5 of The Best International Trips for Wildlife Lovers *

AD | Most of us love animals, don’t we? But seeing them in documentaries is just not enough for the true wildlife lovers among us. So if, you’re yearning to see the world’s most amazing animals in their unique habitats, the good news is they’re as close as your next vacation. You won’t miss any of the local flora and fauna with these 5 best international trips for wildlife lovers on your bucket list.

5 Best International Trips for Wildlife Lovers

Go on an Antarctica Cruise

Penguins are loved all over the world and have even been the main attraction in popular children’s movies and TV shows. Hands up who didn’t love Pingu? But did you know there are at least 18 species of this flightless aquatic bird?

One of the best places to see a large variety of these species is in Antarctica. That might sound like an impossible goal, but it’s easier to visit Earth’s southernmost continent than you think. If you have your heart set on seeing Antarctica penguins, your best bet is to take an Antarctica cruise.

Emperor, Adélie, Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Macaroni penguins are native to the area, but you’ll see several other types along the way. An Antarctic cruise is also your ticket to viewing several types of whales, seals, and sea lions.

Hike Through an Indonesian Island

Indonesia itself comprises 5 main islands, 2 large island groups, and 60 smaller island groups. This makes it the world’s largest island country. But there are a staggering 17,500 islands in and around Indonesia, of which less than 9,000 are named. That means many of them are inhabited only by wildlife!

Want to stay fit and healthy on holiday? Go for a hike! There’s plenty to see here to inspire you on your trek. Indonesia boasts 12% of the world’s mammals, and 17% of the world’s birds, making this a top destination for wildlife lovers.

Each island has something unique on offer, but Bali is a great choice for seeing many animal species. This island has a bird park, reptile park, and monkey forest, as well as a marine park, and a zoo. Bali has its own airport, making travel to this Indonesian wildlife mecca easier for animal-loving tourists.

Enjoy an African Safari

An African safari is an overland journey through the African wilderness, where you’ll see indigenous animals in the wild. If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalo, and elephants, also known as the African Big 5, South Africa is the destination for you.

The best places to visit in South Africa, where you can see animals like these in their natural habitat, are the Kruger National Park and the Pilanesberg National Park.

The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s largest national park, located in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Not only will you see the Big 5, but you’ll see an abundance of other wildlife too, including hyenas and zebras.

African luxury safaris, game lodges, and game drives offer visitors convenience and comfort while respecting the animals’ wild habitats. They are the most popular forms of tourism in the country. You can book such game drives when checking in at a game lodge, or from most of the top hotels.

Go on a Costa Rican Marine Dive

Cradled by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, the Central American country of Costa Rica beckons marine life fans. You’ll find almost 7,000 marine species here, which equates to 3.5% of the world’s total marine life.

Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is especially favoured by marine life enthusiasts, for the chance to see sharks, sea turtles, and rays. There are countless opportunities for diving in Costa Rica, including snorkelling, scuba diving, and free diving.

Because physical exercise helps your mental health, get some exercise while you’re on vacation. It doesn’t have to be cardio. Diving is a fantastic alternative. Caño Island has affordable diving, with access to beautiful reefs, manta rays, whale sharks, and everyone’s marine favourite, dolphins.

Don’t know how to dive? That’s not a problem. Costa Rica offers excellent diving instruction and certification. This might be your chance to discover beautiful marine species, and learn a new skill, all at once!

Ride Arabian Horses in the UAE

Horses are some of the most popular animals among animal lovers. However, few people get to see these majestic creatures in the wild. A trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the answer. You’ll have a wonderful vacation, with every possible luxury, but also the chance to see these beautiful animals up close.

Arabian horses are considered the oldest and purest horse breeds worldwide and they play a significant role in the heritage of Arabian lands, especially Abu Dhabi. Having enjoyed riding in Cornwall in recent years, I would LOVE to experience the thrill of horseback riding on sandy trails in the wildlife park on Sir Bani Yas Island some day too.

If you’d like to see other wildlife as well, you’re in luck. Abu Dhabi’s Arabian Wildlife Park is home to more than 17,000 freely roaming animals. Purpose-built viewing platforms, made from recycled materials, are an eco-friendly way to get close to nature’s bounty, leaving as low a carbon footprint as possible.

What do you think of this list of best international trips for wildlife lovers? Which one appeals to you most? Have you gone on a wildlife trip abroad?

*  This is a collaborative post – please see my Disclaimer.