Wildlife

Whether you want to see grizzlies or polar bears in the wild, the Big Five on an African safari, trek through the jungle with tigers or go in search of the elusive gorillas, there are a multitude of ways you can do this. Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is naturally a huge draw and for many, a key reason for visiting a destination. It can also be a hugely important step in the conservation and protection of these magnificent creatures.

The Big Five

For many the ‘Big Five’ is still a must-see bucket list travel experience to tick off the list. Buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino are the epitome of an African wildlife experience. South Africa’s Kruger National Park still offers one of the best chances to see all five in one trip. The sheer size of the park means it can support varied animal species in large numbers.

Kenya is another traveller favourite and the Masai Mara provides a wide variety of habitat making is possible to see all of the big five, it is however particularly known for its lion sightings. Travel between August and October and you’ll see wildebeest and zebra as they pass through on the Great Migration.

For a more water-based experience Botswana is hard to beat. Stretching across the land like watery fingers are the flood plains of the Okavango Delta, the wetlands are the perfect place for spotting elephants, hippos, and buffalo. Rhinos are notoriously difficult to find, and good guide is a must-have.

Alternatively, Tanzania including the Ngorongoro National Park is another well-respected option.

Bears

When it comes to bears Canada is the best place on earth for sheer variety and numbers. In the coastal rainforests of Vancouver Island on the west coast, you’ll find black bears and the legendary grizzly bears (brown bears) in good number. It’s also possible to see them in the province of Quebec and in Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park.

Alaska is another goldmine when it comes to bear viewing, in a particular the Denali National Park.

For Polar bears, Canada’s northern province of Manitoba is the best place in the world for accessible viewing options. Churchill, on the shores of Hudson Bay is where you’ll find polar bears taking up residence during the Autumn as they wait for the sea ice to form. Stay in a dedicated lodge or head out on to the tundra on a custom-made buggy.

Gorillas

Undoubtedly one of the greatest and most thrilling wildlife encounters is the opportunity to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Mountain gorillas are one of the most endangered species in the world, there are thought to be no more than 700 left in the wild. For a truly incredible experience trekking holidays can be organised in Rwanda or Uganda.

Orangutans

The lush, vegetation-rich rainforest of Borneo and Sumatra are the only two places left in the world where you can find orangutans in the wild, their natural habitat is being destroyed however there

are many sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres providing shelter for injured and orphaned orangutans. Orangutan is a Malay word, which translated means ‘person of the forest’ highly apt for a mammal that we share a high percentage of our DNA with.

Koalas and Kangaroos

These quintessential Australian icons are recognisable the world over but there are some key places in Australia where you can be almost guaranteed to see them. Kangaroo Island is one such place, its name is a good clue. The apple isle of Tasmania is another, where it’s also common to see the much-loved wombat.

Tigers

The coolly elegant stride of the tiger is something many people dream of seeing in the wild. The world hasn’t been kind to the tiger population, but numbers are slowly increasing, and well-thought-out, conservation-driven tourism is creating opportunities with minimal impact on the animals. India is home to 70% of the world’s wild tigers and Madhya Pradesh, often referred to as India’s ‘Tiger State’ offer some of the best opportunities to see them.

Also, look to Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan for other great experiences.

Whales

Whether you travel to the southern hemisphere or prefer to stay in the northern half of the globe, a whale watching experience is something that is relatively easy to access. There are more than 40 species around the world so take your pick on what you want to see. Grey whales and orcas (killer whales) can be found off the west coast of Vancouver, whilst orcas can also be found in Alaska’s abundant feeding grounds.

The Blue whale is notoriously elusive however your best chances are off the Californian coastline, Mexico, the Gulf of St Lawrence in Canada, there have also been sightings in northern Scotland.

Humpback whales follow the migration route from the warm sea currents around Hawaii to the coast of Alaska, but you’ll also find them in the marine-rich waters of Newfoundland in Canada as well as on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef, which lies just off the Kimberley coastline of Western Australia.

Staying in the southern hemisphere you can also find fantastic opportunities for seeing sperm whales in Kaikoura, on New Zealand’s South Island and southern right whales passing the South Australian and Victoria coastlines as well as in the breeding grounds of Walker Bay, off the coastline of Hermanus in South Africa.

Dolphins and Dugongs

There are plenty of places around the globe where you can see dolphins and porpoises playfully enjoying their natural environment. Their preference is for warmer waters so southern California, the stunning volcanic islands of Hawaii, Florida and the Bahamas are great choices.

For those planning a trip to South America then the rare pink river dolphins, although often elusive, can be found in the Amazon River regions of Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

In Australia, Port Stephens in New South Wales is renowned for its dolphin watching experiences, whilst in Queensland Tangalooma on Moreton Island has along history with wild dolphins. Dolphin watching tours and supervised dolphin feeding sessions can be enjoyed. In Western Australia, Shark Bay and Monkey Mia are home to large number of dolphins.

Dugongs and Manatees also thrive in warmer waters and Florida is home to some of the highest numbers in the world. Their love of warm coastal waters means they can be found in a diverse range of places from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to the Philippines, and both the eastern and western coasts of Australia.

Elk, Moose and Reindeer

Often confused as all looking rather similar there are many places to spot these unusual looking creatures. Moose can be found in North America spreading through Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming as well as throughout Ontario and Newfoundland in Canada, where often as not you’ll see them grazing by the roadside.

For Elk North America is the place to be with Montana and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park real hotspots.

The Banff National Park and Saskatchewan also provide rich habitat for both Moose and Elk.

When it comes to reindeer head to the Nordic regions. Swedish Lapland, Finnish Lapland, Tromso and northern Norway are ideal places for a magical wintery reindeer experience.

To stay closer to home it’s also possible see them in the Cairngorms in Scotland.

Penguins

Whilst you can certainly embark on an adventure to Antarctica to see penguins in the wild, it’s not for the faint-hearted and there are several places where it’s a little easier to see them.

South Africa is home to Boulders Beach, a now Instagram-famous beach where penguins congregate in their hundreds.

If you’re in Australia, the nightly penguin parade on Phillip Island in Victoria offers guaranteed sightings, as a colony of little penguins return to their burrows each evening after a day at sea.

It’s equally easy to see penguins in New Zealand, the little penguins (often referred to as blue penguins here) can be spotted from Auckland in the north to Stewart Island in the far south. New Zealand is also home several endemic species including the Fiordland crested penguin, best sightings are Munro beach on the west coast of the South Island and Stewart Island.

Turtles

For almost fifty years turtles have held a protected status in Mozambique, March is generally regarded as the best time to see laying turtles, but it does depend where in the country you’re staying. Costa Rica is a fantastic place to see turtles and they can be found on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts; the country is a nature-lovers paradise and turtles are just the start of the story.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef gives shelter to six species of turtle, the green turtle is the most commonly seen but if lucky you may catch a glimpse of loggerhead turtles too.

Crocodiles, Caiman and Komodo Dragons

Crocodiles are as old as dinosaurs and one of the most fearsome predators on earth, yet there are places where you can view them in safety. Australia is a croc ‘hot spot’ and the Adelaide River in the Northern Territory is a great place for saltwater crocodile viewing. The Daintree River in Queensland is another superb spotting place with regular boats trips by local guides.

The USA is home to the ‘Gator States’ of Alabama, Florida Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas, where the toothy alligator is a regular visitor.

Caimans inhabit a range of wetland regions across Central and South America most commonly in Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia.

If you want to see dragons however you must head to Indonesia, they don’t breathe fire but the Komodo dragon, is the closest lizard to the dragon of your fairy tales. The Komodo National Park comprises 29 islands lying off the coast of Flores, just 5% of the park is open to visitors, the protection of these incredible creatures is paramount.

Wildlife

Whether you want to see grizzlies or polar bears in the wild, the Big Five on an African safari, trek through the jungle with tigers or go in search of the elusive gorillas, there are a multitude of ways you can do this. Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is naturally a huge draw and for many, a key reason for visiting a destination. It can also be a hugely important step in the conservation and protection of these magnificent creatures.

The Big Five

For many the ‘Big Five’ is still a must-see bucket list travel experience to tick off the list. Buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino are the epitome of an African wildlife experience. South Africa’s Kruger National Park still offers one of the best chances to see all five in one trip. The sheer size of the park means it can support varied animal species in large numbers.

Kenya is another traveller favourite and the Masai Mara provides a wide variety of habitat making is possible to see all of the big five, it is however particularly known for its lion sightings. Travel between August and October and you’ll see wildebeest and zebra as they pass through on the Great Migration.

For a more water-based experience Botswana is hard to beat. Stretching across the land like watery fingers are the flood plains of the Okavango Delta, the wetlands are the perfect place for spotting elephants, hippos, and buffalo. Rhinos are notoriously difficult to find, and good guide is a must-have.

Alternatively, Tanzania including the Ngorongoro National Park is another well-respected option.

Bears

When it comes to bears Canada is the best place on earth for sheer variety and numbers. In the coastal rainforests of Vancouver Island on the west coast, you’ll find black bears and the legendary grizzly bears (brown bears) in good number. It’s also possible to see them in the province of Quebec and in Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park.

Alaska is another goldmine when it comes to bear viewing, in a particular the Denali National Park.

For Polar bears, Canada’s northern province of Manitoba is the best place in the world for accessible viewing options. Churchill, on the shores of Hudson Bay is where you’ll find polar bears taking up residence during the Autumn as they wait for the sea ice to form. Stay in a dedicated lodge or head out on to the tundra on a custom-made buggy.

Gorillas

Undoubtedly one of the greatest and most thrilling wildlife encounters is the opportunity to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Mountain gorillas are one of the most endangered species in the world, there are thought to be no more than 700 left in the wild. For a truly incredible experience trekking holidays can be organised in Rwanda or Uganda.

Orangutans

The lush, vegetation-rich rainforest of Borneo and Sumatra are the only two places left in the world where you can find orangutans in the wild, their natural habitat is being destroyed however there

are many sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres providing shelter for injured and orphaned orangutans. Orangutan is a Malay word, which translated means ‘person of the forest’ highly apt for a mammal that we share a high percentage of our DNA with.

Koalas and Kangaroos

These quintessential Australian icons are recognisable the world over but there are some key places in Australia where you can be almost guaranteed to see them. Kangaroo Island is one such place, its name is a good clue. The apple isle of Tasmania is another, where it’s also common to see the much-loved wombat.

Tigers

The coolly elegant stride of the tiger is something many people dream of seeing in the wild. The world hasn’t been kind to the tiger population, but numbers are slowly increasing, and well-thought-out, conservation-driven tourism is creating opportunities with minimal impact on the animals. India is home to 70% of the world’s wild tigers and Madhya Pradesh, often referred to as India’s ‘Tiger State’ offer some of the best opportunities to see them.

Also, look to Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan for other great experiences.

Whales

Whether you travel to the southern hemisphere or prefer to stay in the northern half of the globe, a whale watching experience is something that is relatively easy to access. There are more than 40 species around the world so take your pick on what you want to see. Grey whales and orcas (killer whales) can be found off the west coast of Vancouver, whilst orcas can also be found in Alaska’s abundant feeding grounds.

The Blue whale is notoriously elusive however your best chances are off the Californian coastline, Mexico, the Gulf of St Lawrence in Canada, there have also been sightings in northern Scotland.

Humpback whales follow the migration route from the warm sea currents around Hawaii to the coast of Alaska, but you’ll also find them in the marine-rich waters of Newfoundland in Canada as well as on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef, which lies just off the Kimberley coastline of Western Australia.

Staying in the southern hemisphere you can also find fantastic opportunities for seeing sperm whales in Kaikoura, on New Zealand’s South Island and southern right whales passing the South Australian and Victoria coastlines as well as in the breeding grounds of Walker Bay, off the coastline of Hermanus in South Africa.

Dolphins and Dugongs

There are plenty of places around the globe where you can see dolphins and porpoises playfully enjoying their natural environment. Their preference is for warmer waters so southern California, the stunning volcanic islands of Hawaii, Florida and the Bahamas are great choices.

For those planning a trip to South America then the rare pink river dolphins, although often elusive, can be found in the Amazon River regions of Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

In Australia, Port Stephens in New South Wales is renowned for its dolphin watching experiences, whilst in Queensland Tangalooma on Moreton Island has along history with wild dolphins. Dolphin watching tours and supervised dolphin feeding sessions can be enjoyed. In Western Australia, Shark Bay and Monkey Mia are home to large number of dolphins.

Dugongs and Manatees also thrive in warmer waters and Florida is home to some of the highest numbers in the world. Their love of warm coastal waters means they can be found in a diverse range of places from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to the Philippines, and both the eastern and western coasts of Australia.

Elk, Moose and Reindeer

Often confused as all looking rather similar there are many places to spot these unusual looking creatures. Moose can be found in North America spreading through Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming as well as throughout Ontario and Newfoundland in Canada, where often as not you’ll see them grazing by the roadside.

For Elk North America is the place to be with Montana and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park real hotspots.

The Banff National Park and Saskatchewan also provide rich habitat for both Moose and Elk.

When it comes to reindeer head to the Nordic regions. Swedish Lapland, Finnish Lapland, Tromso and northern Norway are ideal places for a magical wintery reindeer experience.

To stay closer to home it’s also possible see them in the Cairngorms in Scotland.

Penguins

Whilst you can certainly embark on an adventure to Antarctica to see penguins in the wild, it’s not for the faint-hearted and there are several places where it’s a little easier to see them.

South Africa is home to Boulders Beach, a now Instagram-famous beach where penguins congregate in their hundreds.

If you’re in Australia, the nightly penguin parade on Phillip Island in Victoria offers guaranteed sightings, as a colony of little penguins return to their burrows each evening after a day at sea.

It’s equally easy to see penguins in New Zealand, the little penguins (often referred to as blue penguins here) can be spotted from Auckland in the north to Stewart Island in the far south. New Zealand is also home several endemic species including the Fiordland crested penguin, best sightings are Munro beach on the west coast of the South Island and Stewart Island.

Turtles

For almost fifty years turtles have held a protected status in Mozambique, March is generally regarded as the best time to see laying turtles, but it does depend where in the country you’re staying. Costa Rica is a fantastic place to see turtles and they can be found on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts; the country is a nature-lovers paradise and turtles are just the start of the story.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef gives shelter to six species of turtle, the green turtle is the most commonly seen but if lucky you may catch a glimpse of loggerhead turtles too.

Crocodiles, Caiman and Komodo Dragons

Crocodiles are as old as dinosaurs and one of the most fearsome predators on earth, yet there are places where you can view them in safety. Australia is a croc ‘hot spot’ and the Adelaide River in the Northern Territory is a great place for saltwater crocodile viewing. The Daintree River in Queensland is another superb spotting place with regular boats trips by local guides.

The USA is home to the ‘Gator States’ of Alabama, Florida Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas, where the toothy alligator is a regular visitor.

Caimans inhabit a range of wetland regions across Central and South America most commonly in Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia.

If you want to see dragons however you must head to Indonesia, they don’t breathe fire but the Komodo dragon, is the closest lizard to the dragon of your fairy tales. The Komodo National Park comprises 29 islands lying off the coast of Flores, just 5% of the park is open to visitors, the protection of these incredible creatures is paramount.