Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today: Top 10 best wildlife holidays in the world
Few adventures rival the thrill of locking eyes with a wild animal in its natural habitat. Wildlife holidays are more than just vacations; they are transformative journeys into the heart of nature. From tracking gorillas in misty African jungles to swimming with whale sharks in turquoise waters, these encounters reconnect us with the wild while offering a retreat from the stresses of everyday life. What makes today’s luxury wildlife travel so remarkable is that you no longer have to choose between adventure and comfort. Remote wilderness areas now offer some of the world’s finest lodges, camps, and cruises—so you can witness extraordinary wildlife by day and return to gourmet dining and spa treatments by night. Here are the 10 best wildlife holidays in the world, each promising unforgettable encounters and luxurious escapes.
Think I missed one? Share your favorite wildlife holiday in the comments section.
10. Cage Dive with Great White Sharks in South Africa
If you’re chasing the ultimate adrenaline rush, few wildlife encounters rival cage diving with great white sharks. Off the southern coast of South Africa, in the waters near Gansbaai, these apex predators glide silently beneath the waves. Safely enclosed in a reinforced, shark-proof cage, you’ll witness their raw power up close—a humbling experience that forever changes how you view these misunderstood creatures. Tour operators provide expert guidance and ethical practices, ensuring your dive is both safe and respectful to the sharks. Even non-divers can enjoy thrilling surface views from the boat as dorsal fins slice through the water.
- Best time to visit: winter (May to October) is the best time to cage-dive with great white sharks. Although shark sighting is not guaranteed, the success rate is very high (around 95%). The weather can be unpredictable though in South Africa’s winter, with gales and cold spells, so it’s best to book a tour that lasts a few days just in case the weather doesn’t allow for a dive. The sharks are still around during the summer months but not in such dense numbers, so days can possibly go by without a sighting.
- Recommended tour operators: Great White Shark Tours, White Shark Diving Company, & Apex Shark Expeditions
- My selection of luxury hotels: read here my article about the top 10 best luxury hotels in Cape Town.
9. Spot Royal Bengal Tigers in India
India’s Ranthambore National Park is one of the best places on Earth to spot the elusive Royal Bengal tiger. Once the private hunting grounds of the maharajas, today the park is a wildlife haven where tigers roam among ruined palaces and ancient temples. Alongside tigers, visitors may encounter leopards, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles, and over 300 bird species. Safari drives at dawn and dusk provide the best chance of sightings. The thrill of seeing a tiger emerge from the jungle and pad gracefully across your path is a memory that lingers for a lifetime.
- Best time to visit: most animals (including tigers) are seen at the end of the dry season, during the months of March, April and May, when vegetation is sparse and animals come out in search of water. Be sure to bring warm clothes if visiting during the cooler winter.
- My selection of luxury lodges: Aman-i-Khas & Oberoi Vanyavilas
8. Swim with Whale Sharks & Manta Rays in the Maldives
The Maldives is often described as a paradise of white-sand beaches and luxury villas—but below the surface lies an equally spectacular world. The UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll is home to some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet. Here, you can snorkel alongside gentle whale sharks, glide with manta rays, and encounter vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish. Marine biologists often accompany tours, enriching the experience with insights into conservation and ocean ecology. Back on shore, unwind in overwater bungalows with private pools and butler service. The best place in the Maldives to swim with manta rays and whale sharks (as well as other wildlife) is the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO protected biopshere which is also home to one of my favorite resorts in the world, Soneva Fushi.
- Best time to visit: divers can enjoy the opportunity of diving with manta rays and whale sharks in Maldives throughout the year, but the areas frequented by these marine animals vary with the seasons. During the dry Northeast Monsoon season (January to April), manta ray and whale shark diving in Maldives is best on the western side of the atolls, whereas during the Southeast Monsoon season, manta rays and whale sharks will typically be encountered near the eastern edge of the atolls.
- My selection of luxury lodges: read here my article about the top 10 best resorts in the Maldives.
7. Observe King Penguins in Antarctica
Antarctica is Earth’s final frontier: an untouched wilderness of icebergs, glaciers, and abundant wildlife. Among its most iconic residents are the king penguins, who gather in massive colonies across the sub-Antarctic islands. Watching thousands of these striking birds waddle across the ice is both endearing and awe-inspiring. Expedition cruises also offer sightings of humpback whales, leopard seals, and albatrosses, with daily landings that let you step foot on remote ice fields. Between excursions, retreat to luxury expedition ships offering fine dining, heated observation lounges, and even spas.
- Best time to visit: cruises to Antarctica operate during the austral summer, early November to late March. There is no ‘best’ time to go within this period, although the different months do have unique characteristics. November is the courting season for penguins and sea birds whilst spring wildflowers are in bloom on the Falkland Islands and the spring ice is breaking up, creating sculptured shapes. In December and January, the first seal pups and penguin chicks are born on South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, whales are starting to appear more frequently, and the days are at their longest. By February and March whale sighting is at its best and the penguin chicks are beginning to fledge, building up their strength for the long winter ahead.
- My selection of luxury cruise ships: Seabourn Venture, Silver Endeavour, and Le Commandant Charcot
6. Track Wolves & Bison in Yellowstone National Park, USA
Yellowstone, America’s first national park, remains one of the best places in the world to see large predators in their natural habitat. The Lamar Valley—often called “America’s Serengeti”—is renowned for its wolf packs, where early risers may witness these elusive animals hunting elk or roaming misty meadows. The park is also home to vast herds of bison, majestic elk, bald eagles, and grizzly bears, creating year-round opportunities for unforgettable wildlife encounters. Each season offers something unique, from newborn calves and cubs in spring to autumn’s elk rut, while winter transforms Yellowstone into a snowy wilderness where wolves and bison stand out dramatically against the white landscape.
- Best time to visit: the best times to visit Yellowstone are spring (from March to May) and autumn (from September to November). These seasons both feature mild weather and fewer crowds, and wildlife is at its most liveliest (especially during spring). However, if wolves are your single reason to visit Yellowstone, then some will tell you that the best time for a holiday is the winter season, when the wolves and other wildlife are more visible (the black ones stand out against the snow) and the prey is in plain sight. While winter is not for the faint-hearted with bitter cold, there’s nothing quite like seeing plumes of steam rise from beneath a thick blanket of snow or a pack of wolves from the comfort of your snow scooter.
- My selection of luxury hotels: Amangani & Four Seasons Jackson Hole
5. Explore the Jungles of Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park
On Costa Rica’s remote Osa Peninsula lies Corcovado National Park, often called “the most biologically intense place on Earth.” This tropical paradise brims with wildlife: scarlet macaws screech overhead, tapirs wander the forest floor, and four species of monkeys swing through the canopy. Lucky travelers may even glimpse a jaguar stalking sea turtles along the beaches. Guided treks lead you deep into untouched rainforests, mangrove swamps, and cloud forests. Between adventures, luxury eco-lodges provide a seamless blend of comfort and sustainability, with open-air suites and ocean views.
- Best time to visit: Corcovado National Park is one of the wettest places on earth, so make sure to visit this corner of Costa Rica during the dry season to avoid most of the rains (January to April).
- Recommended tour operator: Osawild
- My selection of luxury lodges: Lapa Rios & Botanica Osa Peninsula
Photo credit: Big Cat Jaguar (https://bigcatfacts.net/jaguars-vision-hearing-and-smell/)4. Witness the Great Migration in Tanzania & Kenya
The Great Migration is one of the most spectacular wildlife events on the planet. Each year, over 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras trek across the Serengeti and Masai Mara in search of greener pastures. This epic journey is fraught with danger: river crossings challenge herds with crocodile-infested waters, while lions and cheetahs lie in wait on the savannah. Luxury safari camps position travelers right at the heart of the action, often with front-row views of river crossings. Sundowners by the fire and candlelit bush dinners complete the experience. FYI, The only other African wildlife holiday that comes close to the Great Migration is observing Africa’s second greatest concentration of wildlife in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
- Best time to visit: the herds of wildebeests follow the rain, so plan your travels accordingly. The best time to witness the migration in Tanzania is probably February and March when the wildebeest and zebra congregate in the Serengeti at the start of the rainy season, and have their young too. Not only can you enjoy seeing baby animals, but the predators are at the highest number too. In June and July, the great migration hops over to Kenya’s Masai Mara and this is the time that you can witness spectacular Grumeti River crossings with crocodiles killing their prey (although it is hard to predict the exact time of this event).
- Recommended tour operator: &Beyond, Singita and Wilderness
- My selection of luxury lodges: read here my article about the top 10 best lodges & hotels in Tanzania.
3. Kayak with Whales in Alaska & British Columbia
Few wildlife encounters are as intimate as kayaking alongside whales in the pristine waters of Alaska and British Columbia. In Johnstone Strait, pods of orcas glide silently past, while in Glacier Bay, humpback whales breach dramatically against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. This low-impact adventure allows travelers to connect deeply with marine life in near silence, without the crowds of larger boats. After a day on the water, luxury wilderness lodges provide roaring fireplaces, ocean-view hot tubs, and fine dining showcasing local flavors.
- Best time to visit: the best time to kayak with whales is between May and the first half of September. The days are long, whales are active in the area, and temperatures are moderate (be prepared for rain – lots of rain – and storms at any time of the day).
- Recommended tour operators: Sea Kayak Alaska (Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska) & North Island Kayak (Vancouver Island, Canada)
- My selection of luxury lodges in & around Vancouver Island (for Alaska, cf below): Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, Long Beach Lodge Resort, Wickaninnish Inn, & Sonora Resort.
2. Walk Among Grizzly Bears in Alaska
Katmai National Park offers one of the most extraordinary wildlife holidays on Earth: walking safely among wild grizzly bears. Thanks to a century of protection and abundant salmon runs, the bears pay little attention to humans, allowing up-close observation in their natural habitat. The highlight is watching bears at Brooks Falls, snatching salmon mid-leap in an iconic display of strength and survival. Access is often by floatplane, adding to the sense of adventure, while wilderness lodges nearby ensure travelers can end their day of raw encounters with comfort, fine dining, and sweeping Alaskan views.
- Best time to visit: although you may encounter a bear at any time in Alaska (except when they hibernate), your chances of seeing bears are best when they gather to feed on seasonally concentrated food sources like salmon and sedges. Katmai is the single best place to view bears in the wild (don’t even look for alternatives). June and August are the best months to watch bear activity (playing, digging clamps, grazing, mating) and walk among them on the wild beaches of Katmai. In July and September, brown bears congregate to feed on sockeye salmon near the Brooks River Falls in the center of National Park, allowing spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities from 3 viewing platforms (that you will have to share, unfortunately, with many others). Be bear-prepared!
- Recommended tour operators: Katmailand (bear viewing at Brooks Falls) & Alaska Bear Adventures (bear viewing along the coast)
- My selection of wilderness lodges (as close to luxury as you can find in Alaska): Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, Camp Denali, North Face Lodge, Kulik Lodge, and Ultima Thule Lodge. In Katmai itself – the best place for a bear encounter – are no luxurious accommodations.
1. Track Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda & Uganda
Trekking through the mist-shrouded forests of Rwanda and Uganda to encounter mountain gorillas is widely considered the pinnacle of wildlife travel. With fewer than 1,000 left in the wild, these encounters are rare and deeply moving, offering a glimpse into the lives of one of our closest relatives. Watching a silverback guard his family while playful juveniles tumble through the vines is an awe-inspiring moment that stays with you forever. After the trek, return to award-winning luxury lodges, where private villas, fine dining, and spa treatments provide the perfect balance to one of the most powerful wildlife experiences in the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c472zg9k5vU
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