Wildlife and nature

Go where the wild things are, uncover natural habitats and wildlife on your next trip.

By Lonely Planet

Gorillas
Africa's rare mountain gorillas are coming back from the brink
Lonely Planet - Alex Butler
Spotting mountain gorillas in the forests of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo is a magical moment for the lucky travellers who track down the rare animals. Luckily, there’s good news for
Travel
Where to see the incredible animals in David Attenborough’s new BBC series Dynasties
Lonely Planet - Alex Butler
A new BBC Earth nature series – narrated by the inimitable Sir David Attenborough – explores some of the most amazing families around the world. From emperor penguins in Antarctica to lions in Kenya, series
Sea Turtles
An island that was a haven for endangered species has disappeared
Lonely Planet - Sasha Brady
A Hawaiian island that was a habitat for critically endangered monk seals and threatened green sea turtles has completely disappeared after a storm surge from Hurricane Walaka washed it away. East Island
Travel
Fat Bear Week: America has voted for its cuddliest bear
Lonely Planet - Sasha Brady
Katmai National Park and Reserve in Alaska asked the public to vote for the brown bear they believed had gained the most weight this summer in their ‘Fat Bear Week’ competition. The battle started last
Australian Outback
Break in a wild horse in the Australian outback
Lonely Planet - Monique Perrin
If you’re heading to Australia next year, then consider a visit to Kings Creek Station where travellers will find a unique experience – the chance to break in a wild horse. The station, 300km from Alice
Travel
Australia's hottest couple are two gay penguins that just adopted an egg
Lonely Planet - AnneMarie McCarthy
Two adorable male penguins in Sydney have made international headlines as they’ve become Australia’s first gay penguin couple to become foster parents. Magic and Sphen are two gentoo penguins at Sea Life
White Shark
Scared of sharks? Study finds swimming with them might change your mind
Lonely Planet - Monique Perrin
Australian researchers have found that people who cage-dive with sharks are more likely to support their conservation. The finding was a little unexpected, given that 36 people were killed in shark encounters
Where to see polar bears in the wild
Lonely Planet - Sarah Reid
Thrust into the spotlight as the poster children of the effects of climate change, polar bears have become the endangered celebrities of the animal world. Yet despite the high cost and relative difficulty
Wild things: safari alternatives for nature lovers
Lonely Planet - Joe Minihane
Spotting some of the world’s most charismatic animals on a traditional African safari is surely one of travel’s greatest pleasures. But there’s so much more to wildlife and nature tourism than seeing lion,
How to prepare for a perfect voyage to Antarctica
Lonely Planet - MaSovaida Morgan
Majestic landscapes, sensational wildlife and a surreal remoteness lure intrepid dreamers to Antarctica, the pristine last frontier of our planet. A destination this extreme may incite an urge to chart
Travel
Switzerland for nature lovers
Lonely Planet - Kerry Christiani
Nature had one of her finest moments in Switzerland. Where else can you find such varied and intense beauty – colossal glaciers, raging falls, hidden valleys and 4000m mountains – in such a small country?
Where to cool off with an unforgettable wild swim
Lonely Planet - Joe Minihane
Few things beat cooling off in cold water on a hot day. But sometimes a pool shot through with chlorine just won’t cut it. Adventurous souls should head for these wild spots for a picturesque dip, the
In the shadow of Tavan Bogd: wild western Mongolia
Lonely Planet - Olivia Pozzan
The rugged and remote far reaches of western Mongolia are a series of wild landscapes capped by glacier-wrapped mountains, divided by green river valleys and shadowed by soaring peaks. This area is home
Exploring the first forest: Białowieża National Park
Lonely Planet - Tim Richards
In eastern Poland, straddling the border with Belarus, is an ancient forest where wild European bison roam. That’s reason enough to visit Białowieża National Park, but its greenery is a marvel too, little
Elephants
Malawi's wildlife renaissance
Lonely Planet - Sue Watt
Malawi is in the throes of an inspiring renaissance. Famous for being the 'warm heart of Africa' and for its vast glittering lake, the country will soon be renowned as an exciting safari destination. to
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur’s best green escapes
Lonely Planet - Simon Richmond
With soaring towers, condo complexes and mammoth malls crowding the streets and skyline of Kuala Lumpur (KL), it’s reassuring to know that Mother Nature continues to have a significant stake in and around
Day trips from Mérida: haciendas, history and holes in the ground
Lonely Planet - Clifton Wilkinson
Mérida, capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, is a beautiful colonial city with plenty to do. Churches, squares, museums and restaurants, plus a friendly laidback atmosphere (the tropical heat contributes
Accessing Aysén: how to explore Chilean Patagonia’s glacier country
Lonely Planet - Mark Johanson
In the often overlooked northern extremes of Patagonia lies Aysén, Chile’s least-populated region, where only 1.2 humans per square mile dwell. While there isn't an abundance of people around, what the
Day trips of Peru's Cordillera Blanca
Lonely Planet - Bailey Freeman
The Cordillera Blanca is the world’s second highest mountain range – bested only by the Himalayas – and home to over 700 individual glaciers and almost 300 lakes. From icy peaks that turn fiery in the
Red Sea
Meet a traveller: Göran Ehlmé, underwater photographer
Lonely Planet - Louise Bastock
Whether it’s Antarctica or the Azores, under ice or in open water, the briny deep is this explorer’s adventure playground. At an early age Göran became fascinated with the underwater world and since learning
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: spectacular in all seasons
Lonely Planet - Sue Collins
Life has a languid quality in the stunning landscapes of the Upper Peninsula (called the UP by visitors, and its residents are known as Yoopers). Americans first started vacationing here at the turn of
Lago de Yojoa: Honduras' hidden oasis
Lonely Planet - Tom Masters
Spectacular Lago de Yojoa is the largest natural lake in Honduras and one of the fastest-growing traveler destinations in Central America’s least visited country. This biodiverse region delivers a refreshingly
Stavanger's outdoor adventures
Lonely Planet - Kerry Christiani
Built on the riches of oil, Stavanger conceals a pristine old town of timber houses that twists down to its high-spirited port. There’s plenty to hold you in the city now urban regeneration has got a with
Portland’s best hikes and gardens
Lonely Planet - Becky Ohlsen
Portland is well known for its inventive food and drink, but – happily for the traveler’s waistline – the city also has a great collection of easily accessible trails, parks and gardens that are ideal
Best free things to do in US national parks
Lonely Planet
The national parks are America’s wild playground. Some charge a nominal entry fee, but once you’re in, they’re full of fantastic free escapades. Go on a budget-friendly adventure with this extract from
Europe's best wild swimming
Lonely Planet
Forget paying to go to the pool – plunge in at the deep end with these European al-fresco aquatic adventures from The Best Things in Life are Free. Lake Bohinj – Slovenia The Julian Alps offer top-class
DIY safari: a drive on the wild side in Zambia
Lonely Planet - Oliver Smith
Set off on a self-drive road trip beneath the big skies of Zambia: roaming among big game by day, pitching under the stars at night and casting off in a canoe at the road’s end. Rules 47–54 of the Zambian
Lombok for nature lovers
Lonely Planet - Brett Atkinson
Rugged and adventurous, the Indonesian island of Lombok is growing in popularity for intrepid travellers. Gunung Rinjani, the country's second highest volcano, rises in the north, while meandering trekking