The 20 Finest Wildlife Parks & Wildlife Excursions within the World

International curiosity in nature-based tourism, which incorporates wildlife tourism, has grown quickly during the last decade.

On the identical time, wildlife has turn into more and more beneath menace from points reminiscent of habitat loss, poaching, and a scarcity of funding for conservation. 

Richard Damania, lead economist for the World Financial institution, succinctly explains the intrinsic connection between economic system and ecology in tourism locations: “Present jobs and (you’ll) save the setting.” 

However in fact it’s not fairly that easy, as a Nationwide Geographic cowl story on the darkish fact behind wildlife tourism illustrated.

When managed irresponsibly, wildlife points of interest could contain abuse, exploitation, drugged animals, and even loss of life. And until guests are well-informed about these points, they’d most likely by no means know the distinction. 

Fortuitously, there are lots of (if not hundreds) of examples of wildlife tourism points of interest that get it proper.

These sustainably-run operations have led to improved well-being for the animals, elevated investments in protected areas and reserves, a discount in poaching, and elevated advantages for native communities within the type of jobs, co-management of assets, and revenue-sharing. 

Right here’s a take a look at 20 of the world’s greatest wildlife parks, in addition to wildlife excursions particularly designed for animal lovers.

READ MORE: The 25 Finest Nationwide Parks in Africa for Wildlife Safaris

WILDLIFE PARKS IN AFRICA

1. ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK (Namibia) 

The completely distinctive wildlife park encompasses 8,600 sq. miles of expansive desert landscapes.

On the coronary heart of Etosha Nationwide Park are its expansive salt pans. Within the moist season they fill with water and appeal to a bevy of lovely birds, whereas within the dry season they blow saline mud out in direction of the Atlantic Ocean.

The otherworldly park can be house to plenty of large sport animals, together with giraffes, lions, black and white rhinos, and endemic mountain zebras, in addition to all kinds of birds.

Many Namibia wildlife excursions embrace visiting Etosha Nationwide Park, on the lookout for desert elephants in Skeleton Coast Nationwide Park, seeing the large Cape fur seal colonies at Swakomund, and rather more. 

READ MORE: The 20 Most secure International locations in Africa to Go to

2. KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (South Africa) 

Protecting greater than 7,500 sq. miles within the jap a part of South Africa, Kruger Nationwide Park ranks alongside Etosha among the many largest wildlife reserves in all of Africa.

Established in 1926, it’s South Africa’s oldest nationwide park and a part of a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Though the area has been struggling to take care of the rise in poaching of elephants, rhinos, and different animals for the unlawful wildlife commerce over the previous decade, Kruger Nationwide Park stays a exceptional place.

The park is house to an distinctive vary of wildlife, together with 517 hen species, 147 species of enormous mammals, 114 reptile species, and uncommon, endangered wildlife together with black rhinos and the beautiful African wild canine (a.okay.a. painted canine). 

READ MORE: Suggestions for Visiting Kruger Nationwide Park, South Africa

3. MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE (Kenya)

The Masai Mara ought to want no introduction because the northern cease of Africa’s Nice Migration of wildebeest, zebras, and different ungulates, which is arguably one of many world’s best wonders for wildlife lovers.

However the 583-square-mile reserve is simply a part of the Higher Mara Ecosystem, which additionally contains quite a few Maasai-owned wildlife conservancies.

The world is house to 25% of Kenya’s wildlife, together with an unbelievable inhabitants of Massive Cats (cheetahs, lions, and leopards), in addition to their prey (gazelles, impala, wildebeest, and so forth).

Eco-tour operators like Gamewatchers Safaris and the Elewana Assortment supply an distinctive alternative to discover the realm in depth, protecting a lot of the identical epic journey the migration follows every year.

READ MORE: Masai Mara Conservancies: A Mannequin for Group Conservation in Kenya

4. OKAVANGO DELTA (Botswana)

One of many newer UNESCO websites on this record, Botswana’s Okavango Delta earned World Heritage Website standing in 2014 for its extremely various wildlife and expansive wetlands ecosystem.

Spreading throughout 5791 sq. miles, the area’s huge community of canals and swamps are greatest explored by way of conventional canoes, that are generally known as mokoro.

Within the winter, the water attracts some 200,000 giant mammals (cheetahs, lions, elephants, rhinos, and so forth.) and 400+ hen species to the realm. Because of Botswana’s anti-poaching measures, the variety of animals right here is rising.

Luxurious Botswana safaris (reminiscent of these provided by Nice Plains Conservation) supply friends an unique expertise exploring completely different areas of this fertile panorama, together with areas not often visited by most wildlife excursions of the Okavango.

READ MORE: 55 Attention-grabbing Information About Elephants

5. SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK (Tanzania)

The southern place to begin for the annual Nice Migration from Tanzania to Kenya searching for water and recent grass, this 5,700-square mile UNESCO World Heritage Website was named after the Maasai phrase for “the place the place the land runs on ceaselessly.”

It’s an apt moniker, and the Serengeti’s seemingly limitless grasslands, riverine forest, bushy savanna, and open woodlands are house to a staggering array of wildlife (to not point out the welcoming Maasai individuals).

In only a few days of exploring the realm, you’ll be able to see plenty of lions, elephants, giraffes, Nile crocodiles, colobus monkeys, and big herds of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and buffalo crowding the plains.

Quite a few tour operators supply immersive excursions that discover this glorious East African wildlife park in depth.

READ MORE: The Prime 10 Tanzania Nationwide Parks & Reserves

6. VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK (Rwanda) 

Made well-known by primatologist Diane Fossey’s groundbreaking work with mountain gorillas again within the Nineteen Seventies and ‘80s, Volcanoes was the primary nationwide park on the african continent.

The park is house to 5 of the eight volcanoes within the Virunga Mountain vary, with as much as 80 vacationers a day paying for dear permits to spend an unbelievable hour with one of many 10 habituated gorilla households that make their house right here.

The park additionally gives treks to see habituated teams of endangered golden monkeys, go to Fossey’s grave, and climb Bisoke (a one-day tour) or Karisimbi Volcano (a 2-day trek with in a single day tenting).

We additionally suggest a go to to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, which gives different employment alternatives for former poachers and their households. It’s a mannequin for community-based conservation.

READ MORE: 50 Attention-grabbing Information About Gorillas

7. WILDLIFE PARKS IN ANTARCTICA

Okay, so technically there are not any nationwide parks in Antarctica.

However as a result of all the continent is protected by the Antarctic Treaty System, the coldest, driest, and windiest place on the planet is principally like one big wildlife reserve. And small ship cruises are an effective way to discover it.

The very best Antarctic wildlife excursions embrace loads of Adelie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins on the Antarctic mainland; Magellanic and rockhopper penguins within the Falkland Islands; and huge colonies of king and macaroni penguins (to not point out elephant and fur seals) on South Georgia Island.

After all, there can even be loads of whales, seals, and different wildlife sightings throughout your time at sea as effectively! 

READ MORE: 30 Antarctic Animals You Can See on an Antarctica Cruise

WILDLIFE PARKS IN ASIA 

8. BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK (India)

Situated in Madhya Pradesh, the 431-square-mile Bandhavgarh Nationwide Park & Tiger Reserve boasts one of many highest densities of Bengal tigers on the earth.

Because of conservation initiatives right here and at tiger reserves reminiscent of Kanha and Kaziranga Nationwide Parks, the Bengal tiger is among the few endangered species whose inhabitants is rising.

However the fearsome cat is hardly this wildlife park’s solely attraction: There are additionally 36 different species of mammals (together with leopards, Asian elephants, and nilgai, or “blue bulls”), greater than 250 species of birds, and round 80 species of butterflies.

There are three zones on this former maharaja’s looking grounds which are open to vacationers: The Tala zone is taken into account the most effective for tigers and likewise probably the most photogenic, whereas Khitauli is nice for birdwatching. 

READ MORE: Indian Animals: A Information to 40 Species of Indian Wildlife 

9. KOMODO NATIONAL PARK (Indonesia)

There are lower than 5,000 Komodo dragons left on the earth, and most of them are discovered on two small islands in Indonesia, Komodo Island and Rinca Island.

Together with Padar and 26 smaller islands, this complete archipelago has been protected since 1980 as Komodo Nationwide Park.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1991, the park was initially designed to guard the world’s largest lizard, which may develop as much as 10 toes lengthy.

But it surely’s additionally house to exceptional marine life, together with whale sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, blue-ringed octopus, and fairly a number of cetaceans (together with dolphins, blue whales, and sperm whales). 

READ MORE: How Fires in Indonesia & Palm Oil Are Killing Orangutans

10. TUBBATAHA REEFS NATURAL PARK (Philippines)

Should you take pleasure in snorkeling and Scuba diving and have a deep appreciation for marine life, a go to to the islands of the Philippines is really a should.

Situated throughout the South China Sea’s famed “Coral Triangle,” the Philippines is house to a few of the world’s most picturesque seashores, colourful coral reef programs, and a stunning assortment of ocean animals.

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1993, Tubbataha Reefs Pure Park covers 374 sq. miles and contains two giant atolls and a smaller reef system.

Small ship expedition cruises give friends probabilities to dive and/or snorkel this ecotourism hotspot within the Palawan province, the place they could see a few of the reef’s 600 fish species, 13 species of cetaceans, 11 sorts of sharks, and a number of other species of sea turtles. 

READ MORE: Prime 15 Issues to Do in Coron, Palawan

11.YALA NATIONAL PARK (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka will not be almost as effectively generally known as neighboring India by way of tourism, however in the previous couple of years its variety of worldwide guests has been steadily on the rise.

The island nation’s oldest and most famous nationwide park can be house to the best focus of Sri Lanka wildlife, together with leopards, Sri Lankan elephants, sloth bears, jackals, buffalo, crocodiles, and monkeys.

The uncrowded wildlife park additionally boasts over 150 hen species, and the adjoining Yala East (a.okay.a. Kumana Nationwide Park) is a infamous nesting website for waterbirds.

Yala is a large issue within the current rise of Sri Lanka ecotourism, with an array of unbelievable pure wonders you gained’t see anyplace else within the nation.

READ MORE: Endangered Asian Animals: The ten Finest Wildlife Conservation Applications

WILDLIFE PARKS IN AUSTRALIA

12. GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK (Australia) 

Stretching greater than 133,000 sq. miles, the Nice Barrier Reef of Australia is definitely the world’s largest coral reef system. 

The world is house to no less than 30 species of cetaceans, over 1,500 species of fish, six species of sea turtles, and round 125 completely different species of sharks and stingrays.

The UNESCO World Heritage Website additionally contains mangroves and salt marshes, which offer fertile breeding grounds for frogs and saltwater crocodiles, and round 1.5 million birds (215 species) use its 900 islands to nest or roost.

The Australian Nationwide Park’s reefs are presently being threatened by local weather change, with ocean acidification resulting in elevated coral bleaching. However some cruises take friends to its most pristine locations, together with Osprey Reef and Lizard Island.

READ MORE: 20 Bizarre & Cute Australian Animals

WILDLIFE PARKS IN NORTH AMERICA/CENTRAL AMERICA

13. BANFF NATIONAL PARK (Canada) 

Established in 1885, Banff Nationwide Park encompasses round 2,564 sq. miles, and is full of towering mountains, dense coniferous forest, glaciers, and ice fields.

It’s bounded by Yoho Nationwide Park to the west, Kootenay Nationwide Park to the south, and Kananaskis Nation to the southeast, so all the area appears like one large nature space.

The park is house to an exquisite array of alpine animals, together with grizzly bears, cougars, moose, elk, bighorn sheep, wolverines, and lots of of hen species.

Should you go to, find time for a highway journey alongside the impressively scenic Icefields Parkway, which extends from the world-renowned Lake Louise to neighboring Jasper Nationwide Park.

READ MORE: Polar Bears in Churchill, Manitoba 

14. CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK (Costa Rica)

Situated on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, Corcovado Nationwide Park has been referred to by Nationwide Geographic as “probably the most biologically intense place on Earth by way of biodiversity.”

At 164 sq. miles, it’s one of many world’s few remaining giant areas of lowland tropical rainforests, with a various vary of ecosystems offering house to greater than 500 completely different tree species.

Throughout our three days of mountain climbing within the park we noticed a dizzying array of wildlife, together with the endangered Baird’s tapir, the uncommon harpy eagle, all 4 Costa Rica monkey species, sloths, big anteaters, collared peccaries, and extra.

Scuba divers and snorkelers can even take pleasure in a day journey to Caño Island, which is 40 minutes away by boat.  

READ MORE: 40 Superb Costa Rica Animals

15. DENALI NATIONAL PARK (USA)

Should you’re occupied with wildlife excursions, central Alaska’s Denali Nationwide Park is arguably the most effective place within the USA to take one.

With six million acres of pristine wilderness and only one 92-mile highway via it (which is barely open to personal automobiles 4 days a yr), Denali is about as wild as nationwide parks get.

The shuttle bus drivers double as partaking naturalist guides, permitting guests to sit down again, calm down, and drop their jaws on the beautiful surroundings and– in case you’re fortunate– breathtaking views of the large mountain for which the park is known as.

The prodigious wildlife right here contains plenty of grizzly bears, moose, caribou, bald eagles, and even wolves. So in case you’re planning on mountain climbing or tenting right here, be certain that to familiarize your self with backcountry security.

READ MORE: 40 Species of Alaskan Animals You Can See on Trip

16. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (USA)

If Alaska’s a bit too distant on your finances, the world’s first nationwide park is the following smartest thing.

Yellowstone Nationwide Park has been within the information typically in recent times attributable to overtourism and the misbehavior of some irresponsible guests.

However don’t let a number of dangerous apples spoil your enjoyment of the inherent great thing about its pure points of interest, together with Mammoth Sizzling Springs, Lamar Valley, the Higher & Decrease Geyser Basin, and Grand Prismatic Spring.

Although visitors will be irritating in peak summer time, the shoulder seasons are nice for recognizing wildlife reminiscent of bald eagles, bighorn sheep, bison, elk, grizzly bears, wolves, and rather more.

If you wish to discover Yellowstone with nearly no different vacationers, go to in winter, when all the pieces is blanketed in white. 

READ MORE: Record of US Nationwide Parks By State: an EPIC Information

WILDLIFE PARKS IN SOUTH AMERICA

17. GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK (Ecuador)

Situated 563 miles off Ecuador’s coast, this volcanic archipelago is a must-see for anybody who loves nature and wildlife, particularly avid birdwatchers.

Named the primary UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1978, the Galapagos Islands have fascinated mankind ever since they influenced Charles Darwin’s Idea of Evolution throughout his voyage there within the early 1800s.

The landscapes are remarkably various, from the plush inexperienced flora of the Santa Cruz highlands to the cruel lava fields on Bartolomé.

It’s additionally house to a few of the world’s most fascinating wildlife, from ocean-feeding Marine Iguanas and comical Blue-Footed Boobies to diminutive Galapagos Penguins and large Galapagos Tortoises.

READ MORE: 30 Superb Galapagos Islands Animals

18. PACAYA-SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE (Peru)

Encompassing round 8,000 sq. miles in distant Loretu, Peru, the Pacaya-Samiria Nationwide Reserve was simply our favourite a part of the Peruvian Amazon.

The protected space contains low hills and parts of the Amazon rainforest which are flooded throughout the moist season.

So whereas there are 19 ranger stations, 15 licensed campsites, and 5 wilderness huts obtainable, the most effective/solely option to discover the reserve for a lot of the yr is by boat.

Eco-friendly Amazon River cruises present heartwarming cultural exchanges with the indigenous Ribereños, in addition to distinctive alternatives to see wildlife just like the Amazon river dolphin, Amazonian manatee, quite a lot of monkeys, and numerous colourful birds.

READ MORE: 25 Stunning Birds within the Amazon Rainforest

19. PANTANAL MATOGROSSENSE (Brazil)

Although Brazil’s portion of the Amazon forest is presently beneath severe menace attributable to fires designed to clear forest, its Pantanal stays one of many world’s really nice locations for wildlife lovers.

The Brazilian Pantanal is among the largest tropical wetlands on the earth, protecting roughly 54,000-75,000 sq. miles.

The area is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Website, and round 80% of its floodplains are underwater throughout the wet season, making it one of many planet’s richest and most biodiverse ecosystems.

Animal aficionados could have a subject day right here, because the Pantanal is house to 400 fish species, 300 species of mammals (together with the ever-elusive jaguar), and 480 species of reptiles. There are additionally over 1,000 completely different hen species within the Pantanal. 

READ MORE: 21 Unimaginable Animals that Reside within the Amazon Rainforest

20. TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK (Chile)

A part of the Nationwide System of Protected Forested Areas of Chile, this gem of Patagonia is among the many nation’s largest (round 935 sq. miles) and hottest wildlife parks.

By way of points of interest, Torres del Paine Nationwide Park has a lot, from the archaeological historical past of the Milodon Caves and historical wall artwork alongside the Fauna Path to the expansive Gray Glacier, a part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Discipline (the world’s second largest contiguous ice subject exterior of the poles).

There’s loads of wildlife, reminiscent of foxes, huemul deer, guanacos, pumas, and the large Andean Condor.

However the park’s most distinctive options are the three towering granite peaks of the Paine Massif itself, which rises some 9,350 toes above sea degree. –Bret Love