Top 5 Destinations for Wildlife Holidays That Should Be On Your List
There aren’t many travel experiences that are more rewarding than coming in close contact with the wilderness that nature has to offer. The best way to make the most out of wildlife holidays is to know what sort of wildlife you want to experience and where you want to go.
Here are five top spots for wildlife holidays from around the world:
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Swimming with Penguins in Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
South American country Ecuador is a holiday favorite not only because Amazonian rainforests surround it, but also because it’s the ultimate wildlife vacation destination. You can spot amazingly fascinating wildlife like mountain lions, bears, dolphins, Amazon Manatee, and white-tailed deer, among others.
Ecuador also has the distinction of being the only place where you can find penguins other than the Antarctic. The Galapagos penguin is the only species of penguin that lives in a tropical, not so cold region. Sight-seeing tours here will not only offer you the luxury of spotting them, but if you visit Ecuador at the right time, you can even swim with them.
Where to Find Them: Galapagos penguins can be found on the western islands of Isabela and Fernandina in Ecuador.
When to Visit: Though they can be found year-round, they are most active during September.
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Spotting Whales in the Coasts of Canada
Canada has the privilege of being bordered by the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and the Arctic Ocean. It is a haven to tourists who love spotting magnificent marine life – including whales.
More than 30 species of whales have made the 200,000km coastline surrounding the country their home.
Where to Find Them: If you are looking to spot Orca, grey, humpbacks, and minke whales, head on to Vancouver Island in Canada. To spot Blue, humpback, fin, and beluga whales, head to Québec.
When to Visit: If you are heading to Vancouver, the best time to spot grey whales is anywhere between March and April. In Vancouver, the best time to spot the Orca is summertime (May to September). Blue whale spotting is done best between the summertime months of May to September in Québec.
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Gorilla Tracking in the Mountains of Rwanda
Gorilla safaris are on the must-do list for every wildlife lover. Plus, there are less than 1000 gorillas left in the world that live in the mountain range around Rwanda.
Where to Find Them: Rwanda’s Virunga mountains are a hotspot for Gorilla safaris.
When to Visit: June through September and December to February are the best times to visit. Avoid the rainy seasons in Rwanda.
- Photograph a Tiger in a National Park of India
Be in Ranthambore National Park, Jim Corbett, or Bandhavgarh National Park — spotting the Royal Bengal Tiger is a treat for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Tiger safaris in these national parks are famous for spotting these royal cats in their natural habitat.
Where to Find Them: Ranthambore National Park is in Rajasthan, Jim Corbett in Uttarakhand State, and Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
When to Visit: Tiger sightings in these national parks happen in the summertime between March and May.
- Journey to Antarctica to Spot Seals
The hostile, cold weather of Antarctica plays host to unique creatures like penguins, humpback and Orca whales, and seals. Seals have colonies that call this frozen dessert home. Small ship cruises that incorporate the biologists, geologists, and marine scientists, and bring these scenes to life.
Where to Find Them: Antarctic Fur Seals are widely distributed in the Southern Ocean near the Antarctic Convergence.
When to Visit: November to March, the summer season in the southern hemisphere is the only time you can visit Antarctica. The 20-hour sunshine in Dec to Jan brings warmth and creates perfect conditions to nurture seal pups.
After you’ve picked the wildlife and the destination of your choice, the next step is budgeting. If you are looking for a way to finance your wildlife holiday without breaking into your savings, there’s always the option of a travel loan, which you can pay back in easy EMIs.
Author Bio:
Shiv Nanda is a resident of Bangalore and works as a financial analyst in MoneyTap, India’s first app-based credit-line. He is on a mission to help people by educating them on various financial topics. So, if you have any questions, ask away at shiv@moneytap.com.