On the trail of Sir David Attenborough—7 destinations to visit

Sir David Attenborough has been the defining voice of nature documentaries for more than seven decades. His warm, reassuring tones have guided viewers to far-flung corners of the globe, bringing never-before-seen wildlife and remarkable natural events into living rooms worldwide. From his first BBC series, Zoo Quest (debuting in 1954), to more recent explorations of wildlife in London, Attenborough has put the world’s most striking creatures on display. Here are seven destinations to visit, inspired by Sir David’s travels.

1. Borneo

Attenborough first visited Borneo in 1956 as part of the groundbreaking series Zoo Quest. With the support of the local Dayak people, the presenter searched for orangutans in the heart of the island until one of the furry red primates appeared overhead, dangling from the branches above him.

In the decades since, Attenborough has visited Borneo many times — and in more recent series (including 2019’s Seven Worlds, One Planet), highlighted the devastating impact of deforestation on orangutans’ habitats. To learn about ongoing efforts to protect these intriguing animals, travellers can visit Camp Leakey, an orangutan rehabilitation centre in Tanjung Puting National Park. This active research facility welcomes day visitors to observe orangutans at a safe distance alongside knowledgeable guides.

2. Antarctica

In the six-part BBC series Life in the Freezer (1993), Attenborough explored life in Antarctica season-by-season, sharing how species such as albatross, penguins and seals survive some of the Earth’s harshest conditions.

Most travellers explore this vast landscape on an expedition cruise. Setting off from Ushuaia on the southern tip of Argentina, ships must cross the rough Drake Passage before reaching the Antarctic Peninsula. While traversing the freezing waters by boat, visitors can spot a range of awe-inspiring animals, including massive blue whales, social Weddell seals and the instantly recognisable macaroni penguin, with their yellow head feathers.

(Why every trip to Antarctica should inspire action.)

3. Galápagos Islands

Known for inspiring Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, the Galápagos Islands are home to spectacular flora and fauna, from giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies to marine iguanas. Attenborough explored the remote archipelago, located more than 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, for Galápagos with David Attenborough (2013). The series is best known for the naturalist’s encounter with the famous Pinta Island tortoise, Lonesome George — the last known surviving member of his species.

While it takes some effort to reach the Galápagos (most travellers fly from Quito or Guayaquil to one of the islands’ two main airports), the archipelago’s incredible biodiversity makes the journey well worth it. Visitors can spot sea lions while snorkelling in the Galápagos Marine Reserve or hike Isabela Island’s volcanic landscapes.

(Meet the Galapagueños who are trying to save paradise.)

4. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Stretching more than 1,430 miles along Australia’s eastern coast, the Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,500 fish species and 400 types of coral. Attenborough first dove on the reef in 1957 and has remained fascinated with this marine environment ever since. In 2015, while filming Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough, the then-89-year-old descended 300 metres in a Triton submersible, uncovering a previously unseen species of coral and coming face-to-face with a six-foot grouper.

This natural wonder is a paradise for snorkellers and divers, and many tour operators allow visitors to support important coral restoration efforts — as well as spot colourful clown fish, manta rays and turtles.

(How travelers can help protect the Great Barrier Reef's corals.)

5. Alaska, US

Attenborough’s 2009 series Nature’s Great Events introduced viewers to one of the world’s most intense annual spectacles — the salmon run. Each year, along the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia, millions of salmon return from the Pacific to their native streams to spawn. With high-speed cameras and specially designed underwater gear, the series captured salmon darting upstream, navigating powerful currents and evading the grasp of hungry brown bears.

Travellers can watch this scene play out in Alaska’s Katmai National Park. Between late June and September, bears gather around the salmon-filled Brooks River and are often spotted hunting from the midway point of the cascading Brooks Falls.

6. Richmond Park, London

The London-born naturalist has spent his career exploring the world’s most extreme landscapes, but in 2026 he focused his attention much closer to home. Wild London showcases the animal dramas that play out across the city’s urban landscapes — pigeons board the tube, peregrine falcons nest on the Houses of Parliament and Aesculapian snakes live along the Regent’s Canal.

For nature-lovers, there’s no greater place to visit in the capital than Richmond, Attenborough’s home for more than 70 years. The 2,500-acre Richmond Park is home to ancient oak trees, colourful gardens and hundreds of red and fallow deer, who have roamed the area since 1637.

7. Rwanda

The groundbreaking Life on Earth series featured more than 600 species from 40 different countries — but no encounter was more memorable than Attenborough’s playful interaction with mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. In 1978, the naturalist was filming a piece-to-camera when a baby gorilla named Pablo clambered on top of him, lying leisurely across the presenter’s body as fellow primates tried to take off Attenborough’s shoes.

Travellers can come close to reliving this standout moment — and discover how Pablo’s descendants are faring today — in a new Attenborough-narrated documentary, A Gorilla Story. While visiting the national park, travellers can see these magnificent creatures for themselves on a guided gorilla trek. Revenue from each trekking permit contributes directly to local conservation efforts, ensuring each visit has a positive impact.