Diana’s Peak National Park

The unique Saint Helena forest, cabbage tree in the forefront

One of the last remnants of natural St.Helena tree fern thicket – a unique biotope formed over millions of years on one of the most isolated islands of the world. Contains numerous endemic plant and animal species, including interesting tree species.

Day Forest (Goda Mountains)

Day Forest in Djibouti, sea is seen in the background

The largest forest in this area of Africa, the densest vegetated area in Djibouti. This isolated outlier of the Ethiopian montane forest contains several unique species, such as Djibouti francolin (Pternistis ochropectus, found also in the nearby Mabla Mountains), reptile Platyceps afarensis and other species. Dominant species – the East African juniper (Juniperus procera) that grows here up to 20 m high, forming a pure 3.5 km² large stand of single species.

Lake Tele

Mysterious Lake Tele, Republic of Congo

Round freshwater lake deep in swampland and rainforest, possible impact crater. According to local stories in this lake and surrounding area lives mokèlé-mbèmbé – purported giant reptile. This remote area is very rich with rare species of plants and animals including a population of more than 120 thousand gorillas. Many other cryptids were reported, such as mahamba – giant crocodile.

Qinngua Valley

Forested valley in Greenland, possibly - Qinngua Valley, Greenland

The only forest in Greenland, with willows and birches several meters high. Valley has more than 300 species of plants. This is a place of unsurpassed beauty, with a clean river and tall, snow-clad mountains around.

Mount Nimba

Landscape in Mount Nimba, Guinea

Up to 1,752 m high chain of mountains with a high number of endemic species of plants and animals, such as Nimba otter shrew (Micropotamogale lamottei), Western Nimba toad (Nimbaphrynoides occidentalis) – viviparous toad. The summit of the mountain is covered with grassland but slopes – with tropical forest. Here lives also a group of chimpanzees capable to use stones as tools. Mountain for the most part consists of high-grade iron ore.

Vallée de Mai (Vallee de Mai)

Vallée de Mai, Seychelles

Relict of Gondwana, natural palm forest with the endemic coco de mer palm (Lodoicea maldivica) grove and five other endemic palms. Coco de mer grows up to 34 m tall and has the largest seeds in the plant kingdom – up to 42 kg heavy nuts. Many other endemic species of plants and animals, numerous vanilla orchids.

Lake Bosumtwi

Lake Bosumtwi in Ghana with the local wooden boat - padua

The most recent medium-sized impact crater, 10.5 km across, formed 1.07 million years ago. Filled with an 8 km wide lake – the largest natural lake in Ghana. Surrounded by dense rainforest.

Cabo Blanco seal colony

The only colony of monk seals in the world. Here in caves lives a group of extremely rare Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus), here could be living some 200 seals.

Diamond Rock (Le Rocher du Diamant)

Diamond Rock near Martinique

175 m high rock – volcanic plug – rising from the Caribbean. At certain times of the day it reflects in the sea and resembles a diamond. This inhospitable and nearly inaccessible rock could be the last refuge of a reptile – Couress grass snake (Liophis cursor). There is a cavern below the water level – it is adorned with sea fans and corals.

Aripo Main Cave, Trinidad

Biggest cave system on the island, 862 m long. Contains small tufa waterfall. Colonies of oil birds and bats. Six new insect species have been first described in this cave.