5 Best Wildlife Viewing Experiences Around The World
Quick answer: The 5 best wildlife viewing experiences around the world are tiger safaris in India, leopard spotting in Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park, the Galapagos Islands, a Big Five safari in Africa and whale watching in places like Canada, Alaska and Iceland.
No experience comes close to watching wild animals in their natural setting. Seeing them interact, play and feed in the wild is the perfect escape from our busy lives and a way to get back to nature.
Wildlife viewing today is not just about the animals: many safari destinations around the world also offer quality luxury accommodation and facilities. The big dilemma is choosing the right destination, as the options are endless. So I did some research to find the 5 best wildlife viewing experiences you can have around the world.
1. Tiger Safaris in India
Everybody dreams of watching tigers in the jungle, and there are still a good number of places around the world where you can spot this fierce cat.
India, the 7th largest country in the world, is one of the best places to spot wild tigers, with 39 tiger reserves. According to 2014 statistics, India had 2,226 tigers, while Bangladesh and Nepal had 440 and 250 respectively.
Where to See Tigers
- The Great Sundarbans – the largest mangrove forest on earth, spanning Bangladesh and India.
- Pench Tiger Reserve – on the Madhya Pradesh/Maharashtra border.
- Bandhavgarh and Satpura Tiger Reserves – in Madhya Pradesh.
- Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve – in Maharashtra.
2. Leopard Viewing in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park has the largest concentration of leopards, and watching them there is one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka. If you want to see this powerful predator, there is no better place.
Sri Lanka has around 25 other national parks and nature reserves. Besides Yala, great wildlife safari destinations include:
- Wilpattu National Park
- Horton Plains National Park
- Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve
- Wasgomuwa National Park
- Uda Walawe National Park
3. The Galapagos Islands
If you want to see some of the rarest and most diverse creatures on earth, the Galapagos Islands are one of the finest places to go. This archipelago inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, and it is home to animals and birds found nowhere else, making it one of the world’s foremost wildlife-viewing destinations.
The most fascinating thing about Galapagos wildlife is that the animals are unafraid of humans, so you can observe them remarkably closely. Park rules ask visitors not to touch or feed the animals.
4. A Big Five Safari in Africa
When we talk about wildlife safaris, we mostly mean an African Wildlife Safari. Most African countries offer diverse wildlife experiences, and a Big Five safari (buffalo, leopard, lion, elephant and black rhino) is one of the best options.
Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa are some of the best places to see the Big Five. Witnessing the Great Migration in Kenya is another popular experience alongside a Big Five safari.
5. Whale Watching
Seeing a gigantic blue whale at the ocean’s surface is always a unique experience. Whale watching is more popular than ever, with boat trips to areas frequented by whales.
Sri Lanka is a popular destination with great places to spot whales and dolphins. Other popular places to watch diverse species of whales include:
- Newfoundland, Canada
- The Strait of Georgia, B.C., Canada
- Newport Beach, California
- Juneau, Alaska
- Reykjavik, Iceland
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to see leopards?
Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, which has the largest concentration of leopards.
What are the Big Five?
Buffalo, leopard, lion, elephant and black rhino.
Where can I see tigers in the wild?
India is one of the best places, with reserves such as Pench, Bandhavgarh, Satpura and Tadoba-Andhari, plus the Sundarbans shared with Bangladesh.
Conclusion
From tigers in India to whales off Iceland, these are 5 of the best wildlife viewing experiences around the world. Pick the one that excites you most and start planning your next adventure in the wild.
Author Bio: Tajirul Haque is a travel enthusiast who loves to write about destinations he has explored. He is a freelance writer with experience in many niches, including history, travel, recycling, online marketing, business education, insurance, entrepreneurship and sports. He runs and manages multiple travel websites, including TravelPlusVacation.Com
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