16 Dream Destinations for Animal Lovers
Not all destinations invite you to a scenic getaway covered in luxury; some take you to the roughest plains and the toughest corners just so you can glimpse the animal kingdom in all its glory. Here are some of the best destinations for animal lovers:
Galapagos Ecuador
This Ecuadorian archipelago is considered the foremost place in the world to wildlife watch, and for good reason: it boasts an incredible array of plants and animal species that aren’t even found in other parts of the world. Here, tourists will find the Galapagos tortoises, swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, finches, flightless cormorants, waved albatross, rice rats, hoary bats, frigate birds, whales, dolphins, sea lions, and many more. The list goes on; you’re always welcome to book a tour.
Great Barrier Reef
Combing through the world’s largest coral reef system can be tough, but if you’re paired with a great tour operator in Australia, it’ll be a breeze. The Great Barrier Reef is incredibly diverse; it houses several endangered marine animals, more than 200 birds fly or live nearby, and even saltwater crocs live near its marshes. Naturally, there’s a lot to explore, but tourists can book specific programs, including sea turtle-watching tours, dugong watches, sharks, stingrays, and chimera tours.
Serengeti, Tanzania
The Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinoceros, African buffaloes, and elephants) might traverse African land. Still, there’s no place to spot them all: in the Serengeti National Park, where tourists can camp out at night and watch wildlife the entire day. The Serengeti National Park isn’t home to these fantastic marvels of nature; you’ll find plenty of other animals, including hippos, zebras, crocodiles, topis, kongonis, impalas, and gazelles. Bird watchers will also find European and North African migratory birds here.
Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
One of the world’s most incredible natural gems, the Amazon rainforest isn’t just a bunch of trees; thousands of animals make their home, some even endemic to the area. Sloths, macaws, giant otters, harpy eagles, anacondas, capybaras, tapirs, and monkeys are just some species you’ll find. A few, like the jaguars and Amazon’s pink dolphins, seek refuge here, so a trip to the Amazon is your only chance to get a glimpse of them. Of course, spotting everything is near impossible, but an 8-day exploratory tour across its thick terrain might get you close enough.
Borneo
This gorgeous island doesn’t usually fall on tourists’ radar, making it the perfect getaway for animal-loving introverts. Borneo brings an impressive Malaysian culture along with a few incredible animal species you won’t find elsewhere. Among these are the pygmy elephants and the Borneo orangutans. Watching pygmy elephants is surprisingly easier, thanks to their growing population, but you’ll have to tackle Borneo’s thick vegetation and trees to glimpse the native orangutans.
Komodo Island
You can guess by the name, that this Indonesian island features the venomous lizards, crawling all over the land they call home. Of course, visiting here comes with a few tales of caution, but for every reptile lover and adventurist, it’s the perfect spot. A trip to Komodo Island isn’t only about these giant lizards; you’ll also find smaller species and other animals, mainly those who become chum for the 4,000 komodos. You’ll also be able to tour neighboring delights like Pink Beach and Padar Island.
Pantanal, Brazil
The Pantanal region in Brazil is considered the best spot for wildlife watching in South America because it teems with hundreds of unique species, such as the capybara, tapir, South American coati, capuchins, and black howler monkeys. It’s also an excellent spot for reptile lovers because you’ll find a giant anaconda or a python curling around at least every few steps. Although it straddles the fine line between adventure and danger, tourists visiting Pantanal can join informed tour groups to enjoy wildlife without risking anything.
Costa Rica
This Central American gem usually gets the most attention for its incredible beaches, dense cloud forests, and remarkable terrestrial wildlife, but there are many opportunities for avid bird watchers, too. Costa Rica is home to some of the most diverse bird species, most endemic to the area, and some settling down after massive migrations. You’ll find scarlet macaws, tanagers, great green macaws, toucans, resplendent quetzals, hummingbirds, manakins, coquettes, motmots, trogons, pelicans, and even the king vulture.
Uganda
The Bwindi National Park in Uganda houses half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas, which walk behind the dense trees and stay remarkably hidden. Despite this, gorillas are an endangered species, so most tour companies are happy to accompany first-time tourists and allow them to explore these majestic creatures and their habitat without risk. The Bwindi gorillas keep trekking from one place to another, so most tours are designed to silently follow, but remember to follow the tour guide and stay calm.
Okinawa, Japan
Dugongs aren’t easy to spot; although they aren’t shy to approach the surface, they quickly retreat if humans cross their paths, so meeting them is as dreamy as it sounds. The Okinawa prefecture in Japan is known for its impressive dugong population, which even more often breaches the waves. Tourists must join a diving group to witness these majestic creatures; although it might take some time, the view is always worth the wait.
Kanha National Park, India
Located in Madhya Pradesh, India, the Kanha National Park is best known for its majestic tiger species, with an estimated 500 predators prowling the area. Naturally, the park gets its fair share of attention, so you can look into many tourist-friendly trips. But the striped animals aren’t its only majestic feature; the park also features jackals and wild pigs, often merging grounds, allowing tourists to witness the trio in all its glory.
Churchill, Canada
If you love kayaking and adore animals, consider visiting Churchill, a gorgeous town in Manitoba where beluga whales come to the shore. Most tourists are graced with massive pods of belugas peeking out from the waves and gently nudging their boats, but if you stay patient, you might even be lucky enough to interact with them directly. Belugas aside, Churchill also witnesses polar bears, so you might want to perk up those survival skills and grab a tour guide.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Another great spot to witness the Big Five is Kruger National Park, which might be the best in South Africa. With a vast collection of terrestrial animals, Kruger National Park makes it on almost every nature and animal lover’s list. Here, you’ll find birds of prey and others like the vultures and storks. Of course, camping out at night and seeing the dark sky lined with thousands and thousands of twinkling stars is an added benefit.
Yellowstone National Park
You don’t have to travel too far to watch wildlife; Yellowstone National Park in the U.S. is home to an incredibly diverse array of animals, including bison, wolves, grizzlies, moose, and black bears. If you plan your visit accordingly, you might even catch bison thundering across the land during their annual migrations or watch the Wolverine battle out the fiercest predators.
Chengdu, China
Who wouldn’t want a trip to explore the adorable life of pandas? Chengdu in China has its panda research center, where tourists can visit and watch the lovable creatures from a safe distance. If you’re eager to learn about these majestic black-and-white animals, you can even join the research facility and ask about their work. You’ll get a great tour, an exciting lecture about mother nature, and even an assisted panda.
Outback Australia
Australia is a haven for animal lovers, thanks to its unique wildlife and numerous national parks. From kangaroos and koalas in their natural habitats to exotic species like the platypus and echidna, the continent offers unparalleled wildlife watching opportunities. National parks like Kakadu and Daintree are perfect spots to explore Australia’s rich biodiversity and connect with nature.
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Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.