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Sam McLoughlin April 3, 2025

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ExodusFrom Costa Rica’s bewitching cloud forests to Yellowstone’s otherworldly geothermal landscapes, there are plenty of places boasting both wondrous wildlife and spellbinding scenery.

Whether it’s manta rays gliding over coral reefs, brown bears padding through autumnal forests, or radiant Sally Lightfoot crabs hopping between salt-sprayed rocks, some of nature’s scenes are more vibrant than anything we’d find in an art gallery. The only problem is choosing which ones to seek out on our next getaway.

To help you decide, we’ve partnered with Exodus* to bring you 11 colourful travel destinations with extraordinary wildlife.

Back in 1974, Exodus Adventure Travels took their very first group of travellers on a daring overland journey through the heart of Afghanistan, on a mission to see the world for themselves. Over 50 years have passed, yet they’ve kept that same spirit for adventure – and now, their small, guided group tours span all seven continents.

As well as delving into local cultures, cuisines, and lifestyles, their small group tours led by expert local guides give travellers authentic, ethical, and incredible wildlife encounters.

And right now, Exodus are offering Rest Less members 10% off their first booking with the code RESTLESS10. Offer lasts until 30th April 2025.

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1. Monteverde, Costa Rica

Monteverde, Costa Rica

Despite being famous for its captivating coastlines, some of Costa Rica’s most spectacular treasures lie inland, like the enchanting cloud forests of Monteverde. Tucked away high in the Tilarán mountain range, these undulating swathes of tangled evergreen are known for their extraordinary biodiversity and the dreamy layer of mist that shrouds their canopies most days.

From winding trails and soaring treetop bridges, visitors can spot over 100 different mammals and more than 400 bird species. These include brilliant-beaked toucans, cheeky capuchin monkeys, slinking jaguars, gentle sloths, and resplendent quetzals, with their iridescent emerald plumage and sweeping scarlet tails. Flower lovers can also look out for hundreds of orchid varieties, which fleck the green expanse with every colour of the rainbow.

2. Madhya Pradesh, India

Madhya Pradesh, India

While the state of Madhya Pradesh might not spring to mind first when planning an India adventure, there are plenty of reasons why it should. The country’s largest population of tigers live here, prowling the verdant forests, dusty tracks, and amber grass plains of national parks. Panthers, elephants, sloth bears, and many more unique creatures from the pages of The Jungle Book also live amongst these mesmerising landscapes.

Madhya Pradesh is brimming with cultural experiences and historical sites, too. Shop for intricate textiles and jewellery in Bhopal’s bustling bazaars, admire the towering spires of the Orchha Fort at sunset, or sample spicy street food in Indore. You could even head north to discover the gleaming Taj Mahal and the flamingo-pink city of Jaipur, which are in neighbouring states.

3. The Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Okavango Delta, Botswana

Botswana’s Okavango Delta is one of those rare places that’s equally magical at any hour. By day, climb aboard a mokoro canoe with an expert local poler to explore sapphire waterways interspersed with brushstrokes of lime and butter-coloured grass. Top sights include elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and over 400 bird species.

At dusk, visitors can watch the setting sun dip behind the silhouettes of baobab and real fan palm trees, coating this extraordinary landscape with brilliant hues of red and pink. Due to its remote location, the Okavango Delta is also a fantastic stargazing spot, where the twinkling mosaic of the Milky Way unfurls overhead on clear nights.

4. Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A

Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A

Of all the national parks in the U.S., Yellowstone is probably the most famous – and it’s easy to see why. The stunning geothermal features alone are worth the visit, from steaming hot springs ringed with neon shades of turquoise, lemon, and tangerine to Old Faithful, a towering geyser that shoots scalding water up to 55m into the air.

When you aren’t admiring these otherworldly features, why not explore the park’s 900 miles of hiking trails, which thread through flourishing pine forests, dramatic valleys, rugged mountains, and gorgeous wildflower grasslands? If you’re after wildlife, there’s plenty of that, too – including bison, elk, moose, cougars, and black and grizzly bears. You can even track wolves with an expert guide.

5. Carpathian Mountains, Romania

Carpathian Mountains, Romania

The Carpathian Mountains are known as the home of the fearsome Count Dracula. But there’s more to this underrated region than terrifying tales, especially for hikers and lovers of wildlife and natural beauty. In autumn, dense forests burst into breathtaking displays of gold, amber, and scarlet, and the region’s most famous residents (brown bears) become more active as they prepare for hibernation.

Bears aren’t all you might encounter while trekking through sun-drenched meadows and along scenic mountain trails. Look out for majestic golden eagles spiralling overhead or elusive wolves and Eurasian lynxes padding through the undergrowth. Culture-seekers won’t be disappointed either, with quaint Saxon villages dotting the hills and historic castles perched on dizzying cliffs.

6. The Pantanal, Brazil

The Pantanal, Brazil

The Pantanal in South America is the world’s largest tropical wetland and undoubtedly one of the best places for spotting wild animals. This 42-million-acre expanse of rivers, lagoons, and marshes houses capybaras, anacondas, anteaters, tapirs, caimans, and giant otters. Plus, with nearly 500 bird species – including brilliant blue hyacinth macaws and Brazil’s national bird, the regal jabiru stork – it’s a twitcher’s paradise.

However, the most famous animal to call this beguiling place home is the jaguar, the largest cat in the Americas, which can be seen stalking the riverbanks for caiman or lounging on the boughs of fallen trees. Visitors can explore the Pantanal by jeep, boat, or even on horseback in the style of Pantaneiro cowboys.

7. The Garden Route, South Africa

The Garden Route, South Africa

Snaking along South Africa’s stunning coastline, this 190 km-long highway is one of the world’s most iconic road trips. Scenery-wise, the Garden Route has it all: gleaming sandy coves, jagged mountain ranges, virgin forests, luminous lagoons, and much more. Plus, there are ample chances to indulge in the region’s famous wines and seafood (for example, at Knysna’s famous 10-day Oyster Festival in summer).

Unique wildlife encounters also abound in this area. As well as visiting penguins at Boulders Beach and swimming with seals at the Robberg Peninsula, you can seek out elephants, black rhinos, and more big game in Tsitsikamma and Addo Elephant National Parks. The Garden Route also threads through the Cape Floral Region, famous for its flamboyant fynbos (shrubland vegetation) and remarkable biodiversity.

8. Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Komodo National Park, Indonesia

If seeing the world’s largest lizard in the wild is on your bucket list, you’ll need to travel to the Indonesian islands of Komodo and Rinca. Watching Komodo dragons lounging in the equatorial sun or stalking along sun-drenched shorelines can feel like travelling back to prehistoric times. Yet, these remarkable reptiles aren’t the only reason to make the trip.

The island’s interior is a unique mix of dry savannas, tangled forests, and rugged peaks, but the coastline is where they show off their diverse colour palette. White, black, and even pink sand beaches give way to ultra-clear waters, where manta rays and sea turtles glide over kaleidoscopic coral reefs. Snorkellers and divers can also spot over 1,000 fish species, including the luminous butterfly fish and beaked parrot fish.

9. Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park is home to one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, making it popular for safaris. But these giant cats aren’t all you can see here. From your 4×4, you can watch elephants wading through the wetlands, surrounded by constellations of lotuses and water lilies; mugger crocodiles lazing on muddy banks under the sultry sun; and sloth bears lumbering along red-earth trails, searching for tantalising palu berries.

The park also boasts over 200 bird species, six of which you won’t find outside this teardrop-shaped isle. These include the Sri Lanka grey hornbill, the crimson-fronted barbet, and the brown-capped babbler. Orioles, kingfishers, and bee-eaters dart between the trees, painting the green landscape with strokes of yellow, blue, and orange. And elaborately plumed peafowl are tricky to miss as they strut through the bush or perch precariously in treetops.

10. The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

No list of colourful travel destinations with extraordinary wildlife would be complete without the Galapagos Islands. From the cerulean feet of blue-footed boobies to the otherworldly green beach at Cormorant Point, eye-catching animals and landscapes wait around every corner. As well as their impressive variety, the animals of the Galapagos are famously fearless, which can make for some truly unforgettable up-close encounters.

With so much wildlife to see here, we couldn’t possibly list it all. But highlights include giant tortoises, iridescent iguanas, and Galapagos penguins. Birdwatchers can look out for rare Galapagos hawks hunting for prey, rosy flamingoes strolling through lagoons, and flightless cormorants swimming through coastal waters in search of food. Or grab a snorkel and search beneath the waves for graceful green turtles and spotted eagle rays.

11. Namibia

You may have noticed that our final suggestion isn’t a region but an entire country. This is because Namibia is so full of staggering scenery and world-class wildlife experiences that we couldn’t decide on just one location. The most iconic sight is probably the hauntingly beautiful Deadvlei, where the twisting black shapes of dead camel thorn trees sprout from a gleaming white salt pan, punctuating a two-tone backdrop of rust-red dunes and endless blue sky.

Damaraland to the north is home to lions and desert elephants wandering the plains between lofty rock formations. But the sprawling Etosha National Park is the country’s premier safari spot. Here, you can watch an abundance of giraffes, leopards, bull elephants, and the critically endangered black rhino gather around watering holes for a drink. Namibia is also one of the world’s top places for stargazing – best done from the solitude of a wild campsite.

Final thoughts…

From the Lion King-esque scenes of the Okavango Delta to the sun-burnished national parks of Madhya Pradesh, the world is full of destinations that deliver vibrant scenery and marvellous wildlife in equal measure.

And whether it’s the Carpathian Mountains’ impressive autumn collage, the stark but surreal vistas of Namibia’s deserts, or the unrelenting greenery of Costa Rican cloud forests, we hope these spots showcase how diverse our planet’s colour palette really is.

If you’re keen to book your next getaway, head over to the Exodus website. Their small group adventures cater from eight to 16 people and are led by an expert guide whose insight and local knowledge can make all the difference between you having a good trip or the adventure of a lifetime.

Book by the 30th of April 2025 using the code RESTLESS10 to get 10% off your Exodus adventure.

Find out more*

Are you inspired by any of these destinations? Or have you visited one before? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Sam McLoughlin

Sam McLoughlin is a Senior Lifestyle Writer at Rest Less. He joined the editorial team in 2021 after completing his Master’s degree in English Literature, Culture, and Theory at The University of Sussex. He enjoys writing about careers, books, sports, travel, and pretty much anything that his editor will let him have a crack at, but his favourite part of the job is interviewing inspiring people – from activists and CEOs to later life career changers. In his spare time, Sam enjoys climbing, snowsports, and going to see live music.

* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here.

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