Top 10 Places You Can Visit For Best Catching Fireflies Experience In The World
I have a distinctive childhood memory. Do you know those humid Summer evenings? When I was a child, I would often walk out in our beautiful little backyard. The view would inevitably always be stunning – a cool breeze, or sometimes it would be completely still with the last rays of the Sun disappearing into the horizon.
Suddenly, on some days, I would spotlight appearing somewhere nearby – first, one or two specks and then more specks of light would simply follow. And then the light show would begin, exclusively for my young eyes – a dazzling display of green and yellow cutting through the dark yard?
Keep reading to find out more about chasing fireflies in the most aesthetic places in the world.
Top 10 Places You Can Visit For Best Catching Fireflies Experience In The World
If you are looking for things to do in the summer, gear up for a season of catching fireflies. We are here to tell you about the top places where you can do the same. So scroll down and find out right now!
1. Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
One of the best places in the world for catching fireflies is located in the United States. The Great Smoky Mountain in Tennessee has this mysterious aura about itself. The entire firefly experience only seems to add up to the mystery.
The area is pretty dark and as a result, spotting these lightning bugs is pretty easy, especially during the first half of May. But, for the best view, you can take the firefly shuttle!
- Costing: $125 to $175 per person
- Best Time To Visit: May to June
- Other Things To Do: Go Kayaking in Fontana Lake, Climb the Clingmans Dome, or Checkout the diverse flora, fauna, and waterfall.
2. Kampung Kuantan, Fireflies Park, Malaysia
Malaysia is known for its beaches, but the country is also blessed with acres and acres of forests. The hot, humid weather is an ideal climate for fireflies to thrive, making the country another place you must check out for a catching fireflies experience.
The unique thing about visiting the fireflies park, Kampung Kuantan in Malaysia, is watching fireflies light up in synchronization. So get yourself a fireflies jar when you visit!
- Costing: $4.59 to $5 per person
- Best Time To Visit: No particular season, but the time is 8 pm onwards
- Other Things To Do: Watch the sunset at Bukit Panorama, visit the Sultan Abu Bakar Museum, or explore the beauty of Sungai Pandan Waterfall.
3. Bhandardara, Maharashtra, India
Located only five hours from the state capital, Bhandardara is a weekend getaway for most residents of Mumbai. Located in Maharashtra, India, Bhandardara is famous for catching fireflies in a jar.
We would suggest camping in the forest and waiting for the fireflies to light up the sky by 10 pm. Clear skies and dazzling lights – an experience of a lifetime!
- Costing: $14.41 to $26.20 per person
- Best Time To Visit: Summer/Monsoon, post 10 pm
- Other Things To Do: Trek around the marshland, explore waterfalls and try out the local Maharashtrian cuisine.
4. Setagaya, Japan
Japan is truly a unique country with a unique culture. You must visit the country during June when people celebrate the fireflies festival, thus making Japan an ideal place for learning something unique like how to catch fireflies.
Setagaya celebrates the fireflies festival for two whole days and naturally becomes home to thousands of fireflies and tourists in the world. The blooming orchids simply add to the beauty!
- Costing: Free (there is no fee for entering the festival)
- Best Time To Vist: June, 5:40 pm onwards
- Other Things To Do: Explore the local market celebrating the festival between 1 to 9 pm.
5. Blue Spring State Park, Florida
Hot and humid Florida is one of the best locations for catching fireflies. Located in the heart of the country, Blue Spring State Park witnesses a seasonal visit from these beautiful lightning bugs.
Since the bugs become visible after dusk, tourists visiting the park must carry a special entry pass for staying inside the park after dusk.
- Costing: $6 per vehicle, $2 per pedestrian and bicycle (day use)
- Best Time To Visit: March to April, at dusk
- Other Things To Do: Boat tours, camping, fishing, or hiking.
6. Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania
The Allegheny National Forest has so many fireflies that a festival is celebrated every year for honoring the lightning bugs. At the end of every Spring, the fireflies present a dazzling light show, all lighting up in synchronization.
Catching lightning bugs can be a magical experience – check out the Allegheny National Forest located in Pennsylvania, United States!
- Costing: Free (there is no fee for entering the forest)
- Best Time to Visit: End of Spring
- Other Things To Do: Birding, boating, hiking, hunting, and golfing.
7. Kuala Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A beautiful recommendation for catching fireflies, Kuala Selangor, is located only two hours from the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lampur. Known for being one of the largest fireflies communities, Kuala Selangor is a must for catching a lightning bug in a jar.
If you have been planning a visit to Malaysia sometime in the near future, don?t forget to check out Kuala Selangor for some crazy outdoor activities like catching magical bugs!
- Costing: $4.59 to $5 per persos
- Best Time To Visit: No particular season, but the time is 8 pm onwards
- Other Things To Do: Learn history at Kuala Selangor District Historical Museum, check out the art at Sasaran Art Gallery or try out local Malaysian cuisines.
8. Purushwadi, Maharashtra, India
Another weekend getaway from Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra located in India, Purushwadi is known for a crazy catching fireflies experience. Head over to the beautiful destination after Pune experiences its first shower.
More than 2000 different species of lightning bugs visit the area during mating season. In addition, travelers can camp in the nearby villages and attend all the curated festivals happening in the area.
- Costing: $41.91 to $65.50 per person
- Best Time To Visit: May to June
- Other Things To Do: Trek around the marshland, explore waterfalls, and try out the local Maharashtrian cuisine.
9. Hotel Chinzanso?s Garden, Japan
You can?t miss out on visiting the Japanese capital city of Tokyo. While in Tokyo, eat to your heart?s content at Hotel Chinzanso and then head over to the hotel?s botanical garden for a memorable catching fireflies experience.
Hotel Chinzanso has been popular for hosting firefly shows since 1954 for both locals and tourists.
- Costing: Free (there is no additional fee for entering the garden)
- Best Time To Visit: June
- Other Things To Do: Eat a nice meal at the hotel, or you could also stay at the hotel for a holistic experience.
10. Congaree National Park, North Carolina
Congaree National Park, located in North Carolina, is another beautiful place in the United States for catching fireflies in a jar. Visitors can watch the fireflies between 8 pm to 10 pm, and the best part?
The best part is you don?t need any shuttle or car service for catching a glimpse of the bugs. You can get a good view from the elevated boardwalk in the park.
- Costing: Free (there is no fee for entering the park)
- Best Time To Visit: Mid-June, Between 8 to 10 pm
- Other Things To Do: Hiking, Kayaking, Canoeing, Camping, or Fishing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
- Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania
- Kampung Kuantan, Malaysia
- Georgia, and
- Florida
- Rajmachi,
- Mulshi,
- Purushwadi,
- Bhimashankar, and
- Bhandardara
- Most of Europe,
- South America, and
- Central America
5. Can Fireflies Bite You?
Learning how to keep lightning bugs alive is beneficial because these insects are not at all harmful. Mostly because they don?t bite or attack in any way. In fact, they are not even poisonous or carry diseases or even have pincers. These bugs are so harmless that they don?t even fly fast.
Chasing Fireflies: An Experience Of A LifeTime
?The fireflies flew up into the sky, free.
I watched them until I could no longer tell them apart from the stars.?
There?s something so magical about catching fireflies. These lightning bugs are so unique in their appeal, especially when you experience the same for the very first time. Don?t forget to let us know in the comments below your thoughts on the same.
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