Wild and Wonderful!

If you’re a lover of nature and wildlife, like myself, the obvious choice for a holiday that indulges your passion is an African safari, but there are many other places where you can see exciting wildlife and experience the wonders of nature. A personal favourite is Sri Lanka, better known perhaps for its cultural sites and beaches than wildlife, yet Yala National Park is reported to have the highest concentration of leopards on the planet. Located just outside the park, Uga Chena Huts might sound basic, but the reality is they are anything but….these are 5 star luxury cabins with ensuite facilities including a freestanding bath, and each has its own private plunge pool, perfect for a cooling dip after your game drive. The property overlooks a beach where sea turtles lay eggs by moonlight and elephants wander down from the nearby jungle to play in the surf. On one landward side Chena Huts is fringed by the tropical jungle and on the other by a saline lake where ibises, painted storks and even flamingos may be seen. Just stunning! Whilst in Sri Lanka it’s worth visiting Gal Oya National Park, where the unique draw is the opportunity to take a boat trip to spot wildlife from the water. This is the only place in Sri Lanka where you can do this and you may be lucky enough to see elephants coming to the bank to drink or even swimming in the water. Accommodation is scarce in this area, but there is a little gem in Gal Oya Lodge, a unique Sri Lanka ecolodge spread across 20 acres of private jungle. This is a true natural paradise which, as well as the wildlife and brightly coloured birds, offers you the chance to take a guided hike with the indigenous Veddha people living here. Another remarkable destination in terms of wildlife is Borneo, famous for the now endangered orangutan, and home to the rather strange looking proboscis monkey, with its big bulbous nose. You can see orangutans here at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, but for the real wild experience, head out to the Kinabatangan river and stay in one of the lodges there. Reachable only by boat, the accommodation here is built on stilts, with boardwalks between the buildings and here you swap the usual 4 wheel drive vehicle for a boat to go wildlife viewing. A good pair of binoculars is essential as the wildlife can be difficult to spot in the thick jungle, but your guide will give you a helping hand. On my own trip we saw pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, saltwater crocodiles and watched amazed as an orangutan climbed a tree and made his bed for the night – that’s one memory that will live with me forever! On the other side of the world, Costa Rica is an absolute must for nature lovers. This country is has an abundance of different landscapes and habitats, so it’s no surprise that it is home to more than half a million different species. From rainforest of Corcovado National Park in the south west to the Monteverde cloud forest in the north, the richness of wildlife is astonishing. Many of the most fascinating creatures are the smaller ones such as the national bird, the quetzal, and countless tiny species of frogs, but its also a fabulous thing to see and hear spider monkeys swinging through the trees and so exciting to see your first real life toucan! A holiday here warrants visiting at least 4 different areas, either on a guided tour or a self drive, to experience as much as possible. You can also mix it up a bit with accommodation in city hotels, eco lodges and former farmhouses, making for a really varied and interesting trip. Nearer to home, bird lovers should head to the Gambia in the winter. Many of the birds you see there migrate from Europe, including the ospreys from Rutland Water, so you’ll see some familiar faces and others that are native to Africa. The Senegambia Beach Hotel is a great place to base yourself, not least for its resident ornithologist and extensive gardens are teeming with birdlife. For something more unique, head to the Mandina Lodges, hidden in the African bush on a mangrove-lined tributary of the River Gambia. These are a mix of lodges, some land based and some floating, which form part of a project to protect the forest and give employment to local people. You’re just a short drive from the airport, yet a world away from the hustle and bustle and can drift along the river to spot birds, or sit on your balcony and watch out for baboons – a large troop inhabits this forest too! There are some truly sensational destinations to visit for nature and wildlife lovers, so get out there and explore!