Best Vacations for Animal Lovers

Antarctica: Penguins, Whales, & Seals

Visiting Antarctica was a bucket list experience for me. I wanted to walk with penguins and see whales breach through icebergs – and it didn’t disappoint for a second! Since travel to Antarctica is heavily regulated to protect its delicate ecosystem, most visitors explore the continent via expedition cruises, which depart from Ushuaia, Argentina—the southernmost city in the world. Booking your trip well in advance is essential, as these cruises operate seasonally, from November to March, during the Antarctic summer. This is the best time for animal lovers to visit, as it’s when the wildlife is most active and accessible. Expect to spend several days crossing the Drake Passage before arriving at this frozen wonderland.

One of the most thrilling aspects of visiting Antarctica is the abundance of unique wildlife you’ll encounter. Penguins are the stars of the show, with several species like emperor, Adélie, and gentoo penguins calling the icy shores home. Watching colonies of penguins huddle together, care for their chicks, or waddle across the snow is an unforgettable experience. In addition to penguins, Antarctica’s waters are teeming with marine life, including seals, whales, and orcas. It’s not uncommon to spot humpback whales breaching or leopard seals lounging on ice floes during your cruise. Kayaking alongside these magnificent creatures or watching them from the deck of your ship provides incredible, close-up encounters with wildlife in its natural habitat. We even got to see a pod of killer whales hunt and kill a minke whale (and fail to catch a penguin)

Antarctica is one of the best vacations for animal lovers because of the unparalleled access to wildlife in a truly untouched environment. Unlike other destinations, the animals here show little fear of humans, offering rare, intimate moments for observation and photography. Beyond the wildlife, the sheer beauty of Antarctica’s icy landscapes—towering icebergs, vast glaciers, and endless stretches of snow—adds to the magic of the experience. I can honestly say that Antarctica completely took my breath away multiple times on our trip.

Baja California Sur, Mexico: Whales & Dolphins

Baja California Sur (México) is a real paradise for marine animal lovers: during the winter months (December to April, although it may vary a bit every year) it is possible to spot at least 3 species of whales (Blue Whale, Gray Whale and Humpback Whale), snorkel with sea lions and whale sharks, and you may even be lucky with other species, like several types of marine turtles, orcas, dolphins, mobulas… 

Not only will you easily spot these animals, but you may be able to see them really close: especially gray whales, who migrate to the calm lagoons of Baja California Sur during winter to mate and give birth, have a very uncommon behavior there, where they approach the boats and not the other way around (that is, instead of going on a boat trying to spot them – usually by their blowing – there the boats just get on the water and wait; if you are lucky, one or several gray whales will approach your boat, rub against it, spy-hop next to it and several other friendly behaviors that will allow you to see them so close). It’s probably the most ethical and unobtrusive whale-watching tour we have ever seen! 

One of the best and most practical places to watch gray whales is in Magdalena Bay, just 3 hours from La Paz and 2 hours and a half from Loreto. There, you will have the option to jump on a 5-6h day tour, or you can do like we did and hire a 3-day whale expedition, where you will go whale-watching for 3 full days, sleeping in a glamping in a remote island, surrounded by gray whales. 

Ideally, you should visit Baja California Sur during February-March, to have the most chances to observe all the different types of whales, snorkel with a whale shark and with sea lions, and enjoy the beautiful beaches and landscapes of this Mexican state. You can base yourself in La Paz, Los Cabos or Loreto and organize the tours/trips from there, or you can rent a car and organize the route on your own, hiring day or multi-day tours in each place. To maximize your chances of ethical encounters with all these marine animals, you should always choose the companies you do the tours with carefully (all these encounters are happily regulated in Mexico, but it’s better to double check as there might be companies that do not follow the regulation) and try your luck several times, spending between 1 and 2 weeks at least. We are huge animal lovers, so we spent around a month there trying our luck in almost every place where it was possible to go on boat tours to see marine wildlife, and we were lucky enough to see humpback whales 2 times, gray whales in every day we tried (6 times in total, several gray whales in all of those days), blue whales once, sea lions several times, a whale shark and also other species (dolphins, turtles…). We definitely can’t wait to go back.

Caribou Spotting in Denali National Park, Alaska, USA

Denali National Park might attract travelers to its towering peak, but its wildlife viewing is unparalleled. While the six thousand-acre park is home to a variety of fauna, most visitors explore its acreage to see the Big Five: Dall sheep, caribou, wolves, grizzly bears, and moose.

Spending multiple days in different ecosystems will provide various wildlife encounters. Visitors may spot animals on arranged tours such as the Tundra Wilderness Excursions or hiking the park’s numerous trails.

Park tours are a fantastic way to see Denali’s creatures, with many sets of eyes helping with the search. Tours begin at 4:50 am, with early times increasing the chance of sightings.

Packing a pair of binoculars will help you search for Dall sheep, who often hug the higher slopes. Also, traveling to Denali in early June before peak season and early September during mating season generally offer more wildlife opportunities.

I witnessed multiple herds of Dall sheep in the mountains and many caribou feeding on the tundra near the roadside during my stay. With binoculars, I watched a grizzly bear hunt a group of caribou. It felt as if I was witnessing a real-life National Geographic episode.

Of the Big Five, the wolf was the only species I did not observe. However, they tend to be more elusive. To see moose, travel the first 15 miles inside the park, a popular area to find them amongst dense vegetation.

Denali, being a national park, enforces its rules so that observation does not disturb the habits of wildlife or their natural habitats.

Costa Rica: Birds & More

The Central American country of Costa Rica has vibrant culture, lush landscapes, and an endless array of stunning beaches, but its early commitment to ecotourism has long made it a unique destination for wildlife travelers.

And due to its growing tourism, in recent years the government has further strengthened that commitment by implementing increased protections for wildlife and penalties for how visitors may interact with it, from touching and removing animals to photographing selfies.

If you’re longing to experience the wildlife of Costa Rica up close and ethically, you won’t have to go far to see the unique creatures that call it home. There are two kinds of sloths, four unique species of monkeys, several large cat species, and a staggering number of small mammals, insects, and birds. 

Depending on where you go, you can watch the wildly colorful Quetzal bird and Scarlet macaw flitting around the canopy. The area around La Fortuna and Arenal volcano is perfect for observing Quetzals and hundreds of other bird species. To see Scarlet macaws feeding and mating, simply head to the lower Pacific beaches along the Osa peninsula and plant yourself under an almond tree. The resulting display of feeding, flying, cooing, and nesting will have your riveted for hours.

The environment of much of Costa Rica is rain and cloud forest, and the country’s remote spots like the lower Caribbean and Pacific coasts help further shelter animal species.

Custer State Park, South Dakota: Buffalo

Early this past summer, I visited Custer State Park. I was looking for a place to see herds of buffalo, while avoiding the crowds often found in Yellowstone National Park. Located in the Black Hills in the southwest corner of South Dakota, Custer State Park was a perfect fit. In addition to wildlife viewing, hiking and scenic drives are top on the list of things to do in Custer State Park. 

The 18-mile Wildlife Loop area in the park isn’t just about seeing buffalo, though this was certainly the highlight. I also enjoyed spotting the pronghorn antelope, elk, prairie dogs, mule deer, and bald eagles. Years ago, the park released a pack of burros, that brought visitors up to Black Elk Peak in the 1920’s. I was able to easily spot the pack each day, typically somewhere near the buffalo center. Given their former domesticated status, the park does continue to provide food to the pack and allows visitors to feed carrots to them. 

The best time of day to spot the animals is around dawn or dusk. Drive carefully, as this is an open range, and the animals will wander across the road. In addition to driving the loop, I enjoyed taking hikes in the wildlife area, including the Bison and the Prairie trails. I also took a jeep safari tour, where I spotted even more animals than on my own and learned about the park’s history and wildlife management approach.  

The park prioritizes natural habitat preservation and minimizes human impact, ensuring all animal encounters are respectful and ethical. Park rangers work to educate visitors, and to enforce rules around never approaching the animals. I’d recommend bringing your zoom lens for close-up photos and binoculars for viewing.  

Galapagos Islands: Tortoises, Flamingos & More

The Galapagos Islands are one of the best destinations in the world to visit for wildlife lovers.

Everywhere you go in the Galapagos, you are surrounded by unique and abundant wildlife. Perhaps the most famous animal in the Galapagos is the Galapagos tortoise, which you can find roaming freely on Isabela and Santa Cruz Island. You can snorkel with eagle rays, green sea turtles, marine iguanas, and nurse sharks. Spending the day at the beach you will be surrounded by iguanas and sea lions. Head out to Gordon’s Rock to SCUBA dive with hammerhead sharks. Marvel at the birdlife; blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, Galapagos penguins, flamingos or the famed Galapagos finch that helped Charles Darwin theorize natural selection and evolution. The wildlife encounters that you can experience in the Galapagos are truly out of this world. Growing up watching wildlife documentaries, I had always dreamed of going to the Galapagos but it exceeded my expectations in every sense.

When visiting the Galapagos, there are two main types of trips that people take. Going on a Galapagos multi-day cruise is expensive, but you will never meet someone who says it wasn’t worth every penny they spent. The other option is to island hop between a few islands and take day tours. This is the option that I took and I wasn’t disappointed.

The Galapagos Islands are a national park, and there are strict rules around where you can go and when, with many areas only being accessible on an authorized tour. These restrictions are to reduce the impact on wildlife and ecosystems in the hope that the Galapagos islands can maintain its incredible and unique biodiversity for long into the future.  

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Planning a vacation to see gorillas in Uganda is a bucket-list experience for animal lovers. Uganda is home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, with the majority residing in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park’s dense forests and mist-covered mountains create an enchanting backdrop for gorilla trekking. When planning your trip, it’s essential to secure a permit well in advance, as only a limited number are issued daily to ensure minimal impact on the gorilla population. Permits can be obtained through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a reputable tour operator. The best time to visit for gorilla trekking is during Uganda’s dry seasons, from June to August and December to February, when the trails are less muddy and visibility is clearer.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a physically demanding yet deeply rewarding adventure. Treks can last anywhere from one to several hours, depending on the location of the gorilla families. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you’ll navigate through thick vegetation, climb steep slopes, and cross streams in search of these majestic creatures. The moment you come face-to-face with a gorilla family in their natural environment is indescribable—seeing their interactions and behaviors up close is a truly humbling experience. It’s not uncommon to witness babies playing, mothers nurturing, or the powerful silverbacks keeping a watchful eye on their troop.

What makes Uganda one of the best destinations for animal lovers is its commitment to conservation. Gorilla trekking permits directly fund the protection of these endangered primates, their habitat, and the surrounding communities. This sustainable approach to tourism ensures that your visit contributes to the long-term survival of the species. Additionally, trekking groups are small, usually limited to eight people, which minimizes disturbance to the gorillas and offers a more intimate wildlife experience. Alongside gorilla trekking, Uganda also offers opportunities to see other wildlife, such as chimpanzees, elephants, and exotic bird species, making it a diverse destination for nature enthusiasts.

Jungle Trekking in Sumatra

If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, the island of Sumatra is a must for your bucket list! Located in Indonesia, this island offers a wealth of wildlife experiences, but there’s no better destination than Gunung Leuser National Park. 

Gunung Leuser National Park covers approximately 1 million hectares and is Sumatra’s second-largest national park. It boasts one of the richest tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia, and jungle trekking is the best way to explore.

Gunung Leuser is home to various rare and endangered species, including Sumatran tigers, Sumatran elephants, Sumatran rhinos, Sunda clouded leopards, sun bears, and gibbons. This national park is one of the only places in the world where you’ll find Sumatran orangutans too! 

However, visiting Gunung Leuser is strictly prohibited without a guide. Luckily, there are plenty of independent guides to choose from so make sure you do your research! 

When exploring this national park, you can either head out on multiple day trips or explore the rainforest on a multi-day hiking trip. The latter offers you the chance to truly embrace the park’s wilderness as you’ll be sleeping in a jungle tent.

If you’re planning to visit Gunung Leuser National Park, then Bukit Lawang is the best place to stay. This village offers plenty of affordable guesthouses and there are lots of tourist amenities including small shops and local restaurants. 

For the best experience, you’ll want to spend at least 2-3 days here. This will give you a better chance of spotting local wildlife, including the orangutan!

Katmai Brooks Falls, Alaska, USA: Brown Bears

Katmai National Park and Preserve in southwest Alaska is renowned for its incredible brown bear population. Seeing brown bears here is truly an unforgettable experience. For us, securing 2 days at Brooks Camp was a dream come true. Brooks Falls uses a lottery system which helps to manage the number of visitors and protect the bears and their habitat. If you want to see brown bears, this is the place to go, as it’s a prime fishing spot for salmon. The cost of such a trip could be significant, but we felt it was worth the expense to see these magnificent creatures catch salmon.

To promote ethical observation, once your float plane arrives at Brooks, you must attend mandatory bear school 101. The rangers want to instill that visitors always maintain a safe distance from the bears. It’s important that we as visitors avoid disturbing their natural behavior. Every morning, we ventured to the viewing platform, which allowed us to get incredibly close to the bears. These bears are unique in their remarkable fishing techniques. No where else in the world is the concentration of bears so incredibly high. With ample food, these bears coexist peacefully. Their social interactions are well documented. It’s fascinating! If you are lucky enough, you may get to watch mothers with cubs. A real treat. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, this is a trip you won’t want to miss.

Kenya Safari for the Great Migration

Planning a safari to Kenya was one of the most thrilling experiences I’ve ever had. I chose Kenya because of its rich wildlife diversity and the chance to witness the Great Migration, one of the most spectacular natural events on the planet. When planning, I made sure to visit the Masai Mara, one of the country’s most famous game reserves, known for its vast open plains and abundance of wildlife. I decided to travel in August (for my birthday), but it’s also the best time to catch the Great Migration as millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River between July and September. Booking my accommodation early was key, as this is a popular time for travelers, and I wanted to secure a spot close to the action.

One of the highlights of my Kenyan safari was taking a hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara. Floating above the savannah at sunrise gave me a unique perspective of the landscape and the wildlife below. From the balloon, I could see herds of elephants, giraffes gracefully moving through the bush, and even lions resting in the shade. The peacefulness of the early morning, combined with the stunning views, made it an unforgettable experience. After the balloon ride, we landed for a champagne breakfast in the middle of the Mara, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild.

Kenya is one of the best vacation spots for animal lovers because of its unparalleled wildlife and the chance to see animals up close in their natural environment. Whether it’s watching a lioness on the hunt, observing elephants at a watering hole, or spotting cheetahs on the prowl, every day on safari brings new excitement. The sheer quantity of animals is breathtaking. Everywhere I looked Kenya’s commitment to conservation also ensures that these amazing creatures are protected for future generations. For me, the combination of the Great Migration, incredible wildlife, and the breathtaking hot air balloon ride made Kenya an unforgettable destination that I would recommend to any nature enthusiast.

Kinabatangan River Cruise, Malaysian Borneo: Monkeys

Visiting the Kinabatangan River in Borneo is a chance to journey through one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. Located in the Sabah region of Malaysian Borneo, this 350-mile river winds through ancient rainforests, offering a front-row seat to wildlife like orangutans, the quirky proboscis monkey, pygmy elephants, and an incredible array of exotic birds.

The idea of exploring this remote sanctuary, and seeing animals in their natural habitat, was what drew us here. The best way to experience the area is on a river cruise, with morning and evening trips offering chances to spot some of Borneo’s unique species.

You can also take guided jungle walks which offer a close-up view of the rainforest, where you can learn more about the ecosystem. For an even more adventurous activity, many lodges also run night walks, offering an exciting chance to spot nocturnal animals like civet cats and slow lorises.

Tips for Your Visit:

• Stay at least 3 days/2 nights for the best chance to see wildlife on both morning and evening cruises.
• Pack a head torch, insect repellent, and a rain jacket – this is a rainforest after all!
• Book tours that support the community like using local guides and replanting trees.

The Kinabatangan River is not just a place to explore but a reminder of the vital importance of preserving these last wild spaces for future generations. It offers a truly ethical way to experience wildlife. With strict regulations and responsible lodges, the animals roam free and remain undisturbed by human interaction–just as it should be.

Komodo Island: Komodo Dragons

If you take just a 50-minute domestic flight from Bali, Indonesia, you’ll land in Labuan Bajo, a city on the island of Flores, Indonesia. It is from here that you can choose to either base yourself on land, or hop on a liveaboard boat to see the Komodo Dragons, a large reptile of the monitor lizard family. 

Komodo Dragons can only be found on these islands and you have a chance to spot many of them on the islands of Komodo National Park on the island of Komodo, Rinca, Gili Montang and Gili Dasami. 

If you’re staying on land in Labuan Bajo you can easily join a group tour or hire a private boat to take you to these islands for your chance to spot these unique (and quite terrifying) creatures. If you’re staying on a liveaboard boat, be sure to check your boat’s itinerary for which islands you will have the best chance of seeing the Komodo Dragons. 

Although the dragons are the highlight of a visit to the Komodo Islands, while you’re there you can’t miss a visit to Pink Beach, a hike up Padar Island, and snorkelling or diving in the amazing waters of Komodo. 

Remember the Komodo Dragons are highly poisonous and dangerous, these are best viewed from a distance, and with the wind coming towards you. The dragons have poor sight and use their sense of smell to find their prey! Always have a guide and follow their advice. 

Kruger National Park, South Africa: The Big 5

Planning a safari to South Africa was one of the most exciting adventures I’ve ever undertaken as an animal lover. The first thing I had to decide was where to go, and Kruger National Park quickly became my top choice. It’s one of the largest and most famous game reserves in Africa, home to the “Big Five”—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos—as well as a diverse range of other wildlife. To make the most of my safari experience, I booked my trip during the dry season, between May and September, when animals gather around waterholes, making them easier to spot. I also opted for a guided tour with an experienced ranger to maximize my chances of seeing the best wildlife.

What makes Kruger National Park such a special place for animal lovers is its incredible biodiversity. Driving through the park’s vast landscapes, I saw everything from herds of elephants crossing the road to zebras grazing in the distance. Each day brought something new—a pride of lions lounging under a tree, giraffes munching on acacia leaves, or a rare sighting of a leopard stealthily moving through the bush. One of the highlights was spotting rhinos, an endangered species that the park works tirelessly to protect. Kruger’s extensive network of roads and variety of lodges and camps made it easy to explore different parts of the park, offering a range of safari experiences from self-drives to luxury guided tours.

For any animal lover, South Africa is one of the best vacation spots because of how close you can get to wildlife in its natural habitat. Beyond Kruger, I discovered that South Africa has several private reserves bordering the park, like Sabi Sands, which are known for their intimate, off-road safari experiences. These reserves offer the chance to see animals up close, often without the crowds found in larger parks. South Africa’s commitment to conservation also ensures that these incredible animals will be protected for future generations.

Lake Clark, Alaska, USA: Brown Bears

Imagine a world where one of the largest carnivores in North America is living their lives only feet away from you while you capture them fishing, taking care of their young, playing and fighting on camera. One of the most unique places to stay in Alaska, at Lake Clark National Park in Alaska, you can stay in a camp or one of the local lodges and spend your days photographing coastal Brown Bears in their natural habitat. 

A truly once in a lifetime experience, this national park is one of the few places in the world that you can get that close to a wild brown bear because they don’t see humans as competition or a threat. 

Depending on what you want to see, there are times to go and have a completely different experience. Those who want to see mother and baby bears come in June when they first emerge from hibernation with new cubs in tow and are munching on grass. For action shots, visit in September when the silver salmon is running and the bears are out filling their tummies for a long winter ahead.

Being in a protected national park, there are strict guidelines and rangers regularly patrol the area to make sure that bears are never harassed, fed nor mistreated in any way.

Mexico for Migration of the Monarch Butterflies

We stood in hushed anticipation, waiting for the morning sun to reach us. Every branch of the oyamel trees surrounding us was weighed down by thousands of monarch butterflies huddled together for warmth. 

Suddenly, the clusters of butterflies burst apart, like orange and black fireworks filling the sky. Scores of Monarchs swirled through the air, setting out in search of food and water. Butterflies landed on our bodies and in our hair. The sheer number of butterflies was overwhelming: We could actually hear the whisper of millions of fluttering wings.

Every wildlife lover should witness the unique migration of the Monarch Butterflies!  Each year, millions of these delicate creatures fly thousands of miles to overwinter in the Sierra Madres mountains of Central Mexico.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is dedicated to protecting the roosting sites of approximately 60 million monarchs.  Located 100 km northwest of Mexico City, the Biosphere Reserve is made up of four official sanctuaries, covering about 217 square miles.

We stayed in the charming town of Angangue. It’s an easy 30-minute drive in a shared taxi to both the Sierra Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary and the El Rosario Reserve.

Sierra Chincua is smaller and less developed. It’s about an hour-and-a-half hike along dirt trails from the visitor’s center to the area where the butterflies are roosting, with stunning overlooks and mountain views along the way. It’s also possible to ride in on horseback.

El Rosario is the largest and most visited Monarch sanctuary. If you have time to visit only one sanctuary, make sure it’s this one! You once again have the option of hiking to the roosting area, or riding in on horseback.

January and February are the best months for making the trek, as this is when the butterfly population is most active. We visited in the middle of February, just as the weather was warming up and the butterflies were flying about in search of a mate.

Reindeer on a Private Island in Finland

If you’re looking for an extremely unique and super secluded vacation to see some of the most beautiful and peaceful animals on earth, then look no further than Finland to see reindeer! You probably think of Santa when you hear reindeer, but they actually live in the wild in Finnish Lapland, and it’s an experience that all animal lovers need to have at some point in their lives.

We spent a month in Europe during the winter and one of the main reasons that we went was to stay on a private island in Finnish Lapland where we could see wild reindeer. In Finland, reindeer are a large part of their culture and have been for thousands of years. You can see reindeer all over the country, since the Finnish people heard them, and also at reindeer farms, Santa Claus Village and more.

But the ultimate and most ethical experience is to stay at a secluded rental home in Finnish Lapland where you have tons of land to yourselves, the area all around you is perfectly quiet and still and the reindeer roam free.

We booked three nights at a traditional off-grid cabin on a private island which is an adventure in and of itself, but there are other options in the area for similar experiences. We had to snowshoe across the lake just to get out to the island, and of course, we immediately saw the wild reindeer all along the way!

You can spend your time on the island watching the northern lights, doing a traditional finnish sauna, taking a dip into the lake through a hole in the ice, going fishing, snowmobiling and more. But we most enjoyed the peaceful nature and watching the reindeer going about their days. This is an experience for the most adventurous, but worth every minute of work!

Ria Formosa, Portugal: Bird Watching

The Ria Formosa is a stunning lagoon in Portugal that stretches for nearly 60km along the east Algarve coast. It’s a sprawling coastal lagoon that encompasses a dynamic system of barrier islands, sand dunes, marshlands, and pine forest which create a diverse habitat for a wide range of wildlife. The entire lagoon system is a protected National Park, and it’s a haven for wildlife lovers of all kinds.

The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, from native and migratory birds to reptiles and marine life within its waters. Some of the most emblematic wildlife to be found are the visiting flamingos – that make their home here between November and April. Seahorses, the Ria Formosa hosts one of the largest communities of seahorses in the world. Chameleons – the only species of chameleon found in Europe can be found within the pine forests at the Ria Formosa’s edge.

With over 60 square km to explore, visiting the Ria Formosa can be spread over multiple days or longer. It can also be tailored to match your interests and your activity levels. From simple hikes to watch flamingos in their natural habitat, to guided boat tours to navigate the waterways and watch wading birds like spoonbills.

For a more active adventure, kayaking or paddleboarding allows for a quieter journey, increasing the likelihood of wildlife encounters without disturbing the habitats. Boat tours that offer diving, or snorkelling allow you to get under the water and observe seahorses. Back on dry land, hiking and cycling trails through the pine forests at the lagoons edge give further birdwatching opportunities, and an opportunity to try and spot the elusive chameleon. Heading out of several of the Ria Formosa’s towns, are dolphin watching trips. Dolphins migrate past the Algarve and into the Mediterranean, so there’s plenty of opportunity to observe them in their natural environment. The Ria Formosa is a great destination for a wildlife vacation.

Safari in Botswana: Wild Dogs & More

Home to the world’s largest inland delta, Botswana is a haven for wildlife and a bucket-list destination for those looking to have a magical safari experience without the crowds. Around 40% of the country is protected wilderness with no fences in between, allowing animals to move freely and to thrive.

What makes Botswana different from other countries in Africa is its unique approach to tourism. The high value low density model ensures that tourism numbers never get too high but that each visitor still brings enough revenue to allow the reserves to be maintained. As a result, safaris in Botswana do come at a higher price tag compared to other locations on the continent.

I spent over 2 weeks on safari in northern Botswana and saw first-hand just how effective this model is. Most wildlife sightings we had were completely to ourselves (including fantastic sightings of lions and wild dogs) and the busy sightings still only consisted of four or five vehicles maximum. The low number of vehicles meant that animals were extremely relaxed and there’s less wear and tear on the ecosystem.

The best way to enjoy Botswana is on a multi-day safari itinerary which visits a number of the country’s flagship reserves and concessions. Many of Botswana’s reserves sit side by side, including my favourites, Moremi, Khwai and Chobe, making a 7-day or 10-day safari to several parks extremely convenient as the driving times are low.

I went on a luxury mobile camping safari, staying in spacious tents with beds and an en suite, right within the reserves. There’s nothing like hearing a lion roaring from your tent at night!

You can expect to see lions, leopards, wild dogs, buffalos, elephants and so much more on a safari in northern Botswana. Over 25% of the African elephant population reside in Botswana, making it one of the best places in the world to see them.

My favourite experiences included seeing a leopard feeding in a tree in Khwai Concession, and finding a pack of wild dogs in the Savuti region of Chobe National Park, including eight tiny puppies.

Seeing Bison & More in Yellowstone National Park, USA

When you visit Yellowstone National Park, seeing all of the wildlife there is a highlight of any trip. Thanks to the park’s decades-long conservation efforts, visitors can see massive herds of bison in Lamar and Hayden Valleys, and pronghorn, elk, and bighorn sheep throughout the park. It’s also home to both grizzly and black bears. If you’re very lucky, you might get a glimpse of the famed Yellowstone wolves, who were reintroduced to the park in 1995 after being pushed off the land for 70 years. Since it’s a national park, the animals are never caged or prodded, and the park works tirelessly to allow these animals the freedom to roam within the park’s 2.2 million acres (and beyond). When you do see one of these animals on your Yellowstone family vacation, be sure to give them plenty of space, take photos from a safe distance, and respect their wildness.

For the best chance of seeing Yellowstone’s wildlife, get up early. This is when most of the animals are most active, and when you’ll have the best chance of seeing the bison herd move across the valleys, the elk and pronghorn grazing, and the trumpeter swans paddling around the many streams. Within the park’s many accommodation options, Canyon Village is best situated for visitors looking for wildlife, as it is an easy drive to both Lamar and Hayden Valleys, which are considered some of the most active areas in the park. Canyon Village has multiple restaurants, an ice cream shop, a general store, and a visitors center, too, making it an excellent base while visiting Yellowstone. 

Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania: Wild Dogs

I’ve always dreamed of seeing African wild dogs in their natural habitat. When planning my trip to Tanzania, I knew Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park) was the place to go. This park in Southern Tanzania, the largest in Africa, is home to one of the largest populations of these creatures.

I had already spent 6 days in Northern Tanzania on a safari, and I booked to go to this park, with a reputable tour operator who specialized in two things I wanted to see – birds and African Wild Dogs. The drive into the reserve was an adventure in itself, with a remote feeling, as compared to the other places I visited in Tanzania. After hours of searching, we finally spotted a pack of wild dogs. It was a breathtaking moment to witness these magnificent animals in the wild.

To increase your chances of seeing wild dogs in Selous Game Reserve, consider the following tips:

• Book a reputable tour operator who is familiar with this area and finding wild dogs
• Be patient, as wild dogs are elusive and may require extensive searching.
• Maintain a safe distance and avoid disturbing their natural behavior.
• Choose ethical tourism operators that prioritize animal welfare and conservation.

We avoided disturbing the dogs’ natural behavior and ensured our presence did not harm their habitat. By supporting ethical tourism, we can help protect these endangered animals and their environment. I was able to check one more thing off my bucket list.

Snorkeling in the Maldives: Sharks & Manta Rays

One of the best places to snorkel with manta rays and sharks is in the Maldives.  This was a bucket list trip for us to the Maldives so we decided to book this memorable activity on two different days.  The crystal clear water made viewing and photographing the marine life easy.  The warm tropical water made it pleasant for me to acclimate and spend hours in the water without freezing like I do in other destinations.

The Maldives is a different location to get to.  Travelers first fly into Velana International Airport, near the capital, Malé.  From there, the options are a seaplane, speedboat, or ferry to the small island that you will be staying on.  The options vary in price and speed, so depending on how much time you have in your itinerary, you will have to pay more for a quicker transfer.

Snorkeling with the manta rays is an unforgettable experience.  They seem to glide effortlessly through the water while they are feeding on the plankton that is floating around.  They are often in large groups and can sometimes come quite close to swimmers if they are curious. 

Our snorkel excursion also included swimming with sharks.  The nurse sharks were huge, but we were told they were harmless.  The tour guides knew the right locations to anchor the boat so that the groups of enormous nurse sharks were close by

Often, the private resorts in the Maldives offer included activities, but on the local islands, you will have to book these excursions on your own.  You really can’t book it ahead of time though your accommodation will have some recommendations and will help you book a snorkel trip when you arrive. When choosing a tour operator, look closely at the activity description.  Look for a tour that provides equipment if you didn’t bring your own. Don’t assume they will all provide snorkels and masks unless it is stated in the description. Some tours offer extra stops like a sandbank where you can have a picnic lunch in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Our tour even offered a customized videographer who recorded snippets of us swimming with the rays and sharks.