As celebrities grace our TV screens this November to complete challenges whilst living in the rural outback all the way down under, it can leave us itching to want to discover new destinations and travel across the world.
Booking.com research has even found that 40% of UK travellers want to experience complete culture shock in 2023. Be it travelling somewhere with completely different cultural experiences and languages (47%) or exploring lesser-known cities with hidden gems that aren’t already on the radar (24%), some UK travellers even want to use it as an opportunity to learn survival skills (54%) including how to source clean water (37%), light a fire from scratch (36%), forage for food in the wild (30%) and even prep for an apocalypse (30%)!
With that in mind, Booking.com has selected the most roaring jungle stays across different destinations to consider booking for your next trip, inspired by the UK’s most-watched survival reality television show.
Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat – Crystal Creek, Australia
Located near Springbrook National Park, feel like the King or Queen of the jungle staying at the Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat right near some of your favourite celebrities. Surrounded by the Numinbah Nature Reserve the Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat offers effortless natural garden views showcasing acres of lush rainforest surroundings. The Creekside Spa Cabin allows you to sit by the indoor fireplace enjoying tranquillity within the living room of this jungle retreat property. Guests can take advantage of one of four hiking trails on the property, where you’ll be surrounded by rare and endangered wildlife along with individual trees that date back to when Australia wasn’t yet discovered by the Europeans. This jungle retreat is certainly one to check off your bucket list.
El Jardin Lodge & Spa – Puerto Misahuallí, Ecuador, Travel Sustainable Property
Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest faces east of the Andean Highlands, where a rich selection of species resides. Similar to the Australian jungle, the deep verdant rainforest is home to mammals, reptiles, and birds, as well as a thousand species of trees. This stunning location offers unparalleled opportunities to experience the rainforest in its pristine state with local activities like river cruises, jungle trekking and local cycling that can be enjoyed by travellers.
The El Jardin Lodge & Spa is a great alternative to escape and experience the Amazon jungle, its environments blend nature, comfort and privacy effortlessly. Guests can sleep in El Jardin’s sustainable lodges under the trees surrounded by the sounds of nature and the magic of the rivers. This accommodation will allow guests to feel like they’re down under, without the stress of a bush tucker trial!
Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu – Kota Kinabalu, Sri Lanka, Travel Sustainable Property
Kota Kinabalu, is known locally as ‘KK’ and one of Booking.com’s top 10 trending destinations for 2023. It is a hidden gem in the bustling capital of Sabah in the Malaysian part of the island of Borneo, surrounded by lush rainforests and sandy beaches to give off that jungle feel. With 40% of UK travellers wishing to experience culture shock while travelling in 2023, this off-the-beaten-track destination will allow them to immerse in its unique tropical location. For a modern hotel in the heart of the action, Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu is situated opposite the city’s waterfront market where souvenir-hunting travellers can interact with local fruit and fish traders. Guests can head to the ocean for snorkelling and scuba diving to face their fears or recline on one of the poolside cabanas with a cocktail after a day of challenges. This property that features local Bornean fabrics throughout, has a Booking.com Travel Sustainable badge for its efforts in sustainability, including serving organic produce at its four eateries and providing guests with free bicycle hire to explore the city.
Mango Bay Resort – Phu Quoc, Vietnam
With over half (57%) of UK travellers looking to escape from reality in 2023, the Mango Bay Resort is one to experience. The resort nestles in 4 acres of one of the most beautiful pristine beaches known as a jungle paradise. The beachfront resort contains 6 private villas all designed to reflect the beauty of their tropical surroundings where guests can access a nearby private sandy beach and views of natural greenery. Guests wouldn’t need to win a trial to enjoy the delicious Asian cuisine at the resort’s restaurant which can be eaten whilst watching the beautiful sunset views. All rooms and bungalows within the property offer sensational views of either the sea or the garden from terraces.
