach.

Moreover, whilst travelling through this land of ancient philosophers, there’s no shortage of opportunities to hit pause at a quiet spot and enjoy some self-reflection – if not to ponder the big questions of the world then perhaps simply to admire its beauty and your place within it.

One of the best moments of the trip was simply sitting on an empty beach in the early evening,the crash of waves sounding in the distance, and the dusky sunset giving way to a sky of sparkling stars.

– Adam Potter, Content Editor

Cambodia

Ruins of Angkor Wat (Shutterstock)

I have been fortunate enough to be a regular visitor to Angkor Wat for more than 20 years, yet the awe-inspiring grandeur of this temple complex never fails to take my breath away.

Every visit reveals another detail or decorative embellishment and I have lost days admiring the 3,000 heavenly maidens, known as asparas, that are carved into the walls and the detailed bas-reliefs that stretch out for 800m and bring Cambodian history and Hindu legends to life.

My last visit was particularly special as I explored the ruins anew through the eyes of my children. We are already excitedly planning our next trip in November. The magic of Cambodia endures.

– Chris Johnson, Think Travel Publishing Director

More recommendations from the team behind Wanderlust:

12 (genuinely) hidden things to do in London

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10 of the world’s most endangered animals

1. Javan rhinoceros

An older Vietnamese stamp illustrates the Javan rhinoceros (Shutterstock)

Once the most widespread of Asian rhinos, Javan rhinos are now listed as critically endangered. With only one known population in the wild, it is one of the world’s rarest large mammals.

There are between 58 and 68 in the wild, with none living in captivity. The rhinos are often poached for their horns, although loss of habitat, especially resulting from the Vietnam War, has also contributed to their decline.

The only population of Javan rhinos can be found in Ujung Kulon National Park on the south-western tip of Java, Indonesia. The only other population, in Vietnam, was wiped out in 2010.

2. Vaquita

The Sea of Cortez, or Gulf of California, where the few remaining vaquita live (Shutterstock)

The vaquita is considered the rarest endangered marine mammal in the world. Sadly, the future looks bleak for this small porpoise, with just 10 left in the wild.

Found solely in the northern part of the Gulf of California, Mexico, they are fairly easy to spot due to the shallow water that they inhabit – lagoons generally no deeper than 30m. They’ll quickly scarper if a boat sails by, though.

In the last few years, the population has dwindled at an alarming rate. Fishing nets, chlorinated pesticides, irrigation and inbreeding are just a few of the threats causing the species to teeter on the brink of extinction.

3. Mountain gorillas

Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat (Dreamstime)

Today, around 1,063 mountain gorillas are thought to exist in the wild, and the future is looking brighter for these rare primates.

Since 1981, the gorilla population has almost doubled. 30 years ago, experts feared they were soon to be extinct. Thanks to intensive conservation efforts, mountain gorillas were moved from ‘critically endangered’ to ‘endangered’ on the IUCN red list in 2018.

However, illegal poaching, pollution, habitat deforestation, fragmentation and diseases caught from humans are still threatening their populations. They are often poached for their meat, and younger gorillas can be caught in snares meant for other animals. War and civil unrest have also impacted negatively on the gorillas.

There are two mountain gorilla populations for travellers to visit. One group can be found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa across three national parks: Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and DR Congo’s Virunga National Park (although this has been closed to tourists due to a recent violent rebellion).

The other population inhabits Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You’re most likely to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda, and you’re unlikely to return disappointed.

4. Tigers

The stunning Bengal tiger (Shutterstock)

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 100,000 tigers in the world. Today, this number is estimated to have dwindled to around 3,900 in the wild.

Tigers need large areas of habitat, but living in some of the most densely populated places on Earth has placed them in locations that have caused significant conflict with humans. Habitat destruction and fragmentation has had the most significant effects on the tigers’ habitats, and poaching is one of their biggest threats.

India is the best country to see tigers in the wild, but you can also spot tigers in Bangladesh, China, Sumatra, Siberia and Nepal.

Here are the best places to spot tigers in the world

5. Asian elephants

Asian elephants gather in Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka (Shutterstock)

Asian elephants have been considered an endangered species since 1986, as their population has decreased by at least 50% over the last 75 years or so. There are fewer than 50,000 remaining in the wild.

Fragmentation, deforestation and an increasing human population are destroying the elephants’ habitat and decreasing the space available for them to live in.

The Sri Lankan, Indian and Sumatran Asian elephants can of course be found in their countries of name and other mainland Asian countries.

However, the best opportunity to see Asian elephants is at The Gathering, a natural assembly of up to 300 elephants coming to the shores of the Minneriya Tank in Sri Lanka’s Minneriya National Park during August to bathe and drink. It is the largest congregation of Asian elephants in the world.

10 of the best places to see elephants

6. Orangutans

A Sumatran orangutan and its baby swinging (Shutterstock)

Once widespread, the orangutan has been considered critically endangered since 2000, and is one of the world’s most endangered primates. A century ago, more than 230,000 orangutans lived in our world, but their numbers have now dropped by around half.

Logging, forest fires, fragmentation, and especially the removal of tropical forests for palm oil, all critically threaten the orangutan’s survival. Hunting and illegal pet trade have also dwindled numbers.

Over 104,000 Bornean orangutans still live in the wild, and can be found in both Malaysian and Indonesian Borneo. There are just 14,000 Sumatran orangutans left, naturally living on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

The rarest of all is the newly-discovered Tapanuli species, with just 800 left in the wild. If you’re lucky, you’ll also be able to spot Tapanuli orangutans in the Batang Toru eco-system of Sumatra’s north. As of late 2019, their habitat is under serious threat by the build of a controversial new hydropower plant, near the Batang Toru River.

The 5 best places to see orangutans

7. Leatherback sea turtles

Leatherback sea turtle heading back into the water (Shutterstock)

In between 26,000 and 43,000 female sea turtles nest annually; a dramatic decline from the estimated 115,000 in 1980. Young turtles are incredibly vulnerable and sadly, very few make it to adulthood.

Birds and small mammals often dig up turtle nests in order to eat the eggs. Once they’ve hatched, birds and crustaceans pick them off before they can make it to the sea, and fish, squid and octopuses often prey on them if they do manage to make it into the water.

The prime nesting spots for the turtles are in Suriname, French Guiana, Grand Anse beach in Saint Lucia, Turtle Beach in Tobago, Guyana’s Shell Beach and Gabon.

The Mayumba National Park beaches in Gabon host the largest nesting population on the African continent. April is the time to visit, when around 30,000 turtles descend on the park’s beaches to lay their eggs.

8. Snow leopards

One of the few thousand remaining snow leopards (Dreamstime)

The wild snow leopard population is estimated to be between 4,080 to 6,590. They’re found in 12 countries in Central Asia: China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia.

The species is threatened by herders who kill snow leopards to prevent them from preying on their livestock. Poachers, and a significant decrease in the leopards’ wild prey, are also an issue.

Snow leopards can be spotted in Mongolia’s Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, the Himalayan mountains of Bhutan’s Jigme Dorji National Park and Phoksundo Lake between Upper and Lower Dolpo in western Nepal’s Shey-Phoksundo National Park. The leopards also descend from the high valleys of Ladakh in February, in India’s Hemis National Park, in search of prey.

Things you didn’t know about snow leopards

9. Irrawaddy dolphins

An irrawaddy dolphin (Dreamstime)

The irrawaddy dolphin is classed as endangered by the ICUN, and it’s little wonder. Reports as of 2020 suggest there might be less than 100 left, making them an incredible sighting in the wild.

If you were hoping to spot this playful-looking mammal in its natural home, you’d be heading off to the south of Asia. They’ve been spotted in the Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar (Burma), the Mahakam River in Indonesian Borneo and in the Mekong.

Indeed, the irrawaddy dolphin may be best spotted by travellers in the Mekong, as they’re known to live and swim in 118 miles of the river between Laos and Cambodia. Here, 92 individuals have been accounted for.

10. Atlantic bluefin tuna

Bluefin tuna swimming. Did you know Atlantic bluefin tuna are the largest kind? (Shutterstock)

Bluefin tuna numbers have declined at a staggering rate over the last 40 years. Records show a 72% decrease in the eastern Atlantic and an 82% decrease in the west.

Overfishing is the main cause for the destruction of this species due to their commercial value as food. They have been heavily targeted for the Japanese fish market, where they are highly sought-after for sushi and sashimi. However, farming is the most serious threat to the species, as the tuna are taken from the wild before they are old enough to reproduce.

Native to the western and eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the tuna are very hard to track, and can be found off the coasts of many countries; from Brazil to Norway. However, they are known to return to spawn every year in the Mediterranean sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

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The best safaris for first-timers

1. Masai Mara, Kenya

2. Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

3. Kruger National Park, South Africa

4. Chobe National Park & Moremi Game Reserve Botswana

5. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

6. Etosha National Park, Namibia

The best safaris for second-timers

1. Mana Pools & Lower Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe/Zambia

2. Okavango private reserves, Botswana

3. Laikipia Plateau, Kenya

4. Imfolozi Wilderness Trails, South Africa

5. Ruaha National Park, southern Tanzania

6. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

The best safaris for connoisseurs

1. Northern Damaraland, Namibia

2. Katavi National Park, Tanzania

3. North Luangwa, Zambia

4. Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana

5. Southern Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania

6. Liuwa Plain, Zambia

Safari FAQs

When is the best time to go on safari?

What should I bring with me on safari?

Aren’t the animals dangerous?

Will I be stuck in a vehicle all day?

Where are the best guides?

Do I really need a guide on my safari?

How do I choose a good tour operator?

How can I safari responsibly or get more involved?

The best June destinations for wildlife watching

1. Borneo

2. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

5. San Juan Islands, Washington, USA

Read next: Top things to do in Pacific Northwest USA

4. Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya

5. Mountain gorilla trekking, East Africa

6. Jaguars in the Pantanal, Brazil

The best June destinations for longer-term travel

7. Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, Australia

8. Yosemite National Park, USA

9. Greenland

10. Ladakh, India

11. Peru

The best June destinations for pleasant weather and nature

12. Outer Hebrides, Scotland

13. The Azores, Portugal

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14. Guernsey

15. New York State, USA

The best June destinations for festivals, culture and arts

16. Tel Aviv Pride, Israel

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17. Basel, Switzerland

18. Budapest, Hungary

19. Bulgaria

20. Sweden

21. Newfoundland & Labrador, Atlantic Canada

22. Galveston, Texas, USA

23. Murcia & La Rioja, Spain

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Watch the full recording

Your questions answered

Top travel tips from our expert speakers

What did you have to say?

1. See primates in their natural habitat

Go birdwatching

Here are just five birds to look out for…

1. Grey crowned crane

2. Shoebill

3. Saddle-billed stork

4. Great blue turaco

5. Fox’s weaver

Image captions

3. Make a splash in Jinja

1. Explore Jinja and the Upper Nile

2. Ride the rapids

More on the world’s gorillas:

Know your gorillas – four species explained

Why Rwanda’s price hike for seeing gorillas is a disaster

Searching for gorillas in Brazzaville, Congo

Kate Humble goes gorilla-watching in the Democratic Republic of Congo