Nature tourism can be an attractive option for an adventure-filled vacation. Seeing the wilderness and meeting the plants and animals that thrive there face-to-face can certainly be exciting and memorable. The more remote your destination, the more intense the adventure and excitement. In some places, it is possible to find eco-resorts and adventure companies that will take you to some of the most remote sections of rainforest on earth. If you are looking for a real natural adventure, one that involves visiting some of the wildest places in the world, then a trip to one of these remote rainforest destinations should be on your to-do list.
Manu National Park
Photo: cspruit / Flickr
Located in eastern Peru’s remote, tropical Madre de Dios region, Manu National Park is actually one of the best places to experience the wild side of the Amazon. Most people think that the world’s largest rainforest is in Brazil. That is mostly true, but this section of the Peruvian Amazon is one of the most accessible. It still feels very remote and untouched, however. Only a few tour companies are allowed into the park’s vast protected areas, so you certainly will not run into hordes of other tourists. Some companies, such as Pantiacolla Tours, have guides who are trained biologists. You will certainly see lots of wildlife here and will get to spend a few days in one of the more remote and well-protected jungle areas on earth.
Dominica
Photo: Göran Höglund (Kartläsarn) / Flickr
This Caribbean island has very little in common with its beach-resort neighbors. Dominica is known as the Nature Isle, and this is certainly a very appropriate name. There are very few resorts here, and those that do exist are meant to give tourists easy access to rainforests, waterfalls, and hot springs, not to tropical beaches. Morne Trois Pitons National Park covers much of the interior, and jungle and mountain trails criss-cross the landscapes. Places like the Three Rivers Eco-Lodge provide secluded jungle cabins where people can enjoy a feeling of isolation amid nature. Beautiful jungle waterfalls and hot springs are other worthwhile attractions on Dominica.
Darien National Park
Photo: brian.gratwicke / Flickr
Panama’s Darien Gap is one of the few places where you can have a real jungle expedition. This dense rainforest that divides North and South America has no roads and sees very few tourists. Some parts of the forest are dangerous because they are the hiding place of smugglers and drug traffickers. There are, however, several native villages and camping stations inside the officially protected area of the Darien National Park. Guides are necessary, but a trip to the Darien means stepping completely off the beaten path. Adventurous souls will certainly appreciate the jungle scenery and the chance to encounter rare birds, unique rainforest foliage, and even elusive species like the jaguar.
Sarawak, Malaysia
Photo: HooLengSiong / Flickr
Sarawak, in Malaysian Borneo, is home to dense jungles, laid-back cities, and idyllic islands. Bako National Park is a more-popular eco-tourism destinations. It features endangered primates, rare reptiles (including flying lizards), the carnivorous pitcher plant, and colorful tropical birds. Bako can only be reached by boat, so this is more of a destination for nature-lovers and adventurers, instead of curiosity-seeking tourists. Camping is allowed in designated areas inside the park, and there are also rustic cabins and lodges available. For people who want to get further into the jungle interiors of Borneo, Batang Ai National Park, which actually spills over into the Indonesian side of the island, is a good choice. This is another destination that can only be reached by boat, giving it a very remote feel.
Suriname
Photo: Daveness_98 / Flickr
Suriname is a small country in northern South America. It has some of the least explored rainforests on earth. The massive Central Suriname Nature Reserve has no roads and sees very few visitors. Containing over 1.5 million hectares of primary forest, the park has tourist facilities set in a quiet wetland area. Suriname has protected this part of its land from the timber industry, so, aside from the eco-tourism resort, there is absolutely no development. For a completely pure but reasonably accessible rainforest experience, the CSNR is arguably one of the top destinations in all the world.
Have you ever ventured into a remote rainforest destination or visited a secluded eco-tourism resort? Let us know about your experiences in the comments section below.
