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If you love wildlife, coming face to face with some of nature’s most remarkable creatures is probably high up on your bucket list. There’s something incredibly beautiful about seeing wildlife in their natural habitat, and being surrounded by such breathtaking scenery is a bonus.
Whether you’re drawn to the lush jungles of Costa Rica, the vast savannahs of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, or the volcanic landscapes of the Galapagos, our world teems with extraordinary wildlife experiences. And one of the best ways to get to the heart of it is on a small-group tour.
With that said, we’ve partnered with Explore, a leading UK provider of small group holidays, to bring you nine extraordinary wildlife experiences from around the world. With over 350 tours across 100 countries led by local guides, Explore’s trips span everything from walking and cycling to cultural discovery and wildlife encounters, and their focus on authentic, responsible travel – which keeps nature natural and wildlife wild – balances once-in-a-lifetime moments with rejuvenating downtime.
For those who like to travel in style, Explore’s upgraded tours also combine immersive experiences with spas, premium accommodation, and more free time to explore at your leisure.
1. Experience jungle life in Costa Rica
Despite its small size, Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, with an estimated 615 wildlife species per 10,000 square kilometres. Plus, because over 25% of the land here is protected, the country boasts a whopping 27 national parks, 13 forest reserves, and eight biological reserves, which are a joy to explore.
Explore Costa Rica’s rainforest and jungle waterways, the home of sloths, jaguars, crocodiles, and howler monkeys, as well as tropical birds like toucans, quetzals, and scarlet macaws. Whether you’re wandering the beaches or venturing into the water, Costa Rica’s wildlife is never far – iguanas and capuchin monkeys sunbathe on white and black sand beaches, and sharks, rays, and dolphins roam the warm waters beyond.
2. Go in search of the Big Five in Botswana
Seeing the Big Five in their natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and Botswana is one of the best places to do it. Famed for vast elephant herds, thriving predators, and uncrowded wilderness, the country offers pristine, protected habitats for these iconic creatures.
In the expansive Chobe National Park, watch herds of elephants gather along the river banks, with hippos and crocodiles cooling off below. And in the lush wetland oasis of the Okavango Delta, keep an eye out for rare African wild dogs and an astonishing variety of birdlife, including majestic fish eagles and tiny malachite kingfishers – a landscape waiting to be explored.
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Explore Botswana Wildlife Safari*
£300 off | Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe | 14 days
Includes taxes and fees
3. Spot lemurs in Madagascar
The ‘Lost Continent’ of Madagascar is a land of extraordinary contrasts. Mist-shrouded highlands give way to lush rainforests, sweeping grasslands, dramatic limestone formations, and sun-drenched coastlines, home to thousands of endemic animal and plant species. A true wildlife lover’s dream, encounters here are as unusual as they are unforgettable.
No visit to Madagascar would be complete without seeing its iconic lemurs. From the charismatic ring-tailed lemur to the elusive nocturnal aye-aye, these remarkable primates are found nowhere else in the wild. Watch them leap through the trees or look out for elusive fossas and colourful chameleons, masters of blending into their surroundings.
4. Get up close with lizards, dolphins, and blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands, around 600 miles off Ecuador’s western coast, are known for their otherworldly natural beauty, unique wildlife, and status as a true bucket list destination. Ancient volcanic craters, rugged lava fields, and dramatic cliffs meet turquoise waters and secluded beaches. And with few or no natural land predators, many animals show little fear of humans, letting you observe them up close.
Giant tortoises roam the lush highlands and marine iguanas bask on black lava shores, while dolphins, sea lions, and fur seals splash in the water nearby. The islands are also a birdwatchers’ paradise, home to pelicans, cormorants, petrels, albatrosses, and blue-footed boobies – not to mention the slightly out-of-place Galapagos Penguin, which can be seen swimming among tropical mangroves.
5. Experience the thrill of seeing tigers in India
India offers an extraordinary diversity of wildlife experiences. Its national parks and reserves teem with an impressive array of species, including leopards, elephants, boars, deer, panthers, sloth bears, crocodiles, wild dogs, one-horned rhinos, and hundreds of bird species (including the dazzling wild peacock!).
The country is also home to around 75% of the world’s tigers. So, if you’ve always dreamt of seeing these magnificent animals in the wild, this is the place to do it. There’s nothing like the thrill of sitting just a few feet from one of nature’s most powerful creatures, its vibrant stripes and striking amber eyes unforgettable up close.
6. Watch whales, penguins, and seals in Antarctica
Antarctica is one of nature’s last true wildernesses, and exploring its vast, frozen landscapes is an utterly unique experience. It’s difficult not to be struck by the beauty of Antarctica’s towering glaciers, rocky mountains, and floating ice sheets – yet, as the coldest, driest, and windiest continent on Earth, this wild frontier is often overlooked as a holiday destination.
But Antarctica is also one of the most magical places to see wildlife where nature functions exactly as it has done for millennia, untouched by human influence. Watch as Adélie, gentoo, and chinstrap penguins waddle about and tend to their nests, admire seals resting on floating ice, and explore the freezing waters where humpback, minke, and blue whales glide by.
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Argentina & Antarctica | 11 days
Includes taxes and fees
7. Witness the Great Migration in Kenya
If you’re seeking a classic African safari, it’s difficult to top Kenya. Home to thriving wildlife reserves, breathtaking mountain ranges, and vast savannahs, the country is a melting pot of natural beauty. It hosts some of the largest concentrations of animals on Earth, including elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, as well as endangered species like the black rhino.
Explore the misty montane forests and thick bamboo zones of Aberdare National Park. Or witness the Great Migration, one of nature’s greatest spectacles, in the world-famous Maasai Mara. Here, millions of wildebeest and zebra cross from the Serengeti in search of fresh grass, often with lions, cheetahs, and hyenas on their tail – a raw, unforgettable drama waiting to unfold before you.
8. Go bear-watching in Romania
With opulent medieval castles, marbled palaces, and thriving cities, many people are drawn to Romania for its unique history, mystique, and legend. But its wonderfully unspoilt wilderness is a haven for wildlife too, home to thriving populations of brown bears, grey wolves, Eurasian lynx, red deer, chamois, wild boar, and an abundance of birdlife.
Bear-watching is incredibly popular in Romania, with areas like the Carpathian Mountains providing the ideal natural habitat for one of Europe’s largest brown bear populations. Hearing the sudden cracking of branches as one of these beautiful beasts emerges from the bushes is an experience like no other, and a reminder of just how much wild beauty still remains, waiting to be found.
9. Explore abundant birdlife in Scotland
The wild, unspoilt stretches of Scotland’s Orkney Isles are perfect for a wildlife escape closer to home. Scotland is one of the best places in the world to see seabirds like puffins, fulmars, razorbills, and guillemots, with sandstone cliffs becoming bustling cities of colourful striped beaks, black-and-white feathers, and bright orange feet come spring and summer.
If you’re lucky, you might also spot whales, dolphins, seals, otters, and white-tailed eagles offshore. And, with miles of clifftop walks, beautiful wildflower meadows, delicious fresh seafood, and Skara Brae – the finest Stone Age settlement in Europe – there are plenty of ways to explore one of Britain’s most pristine regions on foot.
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United Kingdom | 7 days
Includes taxes and fees
Final thoughts…
Whatever part of the world you’re drawn to, a wildlife break is one of the best ways to switch off and reconnect with nature. And taking a guided tour can be a fantastic way to experience the very best of it. With carefully planned itineraries, handled logistics, and passionate local guides, you’re free to simply enjoy yourself and take in the beauty of your surroundings.
Explore’s diverse range of guided tours spans 100 countries and everything from walking and cycling to cultural discoveries and wildlife encounters. Their commitment to authentic, responsible travel shines through in community-led experiences and local guides who take you to the beating heart of a destination, leaving you feeling like you’ve truly explored it.
To find your next holiday, head over to Explore’s website to browse their range of guided tours.