Maloti-Drakensberg Park spans the mountainous borderlands of Lesotho and South Africa, forming a large protected landscape of high plateaus, steep cliffs, sandstone formations, grasslands, and river valleys. The Lesotho section is centered on Sehlabathebe National Park, while the South African portion includes uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. The area is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage property for both its natural and cultural importance.
Besides being one of the largest and most remote of the Galapagos Islands, Fernandina Island is home to the area's most active volcano. It also boasts the most pristine ecosystem; unlike other islands in the Galapagos, Fernandina has thus far avoided the introduction of any non-native mammal species.
Nuku Hiva is the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, a place where scale and isolation shape both history and daily life. Long before European contact, the island supported complex Marquesan societies known for stone architecture, tattoo traditions, and ceremonial sites, many of which remain scattered across its valleys.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park stretches along the northern KwaZulu-Natal coast from Maphelane to the Mozambique border. It brings together beaches, coral reefs, coastal forests, dunes, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, grasslands, and savanna within one protected landscape. The park is South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes several separate conservation areas linked by their ecological systems. Its name, iSimangaliso, is an isiZulu word associated with miracles and wonders.
Carlsbad is the gateway to the famous Carlsbad Caverns National Park and the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Carlsbad offers a variety of outdoor recreation, and its location on the Pecos River opens the door to great fun on the water. This friendly small city is a wonderful place to visit.
Other Popular Destinations in New Mexico
Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a city where centuries-old adobe architecture, desert landscapes, and modern innovation meet beneath some of the clearest skies in the country. Every October, Albuquerque becomes the site of one of the most photographed events in the world: the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. For nine crisp mornings, hundreds of hot air balloons rise over the city, painting the sky in brilliant colors and wild shapes with everything from farm animals to space aliens.
Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico, with its adobe-style architecture, vibrant arts scene, and unique blend of Native American, Spanish, and Anglo influences, is a destination like no other. Known as "The City Different," Santa Fe stands apart with its rich history and cultural diversity. A fun fact about Santa Fe is that it is the highest state capital in the United States, sitting at an elevation of 7,199 feet.