THE 12 WILDEST PLACES ON EARTH

Wildest places on earth / Image: @lochieriordan

Wildest places on earth / Image: @planett

INSIDE THIS GUIDE

Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest is one of the wildest places to visit in the world and is located in the South of America. Around 60% of the rainforest is based in Brazil. The rest of the rainforest spills into Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, French Guiana and Ecuador.

The reason why it's so untamed is because it is made up of wild tropical forested jungles. These jungles also include 10-30% of wildlife species as well as between 40-80 thousand different plant species. The Amazon is one of those rare places on earth that is an overgrown wilderness that urges only the bravest travelers to journey to.

Aside from floating down the Amazon river by boat, if you decide to go on foot - It's best to hire a guide that can show you where to trek as well as point out dangerous plants and where the wildlife is to observe and steer clear of. The Amazon forests are way too dense to navigate on your own and it's easy to get lost here never to be found again. If you are ready to venture to this challenging but amazing wild location then make sure you get your vaccinations prepared ahead of time to take on the mighty Amazon Rainforest in all its glory.

Wildest places on earth / Amazon Rainforest. Image: @crystal_mirallegro

2. Australian Outback

The Australian Outback is one of the craziest places to visit as it needs to be well planned and well thought out, especially if you are traveling halfway across the world.

The Australian Outback is a wonderful way to experience the wild and barren region of Australia. In fact, the Outback takes up most of Australia and is centered in the middle of the country away from the coastlines. This mass of land is torrid because of the scarcity of rainfall making the region particularly remote and arid.

Even though the Outback has extreme weather conditions - it is still possible to explore the region but advisable to hire a tour guide to show you the best places to visit. Highlights include spotting the adaptable wildlife that live here, learning about the Aboriginal culture, stopping by the legendary landmarks, gazing at the clear starry skies at night as well as meeting the local people who call the Outback their home.

If you are determined enough then you could always opt to drive the entire length of the Outback, this will take approximately 3 to 4 days although if you want to enjoy the scenery and the landmarks in full then we recommend taking around 7 days to really appreciate everything.

Wildest places on earth / The Australian Outback. Image: @bigmck56

3. The Arabian Desert

The Arabian Desert is one of the most visibly striking places within the Middle East. It's a breathtaking wilderness that is also a natural beauty, brimming with diverse landscapes. From black volcanic lava regions to sandstone deserts and lush green forested mountains - the Arabian Desert has everything an explorer could want. The Arabian Desert is extremely vast in size. Stretching around 900,000 square miles in size sweeping from Yemen to the Persian Gulf. An interesting fact about this region is that the Eastern Desert was once underwater over 35 millions years ago. The ocean was called Tethys Ocean which now no longer exists. It's fascinating to visit and imagine how the territory looked underwater. You can absolutely trek many parts of the Arabian Desert and the available walking trails are an incredible way to witness the remote landscapes as well as learn about the unique ecosystem.

Wildest places on earth / The Arabian Desert. Image: @rabah_shammary

4. Scotland

Scotland is one of the most rugged natural beauties on the planet. It's a humble location that doesn't scream for attention, yet it has some of the most noteworthy wildlands ever seen in Europe and the world. There are so many locations that are stunning to visit as most of Scotland is native landscapes in amongst soaring mountains.

The best places to visit if you are looking for natural beauty is - The Highlands, specifically Knoydart which is known for its exceptional scenery and is one of the 40 must see scenic areas in Scotland. There are many ‘wild walks’ to choose from and the jagged landscapes allow you to feel fully immersed in one of the wildest places in europe. The Isle of Skye and the Shetland Isles are also wonderfully natural and remote although be prepared to travel by boat to visit. Stac Pollaidh mountain in the Highlands is a great place to hike and gaze across the incredible scenery - you will see nothing but wilderness that stretches as far as the eye can see. Wherever you decide to go in Scotland, head to the Highlands and enjoy endless exploration. What's great about Scotland is that it’s located in Europe making it easy for many travelers to visit as well as not needing any vaccines to enter either.

Wildest places on earth / Stan Pollaidh Mountain. Image: @kbrembo

5. Bali, Indonesia

Bali is jam-packed with natural wonders and it is a mecca for travelers who appreciate beautiful hikes, enjoy amazing views, nature, wildlife and love to experience some of the earth's finest expanses.

Bali has many natural wonders set in a harmonious setting and it's an ideal location for adventure seekers and wilderness explorers. Aside from its famous lush green rice fields you see in many a screensaver, there are so many other fantastic places to visit. The majestic temples, the mountains, waterfalls and springs, botanical gardens, peaceful lakes - all of which create a perfect blend in a peaceful environment.

Bali has over 20 glorious mountains to climb and discover. Our favorites are Mount Batur which is an active volcano and has a breathtaking view from the rim of the crater. Mount Agung has an incredible summit and the Kintamani Highlands have a fantastic combination of stunning views, food as well as a beautiful hike which doesn't have to be too strenuous. Our other tip is to visit the underwater sensation of Nusa Lembongan - this experience is ideal for crystal clear snorkeling to see the sea turtles, mantas and sunfish. There is even a marine walk if you opt not to dive. You will see the coral gardens filled with tropical fish as well as offerings of submarine safari adventures too. What's great about Nusa Lembongan is that it has a small neighboring island called Nusa Ceningan which is connected by a yellow bridge that makes it fun to walk across and explore the sister island.

Wildest places on earth / Bali. Image: @treesoftheplanet

6. Great Barrier Reef

If you are looking for far flung places and love the ocean - the Great Barrier Reef is the place for you. The Great Barrier Reef is situated in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It is a UNESCO world heritage site because it is the only place in the world that has the biggest collection of coral reefs. With around 400 different types of coral and over a thousand varied fish species - it is a very important place for scientific research. It is also home to two species that are threatened by extinction - the dugong sea cow and the large green turtle.

There are so many unique ways in which to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef as well as immerse yourself within the surroundings. It's best to organize a tour to see the Reef and you can even opt to do this by helicopter which will show you Heart Reef from above. Whilst you cannot snorkel or swim within Heart Reef, as it is a protected site, you can fly above it or travel in a glass bottomed kayak. You can choose ocean rafting, visit the turtle rehabilitation island, enjoy cultural walking adventures, spend the night ‘reef sleeping’, hire a catamaran to revel in the aquascene as well as so much more. Our tip is to head to Pumpkin Island, which is situated within the Keppel Islands. Here you can choose to rent the whole island or stay in one of the few bungalows or cottages that dot this small island. If you are really looking for a remote experience - the Great Barrier Reef is one of the wildest places Australia has to offer.

Wildest places on earth / Great Barrier Reef. Image: @lanyanguang

7. Philippines

The Philippines is set on the eastern rim of the Asiatic Mediterranean which is situated in the south east of Asia. The Philippines are a fantastic place to enjoy tropical rainforests, especially within the islands of Bohol, Mindanao as well as Palawan. The jungle within these islands is guarded and preserved.

If you venture out to Bohol - visit the unique and famous chocolate hills (pictured below) which not only look picturesque but they are also a geological formation fascinating to see. Visiting the Banaue Rice Terraces is also a must as it is considered the country's national treasure and the eighth wonder of the world. These are just two of the natural wonders you can find in the Philippines - there are just so many to pick from, you will be spoilt for choice.

Our main suggestion is to head to Hundred Islands that consist of 123 small islands with only three being available for the public to visit. These gorgeous little islands are forested with white sandy beaches amazing to observe from afar. Immerse yourself in these wildest places and be sure to trek a mountain or two - our top pick is to venture to Mt. Pulag in the beautiful Mt. Pulag National Park. The mountain stands at nearly 3,000 meters above sea level and trekking it is an unbeatable experience as part of the mountain sits above a sea of clouds which makes for an incredible experience, with such wild locations - you cannot go wrong visiting this country.

Wildest places on earth / Chocolate Hills Philippines. Image: @namu_photograph

8. Grand Canyon, USA

The Grand Canyon is one of those rare places on earth that is just awe-inspiring to be in its presence. Within its colossal setting that is vast in size, you can happily get lost in the Grand Canyon. It's widely known to be one of the wildest places on earth because of its sheer size and prehistoric scenery.

The amazing fact about the Grand Canyon is that around 70 million years ago it was completely covered in water. Being within its walls really does inspire the imagination to how it might have looked underwater. The Grand Canyon is a historic marvel and some of the earliest rocks are believed to be in the region of 1.8 billion to 270 million years old when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Wherever you venture to, you will be sure to enjoy its breath-taking views. It's also blissfully quiet too which makes for a peaceful experience.

There are many trails to do within the Grand Canyon - you can opt for the rim trails to do during a days visit or you can delve deeper into the canyon and trek down to the Canyon floor to explore the amazing Havasu Falls, hike its many trails, visit the Havasu village as well as camp in the wilderness. It takes around 5-6 hours to walk down to the pit and is well worth it! If you are feeling extra adventurous - you can choose to travel down the big rapid Colorado River and observe the Canyon from the water.

Wildest places on earth / The Grand Canyon. Image: @gkumar2175

9. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is different than any other national park in Africa and part of that reason is because it has a particularly complex ecosystem. This complex ecosystem derives from the large animal migration, high biodiversity as well as the many endangered species which adds intricacy to the ecological community. Because of the natural phenomenon that is the Great Migration, this national park was created in part to protect it.

The Serengeti is not only impressive in terms of scenery, biodiversity and animal species but it is also one of the most stunning national parks in the world. Africa prides itself on the Serengeti and it attracts an array of tourists that flock here each year.

Its vast savannahs, budding acacia trees, ascending mountains, lakes and untamed landscape of lush woodlands and grasslands - it is the epitome of Africa and is truly captivating in every way. Every part of this park creates its own atmosphere and leaves you inspirited when you leave. It is a purely wild natural beauty that is also listed as a UNESCO world heritage sight. And aside from all of this natural wonder, there are the array of wild animals to observe and enjoy too.

Wildest places on earth / Serengeti National Park. Image: @jackyoung

10. Solomon Islands

You can find the wild and remote Solomon Islands located within the western South Pacific Ocean just off Australia. The Solomon Islands forests are the 6th largest in the whole world. It contains largely lowland and tropical rain forests and the biodiversity is specifically remarkable to this island. In fact, many of the varied plant and animal species are known only to live in the Solomon Islands.

The crocodiles here also play a huge part in the history of the island - people and crocodiles have lived alongside each other for over 30 thousand years here.

There are many things to discover in this untamed island that is situated in this far flung corner of the earth. Why not visit its numerous waterfalls, lagoons, pristine beaches as well as the legendary skull island. Skull island is a place you’d find on an old treasure map and one of the strangest places on earth - here within this tiny island are skulls of many defeated warriors resting place, amongst these are also the skulls of the Rendovan Chiefs - all of which date back to the 1920’s. You could also opt to visit the island that JFK was a castaway at - Lubaria Island.

Wildest places on earth / The Solomon Islands. Image: @rouichi

11. Queensland's tropical rainforests

Australia isn't known for their tropical rainforests but they certainly have some of the wildest rainforests located in Queensland on the upper east side of Australia. A large portion of Queensland (around 55%) is made up of rainforests. What’s unique about these rainforests is that they are situated on the coastline so there are many incredible remote and tropical beaches to explore too. Some of which have starred in David Attenborough’s ‘7 Worlds One Planet’ documentary. Their primeval wilderness is remarkable. These rainforests also inhabit rare and endangered species as well the prehistoric looking Cassowary birds and the platypus.

If you are heading to Queensland's wonderful rainforests - then head to the oldest rainforest which is believed to be around 180 million years old - The Daintree Rainforest! What's great about this rainforest is that you can walk the trails and walkways without a guide but feel fully immersed in natural habitat. There are many other rainforests to explore in Queensland that are open to the public too.

Wildest places on earth / Queensland Rainforest. Image: @brodey

12. Peru

Peru is a wonderful place to visit if you want an abundance of protected natural areas to explore. Peru is made up of an array of landscapes, making it one of the wildest places on earth. If you can imagine having varied landscapes within one country - Peru would be it. From mountains to beaches to deserts and rainforests. It is truly a mind-boggling place and an adventurers paradise. Aside from trekking Machu Picchu - what Peru is world famous for - there are many other wilderness regions to enjoy and explore. The amount of national parks are outstanding - there are so many to enjoy, including the Amazon Rainforest!

Two of our favorite national parks are Huascaran National Park where you will find animal marvels such as the Spectacled Bear and the Andean Condor. Manu National Park is also wonderful and is situated within the Amazon basin and is one of the greatest spots to see tropical and exotic wildlife. However make sure you book a guide as entry is only available with a guide and permit.

Wildest places on earth / Peru. Image: @hansluiggi

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The 12 Wildest Places On Earth