The sights and sounds of the rainforest are unforgettable; the call of monkeys in the tree-tops, the vibrant colours of tropical birds roosting in the canopy and the synchronized reverberations of thousands of insects welcoming the sunset. A jungle safari offers an experience like no other.
Rainforests describe themselves very nicely; an area of tall trees with high rainfall! Technically, a jungle doesn’t have tall trees or a canopy, however the terms are generally accepted as interchangeable.
There are two main types of rainforest found around the world:
Tropical Rainforests – found nearest the equator and characterised by hot and humid environments producing very dense and diverse ecosystems.
Temperate Rainforests – found in mid-latitudes, often on the slopes of mountains or in coastal areas, where rainfall is high, but average temperatures are cooler, resulting is less dense foliage and fewer plant and animal species.
No tarmac, no concrete, no traffic, a rainforest holiday offers the ultimate escape from the urban jungle.
For nature lovers, they offer an opportunity to see wildlife of all sizes, from elephants to tiny tree-frogs, as well as a different experience to an African safari. And whilst at least a small appetite for adventure is required, for forest walks or wildlife spotting by boat or kayak, many jungle lodges now offer four, and even five, star comfort and cuisine.
Understanding the ecological importance of their surroundings, such lodges are also looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment. For example, the Daintree Ecolodge in Queensland, Australia, was built using sustainable materials and is mainly powered by renewable energy.
The world’s largest tropical rainforests are found in Central Africa and the Amazon Basin in South America, both incredible destinations, but usually reserved for the more intrepid traveller.
More accessible are the tropical rainforests of South East Asia and the northernmost tip of Australia, as well as the temperate rainforests of Pacific Northwest USA and Western Canada, and in the mountains of Europe. Your nearest rainforest adventure may be closer than you think!
Our top eight rainforest destinations focus on these easier-to-reach locations, several of which can be combined with a city or beach stay for a multi centre holiday. We start Down Under…
The Daintree, in Northern Queensland, is one of the most untouched and beautiful regions in Australia. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Daintree Rainforest dates back more than 180 million years, from a time when jungle covered the whole Australian continent, making it the oldest rainforest in the world.
From the resort town of Cairns, a popular way to reach the Daintree is by following the Great Barrier Reef Drive, a 140 km route, that takes you via the beaches of Palm Cove and Port Douglas to Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation.
Mossman Gorge is the gateway to the rainforest and worthy of a day’s exploration, to wander amongst tropical greenery on elevated walkways and swim in crystal clear rock pools. Likewise, the luxurious Silky Oaks Lodge is a worthy indulgence for a night’s stay.
The road from Mossman Gorge to Cape Tribulation takes you back to the coast to cross the crocodile inhabited Daintree River by car ferry, before heading once again into the thick of the rainforest. The cape is a truly beautiful place; a remote paradise where jungle meets barrier reef. There are rainforest trails to follow and horse-riding and snorkelling trips. If you can stay a night it’s highly recommended.
Southern Thailand’s Surat Thani province is home to the Khao Sok National Park, part of Thailand’s largest stretch of virgin rainforest. Large limestone mountains and caves hidden amongst deep valleys are all clad in a thick coat of jungle.
Situated between the popular tourist resorts of Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak and Koh Samui, Khao Sok National Park has become the focus for jungle holidays in Thailand. As well as jungle trekking and canoeing on Cheow Larn Lake, the National Park has become well know for unique wildlife experiences.
The highlight of any visit to Khao Sok National Park, has to be a stay at Elephant Hills. On a choice of two to four day jungle safaris, Elephant Hills offers ethical elephant encounters with plenty of photo opportunities for guests, whilst the elephants go through their natural daily routines. In addition, stays at Elephant hills include guided canoe safaris through the rainforest and mangroves, whilst staying in luxury camps within the jungle itself.
Whilst elephant experiences aren’t uncommon in Thailand, the success of Elephant Hills and other ethical experiences is important in the rainforest. By not altering the elephants natural behaviour, the animals can walk through the rainforest, creating trails and allowing light to reach the forest floor. This is all important to both the health of the rainforest ecosystem and the elephants themselves.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its diverse flora and fauna and is a highlight of any visit to Uganda. Within the park’s boundaries scientists have estimated it is possible to find over 400 species of plants, more than 300 species of birds and in excess of 120 different mammals.
The protection of the National Park makes it the perfect sanctuary for colobus monkeys and chimpanzees; however, the park is most famous for its mountain gorillas. Approximately half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas reside within the National Park.
Although named “impenetrable”, due to the mix of bamboo and larger hardwood trees, it is possible to visit the forest and permit controlled gorilla treks are popular. A gorilla trek in the forests of Bwindi can take up to six hours. The hike is typically of moderate difficulty, undulating in places and sometimes through thick vegetation. However, the ability to witness the size and strength of mountain gorillas in the wild, make the journey and effort worthwhile.
The number of visitors able to participate in gorilla treks is now strictly controlled, and a permit is required. The price of the permit then contributes to the salaries of the rangers who are charged with patrolling and protecting the park and all the wildlife from poachers and other outside threats.
Rainforest holidays by Freedom Destinations.
Sydney | Gold Coast | K’gari | Rockhampton | Airlie Beach | Cairns | Great Barrier Reef
Murchison Falls | Kibale Forest | Queen Elizabeth National Park | Bwindi | Lake Mburo
Koh Samui | Khanom | Khao Sok | Krabi
Sydney | Gold Coast | K’gari | Rockhampton | Airlie Beach | Cairns | Great Barrier Reef
Murchison Falls | Kibale Forest | Queen Elizabeth National Park | Bwindi | Lake Mburo
Koh Samui | Khanom | Khao Sok | Krabi
Although a temperate rainforest, Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest covers a mammoth 12,000 square miles of the British Columbia coastline, and is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, and the endangered spirit bear. The Great Bear Rainforest is also an important cultural and spiritual area for indigenous communities, who have lived in the region for thousands of years.
In partnership with conservation efforts to protect the rainforest and its ecosystems, tourism has in the Great Bear Rainforest has focused on wildlife viewing, and in particular the native grizzly. Dedicated floating lodges, easily reached by float-plane from Vancouver and Port Hardy, such as Knight Inlet and Great Bear Nature Lodge, offer viewing sessions of bear activity from special raised platforms and river cruises.
As well as being a nature viewing lodge, Knight Inlet is also an independent research station, advocating sustainable fishing and wildlife management within the forest. The indigenous native owners of the property recognize the importance of the salmon to the food chain, including whales and bears, and are using traditional methods to restore the salmon within the rainforest ecosystem.
Found in Sabah, on the island of Borneo, Mount Kinabalu National Park and the Kinabatangan Rainforest are two of the largest and most biodiverse rainforest areas in Southeast Asia. They are home to some critically endangered animals such as the Borneo elephant, the eastern Sumatran rhinoceros, and the elusive Bornean clouded leopard. However, the Kinabatangan rainforest’s most famous resident is the orangutan. Only an estimated population of 100,000 of these exceptional primates remain in the world, making the habitat of the Kinabatangan Rainforest so important.
The Kinabatangan River runs through the rainforest, and it has become a thoroughfare for eco-tourists seeking a Borneo wildlife experience and learn about the importance of conserving this unique ecosystem. Accessing the rainforest by the river, reduces the impact made by roads and the subsequent development around them.
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah, looks after 43 square kilometres of the Kinabatangan Rainforest, where they provide medical care for orphaned and confiscated orangutans. The funds raised by tourist visits is used to rehabilitate the orangutans and return them to their native rainforest.
Just a 30 minute drive to the west of Auckland brings you to the Waitakere Mountain Range. The area is known for its lush rainforest, rugged coastline, and scenic waterfalls, as well as being a popular destination for hiking and outdoor recreation.
The Waitakere wilderness contains some of the last remaining lowland rainforest in the Auckland region and are home to many unique species of flora and fauna, including the Kauri Tree and the endangered native bird species, the Kokako. For a New Zealand wilderness experience it is possible to follow the trails from the Arataki Visitor Centre to enter the rainforest and walk through the giant palms.
The Waitakere Regional Park now covers about 60% of the mountain range and follows government recognition of the need to protect the New Zealand rainforest habitat.
America’s Pacific Northwest is home to the USA’s largest temperate rainforest. Olympic National Park, located in the state of Washington, encompasses nearly 1500 square miles of diverse wilderness, including rainforests, beaches, and high-mountain terrain.
The park’s temperate rainforest is mostly found in the Hoh River Valley to the western side of the National Park. This area experiences high rainfall that results in a lush green tree canopy and a blanket of mosses that cover the surfaces of rocks and fallen trees on the valley floor. The rainforest’s nutrient rich environment is perfect for old-growth trees such as Sitka spruce and western hemlock, and it provides ideal habitat for larger mammals like the black bear and the Roosevelt elk.
Visitors to all USA National Parks are required to purchase a pass. Funds raised from visitors are used to help protect the local environment as well as enhance visitor facilities.
The tropical island of Mauritius is famous for sandy beaches, coral reefs, and luxury holidays, so it may be a surprise to learn that it is also a popular location for rainforest holidays.
Black River Gorges National Park is a protected area located in the western region of the island. The park covers over 26 square miles and is known for its diverse ecosystem, which includes subtropical rainforest, heathland, and wetlands.
The park is home to a wide variety of endemic and exotic flora and fauna, including the Mauritian flying fox and the Mauritian kestrel. It is a popular destination for hiking, bird watching, and wildlife observation, and is also considered an important site for conservation efforts, as it provides critical habitat for many of the island’s endemic species.
The increase in population of Mauritius has put pressure on the natural environment of the island. This has led directly to forest clearance for agriculture and infrastructure development. The introduction of the Black River Gorges National Park, now protects the primary habitat of Mauritius threatened endemic birds and rare plants.
“The growth of eco-tourism is not just a new trend in the tourism industry” observes Freedom Destinations’ Richard Webb, who has visited the tropics of North Queensland and temperate rainforests of the USA and Canada. “Visiting natural areas, such as National Parks, wilderness areas and wildlife reserves have always been popular. However, it is only in recent years that people have become much more aware of the negative impacts of some traditional tourism, such as habitat destruction and pollution.”
“Today’s travellers are seeking more authentic and sustainable travel experiences. Tourism has a crucial role to play in the survival of the rainforest. Visitor numbers are important for generating revenue, but that must be re-invested in protecting these truly unique environments. I would encourage everyone to seek out some jungle on their next holiday.”
Richard has more than 25 years of experience working within the travel industry. He has travelled widely in the USA, Australia and Africa and enjoys exploring National Parks and other wilderness areas.
