Best wildlife holidays if you are tired of the big five

As South Africans, it’s easy to see why we might become a little blase about seeing animals in the wild, after all, some of the best national parks in the world are right here on our own doorstep. That said, this a wild and beautiful world and there are still many breathtaking wilderness experiences that are well worth the effort. We take a look at the top five unique wildlife trips you can take if you are tired of the big five.

Gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda

There is a quiet majesty to gorillas. The way they seem to be constantly analysing and pondering their surroundings gives them an aura of mystery. In the wild, this experience is elevated as actually seeing them can be something of a gruelling experience. Driving out into the wilderness, before hiking into the dense vegetation in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains adds to the allure as you know that soon you will literally be face-to-face with these giants in their own habitats.

Snow Leopards in the Himalayas

A tour to see the animal known as “The mountain ghost” is not just about the staggering scenery and ultimately capturing photographs of one of the rarest animals on the planet. Going to see the Snow Leopard will take you to the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, known as ‘Little Tibet’, where India’s culture meets Chinas in a unique blend seen nowhere else. It’s a photographer’s dream as you will traverse staggeringly beautiful mountain tracks, and hike through thick snow, before finally coming eye-to-eye with a truly unique animal.

Polar bears in the Arctic

The Arctic tundra is one of the most threatened biomes in the world. Every year millions of litres of glacier ice slough off into the sea, making life increasingly difficult for the mighty white bears that live there.

There are numerous access points to the Arctic from Svalbard, Canada’s Northwest Passage, Churchill and Wrangel Island in the Russian Arctic and most of them require a ship-based expedition. The romanticism and uniqueness of boarding an ice-breaker as it tears through the frozen arctic ocean is worth the trip alone, and when you do finally see bears in the wilderness it will be an experience you will never forget.

Orangutans in Borneo

With their ability to learn sign language and even to make tools, Orangutans are considered one of the world’s smartest primates and humanity’s closest ancestor. With their forests being steadily destroyed the opportunities to see these uniquely characterful, playful and intelligent creatures in the wild is rapidly dwindling. Borneo provides the best opportunity provided you are happy hiking into the wild jungles through sometimes difficult terrain.

The added advantage of these tours is the very real likelihood you will also see Proboscis monkeys, with a far smaller chance of seeing the elusive Clouded Leopard.

Tigers in India

Ranthambore National Park is the perfect place to see the largest of the big cats in the wild. Beautifully located right in the heart of India just south of Agra, New Delhi and Jaipur the park is in the perfect position for travellers to take in the majestic tiger, and also tour some of India’s most popular attractions along the way. Much like in South Africa, seeing the animals with generally require a few game drives, but options do exist for tracking the tigers on foot or horseback.

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet and the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. The islands are populated with birds and animals that are found nowhere else on earth, making seeing them in the wild a truly unique experience. Getting to the Galapagos is an adventure all on its own. You will take numerous flights, before boarding your small yacht to head out to view the different sites, meaning that the wildlife is only a small part of an overall unforgettable adventure.

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