10 Worldwide Great Wildlife Destinations

Yellowstone National Park, USA

The US has plenty of wildlife hotspots, but none quite offer the diversity of Yellowstone National Park. Here you’re likely to see bison, elk, moose and bears. Gray wolves were also reintroduced to the park in 1995 and there are a number of organised wolf watching tours that you can take. Those that get lucky can even spot rarer animals here such as wolverines and lynxes. The mornings and evenings are the best times to spot wildlife. It’s worth packing for all weathers when visiting Yellowstone as it can be scorching in the day and freezing at night.  

Danum Valley Conservation Area, Malaysia

This undisturbed area of rainforest in Borneo, Malaysia is one of the best places to see orang-utans. These endangered apes can regularly be found swinging amongst the trees (it’s possible to hire a guide and maximise your chance of seeing these creatures). Other wildlife can also be spotted here including gibbons, clouded leopards, pygmy elephants, hornbills and sun bears. There are only two places to stay in Danum Valley. You cannot take your own car into the conservation area and will need to arrange a permit and someone to transport you in.

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Most people visit Chobe National Park for one particular animal – the African elephant. This national park has the highest concentration of elephants in Africa. It also has dense populations of Cape Buffalo with can be found traveling in herds. Lions, zebras, hippos and antelopes are just some of the other notable animals that you can find here. August through to November is the best period for spotting wildlife when it is dryer and many of the animals migrate for water. There are campsites and lodges that you can stay at inside the park.

Cairgorms National Park, UK

Cairngorms National Park in Scotland is home to 25% of the UK’s threatened species. Across its mountainous terrain you’ll find deer, wildcats, badgers, pine martens and red squirrels. It’s also a hotspot for bird watching, sporting many birds of prey including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, ospreys, kestrels and owls. There are hostels and hotels all around the Cairngorms that you can stay at. The best time to visit to spot wildlife is between April and August – this is when you’ll find the largest presence of eagles, after which they migrate to Africa.

The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

This archipelago of volcanic islands off the coast of Ecuador has the highest number of endemic species of anywhere in the world. It’s the most northerly location to be populated by penguins. It’s also home to a unique species of iguana that hunts underwater and is home to some of the largest tortoises in the world. Darwin’s theory of evolution stemmed from his visit to these islands in the 1800s when he observed the unique wildlife there and the fact that they had adapted so well to the environment. Nowadays, there are plenty of wildlife tours operating across the island. You can find more about the islands and how to get there online. December to June is often recommended as the best time to visit due to the warmer weather.

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The largest coral reef system in the world, The Great Barrier Reef, is popular amongst divers and snorkellers for its impressive marine biodiversity. More than 1,500 species of fish and over 5000 species of mollusk inhabit the reef’s waters. Those that have seen Finding Nemo will know what kind of creatures to expect – clownfish, sharks, manta rays, sea turtles and seahorses are just some of the animals to be found here. It’s worth learning to scuba dive when visiting these reefs so that you can get the best experience. Alternatively, there are plenty of snorkelling tours for those that can’t dive, not to mention glass-bottomed boat tours for those that don’t want to get wet.