What makes a destination truly luxurious? Is it the barrage of creature comforts or the elegance of a 5-star hotel? If you ask us, the great outdoors, with its vast spaces and untouched natural scenery, makes the ultimate getaway. Here, you can escape the crowd, bask in the beauty of nature, or brave thrill-packed adventures.
We travel from the golden grasslands of Kenya to the white beaches of the Galapagos Islands in search of the best destinations for luxury escapes. Here are our top picks.
Touted as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda boasts a dramatic landscape of crater lakes, lush valleys, gushing rivers, and mist-shrouded mountains. Deep in its forests and across its national parks live some of the rarest wildlife on the planet.
One of the most popular things to do in Uganda is to track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO-listed national park at the edge of the Rift Valley. Only around 1000 mountain gorillas exist in the wild, of which about 400 live in the park. Though there is no 100 percent guarantee you’ll spot these primates on your trek, Bwindi is still worth visiting for its stunning scenery and bird-watching opportunities.
Other animals to see on your Ugandan escape are the endangered rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the towering giraffes at the Murchison Falls National Park, and the playful chimpanzees in Kibale Forest. Better yet, book a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park to meet buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, and the famous tree-climbing lions. Don’t forget to take a boat cruise in the park’s Kazinga Channel, where Nile crocodiles live alongside hippos.
Other places to check out include the Kidepo Valley National Park, Sempaya Hot Springs, Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Victoria, and Jinja, Uganda’s adventure capital.
One of the hardest-to-reach corners on earth, Antarctica is quite literally a winter wonderland. It’s the iciest, driest, and windiest place on earth. But it is also a land of breathtaking natural beauty.
While you can go on a DIY trip to Antarctica, it’s highly discouraged. The area is very remote (no supermarkets, hotels, or public transport), the weather is harsh, and the ecology is fragile, making it dangerous to travel without a guide. The best way to explore the White Continent is to book a tour company to ensure your safety and provide food, transportation, and accommodations.
An expedition to Antarctica can be refreshingly relaxing or utterly action-packed. Cruises with luxurious amenities are popular. But you can ditch the usual cozy comforts to camp under the stars, hang out with thousands of penguins in the wild, or spot enormous humpback whales swimming in icy waters.
For something more adrenaline-fueled, explore Antarctica on a ski, enter the caldera of an active volcano, take a quick plunge into the freezing sea, and kayak around icebergs as massive as cathedrals.
You don’t have to look hard to find paradise in the Galapagos Islands. Located around 1000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador, the archipelago is known for its rich flora and fauna, many of which are endemic to the area. Its celebrity residents are the giant tortoises, followed by sea lions, marine iguanas, and various birds, including the rare Galapagos penguins and waved albatross.
Apart from its unique wildlife, the Galapagos showcases a striking landscape of active volcanoes, pristine beaches, sinkhole forests, and lush wetlands. The underwater scenery is just as magical. It is no surprise that snorkeling and diving are top activities here.
Swim with sea lions in La Loberia. Trace the Tortoise Trail on Santa Cruz Island to meet the famed gentle giants. Visit Tortuga Bay to see marine iguanas sunbathing on the sand. If you love hiking, climb the caldera of the Sierra Negra or walk through the lava tunnels of Bellavista. A Galapagos Islands holiday is a must for wildlife lovers!
What Rwanda lacks in beaches, it makes up for in endless mountains. After all, this small, landlocked Central African country has been called the land of a thousand hills. The most popular of these are the Virunga volcanoes. Clad in montane rainforests, they shelter incredible wildlife, including some of the planet’s last remaining mountain gorillas.
Like Uganda, Rwanda is a hotspot for mountain gorilla tracking, particularly in the Volcanoes National Park. The park is also home to golden monkeys, over 200 species of birds, a verdant crater lake, and the 62-million-year-old Musanze caves.
At the Nyungwe National Park, you can meet around 12 species of primates, including super chummy chimpanzees. The park also has a canopy walkway - a 200-foot-tall bridge hanging over ancient trees.
Beyond the highlands, there’s the Akagera National Park, an immense savannah that rivals those in Tanzania and Kenya. If you wish to take a break from wildlife spotting, head to Lake Kivu, Rwanda’s largest body of water. The calm waters are ideal for kayaking, swimming, or paddle boarding, while the gorgeous shoreline is perfect for biking, hiking, and birdwatching.
From its idyllic beaches to its wildlife-laden grasslands, Kenya is rife with larger-than-life adventures. With 26 national parks and 29 national reserves, the country is a top-notch destination for a luxury wilderness escape.
On top of every bucket list is Masai Mara. This famous national reserve is home to the iconic Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) and the annual Great Migration. Another attraction is Amboseli National Park, known for its elephant sightings, large wildebeest and zebra population, posh lodges, and mesmerizing views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Just as spectacular is Lake Nakuru, with its black and white rhinos and pink flamingos.
The lovely landscape of Kenya has long lured avid hikers and bikers. The UNESCO-listed Mount Kenya, the second-highest mountain in Africa, is a favorite among trekkers and mountain climbers. On the other hand, the rugged and windswept lava-carved Hells Gate National Park is perfect for cycling trips.
If you fancy some sand, sun, and sea, head to the coastal areas of Diani, Malindi, or Watambu. For those who want to explore underwater wonders, the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park on the southern coast of Kenya is a snorkeler's paradise. This marine-rich park has an astonishing variety of sea creatures, ranging from whale sharks and dolphins to hawksbill turtles and manta rays.
