By Michael Webster, author of the newly published travel memoir The Condor’s Feather.
For nearly five years I wandered 100,000 kilometers back and forth across the Spanish speaking countries of South America. At the time I loved every single place. But which of those places stirs memories in my waking hours now? Which are the landscapes I wished I’d spent more time in? Which landscapes will I never forget?
I am a naturalist, so for me a memorable landscape should also have memorable wildlife.
1 The Bañado La Estrella
In the north of Argentina where the River Pilcomayo borders with Paraguay there is a flooded forest. The closest town is Las Lomitas. Summers are very hot and the forest dries out but at other times the river regularly floods.
You can find local people to punt you into the forest where wildlife such as Jabiru Storks, Southern Screamers, Roseate Spoonbills, Anteaters, Caiman and Giant Anacondas abound.
2 Iguazu Waterfalls
Accessible from both Southern Brazil and Northern Argentina these waterfalls are magnificent and both sides are quite different.
My preference was for the Argentinian side where the paths meandered through woods.
There are so many waterfalls, both immense and more intimate, and it takes a number of days to appreciate them fully.
The unexpected vistas of many of the smaller waterfalls were breathtaking. Butterflies and monkeys are prolific and this is where I saw my first toucan.
The Devil’s Throat is in my mind the most impressive place to stand and stare in wonderment at the natural world. After all, this is a World Heritage Site.
3 The Southern Chilean Coast of Patagonia
Take a ferry from Puerto Montt south through the fjords.
Get off the boat if you wish at Puerto Aisén and head south down the Carretera Austral.
Drive as far as the Patagonia National Park and visit the Chacabuco Valley, with its herds of Guanaco. You might even see a Puma.
Few travellers the world over will visit more beautiful, more memorable places than these.
The Condor’s Feather by Michael Webster is available now for £14.99. All our copies are signed (while stocks last).