Have you been glued to your TV screens, like us at Door2Tour, over these last few days watching either David Attenborough’s ‘Africa’ on BBC1 or ‘The Polar Bear Family & Me’ on BBC2? Has this inspired you to perhaps holiday in a destination where wildlife is abundant? If so, our mini guide to some of the best places in the world to observe wildlife may come in handy. If we’ve missed any out that you think wildlife enthusiasts would like to visit, let us know…
Africa and South Africa
There’s no better way to witness wildlife going about their daily business then with a safari tour of Africa. When in Nairobi, head to the Great Rift Valley and stay at the Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge which is located on the banks of the lake where you can spot a variety of species of wildlife including the colobus monkeys. No safari would be complete with visiting the Masai Mara National Reserve where you will hopefully be able to spot the ‘Big Five’ – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo and is the setting for the great migration of wildebeest and zebras
across the Mara River to the greener pastures of the Serengheti. If you happen to be holidaying in South Africa, you should definitely feature Kruger National Park in your itinerary where you can experience a magical game drive or perhaps a thrilling hot air balloon ride where you should be able to spot: elephants, buffalo, lion, zebra, impala, cheetah and hippo – just make sure you remember your camera, spare batteries and memory card to capture these magical wildlife moments!
Canada
If you’ve been amazed (like us) by the wonderful footage of the polar bear family taken by Gordon Buchanan and his
team then make 2013 the year you get close enough to see these beautiful animals in their natural habitat. There are a wide variety of escorted tours available for those of you wishing to spot a polar bear or two. Head over to Churchill where these magnificent creatures migrate towards Hudson Bay waiting for the waters to freeze so they can go out and hunt seals.
India
There are very few places in the world where the majestic tiger can still be glimpsed in the wild and India is one of those countries and is home to 25 tiger reserves located in national parks across the country. Your chance of spotting this beautiful animal is dependent upon the time of year but Bandhavgarh, Ranthambhore and Kanha National Park are prime tiger conservation areas and offer the best opportunities for sightings although
these can never be guaranteed. Safaris in India tend to take place in the early morning from sunrise and again in the afternoon until sunset. If you can cope with a sizzling summer heat, April and May are the best months to spot tigers when the animals come out of hiding in search of water.
Indonesia and Malaysia
Here’s your chance to meet orang-utans one of the endangered species on earth and only found in Indonesia and in parts of Malaysia. An escorted tour is the best way to fully explore the local area and in most cases an orang-utan expert will accompany you as you see these beautiful animals in their natural habitat. You’ll get to experience beautiful rainforests as you journey by boat along the Sekonyer River. Who will be the first to spot wild orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, kingfishers and monitor lizards?
United Kingdom
If you’re a keen bird-watcher, you should definitely consider an escorted tour in the UK where you can see some wonderful species of birds up close. Head to the Insh Marshes on Speyside, Scotland which are the most vital wetlands in Europe where you can see Whooper Swans and greylag geese come to stay from October till March. You may also spot snipe, wigeon, redshank and curlew. Visit here in the summer and you’ll see lapwings ganging up on crows who dare to get close to their nests. Holiday in South West England such as Exmouth and you’ll get to see elegant little egrets haunting the River Exe and the beautiful goldfinch visits during the autumn. If you’re lucky, head over to Sandy Bay where you can see the local Kittiwake colony in the towering cliffs.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to ideal locations for birdwatching. Have you ever been on a safari or wildlife adventure? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experiences so do get in touch and tell us…