Three Singular Nature Destinations

by Tiffany Figueiredo

The Serengeti, Tanzania

Every year, roughly two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move in a continuous loop across the Serengeti ecosystem, following the rains. It is one of the largest animal migrations on earth, and it has been happening for longer than recorded history.

Most people know about the Mara River crossings in high season. But the Serengeti I prefer to book is quieter. Between January and March, the herds calve in the short-grass plains of the south, with hundreds of thousands of animals born within weeks and thrilling predator activity close behind. The camps are calmer, the rates are better, and the experience loses nothing for the lack of crowds.

The southern Serengeti in calving season is one of the most compelling windows in safari travel. Ask me how to book it.

The Azores, Portugal

Nine gorgeous volcanic islands sit in the middle of the Atlantic off Portugal, and few even seasoned European travelers have ever been. That’s part of the appeal.

The Azores sit at the confluence of three ocean currents, making the surrounding waters one of the richest marine habitats on earth. Sperm whales year-round, blue whales in spring and dolphins in almost every direction.

On land, crater lakes fill volcanic calderas, hydrangeas line the roads and geothermal pools offer a different way to experience the landscape. It’s a five-hour flight from New York, with a pace that feels far removed from it.

For anyone who wants something wild without committing to a long-haul journey, the Azores shouldn’t be underestimated.

Bhutan

Bhutan measures its success in Gross National Happiness, and tourism is deliberately limited. The landscapes, high Himalayan passes, ancient monasteries and forests that have never been cleared are among the least disturbed on earth.

What my clients come back talking about is rarely a single sight. It’s the cumulative effect of days spent walking at altitude through forest, the silence of a monastery at dawn, the healing hands that give massages in the afternoons and the understanding that there is no faster version of this trip. Bhutan requires you to slow down, and most people find that slowing down is the point.

Travel to Bhutan requires a licensed local operator. I know the best ones.