In Britain, wilderness has largely been abolished. The abolition began millennia ago. Between 7,000 and 5,000 years ago, around 75% of the UK was covered in forest. Then large-scale forest clearance started around 3100 BC when Neolithic agriculture was introduced. Now, the UK has around 13% forest cover, making it one of Europe’s least densely forested countries. The post Britain’s last remaining wild places appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
The word 'epic' does not do Alaska justice. The state is home to North America's largest mammals, national parks the size of countries and glaciers bigger than some US states. It is the least densely populated state in the USA; has 17 of North America’s highest mountains, 100 volcanoes, 3,000 rivers and over three million lakes. The post 11 best day trips from Anchorage, Alaska appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
We began our month-long trip through Central America with a brief jaunt to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It was my first visit to this part of the world and I was keen to visit to see the ancient Maya ruins of Chichén Itzá – my seventh world wonder – and dive into the region's famed aquamarine cenotes (freshwater sinkholes). The post Best things to do in Yucatán State: a 4-day itinerary appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
From the Russian taiga to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, we profile the places and countries where you can see tigers in the wild A century ago, as many as 100,000 wild tigers stalked the planet but by the dawn of the 21st century, that figure had plummeted by around 95% largely due to habitat loss and The post Countries where you can see tigers in the wild appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
The state of Uttarakhand in India, bordering China and Nepal, takes its name from the Sanskrit words uttara meaning 'north' and khaṇḍa meaning 'land'. To Hindus, it's known as Devbhoomi – the land of the gods – because of its cluster of high-altitude shrines shrouded in mist. The post Tips for visiting Jim Corbett National Park: 12 dos and don’ts appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
A canyon large enough to influence the weather, a hotbed of volcanic activity and an eerie desert landscape home to one of the hottest places on Earth. Yes, American national parks boast some of the most astounding natural wonders on the planet. The post Ranked: best American national parks for wildlife watching appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Situated on a small peninsula on the Pacific Coast, Panama City is Central America's most attractive and cosmopolitan capital. The city has an impressive skyline replete with sleek skyscrapers and glitzy shopping malls, a charming old town in the UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo and best of all, the city is a superb gateway to the country's top attractions. The post 8 best day trips from Panama City, Panama appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
From big cats to army ants, Adam Hart knows about animals. After completing a PhD in Zoology, he's been involved in numerous research projects from the rainforests of Panama to the savannahs of South Africa. He is Professor of Science Communication at the University of Gloucestershire where he teaches animal behaviour, behavioural ecology, evolution, statistics, mathematical modelling, citizen science, science communication, African savannah ecology and field skills. Phew! The post The travel that changed me: Adam Hart appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of Belize's most popular snorkelling sites. It offers vibrant coral formations and a diverse array of marine life packed into a small site with shallow waters in an easy-to-reach area of the UNESCO-listed Belize Barrier Reef. The post Diving Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Our guide on how to visit Río Lagartos, Mexico’s Biosphere Reserve home to flamingos, crocodiles and a not-so-pink lake When 16th-century Spanish explorers first arrived on the northern shores of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, they found a mangrove-lined estuary which they named Río de Los Lagartos – the river of the lizards. Now a UNESCO biosphere reserve, the coastal lagoons feature a network of smaller estuaries, mangroves, marshes and savannahs that are home to over 500 species of vertebrates, several of them endangered. Thanks to conservation efforts, species numbers have stabilised recently as harmful agriculture activities using ‘slash and burn’ methods have been reduced. Atlas & Boots The waterfront town of Río Lagartos The wetlands, along with the sleepy fishing town of the...
From an unplanned landing in the Namib desert to hyenas attacking wildebeest, author Stanley Trollip tells us about the travel that changed him It’s fair to say that Stanley Trollip has had an eclectic career. At various points in his life, he has been a professor, a psychologist, a pilot and an author – each a consuming role in its own right. This professional pluralism started early in life; Stanley’s time as an undergraduate took twice as long as usual due to his participation in a range of sports (cricket, rugby and field hockey) as well as his involvement in the anti-apartheid movement. Stanley Trollip Born in Johannesburg, Stanley saw first-hand the changes that swept through South Africa – a place, he says, that still feels like home though he has spent more time outside it than he ...
From three-day jaunts to two-week tours, these self-drive Uganda routes are crammed with bucket-list views Here at Atlas & Boots, some of our best memories were made while we were watching wildlife. One of our favourite experiences was our self-drive safari through Nambia, which offered close encounters with lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and more zebras than we could count. The 17-day trip stuck a fine balance of organised tour and independent travel. We didn’t have to concern ourselves with logistics – that was all taken care of – but still enjoyed the flexibility that comes with the open road. Gunter Nuyts/Shutterstock A self-drive safari in Uganda offers flexibility We are keen to return to the continent – next time to East Africa – to explore the savannahs and jungles o...