From the Arctic to the African savannah, enclaves to observe polar bears, leopards, gorillas or the magical movement of the belugas
If you sing underwater, belugas respond. It is an extraordinary experience. Wearing a wetsuit, goggles and snorkel to be very still, we float while a zodiac drags us slowly attracting the attention of these graceful white cetaceans up to five meters long that inhabit the waters of the Arctic. They come up to half a meter away, they follow us, they look at us and they study us with their organ of echolocation, the melon, which forms that moldable prominence characteristic of their forehead. And if we sing, they reply. The encounters with wild animals in their natural habitat give irreplaceable moments. The deep roar of a lion, the intensely familiar gaze of a gorilla, the stealthy gait of a leopard, the visceral howl of a pack of wolves … And although it may sometimes seem that they are watching us, we must never forget that we are we who have entered into their living space and therefore we must show the utmost respect. Here are 10 destinations to live encounters with wild animals that will not leave anyone indifferent.
1 In search of the big cats
South Africa
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – a large, 38,000 square kilometer protected area covering territories in South Africa and Botswana – offers the opportunity to see lions, cheetahs, leopards, caracals and African cats. Other large predators such as spotted hyena, brown hyena and black-backed jackal are also easily spotted. It is an ideal destination for independent travelers. And with planning, the trip can be quite affordable. The Kgalagadi can be visited by private car, without the need of a guide or an off-road vehicle. Its red sand dunes, desert flowers and infinite skies make this park a very photogenic destination.
2 polar bears and belugas
Canadian Arctic
During the summer months, in July and August, polar bears are concentrated on the coast of the Canadian province of Manitoba, where it is relatively easy to observe them. When the cold returns, they will return to the frozen Hudson Bay, where they will spend the winter hunting seals (the polar bears do not hibernate). Groups of belugas are also grouped in these estuaries with their young to hunt fish chapelanes.
3 Studying the hawksbill turtle
Nicaragua
The Padre Ramos estuary, located in a remote area of the Nicaraguan Pacific coast, is a vital zone for the hawksbill turtle. Here, in dense mangroves, this endangered marine species enjoys one of only two nesting areas in the Eastern Pacific. In addition, in this space you can see newborns emerging from the egg on the same day, young turtles looking for food and adult specimens laying eggs. It is something unique that turns the visit into a privilege. The organization SEE Turtles prepares trips to this spectacular and tranquil corner of the Central American country in which the participants collaborate with local conservationists in the study and protection of this species.
4 In the footsteps of the gray wolf
Yellowstone (USA)
Yellowstone, the first national park in the United States, would not be what it is without the wolf howling through its valleys at dawn. It is a moment that nobody should miss, so we have to get up early. Many wolves in this protected area in northwestern Wyoming – with small areas belonging to the neighboring states of Idaho and Montana – have black fur, which makes them very easy to spot during the winter months, when the snow covers everything. ¬Yellowstone can be visited independently or with a route designed to spot wolves, such as those offered by Wolf Tracker, which has biologists as guides.
5 The club of the Big Five
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is known for its ancient Buddhist cities, its beaches and its excellent tea. Between December and April, the island of the Bay of Bengal also becomes the perfect destination to see the largest animal that has existed on Earth, the blue whale. This giant marine mammal can reach 30 meters in length, and the best areas to see it in Sri Lanka are off the coast of Mirissa and Trincomalee. If we add to this the sighting of the leopard, the lazy bear, the Asian elephant and the sperm whale, we will have seen the five big ones of Sri Lanka.
6 Meeting with dolphins
Mozambique
There are few things like plunging into translucent waters and being face to face with a group of wild dolphins. But always respecting the principle of non-interference. This is possible in the small town of Ponta do Ouro, on the southern coast of Mozambique. The founder of the Dolphin Center has dedicated 20 years to the study of dolphins. If the animals show signs of stress or discontent with the presence of visitors, the meeting is canceled. Swimming next to them, impresses their strength and physical agility.
7 Following the trail of the black rhinoceros
Namibia
Namibia has become an important redoubt for the black rhino population south of the African continent. There are several ways to see this charismatic mammal in danger of extinction, which is distinguished from its relative the white rhinoceros by its lip in the form of a beak. The easiest and most economical to observe is visiting the Etosha National Park, in the north of the country, where they go every day after sunset to the water fountains located in the camps. At night its powerful roar is heard, something really formidable.
8 Cruise in an animal sanctuary
Galápagos
The giant tortoise, the marine iguana, the blue-footed booby, the Darwin’s finch, the penguins, the sea lions … The Galapagos Islands, 972 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador, are the dream destination of any lover of wild animals and not They could be missing from this list. There something unheard of happens: these species, in the absence of predators, are not afraid, and that proximity between them makes the enclave the closest thing to an animal sanctuary.
9 Australia natural
It is easy to feel overwhelmed when designing a tour of such a large country and with as many different habitats as Australia. On your trip it includes the wild coast of Croajingolong National Park and the forests of Snowy River National Park, both southeast of the country, and the semi-arid Australian outback. The fauna that can be observed is as varied as its habitats: from shorebirds, Australian badgers and wallabies to colorful parrots, emus and kangaroos. Seabed lovers will do well to schedule an immersion in the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland.
10 ‘Vis-à-vis’ with gorillas
Uganda
Spending a couple of hours with a group of wild gorillas is one of the most exciting experiences imaginable. The Bwindi National Park in Uganda is a good destination for this. But the experience is not limited to gorillas. Volcanoes Safaris, for example, offers a one-week tour that includes the opportunity to meet these magnificent primates, as well as to track chimpanzees, visit the Queen Elizabeth National Park, take a river cruise and see the climbing lions of Isasha.