If ever we needed reason to travel and venture into the wild, Avatar is it. Watching the film and considering its message is inspiration enough to immediately pack some bags and head to a naturally beautiful destination somewhere in the world, such as the Iguazu, Denali, or Kruger national parks.
Mind-blowing special effects and beautiful scripting aside, James Cameron’s blockbuster smash Avatar was thought-provoking in terms of our connection to the earth. The film depicts a future time in which humans, having utterly destroyed their own planet, travel to distant planet Pandora to conquer and pillage their resources.
The indigenous inhabitants of Pandora, the blue Na’vi , have a deep and spiritual bond to their natural surroundings. Their profound respect for their planet is sharply contrasted with the generally aggressive and callous nature of most of the human characters.
The film effectively serves as a warning to audiences that we are fast losing touch with our natural environment, and that there are consequences for greedy capitalist action.
Indeed, in this age of blogging and BlackBerrys our encounters with the big outdoors are few and far between. If the only wildlife you’ve experienced in the past few months are poodles and pigeons it’s time to think about a safari getaway. There is an amazing diversity of wildlife on our planet, as different parts of the world are home to different plant and animal species.
For a sub-tropical jungle-like experience visit the Iguazu National Park on the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Walk through the ancient trees, such as the Cockspur coral tree which bears Argentina’s national flower, and glimpse exotic, rare and endangered animals like the jaguar or tapir. The rainforest is also home to several beautiful types of butterfly and bird.
If you’re not a fan of heat or humidity why not opt for a different type of safari in Alaska? This part of the world is particularly unspoilt, allowing visitors to experience wildlife at its wildest. Explore the majestic forests, mountains and rivers and witness the spectacle of salmon-hunting bears, as well as wolves, moose and otters, and marine creatures like whales. Go between July and September for the best weather and animal spotting opportunities.
Of course the ultimate safari experience is to be found at South Africa’s Kruger Park. A Kruger Park safari generally entails sightings of Africa’s big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo – among other breathtaking fauna and flora. Spend your days enjoying the warm African sun, stunning photography opportunities, and nights safely tucked up in your Kruger Park lodge as you listen to the calls of wild nocturnal animals.
Wherever you go, learn a lesson from Avatar and take time to appreciate and engage with what is left of our natural wilderness.
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