There are moments when we need to disconnect from the cacophony of modern life to truly take stock and reflect on what is really important. These are times that call for the healing power of the world’s most inspiring wildernesses, where nature rules and the affairs of man seem small and far away. Across the length and breadth of the globe, we can arrange escapes to the last frontiers where you can truly reconnect with nature.
ALASKA
Caribou outnumber people in Alaska, whose dramatic landscapes are rarely anything but off-grid. Experience unparalleled levels of remoteness at the exclusive-use Sheldon Chalet, perched high among the soaring peaks of Denali National Park, where creaking glaciers provide an otherworldly soundtrack to the awe-inspiring mountain panoramas. If you’re more inclined to meditative sea gazing, the tranquil spruce-framed fjords of the south coast offer a precious opportunity to declutter your mind. At Tutka Bay Lodge, you can spend soul-soothing days on the water, gliding by kayak through tucked-away coves with only birds for company, and evenings whale-watching from the deck of your private cabin.
MAKGADIKGADI PANS, BOTSWANA
One of the largest salt pans in the world, the Makgadikgadi Pans comprise nearly ten thousand square miles of dazzling, blanched wilderness. Located on the northeastern edge of the vast Kalahari Desert, the pans are the remnants of a gargantuan lake that dried out over 2,000 years ago. Left in its wake is an expanse of salt encrusted sand, occasionally punctuated ancient baobab trees emerging around a clutch of Karoo rocks. Far from being devoid of life, a number of curious desert species make the pans their home. These include Kalahari lions, aardvarks and meerkats. Makgadikgadi also provides the setting for one the most important flamingo breeding grounds in Africa. Disconnecting against a backdrop of endless desert and star-filled skies is an obvious draw here, though those finding themselves getting restless can embark upon adventures by quad bike or on horseback, returning to spend nights at a luxurious tented hideaway such as Jack’s Camp.
NORWAY
Tomasz Furmanek | Visit Norway
With air so clean and invigorating you’ll wish you could bottle it, Norway’s far-flung north is a tonic for jaded spirits. Cruise to beyond-remote Svalbard, a cluster of islands poised roughly halfway between the North Pole and the mainland, for a dose of life-affirming adventure. In winter, swoop into its icy emptiness by dog sled and snowmobile beneath the rippling colours of the Aurora Borealis. Or make the most of endless summer days with wildlife-spotting safaris, midnight kayaking expeditions and nature walks on flower-studded hillsides. To the south, yet still within the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten Islands demand to be explored by private boat charter. Hop from deserted sweeps of soft white sand to towering fjords on an immaculately converted former minesweeper, soaking in the almost mythical scenery. Or find a hideaway further south along Norway’s epic coastline, such as a wilderness lodge with mesmerising views from its glass-walled minimalist cabins.
PATAGONIA
Few places conjure up the notion of wilderness quite like Patagonia. Expanding across the southernmost reaches of South America, this is a land of extremes and a land of legends, where evidence of human settlement dates back thousands of years and fossils of colossal dinosaurs are still being found. It is impossible not to lose yourself for a while in these rugged and hypnotic lands, where condors soar over vast plains scattered with rhea, vicuñas and prowling puma. Further signs of life occasionally present themselves in the form of remote outposts where gauchos herd cattle in ways unchanged for centuries, and in the surrounding coastlines which come alive with the activity of Magellanic penguins, sealions and humpback whales. Whether you choose to focus on Chile, Argentina or a comprehensive exploration of both sides of Patagonia, a selection of superb luxury lodges are ready to welcome you into a cocoon of comfort against the ever-changing elements.
RAJA AMPAT, INDONESIA
Slow down and discover a hidden world in an Eden-like archipelago off the northwest tip of Papua New Guinea. Above the water, Raja Ampat is a vision of tropical loveliness, with jungle-smothered islands that echo with the cries of birds of paradise. It’s below the mirror-calm surface of the sea, however, that you’ll find the main attraction: a startlingly beautiful marine sanctuary teeming with colourful life. Tumble headlong into this idyll on a cruise by privately chartered phinisi, a traditional cargo boat refurbished to deluxe hotel standards and complete with an experienced crew. Spend carefree days snorkelling over pristine reefs looking out for passing manta rays and dugongs; discover world-class dive sites from sea mounts and vertical coral walls to the wreck of a World War Two fighter plane; and stretch your legs with rainforest hikes on deserted islands or visits to the tiny fishing villages of the indigenous Asmat people.
GREENLAND
Inspired by thoughts of the Arctic’s striking natural wonders? Plunge into the edge-of-the-world scenery of Greenland on a wilderness camp journey along its fjord-carved western coastline. Spend mind-expanding days hiking and kayaking through this isolated region, discovering everything from its magnificent wildlife to the culture of its Inuit inhabitants. Fish for wild salmon with your bare hands as the locals do, soar above the tundra by plane on the lookout for musk oxen and head out by boat to gaze in awe at calving icebergs and passing humpbacks. Stay most nights in luxurious tipi camps, where firelit snow-crab feasts share top billing with, perhaps, a rustic steam room and most definitely a sense of splendid isolation. Alternatively, take an expedition cruise to the fringes of the renowned Greenland ice sheet, voyaging to otherwise inaccessible parts of this mighty island along the way.
NAMIBIA
Home to one of the world’s oldest deserts and the second largest canyon the planet, Namibia is a land of astonishing superlatives. From the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei to the eery, undulating expanse of the Skeleton Coast, arresting landscapes await at every turn. Night skies here showcase the constellations on an astonishing scale, reminding you of just what a small place you occupy in the universe, while a clutch of fabulous castaway camps and lodges immerse visitors in the complete the serenity of the wilderness. Complement your desert disconnection with a safari in the Etosha National Park, encounters with the Himba tribe in Kaokoland and discoveries of the ancient rock art in Twyfelfontein.
BOLIVIA & THE ATACAMA DESERT
Less trodden than many of its South American neighbours, landlocked Bolivia is an under-the-radar treasure with jaw-dropping landscapes that range from rainforest to desert and all points between. Meander through colourful Andean villages to spectacular natural glories such as the extraordinary salt flats at Uyuni, which glitter like a giant mirror as far as the eye can see. Opt to lose yourself in this unforgettable emptiness with a star-drenched night in a deluxe Airstream camper in the middle of its ethereal whiteness. To the south, the red-hued waters of Laguna Colorada – home to candy-pink flamingoes – are a vibrant prelude to the stark beauty of the Atacama just over the border in Chile. Revel in the profound emptiness and Mars-like scenery of this driest of deserts, where minerals tint the wind-sculpted rocks in every shade from deep rust to moss green to striking effect.
CANADA
Temperate rainforests as old as the land itself, crystal-clear lakes and mountain ranges stretching into the distance: British Columbia is Canada’s gloriously wild west. Cocoon yourself in Nimmo Bay, an intimate retreat on the raw Pacific coastline where you’re invited to reconnect with nature. Quiet your mind with a ‘bath’ in the appropriately named Great Bear Rainforest that enfolds you, go grizzly-spotting with an expert guide or paddleboard through sheltered bays with seals and eagles for company. Alternatively, venture into the depths of the interior at the tiny, one-of-a-kind Wild Bear Lodge. Back at sea level on Vancouver Island, Clayoquot may be less far-flung, but still feels blissfully away from it all – it’s boat or seaplane access only. Savour the comforts of this luxury tented camp, where expeditions into the wild are punctuated by sublime gourmet meals.
THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK
Unimaginably vast and empty, Australia’s Outback is one of the largest intact natural areas on the planet. Covering more than two million square miles – almost three-quarters of the continent – its striking landscapes run the gamut from deserts to mountains, savannahs to temperate woodlands. Hidden within the Outback’s huge expanses, you’ll find secluded boltholes in which to immerse yourself in the haunting beauty and peace of its wide-open spaces. At Bullo River Station in the Northern Territory, there are cliffs of Aboriginal rock art, middle-of-nowhere waterholes and the unpolluted glory of the night sky to relish. Set on a private wildlife conservancy in the Flinders Ranges, Arkaba Homestead offers breathtaking safaris through regenerated bushland where rare endemic flora and fauna have found sanctuary. Or soak up the watery appeal of Kakadu National Park at Australia’s Top End at Bamurru Plains, a tech-free haven for stressed-out nature lovers.
