April march marks World Wildlife month, and to mark the occasion, we have put together the ultimate guide to the best places to travel for wildlife. See Bengal tigers in the wild in Satpura National Park; set out into the Belarusian wilderness in search of wolves, or spot playful bear cubs on a long weekend in Finland. Your year of top wildlife encounters starts right here with the 12 best places to travel for wildlife around the world…
January – Colourful Marine iguanas and giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands is the first of the best places to travel for wildlife
Discover the wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands, take a cruise across through the archipelago’s western, central and eastern islands. Look out for playful sea lions, visit the tortoise breeding centre and witness the incredible marine iguanas turning bright green, red and black as they prepare to nest. The only thing missing is David Attenborough’s narration!
February – Bengal Tigers in India
Search for the majestic Bengal tiger in four different national parks on an Indian Wildlife Adventure. As well as looking for the illusive tigers in Satpura National Park you can venture out by canoe, four-wheel drive and on foot in search of sloth bears, leopards and crocodiles. Chital deer, Sambar deer and Neelgai are often spotted in Kanha Tiger Reserve whereas Pench National Park is the delightful inspiration for Kipling’s Jungle Book. We also visit Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve which takes us off the beaten path to a rarely visited park. This is a perfect trip for anyone wanting to see Indian Wildlife.
March – Leopards in Sri Lanka
Buddha’s Island is a great place to take a tour of the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ covering Sri Lanka’s many highlights at a relaxed pace. Visit Wilpattu National park, located in Sri Lanka’s dry zone; renowned for spotting leopard, elephant and samba deer. This park is much less crowded than Yala National park and offers a much more responsible and enjoyable viewing experience. You can also plan a trip that features visits to cave temples, the famous Adam’s Peak, Lion’s Rock and Unawatuna’s beautiful beaches.
April – Wolves in Belarus
With the new procedure now firmly in place you can visit Belarus for fewer than 5 days completely visa free!* and we think this is the perfect amount of time to take part in a Explore’s Wolf Watching trip. Adventure into the wild by both vehicle and on foot to witness wolves, bison, beavers, elk and eagle in their natural habitat. Book a trip that gives you a true wilderness experience as you also get to spend 2 nights in a simple eco station perched in a remote forest location where you will learn the secrets of the Belarusian wildlife from a local guide.
May – Orangutans, Proboscis Monkeys and Pygmy Elephants in Borneo
Enter the jungle and explore some of the oldest rainforest in the world on a Kalimantan Adventure. Look for a trip that takes you to the vast jungles of Tanjung Puting – a haven for Orang-utans, proboscis monkeys and an array of birdlife. As an extra Explore twist, as well as bamboo rafting, take a speedboat through the mangroves and swimming in waterfalls, you can also visit a lake full of stingless jellyfish where – if you are brave enough – you can even swim!
Best places to travel for wildlife in June – Bear cubs in Finland
Catch a glimpse of curious baby bears and potentially even a wolverine with on weekend trip to Finland. June is a great time to visit as the cubs have started to come out and explore their surroundings. The month of June also brings more daylight to give you the best possible chance of viewing wildlife and also means the landscape will be abundant with lush vegetation and blossoming plants. Travelling deep into the forest to specially prepared observation hides, we aim to observe this amazing animal in its natural habitat during an exciting short break.
July – Komodo Dragons in Indonesia
Experience the best of Indonesia by taking a trip through the islands of Flores, Komodo, Bali and Lombok on an adventure of a lifetime. Board a boat for three days on the waters off the Komodo archipelago to search for the famous Komodo dragon, the world’s largest species of lizard, brought to a global audience by Sir David Attenborough. End with time to relax on the golden sand beaches of Lombok.
August – Sloths, turtles and the colourful Quetzal in Costa Rica
Journey through the rainforests of Costa Rica in search of the countries unique wildlife on a Costa Rica Canopy and Coast trip. Search for sloths, toucans and hummingbirds as well as one of the world’s most beautiful birds – the Quetzal. Cruise the jungle waterways, experience the remarkable cloud forest reserve and – between June and September – witness over 5000 green, leatherback and loggerhead turtles come ashore to nest on Tortuguero’s beaches!
September – Puffins and Whales in Canada
Wander to the edge of the wilderness and explore Newfoundland – an island celebrated for its panoramic coastal scenery, glistening icebergs and prolific birdlife. Book a walking trip that takes you along the East Coast Trail on foot – known as ‘The Rock’ by the locals.
Hop in a zodiac and glide across the waves in search of icebergs and whales and lace up your walking boots before hiking on the Klondike Trail where you can capture a shot of the picture perfect Puffins. Pack your bag and head to Canada’s best kept secret.
October – Lemurs in Madagascar
Witness Lemurs leaping through the trees on a cycling adventure tour through Madagascar. Explore highland plains, verdant rainforest and tea plantations as well as discovering reptiles, colourful birds and a mix of incredible plant life. After visiting the Malagasy capital of ‘Tana’ we venture to the edge of the country and enjoy the enticing waters of the Indian Ocean. Cycling is a great way to travel Madagascar as you can venture down quiet roads as well as explore on foot to bring you closer to the sights, sounds and smells of this unique country.
November – Gorillas and chimps in Uganda
Make like Dian Fossey but instead of heading to Rwanada explore the nearby Ugandan Rainforest with a population of over 1000 chimps and 13 varieties of other primates including Red-Tailed monkey, Colobus monkey and many others. Spend two days in Kibale Forest – the best place in Africa to spot chimpanzees and take a day walk in the majestic Rwenzori Mountains – also known as ‘Mountains of the Moon’ – and visit local villages around the area.
You also have the chance to join a cruise in the Kazinga channel, a real highlight and a chance to observe hippo, crocodile, buffalo and herds of elephants at close range. Find a tour that has the option to travel deep into the rainforest near Bwindi, where you can experience the ultimate wildlife encounter – get up close and personal with the endangered mountain gorilla in its natural habitat. Lastly, take a swim or a boat ride in Lake Bunyonyi, surrounded by verdant rolling hills and a walking safari around Lake Mburo.
December – Penguins and seals
Explore the incredible Southern Ocean, learning about the fascinating history and wildlife of the Falklands before heading east. Visit South Georgia; characterised by snow-capped mountain landscapes, deep fjords, tousled tussock grasses and wild beaches. Here lives the most important colony of king penguins, fur seals and elephant seals in the world and it is estimated that over 10 million sea birds visit South Georgia each year. Continue south and on to Antarctica via the British research station of Port Lockroy and the sunken caldera of Deception Island before stepping foot on the Great White Continent. Enjoy time observing rookeries of Chinstrap, Gentoo and Adelie penguins as well as the breathtaking scenery of this vast wilderness.
Mountains, trails, paddleboards – if it’s outdoors, I’m probably obsessed with it! As an Outdoor Adventure and Travel Editor, I’m always seeking my next escapade. Through my blog, I share adventure stories, mountain-tested advice, healthy food inspiration, and training tips.
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