As seen with national parks, there are many ways to connect with nature beyond visiting zoos. These wildlife-focused tour itineraries will have you spending time observing, interacting with, or even feeding animals in their natural habitat.
Many of these tours focus on specific animal species such as elephants, lions, rhinos, cheetahs, hippos, gorillas, and more. Others offer much broader biodiversity experiences by incorporating several different types of flora and fauna.
Some include staying at eco-friendly accommodation, while others ask that you bring your own bed and towels! No matter what you choose to pack, remember to research any products used for outdoor activities so that no harmful chemicals go into aquatic ecosystems.
These trips can be done anytime, but most occur during the warmer seasons (spring through autumn).
Big wildebeest in Africa
If you love animals, there’s no better place to visit than Africa. There are so many different types of wildlife that it’s impossible not to be inspired by their incredible diversity.
You will see elephants and lions roaming around conservancies and national parks, hippos swimming through rivers, giraffes grazing in plains, rhinos gliding across muddy terrain, birds flocking together for feeding or mating, and more!
And speaking of flocks, if you’re into bird watching, then check out all the various migrations occurring throughout the year. You can even go on organized tours where experts tell you what you’ll likely see.
There is so much nature to experience here that you would need several weeks to soak it all in. Luckily, you don’t have to spend hours each day looking for something new to watch — some things come naturally!
Wildlife tourism has become increasingly popular as people develop an attachment to other species. When they interact with them, they feel happy and relaxed which helps your own mental health. A study found that just spending time interacting with nature helped reduce stress levels and gave individuals feeling happier.
Nature does wonders àit’s a powerful tool. Here, she takes care of us while we learn about her.
Safari in Tanzania
With its diversity of ecosystems, rich wildlife, beautiful scenery and cultural heritage, Africa is truly one vast, wonderful place. And no matter where you are traveling in the continent, there’s always an opportunity to see some incredible nature.
If your heart longs to roam free, then safaris in Africa are for you! These off-the-beaten-path excursions take you beyond the touristy areas to explore new parts of the country that most people have never seen before.
Safari experiences vary greatly depending on what type of tour you want, how much time you have, and whether you are more interested in spotting animals or exploring surrounding regions.
There are also different levels of safari tours, from budget trips to luxury camping vacations. No matter which level trip you choose, however, make sure to dress appropriately and leave enough time to do whatever you want to while on safari.
The best way to enjoy a safari vacation is by staying in top quality accommodations close to the action. You will be able to wake up early to watch wildlife come out and go back to sleep late so you can repeat the process the next day.
See all the animals in the African savannas
In the vast plains of Africa there are many different types of environments and ecosystems for wildlife to call home. These include tropical forests, dry desert, mountainous regions, and coastal areas.
Some of the most well-known wildernesses in this continent feature large numbers of nocturnal creatures such as lions or night monkeys. Others have beautiful landscapes with tall grass and water holes, making it easy to spot more shy species like gazelle or cheetah.
Whether you’re looking to see big cats, monkeys or other elusive critters, or just want some fresh air after exploring the city, these outdoor adventure tours offer plenty of opportunities to experience nature close up.
Many focus on specific habitats and natural features so that they can be seen from land or boat.
See the elephants in Thailand
In Thailand, there are many ways to see large herds of elephants. You can take wildlife tours where you will be picked up in a vehicle with plenty of snacks and drinks, and taken to view the animals either at an elephant camp or at an established animal sanctuary/zoological park.
At both types of destination, the experience is similar! The important thing to remember about any type of tour here is that the safety of the elephants is of utmost importance.
Never force your guide to work with aggressive or nervous elephants, as this could put them in danger. Also, never use food or toys as incentives to get the elephants to perform for you – this could hurt or even kill them!
If you would like to learn more about how to best spend time observing these magnificent creatures, check out our article: Tips For Observing Elephants At A Sanctuary. These tips include making sure the weather is okay, and what sort of experiences the animals need.
See the tigers in India
There are many ways to enjoy wildlife and nature travel, from spending hours watching animals in zoos to traveling with organized safari tours to witnessing wild creatures in natural habitats.
If you’re looking for something more adventurous, then visiting an animal refuge or national park is your best bet. These types of trips give you access to all sorts of animals that would not be possible otherwise. For example, at The Tiger Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, guests can go on night drives where they can see the tigers prowl around their enclosures.
At Irukandji National Park in Australia, there have been sightings of tiger sharks! While this may sound scary, it is totally safe as these sharks were rescued due to getting too close to boats or even drowning because they could not swim.
These opportunities come with some important rules, though. For instance, at The Tiger Sanctuary, no alcohol, non-transport days, and no outside food or water means you must abide by those if you want to visit.
See the rhinos in Africa
Rhinoceroses are one of the world’s most recognizable large mammals. These hefty, horned creatures can be hard to behold, however, as they mostly prefer forest environments.
Fortunately for nature lovers, there are several good wildlife viewing opportunities in both South African national parks and other protected areas. In fact, some experts recommend Zulubeeka Park, just outside Pretoria, as one of the top five safari experiences in the country!
In terms of accessibility, many tourists find it easy to take public transportation to these destinations, making this type of tourism very sustainable.
While not every person will feel comfortable interacting with wild animals, there are ways to do so without harming them or themselves. Becoming more aware of conservation issues is an excellent way to connect with our planet’s natural resources.
See the pandas in China
Pandas are one of the world’s most famous animals, and they make for quite the attraction. They are native to East Asia and Central Asia and belong to the bear family.
There are two main subspecies of panda: black and white northern lowland pandas and southern mountain pandas. Northern lowland pandas can be found in mostly temperate climates with shorter winters, while southern mountain pandas live in mountainous areas with longer winter seasons.
Not only are these bears beautiful to look at, but they are very intelligent too! By looking at you during mating season (the spring time between couples), they seem to be asking if you have seen their offspring yet.
You will see lots of behaviors that indicate how smart these bears are. For example, when a parent thinks it is not feeding its cub, other members of the pack take over by eating instead. This reminds us that even though they may not talk to us, there is so much going on under the surface for them to show who is important to them.
They also play games together like chasing each other or rolling around.
See the whales in Iceland
In March every year, thousands of humpback whales migrate to Icelandic waters for mating season. These are not small numbers! The whale population in this area typically peaks around May or June before they migrate back north towards warmer seas.
Whales can be seen from shore all throughout Iceland during their migration. You do not need to take an organized tour to see them! Simply pack some food and beverages, and you’re set!
There are even online resources available where you can track the whales as they make their way through the region.
