World's Top 12 National Parks to Visit

With vast savanna plains and umbrella-shaped acacia tree woodlands, the Serengeti National Park is a spectacular haven for a plethora of wildlife. When traversing the diverse landscape, you can witness predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas on the hunt, and elegant plains game such as impala, kudu, and gentle giraffes roaming seemingly without a care in the world. The stage is set for a spectacular showdown when you visit during the Great Migration, as thousands of wildebeest cross the Mara River between the Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara.

Enjoy the stunning luxury lodges and tented camps that dot the Serengeti landscape, bringing nature and modern comfort together. Savor gourmet dining and soothing spa treatments, and take a thrilling hot-air balloon safari at sunrise, offering the perfect fusion of adventure and indulgence.

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Famous for its dramatic granite towers, glacial lakes, and fjords, the Torres del Paine National Park is a true gem in the heart of Patagonia. You can expect iconic mountain views, with the dramatic granite peaks or Towers of Paine noted as one of the most photographed mountains in the world. Your hike to the base of these towers offers a stunning and memorable panorama of the three spires above a glacier-fed lake, their silhouette casting a shimmering shadow over the turquoise lakes.

Enjoy world-class hiking along the W Trek and O Circuit, where you can take in views of Mirador Britanico in the French Valley and John Gardner Pass, with views of the Patagonian ice fields. Capture the interplay of light at sunrise and sunset as it creates impressive visual effects on the mountains and clouds, and take your adventure to the next level with glacier excursions and archaeological exploration at sites such as the Mylodon Cave. Wildlife abounds, with sightings of pumas, Andean condors, and guanacos providing wonderful wildlife encounters.

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Volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches, and opportunities for snorkeling or cruising through the Galápagos archipelago are a handful of reasons to visit this popular Ecuadorean destination. The Galápagos National Park is expansive, covering close to 100 percent of the islands, and includes a vast marine reserve that protects diverse and fearless wildlife, including iguanas and numerous bird species. It is noted that unique wildlife like giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Snorkel brilliant coral reefs and spot colorful parrotfish and king angelfish, and dive with sea lions, turtles, rays, and sharks at Kicker Rock and Punta Pitt. Hike to the pristine beach of Tortuga Bay, explore volcanic lava flows at Las Tintoreras, or walk through unique volcanic and coastal landscapes as you experience a living laboratory of evolution and conservation.

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The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s largest and one of Africa’s biggest game reserves, covering around 7,523 square miles. It stretches along the Mozambique border and features generally flat terrain, with low hills and diverse vegetation including mopane, acacia, marula, and baobab trees. Your visit includes a safari experience that offers game drives in open vehicles, with professional safari guides showing you the variety of wildlife, flora, and fauna the Kruger offers. A bush walk early in the morning or late in the afternoon will give you the opportunity to witness smaller creatures, such as the dung beetle or chameleon.

Watch elephants gently wander around the edge of a waterhole or a cheetah’s ears peering out from behind a grassy bush, and listen out for the raspy chirp of the lilac-breasted roller sitting on a branch. Your wildlife experience in the Kruger National Park is truly rewarding. To tap into your super-adventurous side, mountain bike trails are available at Olifants Camp and are suited to various skill levels. Take some time out, sit back, and relax at one of the many lodges and tented camps positioned throughout the park. Some are situated in private concessions, with the option for an elevated safari experience with more terrain to roam.

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Located in New Zealand’s South Island, Fiordland National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its incredible landscapes and varied biodiversity. Discover dramatic glacier-carved fjords like Milford Sound and embrace the serenity of Doubtful Sound, an untouched wilderness renowned for its towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Hike the Milford Track and feel the crunch of your boots on the rocky, leaf-laden trail, the distant rush and whooshing sounds of cascading waterfalls filling the air.

Row to the rhythmic sound of your paddle slicing through glassy waters when kayaking in Fiordland National Park. Notice the fresh scent of the surrounding rainforest on your boat cruise and admire the awe-inspiring fjord cliffs peaking below you as you skim the skies on a scenic flight. Wildlife wonders you can enjoy include dolphins, seals, and the rare Fiordland crested penguin.

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Visit the immense Namib-Naukluft National Park and discover a gem within the oldest desert on Earth, stretching around 300 miles within park boundaries. Marvel at the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei and Big Daddy as they present a dramatic landscape that plays with shadows and light. Notice vivid red and orange dunes that contrast with the deep blue sky, creating iconic desert vistas, and walk among the deep crevices of the Sesriem Canyon. Admire the beauty of the Naukluft Mountains and spend time where dunes meet the Atlantic Ocean in tranquil Sandwich Harbour.

Put your photography skills to the test with an opportunity to film in the Deadvlei clay pan, where ancient dead camel thorn trees are framed by striking red dunes. Walk or hike trails through areas that show off the iconic and prehistoric welwitschia plant and Nara desert melon  while lanner falcons fly above you and majestic gemsbok and mountain zebra graze in the distance. Minimal light pollution offers spectacular, starry skies, while staying in the park allows you early access to sunrise experiences, perhaps a hot-air balloon ride that presents aerial views of dunes and desert landscapes at dawn.

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Located in the heart of Scotland lies the Cairngorms National Park, the United Kingdom’s largest. Spanning over 17,300 square miles of unspoiled countryside and shaped by Ice Age glaciers, the landscape is diverse and encompasses five of the UK’s six highest mountains, rolling moorlands, glens, and forests of ancient Caledonian pine. Gain an understanding of the park’s biodiversity and commitment to conservation and sustainable tourism, with its rivers and lochs supporting endangered species like the freshwater pearl mussel, salmon, and otters.

Discover rich Scottish folklore history in ancient Caledonian forests associated with King Arthur’s Twelve Battles and castles such as the former royal residence, Balmoral. Take in a brilliant night sky as the Cairngorms’ Dark Sky Park offers some of the clearest stargazing in the United Kingdom. Engage your sense of sound with a natural symphony created by the wind sweeping through mountain corridors, the rush of rivers, and the calls of ptarmigan and grouse. Sample local whisky produced in the region and enjoy outdoor adventures like hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and water sports.

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Discover Austria’s highest peak at 12,460 feet, Grossglockner, as you drive along the famous High Alpine Road of the same name, both forming part of the Hohe Tauern National Park. Home to the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps and picturesque waterfalls, the park spans Carinthia, Salzburg, and Tyrol, covering an area of approximately 716 square miles. You can expect to see snow-capped summits as you wind along the famous Grossglockner High Alpine Road and, with around 342 glaciers, mountain lakes, and rugged valleys, you are in for a feast of scenic beauty.

Keep an eye out for a wildlife complement that includes gold eagles and marmots, the park’s rich biodiversity sheltering over 15,000 animal species. Besides incredible wildlife spotting, you can enjoy year-round accessibility, with hiking trails and glacier walks introducing you to the park’s traditional alpine landscapes. They have formed part of a protected area since 1981.

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Experience extraordinary landscapes shaped by fire and ice at Vatnajökull National Park. The area covers around 14% of Iceland and is Europe’s second-largest national park. The glaciers are majestic, stretching over 3,128 square miles, the deep creaking of shifting ice apparent as you feel the crisp, icy air surrounding you during your visit. Enjoy the wonders of active volcanoes such as Bárðarbunga and Grímsvötn, which create a dramatic interplay of geothermal heat and frozen landscapes.

The Vatnajökull National Park is truly a sensory masterpiece, where every sight, sound, and scent tells the story of Iceland’s raw, untamed beauty. Diverse terrain comprising black-sand deserts, lush valleys with canyons, waterfalls, and ice caves make it a haven for intriguing wildlife. Watch seals basking on ice floes while Arctic foxes roam the rugged terrain and the calls of seabirds like the hardy fulmar and Arctic tern echo across towering cliffs.

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Visit Northern India’s Uttarakhand state to experience a region highlighted by ancient holy sites, picturesque valleys, and dense forests. Surrounded by the Himalayas, you can find diverse wildlife and adventure when visiting the Jim Corbett National Park.

Named in honor of the legendary conservationist who was admired for his key role in protecting India’s wildlife, the country’s first national park is an incredible destination for you to experience unforgettable encounters with India’s iconic species, including tigers, sloth bears, and elephants. The Jim Corbett National Park has a rich biodiversity and is home to over 580 bird species and animals.

The park serves as a crucial sanctuary for Bengal tigers, under the Project Tiger program, and offers you a chance to experience the thrill of a Jeep safari. Enjoy the stillness of the crisp air as you embark on a nature walk, feel the contrast of smooth and jagged rocks with a guided climbing experience, and listen to the rush of plummeting water at Corbett Waterfall, which stands 66 feet tall.

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Visit Chobe National Park to discover a safari destination teeming with incredible wildlife, scenic beauty, and activities that go beyond a standard game drive. Chobe is home to the largest elephant population in Africa, with over 120,000 elephants calling it home. Getting up close to these majestic beings is quite possible when traversing the dusty roads of Chobe National Park. Other animals to look for are lions, leopards, buffalo, and roaming antelope such as sable and roan. Listen out for the trumpeting sound of elephants calling as they cross through dense woodland or across the Chobe River.

Watch the rhythmic splashing of hippos in the water as your tender boat gently glides along the Chobe River. Capture that iconic photo of a herd of elephants swimming in the rippling water, silhouetted against the African sun setting behind you. Expand your Chobe National Park experience with a visit to the San rock paintings, where rusty red images of hunter-gatherers stain rock walls, revealing their ancient presence. Engage with Botswanans to gain an understanding of their well-preserved culture and traditions.

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Noted as a world-class destination, the Komodo National Park is famous for its prehistoric wildlife, scenic landscape, and rich marine biodiversity. Spanning the islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, the surroundings include a mix of savanna-covered hills, turquoise bays, and vibrant coral reefs. Witness the wild Komodo dragon, the world’s largest living lizard, basking in the sun or roaming the land, with a dramatic backdrop comprising volcanic islands, rugged coastlines, and the iconic three-colored beaches of Padar Island.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is recognized for its unique ecosystems, both terrestrial and marine, making it a top conservation priority. Take in the salty ocean breeze and fresh aroma of mangroves as you listen to the waves crashing against dramatic cliffs. Hear the chirping of the critically endangered yellow-crested cockatoo, known for its striking white plumage and bright yellow crest, and to the rustling of dry grass as the Komodo dragon saunters slowly by. The park forms part of the Coral Triangle, where you can enjoy world-class diving and snorkeling, and the chance to see manta rays and sea turtles amid the brilliant coral reefs.

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Explore the world’s top national parks and discover unrivaled beauty in landscapes that seemingly never end, cliff faces that disappear into a haunting glacier, and a plethora of wildlife and exciting activities. Step onto pathways that wind along tranquil bays, through lush landscapes of tumbling waterfalls and babbling rivers, or find yourself in a desert or highland haven, where the night sky is a dark blue curtain of brilliance.

Enjoy the assurance of the human touch with our expert destination specialists guiding you along your top national park visit. From the start of the booking process to the day you return from your incredible adventure, you will be in excellent hands. Explore our Wildlife and Nature Tours, Vacations, and Safaris for more inspiration.