Wildlife Holidays and Animal Encounters
For many travellers, seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Whether it’s orangutans in the rainforest, elephants on safari, or lions on the African plains, wildlife holidays create memories that stay with you forever.
Below are some outstanding wildlife experiences that offer very different but equally unforgettable experiences.
I've also included some animal encounters where it's not a true wild experience, for example, at the Giant Panda Research base in Chengdu, and the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Borneo. Both of these provide unforgettable experiences for tourists, and the money raised goes towards research and rehabilitation, but they are not wild.

Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

This was taken at the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah

Highlights

Orangutans
River cruises where you may spot proboscis macaques, pygmy elephants, hornbills, crocodiles, and many other birds

Pros

Near-guaranteed sightings of rescued orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
Can combine with beaches and city (Kuala Lumpur).
More wildlife viewing along the Kinabatangan River such as pygmy elephants and monkeys.
The beach stays are fabulous in their own right, such as Gaya Island.

Cons

The easiest place to see orangutans is in a sanctuary, so it's not a truly wild experience.

Best time to visit

March to October, but as it's a tropical destination you can get showers at any time of year.

Most popular itinerary

Popular is Kota Kinabalu Beach + Sabah (for the orangutans) + Gaya Island, or depending on budget you could also include Langkawi, e.g. Gaya island + Sabah (for the orangutans) + Langkawi.

Tips

Go for a second visit to the Orangutan sanctuary in the afternoon, when it is much quieter.

Something special

The Datai in Langkawi is one of the world's great hotels, and sits above a pristine beach.

Tailor Made Trips

Yes, please call or email me at tom@onyourtravels.co.uk and I will be delighted to put together a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.

Organised Group Tours

This suggested tour includes the main animal highlights, such as the orangutan sanctuary, sun bears, and a river cruise, and also includes 4 days at the end by the beach in a really nice hotel.

Link: https://www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/destinations/asia/borneo/

Save £150 per person off this tour - normally on top of all other discounts. Please call or email me and quote code WILD150.

Masai Mara, Kenya

This is Amboseli with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.

Highlights

The Big 5, lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos, plus wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, impala, giraffe, cheetah, hyena, jackal, and much more.

Pros

Reliable sightings of big game in the wild
One of the more affordable African safari destinations, so great if you're first time.
As well as the Masai Mara, you can visit other national parks such as Amboseli with different landscapes and animals.
Easy to add a stay along the Kenya Coast, where there are some excellent beaches.

Cons

Can be crowded, especially around migration time from July to September
Some lodges and hotels can get booked up many months in advance (for example Giraffe Manor)

Best time to visit

The wildebeest migration occurs from July to September, and if you're lucky, you might see a river crossing. January and February are also good times to go as the weather is good, but it's less busy than in the summer. The months to avoid are April and May, and November when it's rainy season. At this time, not only is it wet, but animals are harder to spot in the longer grasses and are more dispersed.

Most popular itinerary

A popular 5-night itinerary combines Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, and the Masai Mara, followed by your chosen beach hotel.

Tips

Add a night in Nairobi and visit the Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.

Something special

Giraffe Manor is famous for the giraffes that pop their heads through the window when you're having breakfast!

Eastern Cape, South Africa

Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape

Highlights

Elephant, giraffe, hippo, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, lion, hyena, white rhino, and more.

Pros

Combines easily with a few days in Cape Town and driving along the Garden Route for a very varied holiday
Malaria free region

Cons

South Africa has limited choices if you'd like a 'beach' resort after your tour and safari.
Crime can be a concern for many, although most happens in specific areas away from the main tourist spots. Nevertheless, you still need to be vigilant, and avoid walking alone at night.

Best time to visit

Cape Town and the Eastern Cape is an all year round destination, but the warmer months are November to April, while the whale watching season is July to November. Wildlife is a little easier to spot in the drier months of June to September, when the animals are more prone to congregate around waterholes.

Most popular itinerary

Start in Cape Town, then drive along the Garden Route (usually allow around a week) and then finish with a few days in a game reserve.

Tips

You can see penguins at Boulders Beach near Cape Town, where there are designated boardwalks for visitors.

Etosha National Park, Namibia

These two lionesses eventually lay down just a few feet from our car window. I should probably have put it up sooner than I did.

These two were just a few metres from my car

Highlights

Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, springbok, oryx, wildebeest, warthog.

Pros

Much less crowded than other destinations in Africa
Some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa, with animals congregated around waterholes, especially in the dry season
There are other fantastic places to visit in Namibia - such as the Kalahari and Deadvlei
It's easy to hire a car and do a self-drive safari.

Cons

Some lodges are booked up months in advance
No real 'beach' region for a relaxing stay afterwards

Best time to visit

The dry season is May to October, with September and October being the ideal months, as by then the animals are easier to spot.

Most popular itinerary

There's an excellent 12-night round trip that includes 3 nights on safari in Etosha National Park, on a self-drive basis, but this can be tailored to your interests and budget.

Kangaroo island, Australia

Our trip to Kangaroo Island, just after England had been thrashed in the Test Match

Highlights

Kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, sea lions, fur seals, little penguins

Pros

Most of the animals listed are relatively easy to spot
Combine with a stay in Adelaide and a longer Australian journey

Cons

Limited accommodation choices, so early booking is recommended.
Guided tours are expensive - the best way to visit Kangaroo Island is by car.

Best time to visit

December to February is the hottest time of year in Australia, but for tropical Queensland the ideal time to visit is the dry season from May to October.

Knight Inlet Lodge, Great Bear Rainforest, Canada

Highlights

Grizzly Bears are the outstanding attraction, but whale watching is also available, and you may even see sea lions and dolphins.

Pros

One of the few places in the world to easily see grizzly bears in their natural habitat
Often up to 50 bears within 10 km of the lodge in the autumn, when the salmon are returning to the river
Wild and remote area with spectacular scenery and snow-capped mountains

Cons

Getting here involves some effort - drive up to Campbell River and then take a float plane the next day to the lodge
Not a budget experience

Best time to visit

Late August to mid-October is when most bears are present, and is the ideal time to visit.

Most popular itinerary

A trip to Knight Inlet is normally combined with a Canadian Rockies fly-drive, including Banff, Jasper, Vancouver, and possibly Vancouver Island.

Ranthambore, India

Highlights

Bengal tigers are the big attraction, but you may also spot crocodiles, leopards, hyena, wild dogs, and sambar and spotted deer.

Pros

The park is actually very scenic with lakes, old ruins and a10th-century fort.
Easily included as part of a longer Northern India itinerary, as it lies between Agra and Jaipur.

Cons

Seeing a tiger can be very hit and miss - I was unlucky and despite a few game drives, didn't get to see a tiger. Over the years, the population has gone up and down. There's a decent number now, but they have large territories. My tip is to go without expectation, and enjoy the experience of the park as a whole, with a tiger sighting as a bonus.

Best time to visit

March is the best month to balance potential tiger sightings with the weather in other parts of India.

Antarctica

Highlights

Penguins, seals, humpback, orca and minke whales

Pros

A wild, pristine continent with iconic wildlife, trips feel more like expeditions than they do cruises.
The scenery, and the immense icebergs, are unforgettable
Excursions, food and drinks are usually all included in the up-front cost, while there are often fascinating talks on board

Cons

The weather can change very quickly, and the itinerary can change at short notice

Best time to visit

October to March

Most popular itinerary

Starting at the very south of Argentina, cruises can visit the Falkland Islands and South Georgia en-route to Antarctica.

Costa Rica

The toucans were very easy to spot - most lodges put feeding tables out in the gardens, and this attracts toucans - they will often be seen in the trees nearby.

One of the toucans we saw at Selva Verde, in fact they were quite easy to spot as some lodges put feeding tables out

Highlights

Sloths, scarlet macaws, capuchin monkeys, toucans, hummingbirds, frogs, lizards, crocodiles, woodpeckers, and many other bird species

Pros

Amazing variety of wildlife, including many exotic birds
Good beach options at the end of your trip (and even these offer wildlife-viewing opportunities!)
Choice of organised group tours or self-drive tailor-made itineraries

Cons

Many lodges and hotels get booked up months in advance

Best time to visit

December to April

Most popular itinerary

A typical itinerary would be San Jose to start (fly in), then on to Tortuguero National Park (boat trips along the waterways), Selva Verde (rainforest reserve), Arenal (volcano), Monteverde Cloud Forest, Tarcoles (crocodiles), and finish at Manuel Antonio (beach)

Amazon Rainforest, Peru

Alpacas enjoying the view of Machu Picchu

Highlights

Macaws, black caimans, giant otters and monkeys

Pros

A great add on to a tour of Peru, and a real feeling you're in the Amazon

Cons

The howler monkeys can certainly be heard, but can be difficult to spot

Best time to visit

May to October when it's the dry season.

Most popular itinerary

The Amazon is a popular extension to a tour of Peru - we often add it on for clients doing either an organised group tour or a tailor made trip.

Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Highlights

Elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, monkeys, and leopard, which is what the park is famous for.

Pros

Combines well with other parts of Sri Lanka to make a very varied trip in a short space of time.
There are a couple of other excellent parks, such as Udawalawe and Minneriya, both known for their elephant populations.
Accommodation is of a very good standard here
Holidays are excellent value for money, especially organised group tours

Cons

Leopard sightings are not guaranteed, although you will definitely see other wildlife
Can be crowded at times.

Best time to visit

January to April tends to be drier, however for May to September, it might be worth finishing on the East Coast where the weather might be more favourable.

Most popular itinerary

Yala National Park is often added on to the end of a tour of Sri Lanka - so you see the cultural sights, tea plantations and amazing wildlife all in one trip, and then there's time for the beach.

Botswana

Highlights

There is now a thriving elephant population, and you'll also hopefully see lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and much more.

Pros

Africa's premier safari destination
Teeming with wildlife, especially elephants
Can enjoy wildlife watching from a mokoro in the Okavango Delta
Less crowded than other African safari parks
Can combine with Victoria Falls.

Cons

Comes at a much higher cost than other safari destinations.

Best time to visit

May to October, when it's the dry season.

Most popular itinerary

A typical Botswana itinerary might include visits to Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, and often Victoria Falls.

Galapagos Islands

Highlights

Sea lions, marine turtles, reef sharks, boobies, albatross, iguanas, flamingos, turtles, dolphins, tortoises, and much more

Pros

Once in a lifetime wildlife holiday
Excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities
Choice of land or cruise, although cruises are much more popular

Cons

Can be an expensive trip

Best time to visit

No best time, although August and September can be cooler with choppier waters.

Most popular itinerary

Typically 7 night cruises on yachts, some with a maximum of 14 people, others up to 100, and some trips will include time in Ecuador.

Madagascar

Highlights

Lemurs, chameleons, sifakas

Pros

Unique wildlife, especially lemurs
Relax afterwards on the beach

Cons

Getting around isn't always easy, so good planning is essential

Best time to visit

June to October is the dry season, with September to October being ideal for lemurs.

Most popular itinerary

A typical trip might go as follows: Antananarivo > Andasibe-Mantadia National Park (the no.1 'must-see' protected rainforest site) > Ifaty (more arid part of Madagascar) > Isalo National Park (lemurs) > Ambalavao (chameleons, geckos and skinks) > Ranomafana National Park (lemurs)

Chengdu, China

Photo from my own trip to Chengdu

Highlights

Giant Pandas

Pros

Combines well as part of a longer tour of China
Guaranteed to see them at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Cons

The giant pandas are not wild - this is a research and breeding sanctuary

Best time to visit

Spring or Autumn, when it's not too hot or too cold.

Most popular itinerary

Beijing (for the Great Wall) > Xian (for the Terracotta Warriors) > Chengdu (for giant pandas) > Yangtze River Cruise > Guilin > Yangshou (dramatic scenery) > Shanghai

Jigokudani Monkey Park, Japan

Photo from my trip to Japan - one of these monkeys actually got out and climbed all over me!

Highlights

Japanese macaques - "snow monkeys"

Pros

An extraordinary experience - you can walk right up to the hot pool that many of them hang out in
It's very entertaining to see some of them totally chilled and relaxed, while others are grooming each other or splashing around having fun

Cons

Not all organised group tours visit here, and it takes a bit of effort to get to if you are travelling independently, but it is do-able

Best time to visit

The cold winter months are best because the hot pools are so much more appealing then - so December to March is ideal.