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10 of the best national parks to visit

Get to know a country's flora and fauna by heading to a national park. Usually areas of great natural beauty, the parks often protect the species and landscapes they contain. Here are 10 top parks we explore on our trips:

Updated by: Aimee White - Copywriter at Explore Worldwide
Updated: August xx 2025

 

Exploring the world’s best national parks is even more rewarding when shared with a small group. From Spain’s dramatic Picos de Europa to India’s tiger-filled Ranthambore and Costa Rica’s lush Tortuguero, these parks offer unforgettable landscapes and wildlife encounters.

 

Traveling in a small group means deeper connections: with nature, local cultures and fellow adventurers. You’ll benefit from expert guides, seamless itineraries and access to lesser-known spots that larger groups or solo explorers often miss. It’s the perfect way to experience the planet’s wild beauty with comfort, insight and camaraderie:

Etosha National Park - Namibia

Etosha National Park in Namibia provides many different, and even enigmatic, landscapes. Go through dense bush in search of elephant, rhino or lion, the grasslands for wildebeest, or waterings holes for springbok and giraffe. On top of all this variety, there's the incredible salt pan that's 12 million years old! Is it a zebra or is it a mirage? You'll just have to wait and see...
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Giraffes stand still on a dry, open landscape with sparse vegetation, under a bright blue sky dotted with scattered white clouds.

Tortuguero National Park - Costa Rica

Tortuguero National Park is one of the world’s best thanks to its unmatched biodiversity, lush rainforest and maze-like canals. Join nature walks and take to the waterways to understand the area's unique ecosystem, all while keeping an eye out for howler monkeys, tapir and, if you're lucky, an elusive jaguar. 

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Torres del Paine National Park - Chile

Take on the iconic W-trek in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park and take in views of the namesake granite 'Paine Towers'. These three gigantic monoliths have been shaped by glaciation and the elements to create that infamous silhouette. With sweeping glaciers and turquoise lakes dotting the route, you'll be rewarded with spectacular views at every turn.
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A person wearing outdoor gear stands on a rocky path, gazing at distant snow-capped mountains under a partly cloudy sky in a vast, grassy landscape.

Ranthambore National Park - India

This national park offers so much in the way of natural beauty and fascinating wildlife. Go in search of the majestic Bengal tigers in one of India's best parks for tiger-spotting. That's not all – you may also spot leopard, wild dogs, deer and birdlife. It's within easy reach of Delhi, too, meaning you can add our dedicated Ranthambore Wildlife Extension to the end of your India adventure.
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Pacific Rim National Park - Canada

The Canadian coastline offers some incredible landscapes and wildlife-spotting opportunities. Pacific Rim National Park has rugged beaches and, perhaps surprisingly for Canada, coastal rainforests. The waters offer a fantastic chance to whale-watch, and even to spot black bears fishing on the shorelines.
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An orca whale leaps out of the water, creating a splash, against a backdrop of dense evergreen forest and cloudy sky.

Serengeti National Park - Tanzania

Tanzania's Serengeti National Park offers some of the richest diversity of wildlife in the world. Whether you want to spot wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and other grazers among the grasses, lion and leopard packs hunting among these herds or perhaps gentle giants such as elephant and giraffe... You're in with a great chance of seeing these incredible creatures in their natural habitat.
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Picos de Europa - Spain

Picos de Europa is a world-class hiking destination – just imagine seeing those limestone peaks, deep gorges and lush valleys for yourself. Peppered with charming mountain villages, it's also rich in cultural heritage and delicious local cuisine – our dedicated tour sees you meet with the makers of the famous Cabrales blue cheese, too.
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Grand Canyon National Park - USA

Whether gazing up at the near vertical cliffs of the Grand Canyon from its floor, or looking down and across at the mile-deep and, at points, 10-mile wide chasm, this is an iconic US national park that no words or pictures can do justice. The sheer scale of the landscape is simply breathtaking; whether you're watching the sunrise light up the Colorado River or the sunset accentuate the red hues of the rocks.
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Canyon cliffs glow red under the setting sun, casting deep shadows. Dramatic clouds partly cover the sky, enhancing the dramatic, expansive landscape view with layered rock formations in the distance.

Ranamafana National Park - Madagascar

Trek along the forest trails of Ranamafana's lowland National Park. The endemic forests here are home to Madagascar's famed lemurs. These shy primates were once abundant on the island but deforestation has led to a loss of their native habitat which has sadly endangered many of the species. Thanks to the protected forests of the National Park though, your forest walk will give you the best chance of spotting these beautiful tree-dwellers.
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A lemur crouches alertly on a rock, surrounded by vegetation and dappled sunlight, its wide yellow eyes focused intently ahead.

Tayrona National Park - Colombia

Discover the tropical beaches and rainforest lined beaches of Colombia's Tayrona National Park. Perfectly-placed on the Caribbean coastline, this park has some of the best of Colombia's landscapes in one area. Only accessible on foot, you can wander the hilly rainforests taking in all the wildlife there until you reach the golden-sand beaches. Paradise if ever there were one! 
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A small boat floats on clear turquoise water, near a sandy beach lined with lush palm trees, backed by a forested hillside under a partly cloudy sky.

Don't just travel, Explore!

Our tours span a wide range of stunning parks, but if you're craving deeper adventure, our dedicated trekking and hiking tours take you off the beaten path to some of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Discover more parks, more trails, and more unforgettable moments with Explore.
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Waterfall cascading into a clear blue pool, surrounded by rugged rock formations and lush greenery, with sunlight illuminating the scene, creating a serene and natural atmosphere.

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