Adrenaline-filled ways to discover the wild world

Whether you’re looking for an unusual way to spend your Christmas gift vouchers or just daydreaming, here are some of the world’s top experiences which combine nature and adrenaline:

1) Shark Diving

Sharks are the biggest and most notorious fish of them all, and a must-see for anyone with a love of the underwater world. Shark diving is often done in a cage, which both protects you from the shark’s bite, and allows those without diving qualifications to take part safely. Some of the best shark diving is done by qualified divers in tropical waters, where species such as hammerheads and lemon sharks can be safely swam with, along with colourful tropical fish.

2) Wilderness Skydiving

One of the best ways we have to appreciate the beauty of our own natural world – skydiving is a short burst of thrilling freefall, followed by a relaxing float back down to ground. The key for nature lovers is location. A skydive into a field in the UK might yield a few grazing cows, but a skydive into an African nature reserve or Australian wilderness will see you a panorama of the world as it was meant to be, before homo sapiens came along. Unless you’re qualified, you’ll need to do a tandem skydive with an instructor.

3) Volcano Trekking

The world is full of fantastic locations for all sorts of trekking, but trekking up a volcano is truly something different, offering a chance to literally see the earth being formed. Looking into the steaming, magma-bubbling crater of an active volcano is the closest any of us will ever get to the centre of the earth. There are trekkable volcanoes to suit all levels of ability around the world, from tropical to snow-covered.

4) Kayak Safaris

Kayak safaris are a great way to see nature, both in and around the water. They’re available in locations all over the world, and can last anything from a few hours to a few days or even weeks. Some of the most rewarding kayak safaris are in African nature reserves, where you can paddle through mangrove swamps, see turtles and flocks of water birds, and admire the graceful game that come to drink at the water’s edge. Those with the right experience and training can choose safaris that include plenty of white water rapids, while those without can go for calmer waters.

5) Extreme mountain biking

Even gentler forms of mountain biking are a great way to combine seeing nature with a bit of adventure. The higher you go, and the more challenging the terrain, the better the views – and the bigger the risks. One of the most notorious trails in the world is near Whistler, the site of the recent Winter Olympics. Known as ‘Comfortably Numb’, it is 3,323ft at its highest, and takes you through cougar and black bear territory, past rushing waterfalls and through lush forest.

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