Seeing a wild animal in its natural environment is thrilling. If it’s an exotic or uncommon animal, it’s likely a story you will often repeat to family and friends because the experience is nothing at all like seeing an animal in a zoo. So it makes sense that many animal and adventure lovers choose their vacation destinations based on the chance of a wildlife encounter. Here are our Top 10 destination picks for wildlife encounters around the world.
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Whale Watching Around the World
This experience has become common with tour operators found around the globe. Whale-watching excursions can be found on both coasts of Canada and the US, including Alaska and Hawaii, and in Mexico, Australia and New Zealand, Iceland and Greenland, South Africa, the Azores of Portugal, and the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean – all of which offer different whale species including humpbacks, gray and blue whales, minke, and whale sharks.
St. Helena in the South Pacific is a migration pathway for several species between January and March, so this is a great place to go.
Biodiversity in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has an abundance of wildlife that’s visible with walking or kayaking tours in numerous areas of the country. A popular location is The National Park of Corcovado which features a diverse mix of wet forests, cloud forests, mangrove swamps, and beaches.
This park is lush with tropical wildlife such as sloths, ocelots, parrots and toucans, tapirs, tree frogs, boa constrictors, and various species of monkeys.
There is also the possibility of seeing a mountain lion or jaguar while hunting turtles on the beach. The best time to visit is during the dry season between January and March.
Great White Sharks in South Africa
For an extreme wildlife adventure, climb into a special steel cage and submerge into the shark-infested waters of South Africa where Great White Sharks are plentiful, and chances of an up-close encounter are greater than anywhere else in the world.
This thrill-seeking adventure has grown in popularity over the past few years, so safety measures have increased as well. May to October is the best time to cage-dive.
Although a shark sighting is not guaranteed, the success rate is very high around Cape Town and there are plenty of tour operators that specialize in this diving experience.
Safaris and The Great Migration in Africa
In recent years, African safaris have also become more popular and accessible for travelers wishing to see giraffes, lions, leopards, rhinos, and elephants.
The most intense safari to embark upon is during the Great Migration – a 1,200-mile journey of 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras, as the animals chase the rain for water. Meanwhile, predators chase the wildebeest and zebras.
The best time to witness the migration in Tanzania is between February and March. June and July, the migration hops over to Kenya’s Masai Mara with animals crossing the crocodile-infested waters of the Grumeti River.
Polar Bears in Alaska
Sadly, as sea ice disappears, the polar bear population diminishes. So, this excursion should be respected and seen as a learning experience.
Some tour operators offer tours by aircraft or by boat cruise while others are done via Tundra Rovers that can navigate the icy terrain and provide safety from the bears. Some tours also include Beluga whale sightings.
This type of vacation does not come cheap, so do your research before you commit to a trip. Churchill, Manitoba is also known for polar bears with autumn suggested as the best time for sightings.
Mountain Gorillas in the African Jungle
Spotting a wild gorilla might not rank high on our wildlife vacation list, but it’s definitely interesting. Sadly, it’s also rare.
Approximately 1000 mountain gorillas remain in the world, found in the border area between Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Guided gorilla tracking is an unforgettable experience and is best during the region’s 2 dry seasons – January and February and from June to September.
Manta Rays and Whale Sharks in the Maldives
The Maldives feature gorgeous turquoise waters that are perfect for diving and snorkeling with the opportunity to swim with massive whale sharks, reef sharks, and manta rays.
A diving excursion can take place anytime during the year, however, the areas frequented by these marine animals vary with the seasons.
January to April, during the Northeast Monsoon season, manta rays and whale sharks are most plentiful on the western side of the atolls, whereas from May to September during the Southeast Monsoon season, these creatures are typically seen near the eastern edge of the atolls.
Tigers in India
Ranthambore National Park is one of India’s last regions of wilderness. The park contains temple ruins, a 10th-century fort, and plenty of exotic wildlife, such as antelope, sambar deer, langur monkeys, and crocodiles.
But the main reason people visit Ranthambore is to spot the magnificent Royal Bengal tiger.
To increase the chances of an encounter, visit during the dry season between March and May, and be prepared to commit to more than one day of tiger tracking since Bengal tigers are elusive.
Mixed Wildlife in South Florida and The Everglades
A trip to South Florida and The Everglades provides much in the way of wildlife encounters. Tour operators offer airboat rides of The Everglades to see turtles, frogs, a variety of snakes including pythons, alligators, American crocodiles, and a wide range of birds including bald eagles, vultures, herons, and egrets. South Florida is also home to iguanas, geckos, bobcats, red foxes, opossums, and though chances are slim for a sighting, there is also the Florida panther. Wildlife continues southward into the Florida Keys, with the addition of iguanas, geckos, pelicans, various turtles, and manatees, many of which can be seen in mangroves. Some bottlenose dolphins also make their home along the mangrove-lined waterways so kayaking and paddleboarding through this region offer an unforgettable experience.
Penguins of Antarctica
Antarctica is home to an extraordinary variety of amazing wildlife, attracting visitors wishing to see 98 species of penguin including the majestic King and Emporer penguins, plus seal colonies, whales, and albatrosses.
Cruises to Antarctica operate from early November to late March. There is no best time to go within this period, however, each month has unique characteristics. November is the courting season for penguins and seabirds. In December and January, the first seal pups and penguin chicks are born on the Falkland Islands, whales are starting to appear more frequently, and the days are at their longest. By February and March, whale sightings are at their best.
Lovers of Wildlife can also consider a visit to the Australian Outback to see kangaroos, koalas, Tasmanian devils, crocodiles, and a variety of deadly snakes, or an EcoTour of Brazil to see parrots, monkeys, and jaguars. On US soil, travelers can opt for a trip to the Grand Canyon area, or Yellowstone Park’s Lamar Valley to see elk, bison, cougars and bears. Or venture to California’s Joshua Tree National Park for bighorn sheep, bobcats, coyotes, mule deer, and mountain lions. Just remember that wherever you go, these beautiful and often endangered creatures are to be respected and cherished… and shot only with a camera.