Now that the end of the pandemic is well in sight, here are some signature wildlife trips you must plan for right now if you want to make the most of the remaining months of 2021.
The world of animals is so full of thrills and excitement that no matter what the season there is never a dull moment in the bush. Whether it is viewing the Big five in Africa or going on a multi-colored Tanager tour to Colombia, you can be rest assured of a spine-tingling encounter with some amazing animals.
Now that the end of the pandemic is well in sight, here are some signature wildlife trips you must plan for right now if you want to make the most of the remaining months of 2021.
Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park
Every year, at the height of the summer season during August, an estimated 50,000 numbers of African Elephants congregate on the plains of Chobe National Park in Botswana, in their search for water. As the weather is enjoyable, this is the best time to view and photograph these magnificent beasts as well as large herds of other species, like zebras and giraffes.
Going with a renowned firm like Naturetrek is definitely recommended especially since you kick start your adventures in a slightly tricky world post the mayhem.
Canadian Rockies
This guided fifteen days tour begins and ends in Vancouver, and covers four pristine destinations apart from Jasper and Banff National Parks in Canada. On the trip there are wonderful chances of spotting moose, deer, elk, coyotes and bears. The Rockies feature some spectacular landscapes as you will discover when exploring the premier outdoor adventure hotspot of Whistler. Canoeing and overnight camping in the remote Clearwater Lake area offers an adrenaline filled experience while sleeping under the stars.
The Zambezi Valley
An enthralling safari for those seeking to enjoy the scenery of Zambia and view its abundant wildlife by way of canoe rides and game walks. The peace and calmness of canoeing down the Zambezi river is a once-in-a-lifetime experience like no other. The trip includes elephant viewing at Chuswa Game Management area in open-topped vehicles and nature walks and canoeing in the Lower Zambezi National Park passing hippos and crocodiles in large numbers. Camp out under the open sky on secluded islands and experience the remarkable environment this region has to offer.
The Beaches of Borneo
If you are a fan of marine animals, the best place to see the Hawksbill and Green turtles is on the beaches of Borneo. Between the months of July and October these hard-shelled reptiles leave the ocean and come on land to lay their eggs in their millions. This amazing wildlife adventure not only helps conserve these lovely creatures for generations to come but also provides an ethical way to view and film the turtles from close quarters.
Carpathian Mountains, Romania
Covering a length of over 1500km, the densely forested Carpathian Mountain range is spread across Eastern and Central parts of Europe. This pristine environment forms the ideal habitat of the region's most iconic animal namely the European Brown Bear. A sizable population of 5500 individuals can be found in many of the bear reserves in Romania. These magnificent creatures are very active during the summer months as they hunt for food to prepare for the long winter season ahead. The Danube river delta is the largest wetland expanse in Europe and is teeming with animal and birdlife. The undisturbed forests are also home to European Bison, Grey Wolves and Eurasian Lynx.
Photo by Rahul Chakraborty on Unsplash / Caption: Cape Peninsula, South Africa
Cape Peninsula, South Africa
South Africa may be known for its diverse wildlife found in the many parks and game reserves spread across the country. Many visitors are, however, drawn to the Cape Peninsula, where between the months of August and October a massive migration of Southern Right Whales occurs annually. Since this is the breeding time, the whales come quite close to the shore, which makes viewing them quite easy. Apart from the whales there is a diverse range of marine animals to be seen such as, African Penguins and Great White Sharks between the Atlantic Ocean to the west and False Bay in the east.
Namib Desert, Namibia
Namibia may be better known for its large herds of elephants of Etosha National Park, but there is another unique animal endemic to the country which is attracting tourists in large numbers. The Namib desert is said to be over 55 million years old and the shifting sands over the centuries have given shelter to a range of animal and reptile species, none so impressive as the Barking Gecko. Their unusual vocalisation can be frequently heard at the fag end of the dry season in the month of October. Humidity levels are high at this time, which makes it great for observing wildlife.
Kakadu National Park, Australia
One of the biggest congregations of both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles can be found in Kakadu National Park in the northern part of Australia. During November, when the summer season is at its peak, an estimated 10,000 crocodiles of both species can be spotted basking on the shrinking edges of the water bodies. The best way to view them is from any of the vantage points spread all over the park or by opting for a boat cruise organized by the park authorities. This also happens to be the egg hatching time of the freshwater crocodiles and many young can be seen struggling out of their egg shells in the first few days.
Photo by Niels van Altena on Unsplash / Caption: Santa Marta Mountains, Colombia
Santa Marta Mountains, Colombia
Colombia is known as the birding hotspot of the world for a good reason. When the four months of the rainy season end in October, a visit to the Santa Marta Mountains is a must for bird lovers. With over 2000 different varieties and as many as 80 endemics, birding in Colombia is unparalleled. Some of the star birds which are found here are Santa Marta Antbird, Screech Owl, Tanager and the prized of them all, the Blue-Bearded Helmetcrest hummingbird, which was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in 2015. Ensure you have a good pair of binoculars on you to watch these delightful feathered creatures.
Hemis National Park, India
High in the snow clad mountains of Ladakh, India lies the abode of one of the most elusive creatures on the planet, the snow leopard. Also referred to as the ghost of the Himalayas, the movement of this striking animal follows the path of its favorite prey, the bharal sheep. At the height of the winter season these animals descend to the lower valleys to escape the cold and feed. Perfectly camouflaged against the rugged but dramatic landscape, the snow leopard can be spotted, if lucky, stalking the sheep. With the help of a skilled local guide and tons of patience, sightings of snow leopards have increased nowadays. Who knows, if your luck holds, you might spot a bearded vulture hovering overhead or a Tibetan Wolf on the lookout for prey.
Photo by Podu Stricat on Unsplash / Caption: Lacul Scropoasa, Romania
