When many people think of the United Kingdom, they think of one place; London. Sure, London is a bustling city with so much to see and do, but there’s so much more to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland than just one destination.

The Grey Mare’s Tail, Dumfries and Galloway

Scotland is a stunning country that really does need to be seen to be believed, so why not check out the 5th highest waterfall in the UK at the same time? The Grey Mare’s Tail is surrounded by high peaks and low lochs, and the walks around here are unlike any other.

Sunbiggin Tarn, Cumbria

The UK is home to countless lakes and national parks, but there’s nothing quite like Sunbiggin Tarn in Cumbria. This lake is truly something special and surrounded by beautiful landscapes and wildlife. With the snowy mountains in the background and rolling hills beside you, it’s beautiful.

The Bays, Isle of Harris

If you want a beach in the UK that looks as though it could be Barbados, look no further than The Bays in the Isle of Harris. With golden sands and crystal clear water, it’s perfect for those who want to walk along the shore, climb up the nearby peaks or paddle in the water.

St. Martin’s Vineyard, Isles of Scilly

Many people forget that the Isles of Scilly are part of the UK, which means that it’s always quiet. However, it would be a shame to miss out on the stunning St. Martin’s Vineyard. Offering south-facing slopes that transform the place into a tropical paradise, you won’t think you’re in the UK.

Borth, Ceredigion

It’s easy to assume that Wales is always raining, but that isn’t always the case. In fact, Borth looks perfect on a bright summer’s day. From the colorful houses to the marine life that lives along the waterline, you could even spot the famous ospreys.

Ready to explore?

The South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is one of the most magnificent destinations of Africa. Rich in wildlife, this national park houses various herbivorous and carnivorous animals and almost 400 species of birds.

Location

The focal gateway of the South Luangwa National Park is the Mfuwe Village. The main entrance of the park, Mfuwe Gate, is situated nearly 1.8 km further from the village. The entrance is marked by a bridge crossing the Luangwa River. The best time to visit the park is the dry season between May and October, as the park becomes mostly inaccessible during the rest of the time of year due to heavy rainfall.

Area

The lifeline of the park is the wide Luangwa River. Rising near the Zambia-Malawi border at far northeast, the 800 km long river flows southward through the wide Luangwa Valley. The river generally flows all year, but in the dry season, it gets very shallow, exposing vast midstream sandbanks, usually covered in groups of sun-basking crocodiles or Nile cabbage munching hippos. By continually changing its course, the river forms many oxbow lagoons in the park, which are the best wildlife watching spots in the season.

Wildlife

The park is well-known for particularly large buffaloes. In the dry season, herds of buffaloes can be seen marching through the wide, open plains to the river for drinking, creating a dramatic spectacle. Especially around Mfuwe, elephants can be spotted very easily, as they wade through the marshes fearlessly, being used to wildlife vehicles and human activities. Night drives in the park are ideal for seeing lions and leopards. They can be spotted hunting in the dense woodlands during the daytime. In the day, groups of impalas, pukus or waterbucks roaming lazily creates a serene wild landscape. Also, the park is a refuge to some rare species and local subspecies like an uncommonly light-colored Cookson’s wildebeest and a distinguished dark neck patterned Thornicroft’s giraffe.