7 Of The Best Wildlife Holiday Destinations

Beach holidays are great. Skiing can be fun. But are you looking for something different from your next trip? Planning a trip around the nature and wildlife of a place can be so rewarding and can provide you with some truly unforgettable moments. 

You might already have some ideas on your wildlife wish list or you might be starting from scratch and looking for some inspiration – and that’s OK. We want to help you plan the wildlife holiday of your dreams!  

From sea lions and giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands to spotting wild gorilla in Rwanda, there are so many life-changing experiences out there just waiting to be had. That’s why we’ve pulled together a list of seven of the best wildlife holiday destinations to inspire your next trip (when things get back to normal again!). 

So what are you waiting for, it’s time to get looking and get booking! 

1. Go Wolf Spotting in Yellowstone National Park, USA

If you decide to take a trip to America there are quite literally thousands of things you could do or see, including plenty of different types of wildlife. This makes it a great place to visit if you’re looking for a fun-packed trip full of new experiences. Amongst these experiences, you should spend some time in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. 

The park is home to America’s ‘big five’ game animals. These are bison, elk, cougar, grizzly bears and wolves. You can see plenty of bison and elk about but the real trick is spotting bears and maybe even wolves! Just make sure you have your binoculars to hand at all times. 

There may be plenty of land to cover but for the best chance of spotting wolves you should get yourself over to Lamar Valley. 

2. Hang With The Orangutans And Bears in Borneo 

Orangutans are often associated with Borneo and with good reason. The jungles are the perfect home for these beautiful creatures but the easiest place to see them is the orangutan orphanage. Located at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, you can go for a day trip to learn all about the incredible work being done to save and rehabilitate these critically endangered apes. 

And while you’re in Borneo, don’t miss the opportunity to see the sun bear – the smallest species of bear in the world. Again, you can go to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sandakan to visit the rescued bears before they are rehabilitated and released back into the wild. 

3. See the Sea Lions and Giant Tortoises on the Galapagos Islands 

The Galapagos Islands are famous across the globe for the incredible wildlife that lives there, including the sea lions, fur seals and giant tortoises. There are plenty of tour providers that will be able to arrange a trip for you no matter what animals you want to swoon over. 

You can get a speedboat out to Santa Cruz Island where you’ll see over 100 giant tortoises going about their day. You can also take the opportunity to see if you can tell the difference between the Galapagos fur seal and the Galapagos sea lion.

Hint: It’s the eyes and ears that give it away! 

4. Get Lost in the Majesty of the Mountain Gorillas in Africa 

If you want to experience something truly rare and incredible, arrange a day out spotting mountain Gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda. These gorillas are the rarest apes of all non-human primates. Sadly there are only 700 of these incredible creatures left in the world. So this really could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

These gorillas are all found in the area around Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo so you’ll need to make the trip to one of these locations to see them. The trip to spot these apes usually takes a day and is definitely worth the travel. 

You can get an idea of what’s on offer with this live feed of the stunning gorillas at the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) Centre in Tayna Nature Reserve.

5. Walk with Grizzlies in Alaska 

Now you might be thinking, what the heck are we talking about?! Surely no one actually goes walking with grizzly bears! But the Katmai National Park in Alaska is home to a group of very friendly giant coastal brown bears, who do not consider people to be a threat. Why? Because they’ve been protected by a program for over 100 years to keep them safe. Plus they already have an abundance of food nearby. So don’t worry, that don’t consider you to be a tasty lunch option.

Because of this, you can observe the bears in their natural habitat and get pretty close to them if you’re lucky. And if that isn’t enough, you’ll be flown into the park in a small aircraft that lands on the beach. All of which adds to this magical experience and unforgettable day out. 

6. Take a Tour with the Tigers in India 

Did you know there are just 2,500 Bengal tigers left in the wild? Pretty sad, we know! But the exciting news is that you can visit the Ranthambore National Park in India to try and spot these majestic cats in their protected habitat. Once there, you’ll be taken on a 4×4 safari to see if you can see them out and about. 

What’s more, while you’re there you can learn all about the major conservation project that is going on to protect this endangered species. There have been as many as 30 tiger cubs being born in the park over the last few years, proving their hard work is paying off. 

7. Take a Dip with the Manta Rays and Sharks in the Maldives 

Lastly, if you love the water and you want a marine experience like no other, get yourself over to the Maldives for a variety of incredible diving experiences. These tropical islands are home to visible coral tips and clear waters so there is plenty of sea life to see. 

The ocean currents offer world-class diving opportunities and if you book up with the right company, you can go diving or snorkelling with giant whale sharks. You can also spot the harmless reef sharks and impressive manta rays as they glide past your very eyes.