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6 must-do wildlife experiences across the world

By Meenakshi Shankar

Giraffe: In Masai Mara

Not much can come close to that feeling when you spot an animal in the wild, especially when you’re not expecting it: awe-inspiring, breathtaking and wonderful and always a moment you will never forget.  With so many wildlife vacations on offer in so many fabulous locations it’s hard to decide where to go or what animals to see.

We’ve put together our top six  favorite must-do wildlife experiences across the world.

1. The Alaskan wilderness beckons you

A must-see for adventure seekers, explore the pristine national parks abundant with wildlife.  From the soaring mountaintops to low land fjords and valleys – Alaska is one of the most remote and remarkable wilderness destinations in the world.

For the wildlife enthusiasts:  Whales, Dall porpoise, sea lions, otters and puffins

2. The Serengeti Migration : The Greatest show on earth

Nowhere in the world can we watch such a spectacular scene, nowhere do we have such a large number and diversity of large mammals.

More than just “endless plains” which is what ‘Serengeti’ name means in the language of the Maasai.

Nature at it’s best: A Lioness with her cub

The great annual Serengeti National Park migration is a must do – one of the most amazing wildlife spectacles on earth involving millions of animals migrating from the Masai Mara in Kenya down is a breath taking and a heart pounding moment.

For the wildlife enthusiasts:  Wildbeest, zebra, elephants, lions, cheetahs, crocodiles…the list goes on.

3. Birding in Meghalaya

In a forest teaming with birdlife – Meghalaya is your one stop destination.
Head out on a 6 day trek deep into the forest…look out for interesting new species, in forests teeming with birds.

For the bird lovers: Black breasted Parrotbill, the White-belied Heron, Snowy-throated Babbler, Rufus -Vented Laughing thrush, Rufus-backed Sibia , Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous-necked, great and wreathed hornbills, Black-necked crane, Emerald cuckoo , Blood pheasant, Monal, Ibisbill, Purple cochoa…our list goes on.

4. On a Tiger Trail

To look into the eyes of a tigress is a wonderful, truly mystical experience. For that instant, the elemental beast and you are one in soul and spirit, the tawny eyes staring deep into your very being. You are enraptured, unable to break your gaze, so totally in the moment. You are intensely aware of even a blade of grass moving, of the leaves falling around you, of the wild bird’s call. Yet, she has you enthralled; she is the only focus of your being. Such is the magic of a tigress sighting in the Bandhavgarh National Park.

For the wildlife enthusiasts: The elusive tiger, the sambhar, hyenas

5. The Borneo Jungles

The jungles of Borneo are reputed to be deep, dark and full of secrets. In the thick maze of tropical vegetation, head out to a sanctuary for the care and rehabilitation of orphaned or injured Orang-Utan.  From a vantage point you can watch an assortment of the endangered animals come to keep their appointment with their ten o’clock brunch of bananas and milk.

For the wildlife enthusiasts: Head out into Sabah Wildlife Reserve, go on a boat journey into the virgin mangroves  – a treat for bird lovers, watch the green turtles lay eggs and catch the crocodiles sunning themselves.

6. The South African wildlife trail

Discover, experience,explore a world of diversity in one Park

The wildlife sanctuary is a must do for every wildlife enthusiasts. Deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape lies the Addo Elephant National Park. Here, the evenings are punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and the francolin’s call heralds each new dawn. Safe from relentless persecution in the past, the grey leviathans of the bush now roam in peace.

And if the Big Five is on your agenda – head out to Imfolozi Game Reserve.

For the wildlife enthusiasts: This  finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 550 elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra species

Check out our next adventure in Masai Mara

Things to do in Australia

Meenakshi Shankar

Tired of the same old tourist spots like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House? Wanderers Offbeat Australia is the guide to the weird and wonderful attractions that most tourists miss. Explore the odd places that make Australia truly offbeat.

From saffron to ocher, the earth paints herself in Australia. Some slip into the outback and forget about everything else, some savor the culture of the Aboriginals, some drink in the beauty of the land…and some simply launch themselves into the sky with parachutes attached to their backs.

Fancy a walk? You could either head out from the foot of Tasmania’s most famous peak, Cradle Mountain, and finishing at Australia’s deepest lake, St Clair. It’s called the Overland Track and it will take you a good week to walk it. The constant views of tall and marvelously shaped dolerite peaks (including Tasmania’s highest, Mount Ossa), beautiful waterfalls, rain forest, scrub land, swamps, bush, alpine plains and rivers. And we haven’t even mentioned the variety of fascinating flora and fauna.

Or hike to the top of Mount Amos where you drink in the glorious beauty of the picturesque Tasman Peninsula to Port Arthur.

Find out how you can connect with the world’s oldest living culture. Discover it the same way Aboriginal Australians have passed it down for at least 50,000 years – through art, dance, myths, music and the land itself. See Aboriginal art and contemporary dance in the cities. Or head to the outback and listen to Dreamtime myths of creation by the campfire. Bushwalk and snorkel, share bush-tucker or learn to craft spears and catch fish in the traditional way.
Let Aboriginal Australians help you understand this ancient land and its spirituality and wonder.

Try your luck noodling opal – in Coober Pedy – With more than 90 percent of the world’s opal mined from 70 different fields around northern SA’s Coober Pedy, you’re bound to find something, aren’t you? In between your mining excursions, you might want to take a look at the remarkable desert country near Coober Pedy – aptly named Moon Plain. It looks much like the lunar surface, dotted with mine shafts and mullock heaps from eight decades of digging.

Experience the sheer beauty of Kings Canyon :  The breathtaking sandstone chasm plunging 270m is one of Australia’s most dramatically beautiful places – a slash of deep green in a red landscape. – Hugely rewarding, though, with delights all the way round, including the Garden of Eden valley and the Lost City’s weathered rocks.

Visit little penguins on Phillip Island – Every day at dusk, Summerland Beach on Phillip Island comes alive with thousands of little penguins. Watch them waddle home in riotous packs and pairs after their long day foraging for food in icy Bass Strait. The rugged ocean beaches, sheltered bays, blowholes and caves are also home to koalas, abundant bird life and a large colony of fur seals.

In Kalabari, connect with the adventurer in you – Go abe sailing, Sand-boarding or simply explore Nature’s Window and Z-Bend Gorge which is an exhilarating 150 metre descent into the heart of the gorge.

Exhilarate in the spectacle of the Great Barrier Reef – Unforgettable is the word most people use to describe the Great Barrier Reef – a spectacle so vast it can be seen from space.

Swim with the whales –  Meet the world’s biggest fish – the whale shark – in the clear, turquoise waters of Western Australia’s huge fringing reef. These gentle underwater giants feed on the bright coral reef between April and June. You can also dive, swim or snorkel with dolphins, graceful manta rays and hundreds of species of tropical fish. On Ningaloo, this rainbow of marine life is just metres from the shore.

Drink in the beauty of the landscapeSoak up the beauty on the stunning Freycinet Peninsula. The most famous is Wineglass Bay, a perfect curve of white sand and turquoise sea against pink and grey granite peaks. Take in the magical view after an easy climb from Coles Bay or challenging trek from the top of Mount Amos. Or connect to this coastal paradise by going sea kayaking, swimming and scuba diving.

And, you cannot miss a trip to Christmas Island to watch the march of the red crabs. A perfect illustration on how Mother Nature can astound even the hardened cynic.