Adventure holidays allow you to push your limits, explore untouched landscapes and experience nature first-hand. With the increasing focus on sustainability and eco-conscious travel, destinations offering both thrills and responsible tourism are highly sought after.

Here, we explore adventure holiday destinations for travellers ready to embrace their wild side.

New Zealand: the ultimate adventure playground

Famous for diverse landscapes, ranging from rugged mountains to fjords and vast coastlines, New Zealand has a wealth of adventure activities.

Visit the home of the world’s first bungee jump at Kawarau Bridge near Queenstown for an unforgettable experience. Popular skydiving spots include Lake Taupō, where you can leap from the skies with lakes, mountains and forests beneath you.

With trails for all fitness levels, New Zealand’s hiking opportunities are unrivalled. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, with its dramatic volcanic terrain, is a must for those seeking a hiking challenge, while Fiordland National Park has fjords and lush rainforests to explore.

Costa Rica: a tropical paradise for nature lovers

This Central American country is a leader in sustainable travel, allowing visitors to enjoy thrilling activities with minimal environmental impact on eco-conscious adventure holidays.

One of Costa Rica’s most iconic experiences, zip-lining through the cloud forests of Arenal or Monteverde, lets you soar above lush greenery, spotting exotic wildlife along the way. Costa Rica’s rivers, such as the Pacuare and Sarapiquí, offer exhilarating white-water rafting, with options for beginners and experienced rafters alike.

Back on dry land, you can trek up Arenal or Rincón de la Vieja volcanoes for breathtaking views of active craters and geothermal wonders.

Scotland: wild adventures close to home

For those looking for an adventure nearer home, Scotland’s rugged landscapes provide an ideal playground. Kayaking in the Highlands lets you traverse serene lochs or rugged coastlines, taking in Scotland’s wild beauty from the water.

If you have a head for heights, go rock climbing on the Isle of Skye. The Cuillin Ridge has challenging climbs for experienced adventurers, with panoramic views that make the effort worthwhile. For less vertiginous but still strenuous activity, hike the West Highland Way. This 96-mile trek takes hikers through beautiful rolling hills, tranquil lochs and towering mountains.

Namibia: desert and dune adventures

Namibia’s vast desert landscapes and wildlife make for a thrilling holiday experience. Some of the world’s highest dunes are the Sossusvlei dunes in Namib-Naukluft National Park. These immense but ever-changing sand structures are perfect for sandboarding, offering an adrenaline-filled ride down dunes hundreds of feet high.

To see more of this country’s landscape, quad biking across the vast expanse of the Namib Desert is an exhilarating way to experience the striking, otherworldly terrain.

Namibia’s Etosha National Park is home to a vast array of wildlife, from elephants and lions to rhinos. A safari here offers a unique chance to see animals in their natural habitat.