Issue 193: Ngaga Lodge

Hey Explorer,

This is Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

• Migrations: Sandhill Crane Migration in Nebraska

• Stays: Ngaga Lodge

• Natural Wonders: Antarctica’s Blood Falls

Sandhill Crane Migration in Nebraska

Every spring, something amazing happens in Nebraska—half a million sandhill cranes show up along the Platte River.

It’s one of the biggest bird migrations in the world, and it all happens in this narrow stretch of river about 80 miles long.

The cranes are on their way north to places like Canada, Alaska, and even Siberia, but they stop here to rest and eat for a few weeks before continuing the journey.

If you’ve never seen it, it’s hard to describe just how cool it is. During the day, the cranes hang out in nearby fields, digging around for leftover corn and bugs.

Then at sunrise and sunset, thousands of them take off or come back to the river all at once. The sky fills with birds, their wings flapping and those strange, trumpeting calls echoing everywhere.

People from all over come to see it, especially around Kearney, where they’ve set up blinds and tours so you can get a close look without spooking the birds.

Even if you’re not super into birds, watching that many living creatures move together like that is something special.

Explore more:

• See the World's Largest Gathering of Sandhill Cranes (video)

• Sandhill Crane Migration (website)

Ngaga Lodge

Deep in the Congo Basin, at a little camp called Ngaga, something extraordinary happens.

Most people come here to track Western lowland gorillas on foot.

And yes, that alone is incredible—hiking through thick rainforest with expert trackers, spotting silverbacks and their families up close, watching their quiet moments and social interactions from just a few yards away.

It’s raw, moving, and unforgettable.

But what makes Ngaga really stand out?

You also get to see unhabituated gorillas—the ones that have never learned to tolerate humans. And you do it from a treehouse.

No hiking. No close contact. Just you, quietly perched above a natural forest clearing, hidden from view.

These gorillas don’t know you’re there. They live completely wild lives, and you get to watch from a distance as they move through the clearing—grazing, playing, resting.

It’s quieter than a gorilla trek. More subtle. But in some ways, even more powerful. It feels like the forest is letting you in on a secret.

This is what makes Ngaga so special. You’re not just seeing gorillas—you’re witnessing the forest as it really is, when no one’s watching.

Explore more:

• Odzala Discovery Camps: Ngaga Camp (video)

• Ngaga Lodge (website)

Blood Falls Antarctica

Blood Falls is one of the weirdest and coolest things you’ll see in Antarctica.

It’s this stream of deep red water pouring out of the Taylor Glacier, and it looks like something straight out of a horror movie—like the ice is bleeding.

But don’t worry, it’s not actually blood. The color comes from super salty water that's loaded with iron, and when that iron hits the air, it rusts and turns red.

What’s wild is where that water comes from. It’s been trapped under the glacier for millions of years in a pocket with no sunlight, no oxygen, and way too much salt for most life to survive. But somehow, there are tiny microbes down there that are still alive and kicking.

Scientists are fascinated by this because it could tell us a lot about how life might exist in extreme places, even on other planets.

Getting there isn’t easy—there are no day tours or handy shuttle buses to the McMurdo Dry Valleys. But if you're part of a scientific expedition or join a rare adventure cruise with access to research outposts, you might get the chance to see it.

It’s not your typical tourist stop, but for the lucky few who do, it’s an unforgettable glimpse at one of Earth’s most bizarre natural wonders.

Explore more:

• Why is this Antarctic Glacier “Bleeding?” (video)

• “Blood Falls" is a dark red waterfall in Antarctica that remains a scientific mystery (article)

Natural Wonders: The Fairytale Forests of Yakushima

Fun: Winter Ziplining in Canada

Wow: NASA's Mesmerizing View of Earth's Underwater Highways

Underwater: Shrimp Hole

Film: Dreamwalkers

Where in the World

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Guess where this pic was snapped!

Stumped? No worries. The answer is at the end of this email.

I’d love to hear what you think of this issue. Scroll down to the poll to let us know.

Until next time…

Keep exploring,

-Amanda

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you plan truly unique adventure trips:

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 ANSWER: Camargue, France