16 Unusual Wildlife Tours That Take You Off the Beaten Path
If you are a nature lover looking for a unique wildlife experience, there are plenty of off-the-beaten-path tours that will take you to some of the most remote and fascinating corners of the world. These tours offer the chance to see animals in their natural habitats, from polar bears in the Arctic to rare birds in the rainforests of Madagascar. Whether it’s tracking big cats on foot or spotting sea lions in the Galápagos, these adventures are perfect for those seeking something different. Many of these destinations are untouched by mass tourism, providing an authentic and intimate wildlife experience.
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Polar Bear Safari in Churchill, Canada
Embark on an adventure in the remote town of Churchill, known as the polar bear capital of the world. This unique wildlife tour allows you to observe polar bears in their natural habitat as they migrate along the Hudson Bay coastline. Travelers board specially designed tundra buggies for safe and close-up encounters with these magnificent creatures. The best time to visit is during the fall when polar bears gather in large numbers before heading out onto the ice.
Aside from the polar bears, Churchill also offers opportunities to witness other wildlife like Arctic foxes, hares, and migrating birds. The town is also famous for its northern lights, so visitors can enjoy the beauty of the aurora borealis in the winter months. This is a perfect destination for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers who wish to experience nature in its rawest form.
Madagascar Wildlife Tour
Madagascar is home to some of the most unique species on the planet, and this wildlife tour offers an opportunity to explore its pristine rainforests and remote areas. Known for its biodiversity, Madagascar is famous for animals such as lemurs, chameleons, and the fossa. The tour takes you through rainforests, national parks, and isolated beaches where you can see animals that are found nowhere else on Earth.
This tour also includes a chance to visit the Avenue of the Baobabs, where you can see some of the most remarkable trees in the world. Madagascar’s isolation from other landmasses has led to the evolution of its distinctive species, making it a once-in-a-lifetime destination for nature lovers. It is a paradise for those seeking wildlife in its purest and most unspoiled form.
Borneo Rainforest Adventure
Borneo’s rainforests are one of the oldest in the world, and the wildlife here is just as ancient. This wildlife tour takes you deep into the heart of Borneo, where you’ll have the chance to see orangutans, pygmy elephants, and proboscis monkeys. The tour involves trekking through lush jungles, river cruises, and visiting rehabilitation centers where endangered species are protected and cared for.
Along with the wildlife, Borneo’s vibrant ecosystems also offer a diverse array of flora and breathtaking scenery. The island’s conservation efforts are making great strides in preserving these unique species. A trip here is perfect for those looking to get off the grid and experience nature at its most raw and untouched.
New Zealand’s Predator-Free Wilderness
New Zealand offers a unique wildlife tour focused on predator-free zones, where visitors can explore areas untouched by introduced predators like rats, stoats, and possums. The islands of New Zealand are home to some of the rarest and most endangered species, such as the kiwi, the kakapo parrot, and the takahe. This tour takes you to specially protected reserves where native species have thrived due to conservation efforts.
You’ll visit islands like Zealandia, an urban eco-sanctuary in Wellington, and predator-free islands like Kapiti Island, where native birds flourish in a safe environment. The restoration of New Zealand’s wildlife has been a success story, and the tour allows visitors to witness firsthand the results of these efforts. It’s an experience that highlights the importance of wildlife protection and conservation.
Zambia’s Walking Safari in South Luangwa
The South Luangwa National Park in Zambia offers a thrilling walking safari experience that brings you up close and personal with wildlife. Unlike typical safari tours where you observe animals from a vehicle, this experience allows you to track animals on foot with an expert guide. The area is known for its abundant wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, and buffalo.
Walking safaris in Zambia offer a more immersive experience of the African wilderness, allowing you to understand the environment and the animals’ behaviors in a way that traditional safaris cannot. The tour also includes night safaris, where you can witness nocturnal animals like hyenas and owls. South Luangwa’s stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife make it an exceptional choice for adventurous travelers.
Costa Rica’s Cloud Forest Expedition
Costa Rica’s cloud forests are home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including rare birds, amphibians, and insects. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve offers a wildlife tour that takes you through mist-covered trees, where you can spot the elusive quetzal, sloths, and a variety of tropical birds. The cloud forest’s unique climate allows for a wide range of species to thrive in its ecosystem.
This tour also includes a canopy walk, where you can experience the forest from a different perspective and view the diverse wildlife that calls the treetops home. Costa Rica’s dedication to sustainability and conservation ensures that these cloud forests remain a haven for endangered species. For nature enthusiasts, this is a must-see destination with a variety of ecosystems to explore.
Arctic Wildlife Safari in Greenland
Greenland offers an off-the-beaten-path wildlife tour where travelers can experience the Arctic’s pristine beauty and diverse wildlife. This tour takes you through fjords and glaciers, where you’ll have the chance to spot walruses, seals, musk oxen, and even polar bears. The remoteness of Greenland provides a unique opportunity to see these animals in a virtually untouched environment.
Greenland’s unique landscape of icebergs, glaciers, and tundra creates a dramatic backdrop for this wildlife adventure. The tour also offers visits to indigenous communities, where you can learn about local conservation efforts and the traditional ways of life in one of the world’s most isolated places. For those looking for a remote wildlife experience, Greenland offers a truly extraordinary adventure.
Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands Adventure
The Galápagos Islands are a bucket-list destination for wildlife lovers. This archipelago, located off the coast of Ecuador, is home to unique species such as the giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and the famous finches that influenced Darwin’s theory of evolution. The Galápagos offers guided tours that take you across several islands, where you can swim with sea lions, snorkel with marine turtles, and explore volcanic landscapes.
The islands’ isolation from the mainland has allowed species to evolve in fascinating ways, making it one of the most biologically unique places on the planet. Visitors are encouraged to respect the islands’ delicate ecosystems and are guided by experts who help ensure that wildlife is not disturbed. The Galápagos is a wildlife lover’s dream come true and offers an unforgettable experience for those seeking something out of the ordinary.
Iceland’s Puffin Watching Tour
Iceland is famous for its dramatic landscapes, but it’s also a fantastic destination for birdwatching. The puffin watching tour is one of the most popular wildlife tours in Iceland, where you can observe these charming seabirds nesting on cliffs. The best time to visit is during the summer months when puffins return to breed, and their colonies are bustling with activity.
The tour also provides an opportunity to see other seabirds like guillemots, kittiwakes, and Arctic terns. Many tours offer boat trips around coastal cliffs, giving you close-up views of puffins in their natural habitat. Iceland’s stunning coastline and diverse birdlife make it a unique wildlife destination for birdwatching enthusiasts.
Kenya’s Great Migration Safari
Kenya’s Masai Mara is known for its annual Great Migration, one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the world. This tour offers a chance to witness millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles crossing the plains in search of fresh grazing grounds. The migration is a dramatic spectacle, with predators like lions and crocodiles often waiting for the herds to cross rivers.
In addition to the migration, the Masai Mara is home to the Big Five – lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos. This wildlife tour offers a chance to experience one of the most iconic safaris in the world, where you can observe animals in their natural, unspoiled environment. The Great Migration is a must-see event for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike.
Zambia’s Kafue National Park Safari
Kafue National Park is one of Zambia’s largest and most remote parks, making it an ideal wildlife tour destination for those looking to avoid the crowds. The park is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, and the endangered wild dog. The Kafue River also attracts a variety of birds, making it a great spot for birdwatching.
The park’s remote location ensures a more intimate safari experience, where you can enjoy the wilderness without the hustle and bustle of other tourists. Kafue is also known for its scenic landscapes, from open savannahs to dense woodlands, providing a stunning backdrop for wildlife sightings. For adventurers seeking a more secluded safari, Kafue offers a truly unique experience.
Bhutan’s Black-Necked Crane Tour
Bhutan’s remote valleys are home to one of the most rare and elegant birds – the black-necked crane. This tour takes you to the Phobjikha Valley during the winter months when thousands of these cranes migrate to the region. The tour offers an in-depth look at the bird’s behavior, the conservation efforts to protect them, and the breathtaking landscapes of the valley.
In addition to the cranes, the valley is rich in biodiversity, with opportunities to spot other wildlife like the golden langur and Himalayan monal. The peaceful, isolated environment of Bhutan makes this an ideal place for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers to experience something truly unique.
Papua New Guinea’s Bird of Paradise Tour
Papua New Guinea is one of the world’s most biodiverse locations, and its bird of paradise is the crown jewel of its wildlife. On this tour, travelers trek through jungles and remote highlands to observe these stunning and elusive birds in their natural habitat. Papua New Guinea is home to over 40 species of the bird of paradise, each with its own fascinating colors and dances.
The rugged landscapes and remote villages make this an immersive cultural and wildlife experience. Guides share local knowledge about the birds and the customs of the indigenous tribes who coexist with the land’s incredible biodiversity. This is an ideal tour for birdwatching lovers looking to witness one of the world’s most extraordinary birds.
Costa Rica’s Bat Watching Experience
While many wildlife tours focus on large mammals and colorful birds, Costa Rica offers a fascinating bat-watching tour that is as unique as it is intriguing. Visitors can explore the dark caves of Costa Rica’s rainforests, home to over 100 bat species. The tour offers a look into the critical ecological role that bats play in pollinating plants, dispersing seeds, and controlling insect populations.
You’ll also learn about Costa Rica’s conservation efforts to protect these misunderstood creatures. The chance to observe bats in flight and hear about their nocturnal activities is an unforgettable experience for wildlife lovers who enjoy exploring the unseen side of nature.
Australia’s Kangaroo Island Wildlife Safari
Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia, is home to an incredible array of wildlife. This safari tour allows you to see kangaroos, koalas, sea lions, and penguins, all in their natural habitats. Visitors will explore secluded beaches, dense forests, and rugged coastlines, with opportunities to interact with animals up close.
The island’s isolation has helped preserve its unique wildlife, making it one of the best places in Australia to see native species in a natural setting. The tour also highlights the island’s diverse ecosystems, from wetlands to forests, giving a comprehensive view of its rich wildlife.
Namibia’s Desert Elephant Safari
Namibia’s arid desert landscapes are home to a rare and incredible species – the desert elephant. This safari takes you through the deserts of Damaraland, where you’ll track these magnificent creatures across the sand dunes. These elephants have adapted to the harsh desert environment, making them a truly remarkable sight.
The tour provides a deep insight into how desert elephants survive in such a challenging landscape, as well as the ongoing conservation efforts to protect them. Along with elephants, you may spot other desert-adapted wildlife, including rhinos and lions, making this an exceptional safari for wildlife enthusiasts.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.