If you’re someone who’s hoping to tick some animals off the bucket list on holiday, there are plenty of destinations that showcase jaw-dropping wildlife in mesmerizing locations. Here are just a few that you might want to consider for your next vacation.

Patagonia

Located in the southernmost tip of South America, Patagonia is a playground for wildlife you won’t see elsewhere in the world. Thanks to the country’s varied landscapes, you can enjoy seclusion and peace in the mountains whilst looking out for the elusive puma.

It’s unlikely that you’ll see one if you don’t have a trekking guide with you. Most frequently found in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia, they are masters of camouflage, making it all the more special when you see one.

Galapagos Islands

600 miles off the coast of Ecuador lie the Galapagos Islands. Where crystal clear waters lap on white sandy shores, these islands are the epitome of tropical bliss. It’s also a sanctuary for some of the most intriguing animals in the world, many of which can only be found here.

Prepare your camera for iguanas, sea lions, sharks, and penguins. With so many animals to snap, you’re going to be busy. Make sure you get to see them all by going on a wildlife tour that’ll take you to otherwise inaccessible places so you can take a good look at these marvelous beasts.

And whilst you’re there, enjoy the Galapagos to the full by snorkeling for hours on end, hiking up inactive volcanoes and taking in the sun on the red sand beaches.

Africa

Known the world over for their once-in-a-lifetime safari experience, Africa has some of the biggest national parks in the world. By far the country’s most famous residents are the Big Five: the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo.

They can be spotted in national parks all over Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, all of which have their own unique landscapes and animals that they are known for. If you time your trip right, you might even see the Great Migration where millions of wildebeest and zebra walk thousands of miles to the Masai Mari.

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#1 Australians drive on the left side of the road. If you are used to driving on the other side, you may need some time to get used to this change. If you prefer camping – check Camper Champ, traveling in a motorhome is one of the best ways to travel.

#2 If you plan to visit Melbourne (and you should!), even if it’s summer, pack clothes for all types of weather, from early spring showers to baking summer sun, as the weather tends to change suddenly. It’s not a coincidence that they say: “If you don’t like the weather in Melbourne, just wait for ten minutes.”

#3 Trying to drive the Great Ocean Road in a day is crazy and draining – it’s worth spending a night or two along the way to fully immerse yourself in the amazing scenery. That’s why you should consider getting an aluminum roof top tent so that you’ll have no problems when the weather is changing.

#4 If you travel over the Christmas holidays, keep in mind that two days before and after Christmas and New Year’s Eve almost no shops are open, so stock up on food. Also, check the opening hours of local restaurants if you plan to dine out.

#5 If you want to hire a kayak, surfing equipment etc., you should usually get and return it between 9 am and 5 pm. It turned out that finding a rental kayak for a sunset tour was not an easy feat. It’s also important to call up at least one week in advance, especially in the high season, as you may find everything has been pre-booked.

#6 If you want to see kangaroos, koalas, wombats and penguins parading at sunset and other exotic (at least to foreigners) animals in their natural habitat, plan a trip to Phillip Island.

Philip Island, Australia | © www.203challenges.com

#7 For a chance to see and feed possums, head to Kalimna Woods Cottages at Lake’s Entrance.

#8 If you have included the Blue Mountains National Park in your itinerary, here is a useful tip to skip the crowds: choose a trail other than the Three Sisters Walk. All trails offer the same views but the Three Sisters Walk is the most overloaded with human traffic.

Blue Mountains, Australia | ©www.203challenges.com

#9 A stop in Sydney always includes a scenic view of the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House (and of the New Year’s fireworks above them if you have planned your visit to coincide with this major celebration). The best views are from Taronga Zoo, Kurraba Point or Robertsons Point. Some people arrive at these viewpoints hours in advance to spend the whole New Year’s Eve there, but you can also arrive at the last minute and it will still be easy to find a good vantage spot.

#10 In every single AirBnB we rented, there were cockroaches, every time getting bigger and bigger. It’s a good idea to buy some anti-cockroach spray if you can’t stand the sight of a huge bug on your wall.

#11 Include a stopover at Byron Bay – a coastal town full of people from all over the world who have come here to make their dreams come true. It’s a lively and inspiring place famed for its hippy, alternative atmosphere and beaches that are perfect for surfing.

#12 Always read the signs on the beach carefully because they tell you if there are jellyfish or anything dangerous/poisonous in the water. If you see a picture-perfect beach with nobody in the water, always suspect that there may be a sign you have missed.

#13 If you are a cruise lover ready to see the Great Barrier Reef, you can book a two- or three-day sea tour in Cairns, where you actually spend the night on a ship and enjoy diving three times a day, including night diving. If you are restricted by time, you can go diving on a single-day tour, too. Although Cairns is most famous for its surfing spots, don’t miss Kuranda Rainforest Village only 25 km (15 mi) from Cairns (and don’t forget to bring mosquito repellent and plenty of water).

See also: An essential guide to exploring Australia’s Beautiful North West

The post 13 useful tips before you head on a road trip to Australia appeared first on 203Challenges.

#1 Sip beer with the Simpsons

Take a rest and sip from Homer Simpson’s favorite beverage, with three varieties of Duff Beer available only at Universal Studios. Despite the running joke on the show that all three are the same beer, the real-life versions come in three varieties – Duff (a lager), Duff Lite (a light beer), and Duff Dry (a stout).

#2 Have your face printed on an Avatar figurine

Avatar fans should stop at Disney’s Pandora: The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom where they can have their faces printed onto a blue-skinned Na’vi action figure.

#3 Feed Sting Rays

You may have already touched a dolphin or a sea lion but have you felt the velvety skin of stingrays? Dip your hands into the pool at SeaWorld Orlando and feed the cute marine animals. This experience is available for all ages and even the youngest children can experience the euphoria when the fish slips out of their hands straight into the stingray’s mouth.

#4 Get a Haircut at Disney

The Magic Kingdom’s Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, USA, is where kids and parents can have their new haircut – why not inspired by your favorite Disney princesses?

#5 Become a real magician

Wave that interactive wand from Ollivander’s Wand Shop and experience some real-life magic. Yes, objects move, water splashes and, all in all, there’s no doubt that magic exists at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.

#6 Send a postcard from the Owl Post

One more special experience for the Harry Potter fans is the Hogsmeade’s Owl Post at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.

#7 Play ‘I spy…’ with Mickey Mouse

Embark on a scavenger hunt for hidden mickeys, a famous “secret” of the Disney Parks.  Everything from rides to décor and even walking paths at Disney properties feature subtle Mickey shapes, some easier to spot than others.

All photos courtesy of Visit Orlando.

Pin it for later!

And don’t forget, the parks are like a rehabilitation center – they have an extremely positive effect on our psyche and physique.

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While researching what to see and do in and around Larnaca, Cyprus, I came across the exciting information that flamingos fly over to this Mediterranean island for the winter. As a dweller of a non-flamingo country, I felt my pulse skyrocket, and leggy pink birds turned into the main theme of my trip to Cyprus.

Here’s a quick guide on how to see greater flamingos in Cyprus, along with some other useful information and interesting facts.

When to see flamingos in Cyprus:

Between November and March.

Where to see flamingos in Cyprus:

#1 The Salt Lake in Larnaca

Cycling at Larnaca Salt Lake, Cyprus | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Larnaca Salt Lake is located just off the main road to Larnaca Airport and is easily accessible from the city through a beautiful park area. There are paths, benches, and observation decks following the lake’s banks. Bring a packed lunch and enjoy the sun and the views.

How to make it better: Hire bikes from the beach and ride to the lake through the beautiful Patticheio Park. Don’t ride too close to the lake – the mud is extremely sticky and you’ll have a lot of trouble cleaning your bike (as I did!).

Fun fact: Once, the salt obtained from the lake was one of the major exports of Cyrpus. It used to be carried by donkeys and piled in enormous heaps on the banks of the lake until the end of the 1980s.

#2 Limassol (Akrotiri) Salt Lake

Flamingos sometimes hang around at Akrotiri Lake near Limassol, even after winter has passed.

Another favorite flamingo haunt is Limassol Salt Lake, also known as Akrotiri Lake. It is the biggest lake in Cyprus, although it remains remarkably shallow; its deepest spot is only 3 feet (1 meter) in winter, while in summer it’s all dust and a shining white salt crust. Between 2,000 and 20,000 flamingos call it home from November to March. Akrotiri is the only lake in Cyprus that enjoys the company of (at least a few) flamingos all year round, because it doesn’t completely dry up in summer.

Fun fact: Two years in a row – in 2015 and 2016 – there was a black flamingo visiting Akrotiri Lake, so keep your eyes open for this unusual guest.

#3 Oroklini Lake

Watching flamingos at Oroklini Lake, Cyrpus | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Watching flamingos at Oeroklini Lake, Cyrpus | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Watching flamingos at Oeroklini Lake, Cyrpus | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

This was pure chance; just half a mile from our seaside hotel near the village of Oroklini, 10 mi (15 km) from the center of Larnaca we came across a roadside observation hideout, where we could admire Oroklini Lake’s feathered inhabitants without disturbing them.

How to make it better: Plan to visit the lake shortly before sunset. The soft light and the bright colors of the sky set the perfect background for flamingo-spotting.

What else you should know:

The salt lakes are protected areas – don’t litter, chase the birds for a selfie or interrupt their life in any other way.

Bring your long-focus lens to shoot better images.

Pin it to your flamingo board, because everyone needs a little pink in their life:

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