10 unmissable places for animal lovers.. from cheeky orang-utans to mesmerising elephants
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Spot Turtles, 9 Day
Costa Rica TourSpot turtles in Tortuguero Village, Costa Rica: As part of our nine-day Costa Rican Adventure, you’ll stop at Tortuguero Village and head to the beach. During nesting season (Sep-Dec) look out for baby turtles as they make their way down to the ocean. A visit to the Tortuguero National Park gives you the opportunity to observe 350 species of birds, monkeys, crocodiles and sloths and during season you can join an optional late night turtle nesting tour (bookable locally).
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Elephants Unmissable Jungle Tours
Spend time with Asian elephants in Thailand: The first luxury tented camp in Thailand, Elephant Hills offers you the experience of a lifetime. Get up close to these magnificent animals as you prepare their meals, feed and bathe them. It’s an exciting time at Elephant Hills, with the arrival of baby ‘Ha Ha’ in February. You can also explore your spectacular surroundings by kayak or on a rainforest trek. Located close to the jungle of Khao Sok National Park, the camp features 30 luxurious tents with beautiful handmade furniture. Enjoy an evening around the campfire, take part in Thai cookery lessons and watch dance performances from the locals. This is one holiday you’ll never forget.
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Tropical Fish
Surround yourself with tropical fish in the Maldives: Whether you’re a keen diver or just enjoy a spot of snorkelling, head to the idyllic islands of the Maldives where most resorts offer great diving. Vivanta by Taj - Coral Reef and Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa house some of the best coral reefs, home to thousands of species of tropical fish.
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Track the ‘Big Five’
Take a trip into the Taita Hills Sanctuary: This 28,000 acre private conservancy is home to over 50 species of mammals and 300 species of birds. Our two-night Taita Family Safari combines game drives and child-friendly accommodation. The Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge is perfect for families with guaranteed interconnecting rooms, a kids club and relaxing evenings filled with family bonfires and wildlife educational talks.
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Meet the Orang-Utans of Borneo
Bond with endangered orang-utans in the Borneo jungle: A truly endearing animal, orang-utans have become one of Borneo’s biggest tourist draws. The newly-refurbished Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort houses its very own orang-utan sanctuary, where you can interact with baby orang-utans and take in the stunning rainforest surroundings.
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Monkeys in Bali
Ubud Monkey Forest, Bali: Owned by the village of Padangtegal, Monkey Forest is home to approximately 340 long tailed macaque monkeys. Comprising 27 acres, the forest has 115 different species of tree and houses the Pura Dalem temple. Look out for Monkeys as you explore this sacred site.
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Penguins in Cape Town
Watch over the penguins of Boulders Beach, South Africa: Home to a growing colony of the endangered African penguin, Boulders Beach is located in the small seaside town of Simonstown, an hour’s drive from Cape Town. View the penguins from raised boardwalks and learn all about them using the displayed information boards.
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Spot a Leopard
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka: Safari with an experienced guide and discover the relatively untouched landscape of this National Park, home to leopards, sloth bears, elephants and birds. This is a perfect experience to partner with a beach stay or to add on to your Sri Lanka tour.
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Dolphins & ‘Gators
See the best of the sunshine state’s wildlife with a Florida twin centre: Spend time at the beach and be greeted by friendly dolphins or kayak alongside the world’s most docile animal the manatee. Head to the Everglades and take an air-boat ride for the chance to see alligators in their natural habitat, also look out for turtles hiding amongst the reeds!
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Whale Watching
Whale watching from Vancouver Island, Canada: One of the world’s best places to go whale watching, a guided three-hour excursion from Vancouver Island with a marine biologist will see you searching for orcas, minke and grey whales, as well as porpoise, seals and sea lions in the Pacific Ocean.
