Wildlife Holidays

The sheer scale of Latin America means there are a vast number of habitats and environments, from arid deserts to lush jungle and high-altitude mountains to tropical coastline. All those landscapes are home to a wide range of species, and many offer wonderful wildlife experiences.

Costa Rica is a wildlife lover's haven. During the day, the destination's rainforests and cloud forests are home to howler and capuchin monkeys, dart frogs and coatimundis, and, at night, those same areas come alive with snakes, tarantulas, sloths and bats. Jungle waterways in Tortuguero are a fantastic way to spot sloths, caimans, spider and howler monkeys and the area's seemingly countless species of birds. In Villa Blanca, walking through the cloud forests showcases various species, including the fascinating flora, which often comes alive once the sun goes down.

On mainland Ecuador, the hive of wildlife activity in the Amazon Rainforest is a sight to behold. Around a third of the entire Amazon basin's species can be found in the Ecuadorian Amazon, from the jaguar to the capybara and more than 1,500 documented species of birds.

Mainland Ecuador is the gateway to the Galapagos Islands, which are around 2 hours by flight from Quito. The wonderful biodiversity and lack of natural predators on the Galapagos Islands make it another great destination for wildlife spotting. Whether you opt for an island stay or a cruise between several of the islands, Galapagos penguins, sea lions, giant tortoises, dolphins, and more can be spotted at incredibly close quarters on foot; not to mention the three species of booby, frigate birds and finches.

There are many options if you are looking to visit the Amazon as part of a more balanced holiday, especially in Peru. Our flagship Incas & Conquistadors of Peru tour, which traces centuries of history in Peru, including the chance to visit Machu Picchu, can be combined with a jungle stay, as well as several other extensions to Lake Titicaca, the Inca Trail, and more. The Condors & Convents extension adds a greater sense of biodiversity beyond wildlife, with a visit to the spectacular Colca Canyon as well as the jungle.

The Best of Chile & Argentina holiday combines two of the region's most diverse destinations with wildlife spotting opportunities on a Patagonia cruise. Onboard guides will be on hand to help spot the elusive species which call the virtually untouched environments home, like whales and dolphins.

Brazil's Pantanal is the largest wetland on Earth, and you are almost certain to see a good sample of its over 150 mammal species, 650 bird species and almost 100 reptile species. There are estimated to be around 10 million caimans, and the puma, jaguar, anaconda, piranha and capybara populations are all healthy. Tourism is relatively new to the Pantanal, so lodges are remote and immersed in the wetland setting.

Asia is the second most biodiverse continent, only behind South America. Its varying climates, vast size and equatorial heat have created prime conditions for tens of thousands of species to thrive, including a number that are endemic to Asia.

A safari through Ranthambore National Park provides a great opportunity to spot the Park's most famous resident, the Royal Bengal tiger. As well as the tour's namesake big cat, there is the opportunity to spot leopards, hyenas, sloth bears, and crocodiles, and trace India's unique history through its well-preserved temples and the iconic Taj Mahal.

Visiting Sri Lanka's Yala National Park on the Splendours of Sri Lanka tour is a similarly species-rich safari opportunity. The park boasts an incredible diversity of wildlife and is known as the best place in the world to spot the Sri Lankan leopard, with healthy populations of water buffalo, sloth bears, Sambar deer, crocodiles, and elephants, too.

Orangutans of Borneo is the most wildlife-centric holiday we offer in Asia. The 11-day tour encompasses ancient rainforest and winding rivers, with chances to spot several rare and endangered species along the way. A stay in Sepilok includes visits to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where you can see the conservation work with orphaned and injured orangutans being taught skills needed to return to the wild, and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which houses sun bears rescued from captivity in large enclosures mimicking their natural habitat, allowing them to climb and forage in a safe environment. Along the Kinabatangan River, you can ride a small boat to spot animals that come to the riverbanks to drink, feed and travel. Early morning and afternoon boat trips often offer sightings of proboscis monkeys, orangutans, macaques, hornbills, and, on rare occasions, pygmy elephants.

Travelling to Southern and Eastern Africa in search of the Big Five and experiencing some of the greatest wildlife reserves along the way is one of the world's most fulfilling wildlife holiday experiences.

Kenya is celebrated worldwide as the birthplace of the safari. The country's dramatic geography and equatorial position have resulted in a range of habitats. Much of the country comprises vast wildlife reserves home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo) and hundreds of other species, and ‘A Safari Through Kenya' is a great way to explore these.

The vast open plains of the Masai Mara and other national parks feel incredibly intimate thanks to a 6-guest-per-vehicle limit, and contrast with white sand beaches, flamingo-filled lakes surrounded by wildlife sanctuaries, snow-capped mountains where rarer game species reside and bustling cities including the capital Nairobi and Mombasa.

Deemed by some as the best safari Africa offers, Botswana's rich ecosystems are home to Africa's Big 5 (there are very few rhinos, so sightings are rare) plus hippo, crocodile, giraffe, wildebeest, cheetah, impala, wild dog and numerous species of birds. Staying on a mobile tented safari truly immerses you in the bush without compromising on comfort, and the relatively small group sizes (a maximum of 7 people) make for relaxing breaks between game drives.

The Kruger is undoubtedly one of South Africa's biggest attractions, covering 20,000 square kilometres of bush and home to the Big 5 plus numerous other species, including giraffe, hippo, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, hyena and prolific birdlife. The Kruger is also a malaria-free zone and promises an excellent standard of lodgings.

Namibia is one of the most unique safari experiences in the world. The Etosha Pan is one of the country's most fruitful game destinations, as a lack of water sources means the few waterholes become hives of wildlife activity. The long drives between destinations become as much a part of the adventure as the game drives.