Beautiful forests in Africa

Tasmania's Tarkine Rainforest. (Photo: Alice Hansen/Tourism)

Dense rainforests filled with exotic plants and unusual creatures have always been alluring to adventure-seekers. The rise of the modern eco-tourism industry has made it easier for casual nature-lovers to experience jungle landscapes without a pith helmet and machete.A wider range of natural landscapes is, of course, included in the industry's destination options, but the exotic and teeming jungle is surely the most appealing of all.Read more: http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/eco-tourism/stories/the-8-best-rain-forest-destinations-that-you-havent-visited.

Darien National Park. Photo: light brigade/Flickr

Headlining rain forest destinations, like the vast Brazilian Amazon, the lush jungles of Borneo, and the   booming nature-tourism hot spot of Costa Rica are well known in eco-tourism circles. Thanks to media coverage from cable channels and glossy magazines, these places are household names for people with only a passing interest in rain forest tourism.

Dominica (Photo: Alice Hansen/Tourism

Read more: http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/eco-tourism/stories/the-8-best-rain-forest-destinations-that-you-havent-visited-yet#ixzz3U3ZGU6oT

 Most of the Amazon rain forest sits in Brazil, but one of the most exciting eco-tourism destinations in the forest is in the lowlands of Peru. The Manu Wilderness is home to more plants and animals than almost any other natural area on Earth. Hundreds of mammal species and 1,000 species of birds call these dense forests home, while 15,000 types of plants have been cataloged inside Manu's borders. The forests here are as pristine as any other rain forest vacation destination, but the wildlife is the real reason to come to Manu. Jaguar, tapir and primate sightings are commonplace. .