Tips for planning a wildlife holiday overseas

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Have you ever dreamt of seeing a pride of lions strolling across the plains with your own eyes? Or wondered what it would be like to hand-feed a monkey?

We explore nature and wildlife around our home and local area a lot, but one of my dreams is to explore nature and wildlife wonders overseas too.  I don’t have much experience with travelling, but I do know that if you do your research, you increase your chances of having a more successful and ethical wildlife experience.

Planning a wildlife holiday:

1. Decide on a destination.  If it’s a nature and wildlife holiday you want, then you need to think about what animals reside in each destination.  Do you want to see elephants, hippos and cheetahs in Africa? Or would you rather see a three-toed sloth and armadillos in South America? This is by far the hardest choice because there’s beautiful wildlife all around the world. I’d suggest choosing a destination that has at least two of the top five animals you’d love to see. You can always get to the others on your next trip.
2. Consider safety. It’s all very well to start planning your dream wildlife encounter, but if it’s not a safe destination for you and your family, I’d think seriously about whether seeing that animal in the wild is worth it. Always check government travel warnings when planning your overseas holiday, and again before departing.
3. Research tours. Would you prefer to see your favourite animals in their natural habitat on a safari tour, or have a closer, more intimate experience with captive wildlife?  I know I’d prefer to see them in their natural habitat. Sightseeing tours can be a great way to support local wildlife too. Locals are more willing to protect a species if it’s beneficial to their economy.
4. Consider animal welfare. If you care about wildlife try to not support activities that don’t prioritise animal welfare. You can make a difference simply by being mindful of where your tourist dollars go. Don’t give your hard-earned cash to those who seek to make a profit from dancing bears and other forms of cruelty.
5. Go exploring.  If you’re in a different part of the world, chances are you’re already surrounded by critters that are new and interesting, even before you join a tour. Take the kids for a walk in a park or along a short trail and see what birds, insects and other local wildlife you can find. Don’t forget to consider appropriate safety measures for the location, including sun safety, and take a simple explorer kit to make the most of your discoveries. You should take your explorer kits on tours too!
6. Get to know some locals. There’s something special about hearing old stories told about wildlife through different cultures.  When we finally go on a trip, I’ll be asking the locals questions about their wildlife. I love learning about wildlife through another culture’s eyes, it’s really interesting.
7. Make a difference. Why not make a difference to wildlife while on your holiday? Research local wildlife organizations that operate in the country you’re visiting and contact them to see if you can help them while you’re on your holiday. What’s a better wildlife experience for you and your children than making a difference!

If you’re considering going on an adventurous wildlife holiday, I’d suggest taking a look at the My Adventure Store website. I couldn’t help but get distracted while scrolling through their many safari tours. I could already picture the joy on my family’s faces. One day I’ll fulfil my dream of going on safari, one day!

Have you been planning a wildlife holiday? Do you have any tips to share? What’s your ultimate wildlife adventure destination?

 

Disclosure: This is a paid post. Opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please see my disclosure page for more information.