10 UNESCO Places Around The World Where Heritage And Wildlife Meet

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, TanzaniaA volcanic caldera where Maasai pastoral traditions survive beside lions, elephants and abundant plains wildlife. Archaeological treasures at Olduvai Gorge deepen its layered story of human origins and ecological richness.Kakadu National Park, AustraliaKakadu’s ancient Aboriginal rock art sits within wetlands and escarpments supporting crocodiles, wallabies and vast birdlife. Its living cultural landscape preserves millennia of Indigenous knowledge tied directly to nature.Machu Picchu Sanctuary, PeruThe Inca citadel stands within cloud forests sheltering spectacled bears, orchids and rare birds. Its terraces, temples and biodiversity form a unified cultural and ecological mountain sanctuary.Tikal National Park, GuatemalaMaya temples rise dramatically above dense rainforest inhabited by jaguars, toucans and howler monkeys. Archaeology and thriving tropical ecosystems intermingle seamlessly across this immense protected landscape.Komodo National Park, IndonesiaA rugged island UNESCO site where Komodo dragons roam volcanic terrain and rich coral reefs thrive offshore. Traditional communities, terrestrial wildlife and marine biodiversity interact in harmony.Sundarbans, India & BangladeshThe world’s largest mangrove forest protects tigers, estuarine crocodiles and fishing communities. Its shifting deltaic environment unites cultural survival with one of the planet’s most resilient wildlife habitats.Chitwan National Park, NepalA former royal hunting reserve transformed into a conservation success, protecting rhinos, tigers and gharials. Tharu cultural traditions remain closely tied to its forests and riverine landscapes.Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, UgandaAn ancient rainforest where mountain gorillas survive alongside Batwa cultural heritage. Steep slopes, dense vegetation and community-focused conservation link biodiversity with long-standing human relationships.Sigiriya Cultural Landscape & Minneriya Region, Sri LankaSigiriya’s fifth-century rock fortress overlooks forests connected to Minneriya’s famed elephant gathering. The area blends hydraulic engineering, ancient art and one of Asia’s most spectacular wildlife events.Angkor & Tonlé Sap Region, CambodiaKhmer temples rise beside wetlands feeding Tonlé Sap’s fish-rich ecosystem. Communities, water systems, birdlife and Angkor’s monumental architecture coexist across a vast cultural-environmental landscape.10 Most Stunning Walled Cities In The World: A Traveller’s GuideRead More