Lake Natron, Tanzania
An alkaline lake in Tanzania’s Arusha Region, Lake Natron is known as the deadliest lake on earth. No, Lake Natron is not your typical lakeside getaway. Here, you’ll trade swimming for admiring one of the world’s most inhospitable landscapes.
Lake Natron is hauntingly beautiful. Images of animals that have been “turned to stone” have placed this destination on the map. Its pH level can reach 10.5 which is enough to burn skin. Surrounded by towering hills, the lake is colored deep red, an ominous sign. Yet it’s doesn’t scare the lesser flamingos which are famous for flocking to Lake Natron, the birthplace of 75% of the species.
Phang Nga Bay, Thailand
Surrounded by rugged cliffs and intriguing caves, Phang Nga Bay features some of the best paddling on earth. Phang Nga Bay hit the mainstream with a helping hand from Hollywood, featuring in James Bond and Star Wars. But on arrival, you’ll quickly realize, the bay was always destined for stardom.
It’s been a national park since 1981 and the vast bay is teeming with fascinating natural landmarks including James Bond Island, a limestone sea stack that rises from the Andaman Sea with purpose. After paddling around the island, discover caves and archaeological sites before seeing what treasures lie beneath the surface.
White Desert, Egypt
Egypt’s White Desert is an alien landscape that belongs on everyone’s list. Forget the popular pyramids, the White Desert is a treasure chest of natural wonder, highlighted by the utterly confounding rock formations found within the national park.
The journey begins by venturing into the Black Desert, complete with ancient lava stones. After some dune bashing, you’ll find yourself within a desert coated white by calcified limestone and sculpted by the fine and dainty hand of Mother Nature.
Deadvlei, Namibia
Featuring one of the largest sand dunes on earth and a petrified forest, Deadvlei (Dead Marsh) is a strange yet awe-inspiring destination. Over the ages, the dunes have rusted thanks to clay in the subsoil. As a result the petrified trees, some as old as a thousand years, stand frozen in time as others decay under the endless sun.
When you aren’t admiring the skeletal trees, you can gaze upon dunes that soar over 1,300 feet towards the heavens. But not all life is lost, you can discover salsola shrubs surviving off morning mists. The monstrous red dunes of Deadvlei are in Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Located within Croatia’s largest national park, Plitvice Lakes are one of the world’s most beautiful destinations. The lakes are divided into travertine terraces surrounded by dense rainforest home to rare birds, bears and wolves.
The lakes are the star of the show, with their crystal clear water akin to that found in the Caribbean or within a cenote. Connecting each lake are equally eye-catching waterfalls and underground tunnels. Each lake is surrounded by deposits of calcium carbonate, (yes the same ingredient used in your trusty Tums), creating a natural dam or turf barrier.
Chocolate Hills, Bohol, The Philippines
The Chocolate Hills in the Philippines are a collection of over a thousand mounds that turn chocolatey brown during Bohol’s dry season. Scattered like giant termite mounds through otherwise lush forests, the seemingly identical look of each would lead many to think they’re man-made.
Instead, the mounds were formed by the erosion of limestone over thousands of years. Only the hills remain to tell the tale. From various viewpoints, including at Sagbayan Peak, you can admire the Chocolate Hills that spread near and far.
Ta Prohm Temple, Angkor
Colloquially known as the Tomb Raider Temple, Ta Prohm was built almost 900 years ago. Today, the ancient temple is slowly being eaten alive by the return of the rainforest, a memorable mix of natural and man-made beauty.
Many of the temples around Angkor have been cleared, but Ta Prohm remains a bastion to the rightful order of things. It’s an experience that showcases the architectural genius of the Khmers, yet the eternal power of the jungle. Visitors will be able to see inscriptions of the temple’s original inhabitants, and explore ancient passageways and historic courtyards.
