There's an excellent documentary that can be viewed on YouTube about a photographer and a couple of others who took the risk and saw some amazing wildlife.
Here's my choices (I've chosen them mostly for their wildlife) 1. Australia 2. India 3. Brazil 4. Madagascar 5. Indonesia
DRC is not like most 3rd world countries and though I would love to visit it is one of the hardest to get to places and stay safe... Apart from Somalia, CAR and Libya I struggle to think of African countries that are less safe to visit in general.... Amd to stay on topic here is my list, though it changes daily: 1. Gabon 2. Papua New Guinea 3. Ecuador 4. Uganda 5. Australia
in therms of only wildlife uganda madagaskar india ecuvador(thats include galapagos) australia probebly wood have include mongolia but i am going ther this oktober
1. Japan - It's an absolutely gorgeous country, there's such a rich history and culture there. Plus I'd love to be able to put my Japanese skills to use and learn more of the language. 2. New Zealand - Another stunning country with some fascinating history. The native wildlife is incredibly unique and I'd go for that alone. 3. Ethiopia - Natural beauty, a history spanning literal millions of years, spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities plus delicious food? Yes please. 4. Poland - My family comes from there and we still have relatives over there, I'd love to connect more to my heritage and culture by visiting. 5. Lebanon or Jordan - One of my cousins lived in Lebanon for several years and seemed to enjoy it, and a friend of mine visited Jordan a few years ago and had a great time. Both Lebanon and Jordan have some spectacular historical sites, the people are friendly for the most part, and given the region both are relatively stable and safe.
On a narrow point: The DRC is relatively easy to get to. Turkish Air will get me to Kigali with a layover in Istanbul, and then it's just a couple hours by car to the border. Now, getting around in country has proven decidedly more difficult. Roads are notoriously bad where they exist at all. For people considering the DRC, safety is definitely a major concern. M23 is still a major presence in the east; Ebola is endemic to the region (and is in the middle of the worst outbreak in decades); there are dozens of splinter rebel groups operating in the areas you want to see; every day crime is a problem, not to mention all the illegal mining and assorted activities. Political corruption leads to violence as well. The DRC is definitely not like other third world countries.
1. Indonesia (Komodo, assuming the national park ever reopens). 2. Australia. 3. United States. 4. Singapore. 5. UK. Australia, Singapore and Indonesia are fairly feasible but still very expensive for me. Plus I can't travel alone.
Apparently it'll close for at least a year soon because people are smuggling dragons out of nearby Flores.
Komodo NP isn't closed. The government is proposing to close the park in 2020 for one year, but it isn't a certainty and in any case it appears to only be the proposal that they will stop tourist access to Komodo Island itself - most tourists go to Rinca Island because it is closer to LabuanBajo and hence cheaper and quicker to reach.
That's good to hear. I think dragons are more abundant on Rinca as well, though they tend to be smaller. In any case, it'll probably be open by the time I can afford to go there.
Very religious, certainly, but I think "lots of culture" might be stretching things a little given how small and specialised the place is. It does contain a lot of culturally significant sites, however.
Having realised I haven't actually posted a top 5 of my own (and with the caveat that the following will omit European countries I have either visited or intend to visit in the foreseeable future) I reckon this should be rectified. In no particular order: New Zealand Papua New Guinea Sri Lanka Costa Rica Madagascar Of course, given my strong dislike for hot climates. four of the above are unfortunately highly unlikely ever to come to pass
Omitting the country I live in and all that I have visited up to this point: - Madagscar - Cuba - Germany - Guyana - The Philippines
But England is famous for it's hot climate isn't it? Or am I confusing that with bleak and dreary? Really though, while you might be uncomfortable in the heat and humidity, as soon as your trip is over you forget the bad parts and only remember the good parts (i.e. all the animals you saw). And somewhere like Costa Rica you can alternate lowlands and mountains so you're not constantly over-heated.
Blokes from Northern England don't like temperatures above 17.5 degrees Celsius, owt above that and thy gets a sweaty brow. Canada (went in 1999 but spent 2 weeks on a snow board!) America Nepal China Argentina
My top 5: - Madagascar - Antarctica (not sure which part so I could also mean Argentina, Australian, Chili, France, New Zealand, Norway or UK ) - Papua New Guinea - Namibia - Costa Rica Kenya was also on my wish list but having planned a trip for next year, I could get it off my wish list
