Animal lovers have a wide array of incredible destinations to choose from. Every single continent is filled to the brim with amazing wildlife, and listed below are seven beauties of this world where you can discover and interact with some wonderful creatures.
See the diversity of Botswana
Africa is a continent full of astonishing wildlife and there are many countries for you to choose from, from Ethiopia and Namibia to Kenya and South Africa. However, one that will stun you with its diversity is certainly Botswana. For instance, you can go to the Okavango Delta – an oasis that is a magnet for local animals like elephants, lions, wild dogs, and hippos. Moreover, you can see cheetahs and lions as well as hoofed animals as they migrate in the Kalahari Desert that surrounds it. Finally, there are also areas of salt pans and wetlands that you can visit. To start your trip, you will first need to fly to Maun from where a small plane will take you to your destination.
Let Alaska take your breath away
If you’ve decided to see all the natural beauty that the United States has to offer, you might have chosen to go through as many of its gorgeous national parks as you can. One that you should most definitely not skip is Alaska’s Kenai Fjords National Park. This gem will leave you breathless with its stunning glaciers and forests. The diversity of the wildlife will also astound you. From bald eagles in the sky to seals, sea lions, humpback whales, and orcas in the water all the way to brown and black bears on land, there is a lot to see. To get there, you want to fly to Anchorage and then get to the national park by car, bus, or train.
Photo by Danika Perkinson on Unsplash
Experience Borneo to the fullest
Have you ever thought about visiting the world’s third-largest island, Borneo? Well, if the fact that it is split between Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei is not enough to put it on your list, perhaps the amazing animals you can spot there will do the trick. While the endangered orangutans might be the island’s biggest attraction, you can see some other endangered endemic species like civets and tarsiers as well. What is more, clouded leopards, Sumatran rhinoceros, pygmy elephants, and proboscis monkeys call Borneo home too. While there, make sure you visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Danum Valley Conservation Area, and the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. When it comes to getting around, you have planes, cars, taxis, boats, and buses at your disposal. Keep in mind that flying from one place to another might be the easiest way to cover this vast island.
Spot the wildlife of Scandinavia
In case you are an avid cyclist who is always on the lookout for new cycling routes, you can cycle your way through Scandinavia and see some remarkable wildlife while there. For example, going on a cruise in the Svalbard archipelago in Norway is a great way to spot some polar bears, arctic foxes, seals, walruses, and birdlife such as puffins and purple sandpipers. Then, as you enter Sweden, you can also be treated to some sightings of the majestic elk. Other animals you might see include wolves, beavers, wolverines, and deer. Lynxes and brown bears are rare but possible to spot. Getting to Scandinavian countries and exploring them to the fullest is not difficult at all, seeing as how their infrastructure is well-developed.
Explore the duality of Sydney
Australia is full of marvelous wildlife and you can have a unique experience no matter which part of the continent you decide to visit. However, if you want to combine animal sightings with some city exploring, Sydney is the place for you. With three zoos, an aquarium, and several wildlife parks, you can catch breathtaking shows and try your hand at being a zookeeper. These establishments include everything from koalas and kangaroos to crocodiles and platypuses. Then, you can also go whale watching in Sydney by hopping on a cruise that will not only allow you to observe these giants as they migrate but also show you the city from a completely new angle. Fortunately, getting to and around the capital of NSW as well as booking accommodations is not difficult so you can see everything it has to offer without any issues.
Get up close and personal with the animals on the Galapagos Islands
If you’re looking for an opportunity to get close to the wildlife, look no further than the Galapagos Islands. You might have heard that animals here do not feel threatened by humans and that is completely true. You can lounge next to a sea lion or film sea birds while they’re doing a mating dance – they will not care at all and will completely ignore you. You can also swim with turtles, tropical fish, and reef sharks. Penguins, giant tortoises, and swimming vegetarian iguana are just some of the species unique to this archipelago of volcanic islands. Once you land in Ecuador, you should hop on a flight to Baltra Island or to San Cristobal. Then, you can decide how you will explore the rest of the islands.
Don’t forget about Antarctica
Finally, while not many people are planning a trip to Antarctica, it is something to consider. You can have some unique encounters as most of these animals are completely unfazed by humans. Antarctica is home to six seal species, almost a dozen types of whales, six varieties of penguins, and 40 other breeds of birds. You can get there by boat or plane, so pick the option that best suits you if you decide to go on this adventure.
The world is full of amazing destinations that are teeming with wildlife. Whichever of these seven you pick, you can’t go wrong.
*Top photo by Dustin Haney on Unsplash
