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From witnessing the Northern Lights to snorkelling in Bora Bora, here’s some of the very best experiences to add to your bucket list.
From seeking out adventure to getting up close and personal with a range of wild animals to taking on an epic journey, travel bucket list experiences have become ever more possible thanks to travel companies offering special itineraries for those once-in-a-lifetime trips.
After Covid-19 induced lockdowns, it seems that we are raring to get back out there and fulfil our dreams once again when it comes to the world of exploration, and here at LLM – Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, we are here to help you figure out just how to achieve this. From trekking ancient sites to coming face to face with some of the world’s most elusive creatures to witnessing nature at its finest, we take a look at five of the more popular travel bucket list experiences available to you. Which one of these makes it onto your list?
Witness the Northern Lights in Scandinavia
It’s a popular one, and for great reason, as anyone who has been lucky enough to witness the dancing illuminations that are the Aurora Borealis will know just how special observing the sight is.
The elusiveness of the Northern lights show somehow makes it all the more appealing for travellers seeking out the natural phenomenon as there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to tick them off your list on any trip. Having said that there are ways to narrow down the odds of spotting the dancing green lights in the sky, and the best way to do this is to let the experts do the hard work for you.
One company that specialises in Northern Lights holidays is The Aurora Zone, the UK’s specialist at trips to Scandinavia to catch a glimpse of the night-time show. From three-night breaks to eight-night explorations, expect to enjoy a range of exquisite experiences in stunning surroundings, all topped off with (finger’s crossed) a viewing of the Northern Lights spectacle.
Set off on an African safari in Tanzania
There’s little quite as exciting as seeing animals in their natural habitats and Africa is the continent to visit if you wish to see a selection of the most interesting mammals, birds, reptiles and insects in the world.
One of the best national parks in Africa, the Serengeti is the jewel of Tanzania. The name conjures romantic images of seemingly endless acacia-dappled plains, golden savanna, and throngs of wildlife, and this World Heritage-listed park, Tanzania’s oldest and most popular, delivers on all accounts.
Formerly part of Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area encompasses several important features. Here, you’ll find three magnificent volcanic craters (Ngorongoro is the most famous), as well as the legendary archeological site of Olduvai Gorge, and more than 8,300 square kilometers of savannah, dense forest, and African bush.
This is one of the few areas in the world where wildlife and humans peacefully coexist. The proud Maasai people live alongside a diversity of wildlife within this World Heritage-listed area and graze their cattle on these lands.
Besides the spectacular volcanically formed scenery, highlights include one of Africa’s densest populations of wild lions, as well as black rhinoceros, buffaloes, leopards, wild dogs, cheetahs, and more than 500 species of birds.
As part of the Serengeti ecosystem, the area also plays host to the Great Migration as 1.6 million ungulates make their way through here each year between December and June. Witnessing this awe-inspiring spectacle is one of the highlights of visiting Tanzania.
If you’re looking for a less crowded game park in Tanzania, the Selous Game Reserve is an excellent option, with a truly impressive volume of game and a healthy population of African wild dogs. It’s also one of the few game reserves in Africa that allows walking safaris.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa, standing at 19,340 feet in Tanzania. As the tallest mountain on a continent full of adventure and wildlife, Mount Kilimanjaro has views to see and trails to explore.
Not only is Kilimanjaro the tallest mountain peak in Africa, but it is the tallest free standing mountain in the world. The mountain was formed by volcanic activity instead of the usual tectonic plate movement. Since there is no tectonic plate activity or faults in the area, Mount Kilimanjaro stands alone without a range surrounding it. The hike to the top of Kilimanjaro is truly one of a kind and a bucket list item for many. As such a unique mountain with a multitude of climate zones within a diverse and beautiful landscape, Mount Kilimanjaro is a must for everyone.
Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru
Exploring the wonders of the modern and ancient world often make it onto many a bucket list, and it really isn’t difficult to see why, with structures chosen for their ingenuity and impressive nature. Adventurers will no doubt have Peru’s 15th century Inca citadel Machu Picchu on their radar as it’s considered to be quite the feat, perched on top of an 8,000ft mountain in a tropical forest. Those looking to make the 26-mile-long trek will be rewarded with magnificent views and will be able to spot significant flora and fauna. Book with a travel specialist for the best experience.