If your ideal vacation consists of meet and greets with four-legged friends or other unique wildlife, you need to find travel destinations for animal lovers. Connecting and observing animals in their natural habitats is a great way to travel and appreciate the many world wonders!
Many locations around the globe can provide you with the opportunity to experience local and regional wildlife that you may not find anywhere else. Take a look at these unique travel destinations for animal lovers and feed your wild side!
Top 10 Animal Expeditions Around the Globe
Antarctica: Visit A Penguin’s Paradise
First on our list of travel destinations for animal lovers is Antarctica! Start your adventure by enjoying the Antarctica tours that guide you around this breathtaking destination. As a home to a rich diversity of wildlife, the continent offers many unique animal sightings.
It may be challenging to navigate between different areas and spot the wildlife at the correct times during your first visit, so booking your expedition with a specialized agency will enable you to be prepared before your trip begins.
Antarctica is a paradise with an abundance of different creatures, including penguins, whales, seals, and birds. Penguins are one of the most popular wildlife residing in Antarctica, and you can witness them in their natural habitat if you visit them at the right time.
Between October to December, the continent is ice-covered, and you may notice penguins busy laying their eggs. If you plan your trip between December to late February, you will observe the penguins’ hatch. Discuss your expectations with your Polar Travel Advisor to choose the perfect time for your visit.
Greenland: Enjoy Dog Sledding
Up next on our list of top travel destinations for animal lovers is Greenland. If you live in a location where people rely on cars and buses to commute, traveling by dog sledding might be a unique and thrilling experience for you.
In the winter, dog sledding is the most traditional mode of transportation in Greenland. Whether you want to travel between locations or spend time with your new furry friends, dog sledding can be an exciting adventure.
In the early 1900s, the residents of Alaska and Siberia needed transportation to get into the wilderness, and the only way to reach their destination was by dog sled. Although dog sledding sounds like a fun excursion, it has a deeper meaning for Greenlanders.
Special breeds of dogs were raised and trained for travel, and they have now become famous as a recreational activity in some places. Not only are the dogs adorable, but they serve a big purpose in the culture of Greenland. It’s one of the perfect travel destinations for animal lovers!
Galapagos Islands: Observe the Wildlife
Another one of the top travel destinations for animal lovers is the Galapagos Islands. The wildlife residing here is famous around the world. The islands contain some of the most biodiverse, unique, and distinct creatures you will ever see.
You will find awe-inspiring creatures almost everywhere in the national park, from giant tortoises to sea lions, owls, and frigate birds. Go on a cruise or enjoy an island-hopping trip to meet a unique creature in each corner.
Choose four days or more extended cruises to witness wilder and remote islands such as Genovesa.
Plan your trip around the Galapagos National Park and speak to a travel expert to attain a travel itinerary that ensures you don’t miss any visible wildlife. Although most of the Galapagos National Park is heavily protected, visitors can go on the set trails accompanied by a guide as long as they follow the park rules.
Tanzania: Witness the “Big 5”
The ‘Big 5’ consists of the lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and buffalo and are some of the most popular species in the Animal Kingdom. This ‘Big 5’ is what makes Tanzania a must on our list of travel destinations for animal lovers. It can be challenging to see all 5, but with the right guidance, you can!
Consider consulting a tourism specialist to plan a trip that ensures you witness all five animals in their natural habitats. You can find these most desirable animals on a safari with suitable itineraries and timing.
Witnessing the ‘Big 5’ in their natural habits will allow you to educate your children about the importance of preserving wildlife and prioritizing endangered species.
Thailand: Take an Elephant Sanctuary Tour
Many elephants may be unsafe when taken away from their natural habitats. Fortunately, in Thailand, there are sanctuaries dedicated to rescuing and protecting elephants after being moved into the entertainment and tourism industry.
There are rules and regulations in place to restrict unethical elephant entertainment.
Although these elephant sanctuaries attract tourists, they are kept at a safe distance to ensure that visitors can enjoy looking at them without disrupting their peace. The wise, magnificent elephants are what make Thailand one of the top travel destinations for animal lovers.
Kenya: Experience an Animal Safari
Next up on our list of travel destinations for animal lovers is Kenya. Whether you want to witness elegant giraffes on a safari or get mesmerized by underwater creatures, there’s so much wildlife to explore in Kenya.
You can choose to camp, stay at a lodge, or opt for a luxury safari based on your past safari experience and comfort. Kenya offers a range of wildlife sightings, starting from zebras to elephants and buffalos. Pick an excursion that best suits your expectations and create a memory to remember with the unique animals.
British Columbia: Go on a Bear Viewing Adventure
The Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia is one of our top destinations for animal lovers and offers an incredible six-day bear viewing excursion, allowing you to optimize your viewing. A biologist will guide you in this remote wilderness to educate you about the bears and their habitats as you observe them.
This diverse ecosystem is home to three types of bears and various other land and marine animals. Since this is a fairly simple expedition, you don’t have to be a serious explorer to enjoy this trip. It’s one of our top travel destinations for animal lovers simply because of the cute bears!
Utah: Make Some New Furry Friends
Wondering what’s next on our list of travel destinations for animal lovers? The Best Friends Animal Society in Utah is the largest no-kill sanctuary in the nation for homeless animals.
You can schedule a visit to the sanctuary to witness the animals living in a safe environment or go the extra mile to volunteer and help the staff care for the animals to have them ready for adoption.
Although there are a few locations for this sanctuary in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta, the Utah location is perceived as the most special. The sanctuary is also home to many animals with special needs, allowing them to live a better life with the help of the staff.
Borneo: Get Up Close & Personal with Orangutans
9th on our list of destinations for animal lovers is Borneo. Borneo is divided between Indonesia, Brunei-Darussalam, and Malaysia. The three regions collaborate to manage the island’s central highland rainforests.
This conservation initiative allows you to spot beautiful animals along with orangutans. The jungles of Borneo are one of the two places worldwide where orangutans are found.
The orangutans spend most of their lives in trees as they swing on treetops of their time and build nests for sleep. You also can observe other wildlife, such as Proboscis monkeys, macaques, sun bears, clouded leopards, pygmy elephants, and a range of birdlife in Borneo.
Zambia: Observe the Wildebeest Migration
Last on our list of travel destinations for animal lovers is Zambia. The Northwestern part of the region offers a unique experience as you can witness the wildebeest migration at the remote Liuwa Plains National Park in Zambia.
The migration begins in October during the rains when herds move South and start to calve until November. When the water pools start drying up, the wildebeest start moving towards the North again.
The wildebeest migration consists of various animals, including zebras, lechwes, tsessebes, wild dogs, hyenas, cheetahs, and lions. This one-of-a-kind experience will make you feel like you’re part of the herd and follow the footsteps of all the incredible wildlife.
Get Ready to Make Some New Friends!
Many regions around the globe offer opportunities for visitors to experience unique wildlife and witness them in their natural habitats. Each expedition is special in its own way, allowing you to pick one that best suits your interests, comfort level, and travel plans.
There are so many destinations for animal lovers to choose from- elephant watching in Thailand or chasing down wild wildebeest in Zambia, for example. No matter what, all options will allow you to immerse yourself in the culture of each destination by meeting the locals. You never know what you might find along the way!
After looking at our list of travel destinations for animal lovers, be sure to take time and plan the trip. Most importantly, don’t forget to pack your camera. You may get a chance to witness wildlife that you’ve never even heard of before!
Make sure you also check out our list of necessary things to invest in when traveling the world!
