The Best Countries for Nature-Filled Road Trips

Whether it’s to have more control and flexibility over your schedule, or simply to see destinations that are harder to reach by plane or train, road tripping is a growing trend. With nature tourism on the rise, it’s no secret that more and more travelers are less interested in big bucket-list cities and are looking for more niche experiences, many of which are surrounded by the great outdoors.

Like all things in life, not all countries are created equally when it comes to being the best for both road-trips and natural phenomenons. As someone who isn’t afraid to get behind the wheel, whether in a bustling city like New York or in a rural part of New Zealand, these are my tried and true tested countries that have the best road trip routes for nature lovers.

Though a handful of countries in the world are home to baobabs, the best country on the planet to see these funky-looking trees is Madagascar. Home to six of the world’s nine species of baobabs, Madagascar is even home to a designated area called “Avenue of the Baobabs.” Far beyond trees, Madagascar is home to an abundance of wildlife as one of the most biodiverse nations on the planet. Lemurs are just as much of a draw as the baobabs here, with 112 species of furry primates calling Madagascar home.

Even beyond wildlife and natural phenomenons, Madagascar is home to some of the world’s most pristine beaches. In the south, check out Ifaty, and further up north, enjoy the picturesque island off of the mainland, Nosy Be.

The plot twist is if you want to see this rugged nation, which only sees around 500,000 tourists a year, you don’t really have much of a choice other than to road trip. Flights within the country are extremely limited, public transportation is next to nonexistent, and if you want the best of the country, seeing a diverse array of destinations like Ifaty, Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana, and national parks like Isalo and Andasibe, prepare yourself to trek some of the roughest roads in the world. With Madagascar falling within the 10 lowest GDPs in the world, things like paved roads, air conditioning, WiFi, and basic amenities are hard to come by. It’s all entirely worth it to see one of the most remote nations on the planet, but because of all of these factors, many choose to go with a tour company such as Intrepid Travel to let someone else do the heavy lifting.

It might be on the other end of the earth, but the trek out to New Zealand is well worth it for those who seek a nature-filled road trip. Home to more sheep than people, New Zealand is home to a plethora of sparkling blue lakes, majestic mountain ranges, glaciers, and even some of the world’s best vineyards. You really have to see it to believe it, and the best way to see it is by jumping in a camper van and hitting the open road.

New Zealand is separated by the “north” and “south” island, and though either makes for a great road trip, the south island has a bit more to offer. Home to Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of the world, here, you can bungee jump, skydive, or ride the Nevis Swing, the world’s largest canyon swing.

New Zealand’s South Island is also home to Roy’s Peak, an incredible hiking trail in Wanaka, where you can also see “That Wanaka Tree,” a famously funny tree in the middle of crystal clear Lake Wanaka. Afterward, head down to Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, and finally, the fjords of Milford Sound.

No matter where the Kiwi roads take you, you’re bound to be blown away by one of the most naturally stunning countries on the planet. For a good deal on a camper van, I used JUCY, which had a range of vehicle sizes for solo travelers to families. Everything was inside the van, including a bed, a kitchen, and even a water supply.

Located in the southern Indian Ocean, you might think of Mauritius as a honeymoon destination or simply a place to lounge out on a beach, but this tiny island nation has so much more to offer. Some of the natural phenomenons here fly so far under the radar that there’s a good chance you haven’t even heard of them.

For starters, did you know Mauritius is home to an underwater waterfall? The best way to see it is by booking a seaplane with LagoonFLIGHT. Not too far away is Chamarel Seven Colored Earth Geopark, also known as the seven-colored earth. This natural phenomenon is a geological formation of, as the name suggests, seven colors of sand dunes. The area is protected by a fence.

The island is also home to plenty of waterfalls, with some of the most popular being Grand River South East Falls (or GRSE Falls) and Chamarel Waterfall, the highest one in the country. Matching its physical beauty, Mauritius is a culturally exciting destination, with a large Hindu population. Make sure to visit Grand Bassin, a massive temple with a grandiose statue of Lord Shiva. WIth the island’s best sights being fairly spread out, a car is essential here. The roads are easy to navigate and well-paved, and along the way, you can stay at options ranging from boutique hotels like Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel in the north, to luxurious five-star resorts like Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas in the south.

If you’ve ever been curious about road tripping the world’s most narrow country, then you better start planning a road trip through Chile. This South American nation has so much to offer for nature lovers, from the peaks of the Andes to natural hot springs, but by far the most naturally stunning landscape in Chile is the otherworldly Atacama Desert.

In Atacama, you’ll find Valle de la Luna, or Valley of the Moon. Composed of stone and sand formations, Valle de la Lune resembles the actual moon, as its unique shape has been made by wind and water patterns.

While neighboring Bolivia is well known for the Uyuni Salt Flats, Chile has a little something to offer in that department, too. Also located in the Atacama Desert is Salar de Atacama, the country’s largest salt flat spanning over 750,000 acres. Speaking of salt, make sure to check out Lagunas Baltinache, home to seven saltwater lagoons where you can swim (or rather, float).

Down in Patagonia, which resides in both Chile and Argentina, you must visit Torres del Paine National Park for some massive granites contrasted beautifully against water that almost has a turquoise tint to it. Patagonia is famous for its many hiking trails, and you’re bound to be blown away by the sights along the way at spots like Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, and Coyhaique.

On the way back toward the capital, Santiago, where you’ll return your rental car, make sure to stop by Maipo Valley for some top-notch Chilean wine, and soak those sore hiking muscles at Colina Hot Springs.

If it’s a nature-filled road trip you seek, you don’t have to go too far from home to get your fix. As the third largest country in the world by landmass, the US quite literally covers a lot of ground, giving a wide range of natural settings to spend your hard-earned vacation time in (or better yet, to work remotely from).

In the country’s northwest, one of the most popular areas for national park-hopping, Yellowstone National Park, which is primarily located in Wyoming, is not to be missed. Just off of Highway 120, road trippers can hit Kirby to visit the Wyoming Whiskey distillery, where every sip is distilled, aged, and bottled right in state. 

Down in the southwest, stops like Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Zion National Park, and Petrified Forest National Park can easily be done in a road trip spanning about seven days. Up in the northeast, New York State shows that it’s much more than just the Big Apple. Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville consists of cerulean blue glacial lakes with ample hiking trails. Watkins Glen State Park has 19 waterfalls along a two-mile gorge, and Whiteface Mountain up in the Adirondacks is the fifth-highest mountain in the country.

And, finally, we can’t forget about the southeast. Louisiana might not be the first place you think of for road tripping, but a trip throughout the state is a great way to get your nature and your foodie fix. Between stops at Kisatchie National Forest and guided swamp tours down the bayou, keep No Man’s Land Gas Station Eats Culinary Trail handy. Following the guide, you can try dishes like house-made boudin, smoky barbecue, and hot cracklins at different gas stations around the state.