There’s a whole world out there, filled with weird and wonderful creatures, and observing any animal, no matter how great or small, in its natural habitat is undeniably incredible.
But there are some wildlife experiences out there that are awe-inspiringly, blow-the-lights-out magnificent. These epic events are magical and potentially life-changing to witness – and whilst planning a trip to incorporate them might need a little more organisation (seasons, we’re looking at you), they’re worth every last memory card…
And did we mention that we might be able to help you with that planning?
Spotting tigers in the wild
Ranthambore, India
Step off the trail of temples, forts and palaces, and spend some time in India’s Ranthambore National Park in search of tigers. Each day, you’ll depart at dawn, watching as the sunlight flitters across the forest, until you spy a flash of orange followed by a pair of piercing amber eyes… Spending quiet moments in the presence of a Royal Bengal tiger is surreal and incomparable, and there’s no better place to revel in the memories than one of Ranthambore’s luxury camps.
Coming eye to eye with a mountain gorilla
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda & Bwindi, Uganda
Across the lush and forbidding rainforests of Uganda and Rwanda dwell most of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas. On a gorilla trekking trip, seasoned guides will lead you on forest walks to search for a habituated family. A signal to stop (and a sharp intake of breath!) will indicate that the gorillas are nearby, and you’ll spend an hour watching in wonder as they groom, search for grubs, and the young ones tumble over the forest floor. Magic doesn’t begin to describe it…
Seek out emperor penguins
Antarctica
On this two-week expedition in Antarctica, you’ll not only come face-to-face with emperor penguins, but plenty more wildlife too. The highlight is Snow Hill Island, reached by sailing across miles of pristine, iceberg-peppered ocean. A helicopter ride and an ice trek later, you’ll be standing within metres of 8,000 emperor penguins that call the island home. Watch the debonair creatures share sweet familial moments with their tiny chicks, skid on their bellies towards the water, and go about their business, completely undisturbed.
Witnessing the Great Migration
Serengeti, Tanzania
The Great Migration is the largest mass movement of mammals on Earth and, as an eternal cycle, every month of the year offers unique and marvellous sightings. Watch half-a-million tiny gnus take their first steps in the southern Serengeti, take in the gut-wrenching scenes as wildebeest make the daring dash across Mara River in the north, or discover the lesser-known paths of the migration in the east. No matter the date, a trip to East Africa to see the wildebeest is one for the bucket list.
Trekking with snow leopards
Ladakh, India
Set your compass for the ethereal peaks of the Himalayas and spend a week at Snow Leopard Lodge. Surrounded by three isolated valleys, it boasts some of the best odds for spotting Asia’s ‘mountain ghosts’ in the wild – an experience few others will ever have. Hosted by an expert naturalist, you’ll explore in a specially-adapted vehicle or on foot, scanning the snow-laden cliffs and boulders for tracks, before being rewarded with the sighting of a lifetime.
