Dolphins by Veenendaal’s Journey
Are you an animal lover? This week is for you! Anybody who likes to incorporate wildlife encounters into their travel knows how much it can enhance a person’s globetrotting adventures, whether it’s the awe that comes from seeing lions and tigers up close, the quiet joy of feeding an elephant, the giddiness of watching monkeys swing from trees, or the serenity of swimming with dolphins. From bird watching in the Amazonian Jungle to waddling up to penguins in the Antartica snow, these rare and special opportunities to observe nature are well worth seeking out. This week we will discuss trip planning for wildlife encounters, including safaris, the Galapagos Islands, whale watching trips, unique places like the monkey temples in Southeast Asia, animal encounters in Africa, and more!
Planning Your Trip
The first step in planning a great animal-related excursion is to find out what’s available. You may know that you can see amazing fish and ocean life by scuba diving, but did you know you could literally hug a koala? How about the opportunity to bathe and feed elephants? Stay in a tent just a few steps away from giraffes? The possibilities are are countless. To get started on your research, check out these links on some of the top spots for wildlife viewing. This list is by no means exhaustive!
See giant turtles and more at the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Swim among rainbow-colored fish in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Visit cuddly pandas in Sichuan, China
Bathe elephants and pet tigers in Southeast Asia
Animal Conservation
If you care about visiting animals, you probably care about their welfare too. Sometimes it takes some extra research to make sure that the facility you are patronizing takes proper care of their animals, but it is absolutely worth it. Not all zoos are created equal, after all!
Some links to get you started in your research:
Wildlife Conservation Society
Wildlife Conservation Holidays
Volunteer Travel to Assist Wildlife Conservation Projects
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Rocky Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary
Tips for Responsible Travel
Unique Sites for Animal Encounters
Are you brave enough to pet a tiger? One that’s *not* in a cage, I mean? Perhaps you should plan a visit to the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, near Chiang Mai. Realtravelers Kyle and Dan visited the Tiger Temple and wrote about it in their blog:
“Both of us have seen tigers in zoos, but never up close; it is amazing how large and beautiful these wild cats are. We walked into Tiger Canyon on the grounds of the forest monastery, and at the bottom of the canyon we found a large group of trainers, as well as monks, standing around eight or nine full-grown tigers. The tigers were loosely chained to posts but could easily break free if they wanted to. We watched the tigers lazing about for a few minutes and then were approached by one of the monastery’s female staff asking if we had taken photos with the tigers yet…we were able to sit or squat right next to them and even pet them and touch them. Dan had a bit of a scare when one of the tigers (on its back) started yawning and moving as soon as Dan touched its belly. Their mouths and teeth are enormous and Dan decided at that moment never to follow a career like Siegfried and Roy’s!” (more…)
Curious? Read more travel blogs about the Tiger Temple and decide for yourself if you’re up for this remarkable place! It may also inspire you to seek out other unique animal encounter destinations.
More Blogs about Animal Encounter Travel:
LizCB in Tanzania
Voices of Africa at the Kruger National Park
Jim & Nats Big Trip in Peru
And more!
More Resources:
East Africa: A 10 day Itinerary
Editors’ Picks about Wildlife and Safari Travel
Multi-Country Travel Deals
