Wild Thing - Encounter wildlife in its natural habitat
Written by Ellie Jones
Last updated 16/10/2025
3 min read
Whether you’re crossing sun-drenched plains, venturing into rainforest canopies, snorkelling among coral reefs, or gliding through tangled mangroves, no two wildlife holidays are ever the same. But with so much to discover, where on earth do you start?
Rainforest Encounters
Perhaps you’ll venture deep into the rainforest for a symphony of sounds unlike anything you’ve ever heard. Borneo, for example, rewards adventurous travellers with verdant forests teeming with life; the rainforest here is one of the earth’s most diverse ecosystems. As well as orangutans, keep an eye out for the distinctive, endangered proboscis monkey and the native pygmy elephant.
Cruise the canals and lagoons of Costa Rica’s Tortuguero National Park, where basilisks, Spectacled caimans, toucans and more bask among the mangroves. Land lovers can explore more terra firma in Manuel Antonio National Park with its kaleidoscope of colours, as Scarlet macaws, Orange-collared manakins and 400 other species of birds swoop overhead. Costa Rica is a true treat for the senses; keep an eye out to see for yourself how the Resplendent quetzals got their name – it won’t take much effort to understand how the Howler monkeys got theirs!
On Safari in Africa
If safari is your thing, South Africa is likely high on your bucket list. For the quintessential experience, join our 12-day In Search of the Big Five small-group safari through Kruger National Park where we hope for a glimpse of the iconic Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo), as well as cheetahs, zebras and over 500 species of birdlife.
Encountering wildlife in its natural habitat is a privilege we are lucky enough to experience around the world.
Alternatively, take part in 14 different game-drives through Kenya to watch elephants roam beneath the gaze of Kilimanjaro, or witness the thunderous spectacle of the Great Migration in Maasai Mara – easily one of the greatest wildlife shows on earth.
Down Under Adventures
Your ‘To Explore’ list shouldn’t stop there. Journey ‘down under’ for everything from wombats to wallabies, koalas to kangaroos, or snorkel the shallow blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef, an underwater wonderland of technicolour coral and marine creatures.
The Wilds of India & Sri Lanka
Speaking of wonderlands, India offers the rare chance to spot the elusive, regal Bengal tiger wandering what were once the Maharajah’s private hunting grounds at Ranthambore National Park, a setting as majestic as the creature itself. Elsewhere in India, other national parks offer their own unforgettable encounters, from the jungle cats of Pench National Park to Blackbuck National Park, famous for its Indian antelopes. In Gir National Park, witness the rare Asiatic lion – the only place on Earth where they still roam free.
Then there’s beautiful, vibrant Sri Lanka – the pearl of the Indian Ocean – home to elephants, leopards, bears, monkeys, exotic birds, lizards and even pods of whales and dolphins skimming the waves. The island is a dream for wildlife lovers and explorers alike, with people, landscapes, flavours and adventures as diverse as the creatures who call it home.
Encountering wildlife in its natural habitat is a privilege we are lucky enough to experience around the world. That’s why our carefully curated tours to the most unique wildlife destinations transport curious travellers to the most captivating places. Hear the rainforest birdsong and the call of primates echoing through the trees. Catch the scent of wild grasses on the wind and the cool mist of ocean spray. Watch a golden sunset illuminate the animal kingdom in all its untamed glory.
We offer a range of wildlife experiences on many of our tours worldwide.
It pays to walk on the wild side – every now and then.
First published 22/07/2025
Last updated 16/10/2025
