Contributors

Wanderlust is brought to life by people from all over the planet. Here are some of the writers and adventurers who’ve crafted this issue – plus, we asked: which animal would make it into their New Big 5 (p152)?

NICK RAY

World Food: Cambodia

The prolific guidebook writer, film location manager and ecotourism consultant gives us a taste of Cambodia on p32. Which animal would be in your New Big 5?

“The mountain gorillas of the Virungas. Working on an East Africa guidebook, I was fortunate enough to encounter them in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo between 1999 and 2006 and they are wonderful, complex creatures.”

DR. GLADYS KALEMA-ZIKUSOKA

The New Big 5 Project

The founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health – helping people and animals co-exist in protected areas of Africa – explains the importance of this new conservation project on p152 . Which animal would be in your New Big 5?

“The mountain gorilla. There are only 1,063 left in the world. We need to continue taking action to protect these great apes.”

EDDI FIEGEL

Double Bill: Spain

The Telegraph and Guardian

journalist fell in love with Spain during the three years she spent living there. This issue she offers her insider’s guide to a joint-destination stay in Salamanca and Segovia (p184).

Which animal would be in your New Big 5?

“Having seen elephants in Thailand, I’d include them. And also polar bears, as their fate is so entwined with our climate crisis.”

SARAH BAXTER

Epic Hiking Trails Wanderlust Contributing Editor and freelance writer Sarah is author of A History of the World in 500 Walks, and is never happier then when hiking. She picks some epic routes on p124. Which animal would be in your New Big 5?

“Waved albatross – watching up-close as these enormous birds performed their courtship ritual on the Galápagos Islands was like having front-row seats to a strange, bewitching ballet.”

LYNN BROWN

First 24 hours: Charleston

Lynn is a Usa-based writer, professor and traveller whose work centres on issues of history, culture and place. For this issue she explored Charleston (p198) and found a city coming to terms with its complicated past. Which animal would be in your New Big 5?

“I have a soft spot for jaguars after an ‘interesting’ encounter with one in the jungle outside of Manzanillo, on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.”

NICK BOULOS

Indigenous San Blas Islands

Travel writer Nick has contributed to Wanderlust

for almost 15 years, covering destinations such as Antarctica, Bangladesh, Iran and, on p192, Panama’s San Blas Islands, where he met the Guna Yala. Which animal would be in your New Big 5?

“The mighty polar bear. Not only is it a privilege to see one in its natural habitat but capturing one on camera in a bold and creative way is no easy feat.”

ROB GOSS

Wandersleeps: Tokyo

The Japan-based travel writer, editor and guidebook author – including the award winning Japan Traveler’s Companion – checks himself into Tokyo’s most attention-grabbing hotels for us on p44.

Which animal would be in your New Big 5?

“Japanese giant salamanders: they can grow to 1.5m long, live to 80 and, when threatened, excrete a white mucus that smells like sansho pepper.“

NIGEL TISDALL

Caribbean Heritage Cities

A Caribbean specialist, Nigel has been visiting the region for 25 years – and covers it for us on p80. This year he’s hoping to see Guadeloupe by campervan. Which animal would be in your New Big 5?

“The red panda, which I was lucky to spot in Singalila National Park on the India-nepal border. Ridiculously cute, with a white face and flame-coloured fur, they’re well camouflaged for a solitary life high in the treetops.”