Go wild in these countries: Five exciting rewilding projects to visit
Around the world, ecosystems are being brought back to life through rewilding—a powerful conservation approach focused on restoring nature’s processes and reintroducing lost species. For travellers seeking meaningful experiences, visiting these rewilding sites offers more than scenic beauty; it provides a front-row seat to the healing of our planet. This article explores five rewilding projects that inspire awe and offer immersive, educational travel opportunities that support ecological restoration.
In the Scottish Highlands, a landscape once stripped bare by centuries of deforestation and overgrazing is now being revived. Vast tracts of land are being returned to native Caledonian forest, while efforts are underway to reintroduce species like the European beaver and, potentially, the Scottish wildcat and even wolves. These efforts aim to create large, connected areas of wild land that function more like past ecosystems. Visitors can hike through forests slowly returning to life, spot red deer and golden eagles, stay in eco-lodges, and learn how traditional Highland culture is tied to the natural world. Beavers have already been successfully reintroduced, and native woodlands are beginning to regenerate across the landscape.
Further south in the Iberian Highlands of Spain and Portugal, rewilding addresses ecological and social challenges. Decades of rural depopulation and land abandonment have left large areas open for ecological restoration. Here, efforts are focused on bringing back key species such as the Iberian wolf and the European bison. At the same time, native shrublands and forests are being restored to support biodiversity and promote natural grazing. Tourists can explore these wild areas, join guided tours to look for wolf tracks and bison herds, and stay in rural guesthouses directly involved in rewilding efforts. The return of wolves and the growth of bison herds are already positively affecting habitat diversity and ecosystem health.
In North America, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in the United States is a globally recognized example of rewilding success. Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding wilderness are home to some of the continent’s most iconic megafauna. The reintroduction of wolves in the 1990s has had wide-reaching ecological impacts, helping to rebalance elk populations and allowing vegetation and riverbanks to recover. Visitors come from around the world to see wolves, grizzly bears, bison, and elk in their natural habitats, hike through immense wilderness, and witness the dramatic geothermal landscapes. The park also offers insight into how ecosystems respond to the return of top predators.
In Eastern Europe, the Danube Delta straddles Romania and Ukraine and is one of the continent’s most significant wetland ecosystems. Rewilding efforts there aim to restore natural water flows, reduce human disturbance, and support diverse wildlife, including birds, fish, and rare mammals like the European mink. The delta is a paradise for birdwatchers, especially during migration seasons. Boat trips through its waterways reveal a rich web of life, while visits to traditional fishing villages provide cultural context. Efforts to restore habitats have already led to increases in populations of certain bird species, and the area continues to recover.
In the Netherlands, the Oostvaardersplassen is a bold and controversial experiment in rewilding. Located on land reclaimed from the sea, it has become a testing ground for natural grazing systems using large herbivores such as red deer, Konik horses, and Heck cattle. These animals are shaping the landscape with minimal human interference, promoting biodiversity and habitat complexity. Visitors can observe the herds as they roam grasslands and wetlands, watch for birds drawn to the dynamic habitats, and learn about the ecological debates surrounding the project. Despite challenges, the area has become home to a thriving and evolving ecosystem.
Visiting these rewilding projects does more than offer memorable adventures. It supports local communities that benefit from eco-tourism, encourages conservation efforts through global attention, and spreads awareness about the importance of ecological restoration. For travellers, witnessing nature’s return is not only educational—it’s profoundly moving.
These five projects, spanning forests, grasslands, wetlands, and mountains, showcase what’s possible when humans give nature a chance. They remind us that recovery is achievable, and that we all have a role to play—whether through travel, learning, or supporting conservation work. For those seeking a journey with impact, rewilding destinations offer a unique opportunity to connect with the wild and help it thrive.
