Spotlight on… Wildlife
REEF ENCOUNTER
The Tailor, Australia
Whale shark season (March-July) starts now, so how about an unforgettable swim with the gentle giants of the ocean in Western Australia? The Tailor recommends eco-luxury beach safari camp Sal Salis as the perfect base from which to explore the 260km-long Ningaloo Reef, the world’s largest fringing coral reef - as well as whale sharks, guests could find themselves up close with blue whales, humpbacks, turtles, manta rays and dolphins.
PENGUIN PICNIC
Ahipara, New Zealand
New Zealand has only one private beach - and thanks to being good friends with the owners, Ahipara offers its clients access to it. On the Otago Peninsula, at the very south of the South Island, this special spot is an impossibly picturesque cove that is home to the world’s rarest penguin, the New Zealand yellow-eyed penguin, as well as other wildlife such as sea lions, NZ fur seals and seabirds including the mighty albatross. On a visit with Ahipara, the owners will personally guide guests and set up a lunch on their beautiful land
NIGHT VISIONS
Sticky Rice Travel, Borneo
The greatest draw to Borneo has to be its extraordinary, often unique, wildlife. A night safari through Danum Valley, Deramakot or Tabin is one of Sticky Rice Travel’s top suggestions for spotting some of the island’s most elusive animals - its cats - including the leopard cat, marble cat, flat-headed cat, and Bornean clouded leopard. You’ll very likely spot other nocturnal wonders, too, such as wide-eyed Western tarsiers, the slow loris, otter civet, and the quirky binturong.
TIGER TRAILS
Banyan, India
Banyan recommends two northern Indian wildlife experiences: Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, in Madhya Pradesh, where they suggest staying at Samode Safari Lodge and taking the park’s full-day safari option into the tiger reserve. Alternatively, avoid the ‘reserves’ and instead head into western Rajasthan for the chance to spot leopards. A stay at SUJAN Jawai or the more low key Rawla Narlai offer excellent opportunities to see these elusive cats living among the rocks, alongside the resident Rabari shepherd community
THINK PINK
ITEM, Türkiye
As well as iconic animals such as the Anatolian leopard, wild goats and brown bears, Türkiye is home to more than 400 species of birds, making it a haven for birdwatchers; the country is on two major routes used by migratory birds, which swell the numbers in spring and autumn. Particularly spectacular to see are the tens of thousands of flamingos that gather around Lake Tuz in central Türkiye and Gediz Delta in the west, to breed each spring.
NATURAL WONDER
Galavanta, Colombia
Daniel Restrepo is Galavanta’s exclusive guide in Los Llanos - Colombia’s Eastern plains and the land of the Llanero cowboys. Also a veterinarian and passionate nature photographer, Daniel has worked with many conservation organisations, documenting more than a thousand bird species and photographing some of the country’s most elusive creatures in the wild including jaguars, Andean bears, pumas, and páramo tapirs. He shares his love for Colombia's natural wonders with guests, guiding them through its diverse ecosystems and conservation efforts
VARIETY SHOW
Enigma, Peru
Being home to more species of butterfly than anywhere on Earth is just one of many reasons to focus on wildlife on a trip to Peru. Thanks to its varied ecosystems, including mountains, rainforests, dry forests, wetlands and moors, the country boasts an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna, from the majestic Andean condor to the tiny endangered spatuletail hummingbird; llamas to the Peruvian hairless dog; anacondas to blue lizards; the Amazon’s famous pink dolphins to its infamous piranhas - and so much more