National Park

A national park is a state-managed protected area with strict conservation rules (IUCN Category II). The world's first was Yellowstone (USA, 1872). For travelers, national parks deliver iconic landscapes and famous wildlife, but expect rules: no off-road driving, fixed gate hours, no night drives, and shared sightings with many vehicles. Some parks ban accommodation inside (Galápagos), others tolerate it (Serengeti, Kruger). The smart play for luxury travelers is to stay just outside the park boundary at a private lodge or concession, which gives you access to the park by day plus walking safaris, night drives, and lower density at sightings.