Planet Earth III Filming Locations: Episode 1 - Coasts
Are you feeling inspired to travel after watching Planet Earth Three?
Coasts offer the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife both at sea and on shore and are excellent destinations for wildlife enthusiasts. Follow in the footsteps of the Planet Earth crew and journey along the picturesque Garden Route coast to see Cape fur seals gathered in their thousands in South Africa. Head to the eerie Skeleton Coast of Namibia to find the desert-adapted lions that laze on its sand dunes. Or hop on a boat in Chile and watch the enormous barnacled body of southern right whales emerge from the water as they breach a matter of metres from your eyes.
Coasts offer the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife both at sea and on shore and are excellent destinations for wildlife enthusiasts. Follow in the footsteps of the Planet Earth crew and journey along the picturesque Garden Route coast to see Cape fur seals gathered in their thousands in South Africa. Head to the eerie Skeleton Coast of Namibia to find the desert-adapted lions that laze on its sand dunes. Or hop on a boat in Chile and watch the enormous barnacled body of southern right whales emerge from the water as they breach a matter of metres from your eyes.
Cape fur seals – Robberg Peninsula – South Africa
On the outskirts of Plettenberg Bay, you'll find the Robberg Peninsula, one of the most popular and scenic hiking destinations along the Garden Route. With exquisite views, prime whale and dolphin watching opportunities, wide stretches of beautiful beach and the chance to encounter a few Cape fur seals, it’s easy to see why visitors love their time here so much.
When you hike the full 11km circuit, you’ll come to one particularly special spot where you can peer down and look onto what appears to be a mountain of Cape fur seals. With 6000 seals, it’s an impressive sight!
When you hike the full 11km circuit, you’ll come to one particularly special spot where you can peer down and look onto what appears to be a mountain of Cape fur seals. With 6000 seals, it’s an impressive sight!
Robberg Peninsula – Things to See and Do
Drive the stunning Garden Route, hiking, kayaking, whale and dolphin watching tours, diving, wine tasting, fishing, seafood restaurants.
Robberg Peninsula species: Cape fur seal, loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtle, Great white shark, Humpback whale, Humpback dolphin, Indian Ocean bottle-nosed dolphin, Southern elephant seal.
Robberg Peninsula birding: Black musselcracker, African Black oystercatcher, Whitebreasted cormorant, Parasitic Jaeger, Northern giant petrel, African penguin.
Garden Route, Cape Town and South Africa Safaris 7 night start from £7,000 per person
Drive the stunning Garden Route, hiking, kayaking, whale and dolphin watching tours, diving, wine tasting, fishing, seafood restaurants.
Robberg Peninsula species: Cape fur seal, loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtle, Great white shark, Humpback whale, Humpback dolphin, Indian Ocean bottle-nosed dolphin, Southern elephant seal.
Robberg Peninsula birding: Black musselcracker, African Black oystercatcher, Whitebreasted cormorant, Parasitic Jaeger, Northern giant petrel, African penguin.
Garden Route, Cape Town and South Africa Safaris 7 night start from £7,000 per person
Garden Route, South Africa
Where to Stay: The Plettenberg
South Africa has added its own unique spin to The Plettenburg: it’s no ordinary beach hotel, but rather has been elevated on account of its position, landscape, and overall quality of design and service to be one of the finest hotels along the Garden Route. Plettenberg is one of the most scenic towns on the Garden Route, and the hotel of the same name is the obvious accommodation choice.
Desert-adapted lions - Skeleton Coast – Namibia
Famous for the 1000 shipwrecks and animal bones scattered along the shoreline, the Skeleton Coast is the epitome of a remote and wild destination. Stretching 500 kilometres between the old German town of Swakopmund and the Angolan border, the coast is virtually uninhabited and thoroughly untamed. Lions, hyenas and other predators wander the hauntingly empty shore in search of maritime meals.
The highlight here is tracking the desert lions which have adapted to hunt seals and seabirds. These lions are much more resourceful, hunting a range of different prey species. Here in Namibia seals are the ideal meal, being slow on land and rich in fat. The area has 130-150 resident desert lions to see and with expert guides you can learn about each pride here.
Despite its unthinkably harsh conditions, there are some amazing wildlife spotting opportunities here including black rhino, desert adapted elephant and giraffe, zebra, gemsbok, springbok and hyena.
The Skeleton Coast National Park is also rewarding destination for marine birds and wetland birds in the river deltas. Migratory birds are here from November to April.
The highlight here is tracking the desert lions which have adapted to hunt seals and seabirds. These lions are much more resourceful, hunting a range of different prey species. Here in Namibia seals are the ideal meal, being slow on land and rich in fat. The area has 130-150 resident desert lions to see and with expert guides you can learn about each pride here.
Despite its unthinkably harsh conditions, there are some amazing wildlife spotting opportunities here including black rhino, desert adapted elephant and giraffe, zebra, gemsbok, springbok and hyena.
The Skeleton Coast National Park is also rewarding destination for marine birds and wetland birds in the river deltas. Migratory birds are here from November to April.
Skeleton Coast - Things to See and Do
Fly-in-safaris, desert 4x4 safaris, quad biking, sandboarding, horse riding, boat safaris, sea kayaking, surfing, beach fishing, walking safaris, stargazing.
Skeleton Coast species: desert-adapted lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal, black rhino, hyena, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, Cape fur seal, elephant, shark, dolphin, black tail deer, baboon.
Skeleton Coast birding: neon-pink flamingo, great white pelican, ostrich, black crake and black bustard, Jaeger and skua, Cape gannet.
Skeleton Coast Safaris – 7 night safari from £10,000 per person (peak season)
Skeleton Coast species: desert-adapted lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal, black rhino, hyena, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, Cape fur seal, elephant, shark, dolphin, black tail deer, baboon.
Skeleton Coast birding: neon-pink flamingo, great white pelican, ostrich, black crake and black bustard, Jaeger and skua, Cape gannet.
Skeleton Coast Safaris – 7 night safari from £10,000 per person (peak season)
Accommodation
Where to Stay: Shipwreck Lodge
Shipwreck Lodge is the newest and most exciting property on Namibia’s Skeleton Coast. It opened its doors in summer 2018, and cuts a truly striking look. The design is influenced by the shape of a shipwreck, and is the perfect addition to the raw and rugged landscape in which it sits. Inside, however, it’s a different story: the interiors are both luxurious and attention grabbing.
Accommodation
Where to Stay: Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp
The Hoanib Valley is a truly unique environment, strikingly beautiful and remote. Staying at the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp you will see the valley at its finest, and get close to the wonderful wildlife residing here.
Accommodation
Where to Stay: Hoanib Valley Camp
An eco-haven hidden in the northwest of Namibia, Hoanib Valley Camp is a luxury safari camp for the discerning traveller. With just six suites and a vast, private wilderness at your doorstep this is exclusivity at its finest. Spend days searching for desert-adapted wildlife before relaxing in the sumptuous comfort of camp
Southern right whales - Peninsula Valdes – Patagonia - Argentina
If you’re interested in marine life, then Península Valdés in Patagonia is a must-visit. Under the towering rocky cliffsides, large groups of seal and sea lion gather, lazing the day away and basking on the sands.
This is site of UNESCO global significance for the conservation of marine mammals. It is home to an important breeding population of the endangered southern right whale as well as important breeding populations of southern elephant seals and southern sea lions. The small local population of orca has developed a spectacular hunting method by intentionally beaching themselves to catch offspring of southern sea lion and southern elephant seals.
Peninsula Valdes is one of South America’s finest nature reserves and the gateway to this nature lover’s paradise is Puerto Madryn, a coastal city located about an hour’s drive from the peninsula. The dramatic coastal zone features rocky cliffs up to 100 metres in height, shallow bays and shifting coastal lagoons with extensive mudflats, sandy and pebble beaches, active sand dunes, and small islands. Joining the seals on the peninsula’s beaches from September to April are Magellanic penguins. The colony is at its largest around November when you can see cute, fluffy baby penguins taking their first steps.
This is site of UNESCO global significance for the conservation of marine mammals. It is home to an important breeding population of the endangered southern right whale as well as important breeding populations of southern elephant seals and southern sea lions. The small local population of orca has developed a spectacular hunting method by intentionally beaching themselves to catch offspring of southern sea lion and southern elephant seals.
Peninsula Valdes is one of South America’s finest nature reserves and the gateway to this nature lover’s paradise is Puerto Madryn, a coastal city located about an hour’s drive from the peninsula. The dramatic coastal zone features rocky cliffs up to 100 metres in height, shallow bays and shifting coastal lagoons with extensive mudflats, sandy and pebble beaches, active sand dunes, and small islands. Joining the seals on the peninsula’s beaches from September to April are Magellanic penguins. The colony is at its largest around November when you can see cute, fluffy baby penguins taking their first steps.
Peninsula Valdes – Things to See and Do
Whale, orca and dolphin watching, kayaking with whales, drive the peninsula and photograph the wildlife, horse riding, stargazing.,heli safaris, ice hiking, paddleboarding, flyfishing, white water rafting, climbing, mountain biking, jet boating, heli-skiing.
Peninsula Valdes Species: Peninsula Valdes Orcas, Southern right whales, Commerson’s dolphin, Dusky dolphin, Southern Elephant seal, Southern sea lion, South American Gray fox, Guanaco, Patagonian mara, Darwin’s rhea, big hairy armadillo, Southern mountain cavy
Peninsula Vales Birding: Magellanic penguin, elegant crested tinamou, burrowing owl.
Patagonia Safaris – 7 night safaris start from £8,000 per person
Peninsula Valdes Species: Peninsula Valdes Orcas, Southern right whales, Commerson’s dolphin, Dusky dolphin, Southern Elephant seal, Southern sea lion, South American Gray fox, Guanaco, Patagonian mara, Darwin’s rhea, big hairy armadillo, Southern mountain cavy
Peninsula Vales Birding: Magellanic penguin, elegant crested tinamou, burrowing owl.
Patagonia Safaris – 7 night safaris start from £8,000 per person
Valdez Peninsula, Argentina
Where to Stay: Estancia Rincon Chico
National Geographic, the BBC, and Nat Geo Traveller all rave about Estancia Rincon Chico, and when you visit you’ll realise why. It’s in the heart of the Valdes Peninsula, and the regional centre for scientific and conservation research. Profits from the lodge support the work of local NGO Conservación Península Valdés (CPV), so when you stay here, you’re actively contributing to the vital work which is being done.
Southern Patagonia, Chile
Where to Stay: Singular Patagonia
Singular Patagonia is in a superb location on the shores of the Señoret Channel. This spot on the water’s edge is known locally as “the end of the world”, giving you a clue as to the complete break from routine and sense of adventure you’ll find here.
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Episode 2 - Oceans: Planet Earth III Filming Locations
Are you feeling inspired to explore the oceans after watching Planet Earth Three?
Occasional round-up of the best wild places, unique experiences and expert travel tips straight to your inbox.
Keep the Inspiration Flowing