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USATenerife in the Canary Islands isn’t just about beaches and the nightlife – it’s great for spotting some of the most beautiful fauna and flora on earth.
Tenerife in the Canary Islands isn’t just about beaches and the nightlife – it’s great for spotting some of the most beautiful fauna and flora on earth.
The elusive hoopoe is an exotic-looking bird with a pinkish-brown crest which raises when excited. There have been numerous sightings at the Palmetum in Santa Cruz, said to be the best place in the city for bird-watching.
This 12-hectare botanical garden specialises in tropical palm trees and is bursting with plant life as well as native birds – don’t forget your binoculars!
Tenerife’s largest stretch of forest is the Corona Forestal Natural Park, which covers 125,000 acres. This lush, verdant pine forest is a prime spot for getting close to nature, with many native species including blue chaffinches, reptiles, laurel pigeons and the Canadian pine. There are lots of hiking trails for all levels.
Keen to spot dolphins, whales or even a turtle bobbing about on the surface? Then head to Los Cristianos, Puerto Colon or Los Gigantes in the south to join a boat tour. Operators need a license to ensure they work responsibly and that the animals are not in any danger from the boats, so you are assuredly in good hands.
The equally good news is that you have a 90 percent chance of seeing dolphins on your tour, as they are quite common in the waters around the islands.
Tenerife is rich in striking natural spaces, and nature lovers shouldn’t miss Teide National Park, home to the 3,715 metre Teide volcano, the highest peak in Spain and a World Heritage Site.
Alongside the volcanic landscapes, you may also spot endemic lizards, a Tenerife gecko or other species exclusive to the park. You can either climb to the top on foot or take the cable car.
If you want guaranteed sightings of animals from all over the world and not just native Tenerife wildlife, drop in to Jungle Park, a zoological and botanical park which houses at least 500 animals.
Jungle Park gets its name from the tropical setting featuring waterfalls, caves, lakes and bridges. The predatory birds’ shows are well worth catching; you can also travel on a bobsleigh through the rich vegetation!
