United States Archives

YouTube: Masai Mara Safari. Thanks to its wildebeests, lions and cheetahs the Mara, Kenya, is the most predator-packed reserve in the world. This is an excellent experience for anyone wanting to get up close and personal with wildlife in Kenya.

The following 8 National Parks from around the World offer an incredible vacation experience for any family or individual. Each is truly worthy of consideration for your next vacation. Experience the fresh crisp air, beautiful scenery, warm sun, and rugged shorelines to regain your sense of wonder, relaxation, and contentment. This is a great way to escape the pressures of work and regain a sense of tranquility.

Swiss National Park: This park is located in the easternmost part of Switzerland. It is the largest protected area and is home to many animals, plants, wild flowers, and alpine meadows. Only 150 000 people a year can visit the park. This park is closed during the winter.

Acadia National Park: Located in Maine, USA, it is a beautiful park with inspiring mountains. It is well known for its rugged coastline and wide ranging plant and animal life. Visitors enjoy swimming, hiking, and biking through this stunning park. During the summer months, one can swim at Sand Beach and Echo Lake Beach. There are also guided tours available. Acadia National Park is open year round, but the campgrounds and roads are closed during the winter.

Masai Mara Reserve: Located in Kenya, Africa, it is home to many exotic animals such as the Wildebeest, Zebra, Crocodiles, Leopards and much more. The reserve is 583 square miles in size. It is a great place for bird-watching, wildlife viewing, and photography.

Grand Canyon National Park: Located in Arizona, USA, it is an amazing natural wonder. Every year, an estimated 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon National Park. Visitors can take in the breathtaking view and enjoy many hiking excursions. People can also river raft on the Colorado River.

Serengeti Park: Located in Tanzania, Africa, it is home to many exotic animals such as the lion and leopard. Landscapes include: amazing mountains, grassy plains, and wooded hills. Almost 1.5 million wildebeest undertake a long journey to locate new watering holes and grazing pasture.

Yellowstone National Park: Located in Wyoming, USA, it was the first national park in the United States. It is also home to the famous geyser, Old Faithful. One can watch the eruption of Old Faithful, go horse back riding, and even go Llama packing.

Galapagos National Park: More than 1.7 million acres comprise the Galapagos Park in the Ecuador. It is home to many incredible animals. Tourism is being promoted in an environmentally conscious way so as to protect the land, waters, and species that inhabit the area.

Skaftafell National Park: Located in the southern part of Iceland, it is the country’s second largest national park. It is a great park to hike with its amazing, craters, glacial caps, plains, and volcanoes. There are even campgrounds.

Taking a vacation that includes spending time in a national park will make your holiday much more exciting and memorable. Whatever park you choose, it is important to check with the park officers about safety and rules that must be obeyed. A National Park is one of nature’s most valuable gifts that can be enjoyed inexpensively.

YouTube: Galapagos Islands documentary. The Galápagos archipelago, with a population of around 30,000, is a province of Ecuador, a country in northwestern South America, and the islands are all part of Ecuador’s national park system.

YouTube: The Skaftafell National Park is located near the highest mountain in Iceland (Oraefajokull). Glaciers on one side and the large Skeidararsandur on the other side make this a special place.

YouTube: Whale Watching & Sea Kayaking Tours in San Juan Islands

Orca killer whaleYou can watch the Orca killer whales off the San Juan Islands north of Seattle between Washington state and Vancouver Island without having to travel all the way to Alaska. Many whale watching excursions are available in this popular vacation area with an abundance of outdoor activities.

Located more than 20 miles from Washington’s mainland, the San Juan Islands are accessible only by ferry, private boats and small planes. With more than 170 islands making up the San Juan Islands area, the ferry service only stops at the four largest: Shaw, Lopez, Orcas and San Juan. Eighty of the islands are part of the San Juan Islands Refuge that is home to many amazing creatures and plants. Some of the animals include a pod of about 100 Orca whales that maintain a year-round residency in the area. The San Juan Islands are protected from the rough Pacific Ocean by the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island which makes them a perfect haven. Vancouver Island and Washington state were once connected by a mountain range that is known today as the San Juan Islands.

What better way to experience the beauty of the San Juan Islands than by whale watching from a small boat. This whale watcher’s paradise off the coast of Washington state boasts a year round presence of whales and other curious sea creatures. Small boat tours are able to offer their personalized, three to four hour expeditions to only a handful of guests at a time. Equal opportunity to see and photograph the whales, an opportunity to interact with the boat’s captain and an intimate setting aboard the small boat are all added perks. This makes them vastly different from the larger whale watching boats with tens of guests who must maneuver their way to the railing to see the whales.

Sea lionWhen planning a vacation to the San Juan Islands for whale watching, take into consideration that most tours are seasonally operated and run from late spring through early fall. April through September are the most common months for expeditions, but some open as early as March and close for the season at the end of October. Although most tour operators will search tirelessly to provide whale sighting opportunities, there may be days when the whales are too far out. In cases such as this, the other amazing wildlife of the San Juan Islands will be explored. Sea lions, seals and a variety of sea birds also call the refuge home. If adventure is an important part of the vacation plans, consider kayaking off the San Juan Islands for whale watching opportunities instead.

Whale watchers will find that the San Juan Islands offer an unparalleled experience for seeing Orca killer whales in the wild. With careful preparation and research, a trip to these islands gems in the Pacific Northwest very well may be the highlight of a lifetime. The natural beauty and unspoiled of the San Juan Islands Refuge is truly a sight to behold.

The author lives and operates Captain Carli’s Whale Watching Tours in the San Juan Islands where the beauty of local wildlife abounds.

YouTube: San Juan Islands Scenic Byway – Part 1

YouTube: San Juan Islands Scenic Byway – Part 2

YouTube: San Juan Islands Scenic Byway – Part 3

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