Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains national park established in June 1934 so the National Park (GSMNP) successfully completed 75th years of his born this year. National Park situated in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. The park is one of the largest in eastern United States and Park covers 521,086 acres of area. This natural wonder entertains almost 10 million hikers, birders and drivers last year.

When you visit in Great Smoky Mountains National Park it?s very difficult to believe that how much natural diversity can be found in one place. Looking to waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not difficult because Waterfalls can be found on nearly every stream and river in the park. There are many lovely and famous waterfalls available like Abrams Falls, Mingo Falls, Grotto Falls, Mouse Creek Falls, Hen Wallow Falls, Rainbow Falls, Indian Creek Falls, Ramsey Cascades, Juney Whank Falls, Tom Branch Falls, and Laurel Falls. Smoky is heaven for the bird watcher. Park counts 200 species of birds, 66 species of mammals, 50 species of fish, 39 species of reptiles, and 43 species of amphibians. Great Smoky Mountains national park are one of the most attractive holiday destinations in the eastern US. With all the scenic mountain landscapes, rivers, streams, forests and rich diversity of plant and animal life found in the area, the Great Smoky Mountains is a paradise for hiker and nature lover.

The Great Smoky Mountains are the oldest mountains in the world. An unbroken, miles and miles chain of ridges over 5,000 feet in elevation runs the length of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Forest is the main attraction of the park. 1000 species of plants and wildflowers are available there. The cove hardwood forest contains thousands of species of shrubs and vines. Dominant species in the Smokies include the redbud, dogwood, rhododendron, mountain laurel, and hydrangea. The northern hardwood forests are dominated by yellow birch and beech. White basswood, mountain and striped maple, and buckeye are also present. The spruce-fir forest? also called the “boreal” or “Canadian” forest? is a relic of the Ice Ages, when mean annual temperatures in the Smokies were too cold to support a hardwood forest.

Activities: There are many activities within the park include scenic drives, hiking, camping, cycling, horse riding, bird-watching, fishing, wildlife viewing, mountain biking Wildflower watching etc. Hiking?is the best way to explore Park natural beauty. Choose from over 800 miles of trails ranging from quiet walkways to multi-day backpacking treks through the backcountry.

Facts about the Park

? Weather: Summer temperature is normally in between 80s to 50s and. Winter temperature is very low in night normally in between 50s to 10s but it can be low as -20s (F).

? Operational Timings: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Some roads and other facilities close in winter.

? Entrance Fee: Entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free.

? Activity Fees: Fees are charged for activities such as overnight camping ($14-23 per night)

Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa

?Game Reserve-

The Thornybush Game Reserve lies of over 10,000 hectares of pristine African Bushveld. The game reserve is situated in the centre of the Lowveld and adjacent to the world-famous Kruger National Park. Thornybush Game Reserve is the home of Big Five and a variety of other African wildlife species. The reserve is predominantly open near year round but best time to visit in April to September.

Thornybush Game Reserve is the ideal destination for the wildlife and safari lover because Thornybush Game Reserve has every thing which is expected by any wild lifer.

Attraction?
Game viewing in Thornybush Game Reserve is of very high standard and one of the best in the world. Thornybush is Game Reservefamous for the big five and is home to more than 60 species of wildlife, including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, hyena and cheetah as well as a multitude of general game, antelope species, giraffe, zebra and incredible birdlife. The reserve is paradise for the birdwatchers, where more than 280 bird species have been recorded. Expert rangers and trackers lead all game activities.

A safari to the Thornybush Game Reserve is unique in that we go off-road to track and find the animals and night safaris using a spotlight are also permitted

The Thornybush Game Reserve offers a variety of camps and lodges. Visitor?s favourite lodges are Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp & Thornybush Main Lodge.

How to reach
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By Air?
There are daily flights from Johannesburg International to Hoedspruit Airport (also called Eastgate).

By Road
All the Thornybush Game Reserve lodges are accessible via road with a sedan rental car from anywhere in South Africa. Obviously the drive time depends on where you are driving from! To self drive from Johannesburg will take approximately 6 hours

Climate
Summer is very hot, humid and rainy and Winter is cool and dry in the Thornybush Game Reserve.

Fiordland National Park-New Zealand

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Fiordland National Park was establised in 1952 and is the largest park in New Zealand, with an area of 12,500?km?, and a major part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Fiordland is located on the south-west of the South Island of New Zealand .The Park is administered by the Department of Conservation and park. It is home to a myriad of?natural gems, including coastal fiords, majestic Fiordland lakes, Milford Sound, Milford Track, Lakes Manapouri, Te Anau, Monowai, Hauroko and Poteriteri.

Vegetation and Wildlife

The wildlife in this area includes dolphins, seals and birds. Introduced species include mice, rats, hare and deer. Among the birds are the Kakapo, the only flightless parrot in the world. Also there is the kiwi, which is native to New Zealand. The Park is heavily forested with nothofagus trees, a large variety of understory shrubs and ferns being present; examples of the forest floor vegetation include Crown Fern, Blechnum discolor

Highlights:

Ice has carved islands from the mainland, leaving two large uninhabited offshore islands, Secretary Island and Resolution Island. Several large lakes lie within the park’s boundaries, notably Lake Te Anau, Lake Manapouri, Lake Monowai, Lake Hauroko, and Lake Poteriteri. The Sutherland Falls, to the southwest of Milford Sound on the Milford Track, are among the world’s highest waterfalls.

Activities:

Fiordland is world-renowned as an outstanding outdoor activity heaven, for trout fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking, boating, sailing, and diving.The park is a popular destination for alpine climbers and especially for trampers, with the Milford, Kepler, Hollyford and Routeburn Tracks all in or close to the park.

Magnificent Milford Sound
Described by Rudyard Kipling as the ?Eighth Wonder of the World? Milford Sound is always spectacular. Feel the mist of the waterfalls, look for seals on the rocks and marvel at the steep sides of the fiord.

The deepest fiord
At 421 meters, Doubtful Sound is the deepest of New Zealand?s fiords. It?s a haven for nature, with resident bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins. Kayak tours and eco-cruises reveal the mysteries of the fiord.

Wonderful walks
Three of New Zealand?s ?great walks? are found in Fiordland – the Routeburn, Milford and Kepler tracks. For those with less time, a range of short walks lets you dip into the wilderness for a few hours.

Helicopter hunting

Helicopter hunting is also very famous in the Park. Park authority allow to visitors for hunting.

Accommodation

There is a range of accommodation options in the park and around the park.There are more than 50 hikers’ huts in the park. ‘Great Walks’ huts are found on the Milford, Kepler and Routeburn tracks, and these provide a higher-than-usual level of comfort. More basic huts are available on the other tracks.

Acadia National Park

Acadia National park

Situated at Maine, Acadia National Park is a favorite vacation destination. The views are amazing. The landscape is pristine. And, the wildlife is plentiful so Acadia National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States.

Established as Lafayette National Park on February 26, 1919 and was renamed on January 19, 1929 as Acadia National Park. Park spans approximately 47,400 acres of area. National Park open throughout the year but many facilities are closed during winters including museums, picnic areas, Seawall Campground, visitor center, and some of the roads.
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Masai Mara ? Greatest Wildlife showcase in World

Wildebeest-Migration

The Masai Mara (also known as Masai Mara or Mara) is a huge game reserve located in south-western part of Kenya. Park measures 1,510 square km (approx.). Masai Mara is considered among one of the best places for Safari lovers. It’s among the top five most preferred tourist destinations in World.
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