December 31, 2019 There are few experiences as enriching as seeing animals in the wild. One glance and you'll be hooked. Imagine the thrill of watching Polar bears in their natural habitats or hearing the thundering hooves of zebras in the Great Migration. For 2020, we have collected the best wildlife adventures that bring you one step closer to some of the world's most unforgettable encounters. Sri Lanka January is one of the best times to spot blue whales off Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Sail out onto the ocean on a chartered boat and watch these giant mammals rise majestically from the water. As they dive back down below, the force from their tails as they come crashing into the water will, quite literally, take your breath away. When to travel: January Book your place: Wild Sri Lanka The Serengeti Watch the drama unfold in one of the greatest shows on earth. Storming across Tanzania’s Masai Mara in a frantic bid to find food and water without being caught in the jaws of predators along the way, millions of African animals, including zebra, wildebeest and gazelles make this spine-chilling journey every year. To see this stampede is a feast for the eyes and will, without a doubt, be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. When to travel: February Book your place: Kenya and Tanzania Adventure Borneo Blessed with a cornucopia of wildlife, rainforests and beaches, Borneo is a utopian land for nature lovers. March is one of the best times to visit the country, not only is this when whale shark season begins, but you’ll have a greater chance of coming face to face with orangutans. When to travel: March Book your place: Borneo Wildlife Discoverer Galapagos Islands Famed for its diverse wildlife, the Galapagos Islands offers unique experiences at different times of year. However, if you want to witness the waved albatross and its courting rituals on Espanola Island, April is the best time to visit. This is a wonderful time when you can also watch sea turtles and land iguanas hatching, and colonies of sea lions can be seen sunbathing on the sand. When to travel: April Book your place: Galapagos Adventure Tanzania Laying claim to being one of the best destinations for wildlife safaris, Tanzania in May offers plenty of experiences just before the high season begins. Towards the end of the month, the wet season is coming to an end, the wildebeest are on the move and the crowds of tourist are yet to arrive. There’s a good chance you’ll see many animals, including elephants, zebra, hyenas and hippos gathered at watering holes. When to travel: May Book your place: Tanzania Wildlife Adventure Spitsbergen Owing to the 24 hours of daylight and the midnight sun, June is a great time to visit Spitsbergen as the wildlife is rife and there’s plenty of opportunity to get up close and personal. One of the main attractions here is the Polar bear but you can also spot seals, walrus and birds such as kittiwakes, common eider and fulmars. When to travel: June Book your place: Introduction to Spitsbergen: Fjords, Glaciers and Wildlife of Svalbard Finland Finland in July also has long daylight hours, making it the perfect time to go in search of the Brown bear and experience a close-up encounter (from a hide, of course!) In the evenings, the bears are enticed to the hides with food so there is often a lot of activity at this time. With any luck, you might also witness bear cubs and white tailed eagles. When to travel: July Book your place: Wild Finland Tortuguero, Costa Rica Between July and October, it’s green sea turtle nesting season in Tortuguero, Costa Rica. To watch these aquatic creatures crawl from the water and dig a deep hole where they can lay their eggs is an extraordinary and moving experience. But that’s not all you can witness in Costa Rica, in the National parks and forests, you can enjoy wildlife encounters with monkeys, sloths, jaguars and hundreds of species of birds, including scarlet macaws, hummingbirds and trogons. When to travel: August Book your place: Discover Costa Rica Masai Mara Although the Masai Mara has excellent wildlife viewing all year round, September is when you can witness the Great Migration in full swing. This is one of the most incredible spectacles and millions of animals occupy the plains. You can expect to see wildebeest, antelopes, zebras, elephants, giraffes, hippos and lions. This is the ultimate wildlife adventure. When to travel: September Book your place: Classic Kenya 4WD Safari India India is home to the tiger but more importantly, the elusive Bengal tiger. This endangered species is a rare sight and to see one in the wild is mesmerising. October is considered one of the best times to see tigers in India when the parks are lush, temperatures are cooler and the monsoon season is over. Throughout the game reserves, you can spot other wildlife such as monkeys, leopards, wild pigs and countless species of birds. When to travel: October Book your place: Indian Tiger Safari Antarctic Peninsula November is a magical time of year in Antarctica; fabulous ice sculptures dot the waters and seals can be seen performing courtship rituals. But what is truly magnificent is watching the Emperor penguin chicks molt as they begin their transformation into adulthood. At this time of year, the landscapes of South Georgia are abloom with wildflowers, forming a colourful backdrop for spotting King penguins. When to travel: November Book your place: Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia The Maldives The dry season in the Maldives begins from mid-December onwards and the weather tends to be warm and sunny, making it a great time to go in search of marine wildlife. Blessed with the most beautiful turquoise waters, the Maldives offers a magical underwater adventure. As you snorkel below the waves, come face-to-face with turtles and colourful fish - December is one of the best times to see manta rays. You can also go in search of Whale sharks as they occupy South Ari Atoll all year round. When to travel: December Book your place: Marine Wildlife in the Maldives
Wild Sri Lanka 15 reviews Sri Lanka's wild side, from national parks to the ocean in this tropical paradise Wildlife Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely 10 Days from £1,899 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Borneo Wildlife Discoverer 37 reviews Showcasing the best of Borneo - wildlife, rainforests and tropical beaches Wildlife Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate 15 Days from £3,149 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Galapagos Adventure - Nemo II (Itinerary B) 3 reviews Experience the enchanted world of the Galapagos Islands by Catamaran Wildlife Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Galapagos Adventure - Nemo II (Itinerary A) 1 review The enchanted world of the Galapagos Islands by catamaran Wildlife Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Introduction to Spitsbergen: Fjords, Glaciers and Wildlife of Svalbard Explore the Svalbard Archipelago and its stunning landscape and wildlife Polar Expeditions Suitable for: Age 18+ Activity level: Leisurely 10 Days from £5,100 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Discover Costa Rica 260 reviews Experience the Costa Rican rainforest, mountains and coast Wildlife Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely 15 Days from £2,349 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Classic Kenya 4WD Safari 48 reviews A classic journey on safari in Kenya. Wildlife Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely 7 Days from £2,049 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
India Tiger Safari 100 reviews A comprehensive wildlife tour of India's best tiger parks Wildlife Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely 16 Days from £2,299 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Marine Wildlife of the Maldives 13 reviews Spectacular marine wildlife including Whale sharks and Manta rays Wildlife Suitable for: Age 18+ Activity level: Leisurely 7 Days from £2,099 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details