Those who are used to seeing animals in their caged habitat can really have a different kind of experience while travelling to destinations with unique wildlife.
Below is listed some of the world’s unique destinations where you can spot your favourite animals in their natural habitat:
Seychelles
Located off the East Coast of Africa, Seychelles Islands are home to an abundance of wildlife and endemic species. While exploring this beautiful island, keep an eye out for the giant Aldabra tortoises and the rare black parrot! Avid divers can expect to see whale sharks and endangered sea turtles.
A lot of these animals require special protection, and the Seychelles government has responded by creating one of the largest protected areas in the world!
Kenya
Home to the world-famous Masai Mara National Park, Kenya is an incredible safari destination in Africa for animal lovers.
One of the best wildlife experiences in Kenya includes Lake Nakuru. The place is home to thousands of flamingos that flock to the lake to cool off from the summer heat in January and February.
Travel to Kenya’s beautiful coastline and spend an entire day snorkelling and diving at Watamu Marine Park. Keep an eye out for endangered sea turtles, whale sharks, and spinner dolphins!
Sri Lanka
While looking for a pristine wildlife destination in South Asia, one cannot fail to see Sri Lanka. It has a wide variety of animals including big game and marine life.
It is the site of the world’s first reserve Mihintale which was created in the third century BC! The country fairly boasts over 100 areas of protected land for its wildlife. Go for an elephant and leopard safari if you want to explore the virgin beauty of the woodlands.
Indonesia
Indonesia is an incredible destination for exploring wildlife on budget. One of the best scuba diving spots in Indonesia is Raja Ampat.
This picture-perfect archipelago houses more than 1,300 species of coral reef fish, five species of endangered sea turtles, 600 species of hard coral, 13 marine mammal species, and 700 species of mollusk.
Uganda
Uganda is one of the only countries in the world where one can spot mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
There are only 880 left in the world, and most of them live in the mountain range between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
New Zealand
One of the most fascinating things to watch in New Zealand is certainly the kiwi bird. Their pace and rapidity are prehistoric with a spiky hair-like look. One can also spot the fantail, kereru,
The fantail is the most interactive. We’re part of its food chain, so it flies nearby, hoping your footsteps unearth a meal. If you’re lucky, they’ll fly right at you, and just when you think they might land on your arm or your head, they fly off in a way that will have you wondering if they might have recently had a drink. They’re charming, and I’ve loved hearing their gossip throughout the day.
The kererū, or wood pigeon, is the funniest. It’s a large bird that always chooses to land on a narrow branch or a bush that appears unable to sustain its weight. I’ve never seen one fall, so I guess they know what they’re doing.
Costa Rica
The tropical rainforests in Costa Rica are home to 5% of the world’s wildlife. Some of the country’s best national parks are Parque Nacional Tortuguero (home to the elusive jaguar and nesting sea turtles) and Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio.
Keep an eye out for Central American squirrel monkeys, black-handed spider monkeys, mantled howlers, white-faced capuchins, ocelots, and cuddly little sloths!
Namibia And Botswana
If you’ve never been to Africa, it’s almost impossible to describe the safari experience where lions mate, rhinos fight, and leopards attack right in front of your safari truck. What I love about Africa is that locals feel the animals have as much of a right to the land as people do.
Highlights of Africa, for me, were Etosha National Park in Namibia and Chobe National Park in bordering Botswana. Etosha left me surprised and awed by its nighttime viewing areas. Floodlights are set up around a watering hole so you can sit quietly and watch elephants, giraffes, hyenas, and more come out at night for a drink. I wondered how many would survive the night when the lions came out.
I found my jaw-dropping as we drove along vast empty plains in Namibia and Botswana and then found a herd of elephants underneath a giant tree by the side of the road. Another day, we stopped to watch a giraffe grazing nearby. He was so close I thought he might put his head through my window.
While everyone wants to see “The Big 5” (lions, cape buffalo, leopards, rhinoceros, and elephants), there is other wildlife that will delight you. My first animal in Africa was the Oryx. To my eye, it looked like someone had painted its tribal markings and I couldn’t help but stare. The dassie, a bit like a giant gerbil, is adorable, and, surprisingly, related to the elephant. Cheetahs are beautiful, though you’re less likely to catch them outside of reserves these days.
Finally, if you’re a bird fan, you’ll get your fix in here. I had no interest in birds before I went. Then the lilac-breasted roller changed my opinion with its spectacular range of colors.
One of my next trips will be to Uganda to make up for my pandemic-canceled gorilla trek. I can only imagine how spectacular it is to see them and chimpanzees up close.
Australia Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island in Australia is one of the best places to see wildlife in the world. The pristine landscape is home to large populations of sea lions, kangaroos, koalas, and pelicans.
The massive island is also divided up into 24 protected areas, 19 national parks, and 5 Wilderness Protection Areas to ensure the wildlife here will be around for future generations.
While it is possible to visit Kangaroo Island as a day trip, I’d recommend staying over. There’s so much to see and do so you’ll want to take your time visiting all the highlights and seeing as much of the wildlife as possible.
Canada
Churchill, Canada is the polar bear capital of the world. Thousands of people travel to the Great White North each year to see these beautiful (and endangered) creatures in their natural habitat.
If you’re eager to catch a glimpse of the bears, plan your trip to Canada between October and November. It’s when the bears start to migrate to Hudson Bay and wait for the ice to freeze over – signaling the start of seal hunting season.
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Tags: animal lovers, Indonesia, Kenya, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Uganda
