From Yellowstone to Serengeti: The 7 legends of the national park world

National parks are those remarkable places on Earth that are landscapes offering the feel of larger than life, where apart from the wildlife, there are geysers that shoot into the sky to plains filled with roaming wildlife. Ancient forests to waterfalls that never stop roaring. Over time, many of these parks have become more than just travel destinations. They have become cultural icons, celebrated in films, books, and the stories of travellers who’ve experienced them.
Let’s take a playful safari through 8 national parks that have earned iconic status worldwide.

Yellowstone is iconic, and has been, and will continue to pull crowds. Established in 1872, it’s the world’s first national park and home to Old Faithful, a geyser that’s basically nature’s version of a reliable alarm clock. Add bubbling hot springs, grizzlies, and a scenery that switches between serene valleys and volcanic drama, and there is a legend that never goes out of style.

Serengeti is one of those places where it seems it hosts wildlife events. Every year, nearly two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles migrate across the plains , which makes for one of the most dramatic natural spectacles. Then there are prowling lions and stealthy cheetahs that add to the scene, making it even more wilder, and spectacular.

With turquoise lakes that look straight out of a postcard, complemented with jagged snow-capped peaks, and Instagram-ready glaciers, Banff is Canada’s one of the spectacular wildlife spots. It’s the kind of park where one can expect a moose to photobomb selfies. Whether anyone is skiing in winter or hiking in summer, Banff is like that place that looks flawless in every season.

Kruger is what safari dreams look like. Lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos (a.k.a. the Big Five) all clock in here daily, making it one of the most wildlife-dense spots on the planet. Unlike some parks where sightings are rare, Kruger is generous, where visitors will get the opportunity to spot wildlife in abundance.

This volcanic archipelago is where Charles Darwin had his big “aha!” moment. Home to giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas that literally dive for food, the Galápagos Islands are basically nature’s experimental lab. Every creature here feels like it evolved with its own quirky design brief, making the park an evolutionary legend.

When it comes to jaw-dropping cliffs and waterfalls, Yosemite doesn’t do subtle. El Capitan, the granite monolith that attracts daredevil climbers, is bold, iconic, and impossible to ignore. Also, the misty Bridalveil Fall and giant sequoias make Yosemite an incredible place to visit.

Forget the “small trickle” waterfalls you’ve seen before. Iguazú boasts a staggering 275 drops, including the thundering Devil’s Throat that makes you feel tiny in comparison. Straddling the Argentina-Brazil border, this park is equal parts mist, roar, and rainbows.