Travel

Ultimate Travel Destinations for Animal Lovers (PHOTOS)

Today is World Wildlife Day, which the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly designated as a time to celebrate and raise awareness of the planet's wild animals and their conservation. In honor of this special day, here are some some of the best destinations, from huge wildlife reserves to small sanctuaries rehabilitating wounded or displaced wildlife, that offer unique and unforgettable opportunities to see some of the world's most amazing creatures outside of a zoo.

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One animal that is worth seeing in the wild is a penguin and travelers wishing to see these flightless birds can see them between November and February in Antarctica, when the ice pack melts enough for ships to approach this remote continent. They can also be seen on the Falkland Islands, on Boulder Beach in South Africa or even on the small island of Isla Martillo in the Beagle Channel. Blue penguins, the smallest of these flightless birds, can also be seen at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony.

Wildlife lovers can also hike along the Ohau Stream in New Zealand to watch baby fur seals splash around in a pool at the foot of a waterfall, visit panda cubs in a nursery in China, search for tigers in India, photograph caribou as they migrate in Alaska, or get a hug from a koala at the Lone Pine Sanctuary in Australia. Also not to miss India's Bandipur National Park, a protected park that is home to 100 species of mammals, including endangered Asian elephants.

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Timing is key when trying to spot wildlife, so it is important to plan your visit according to the animals’ behavior. For example, snow geese fly south from the Arctic Tundra to places like the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri in the fall. As a result, it best to visit refuge in October, when the flocks start touching down after their long migration.

Meanwhile, it is best to visit Chobe National Park during the dry season to improve your chances of spotting an elephant, since these large animals tend to gather around and swim in the rivers, making them easy to find. And, if you want to see a lion or leopard, it might be best to visit Kruger National Park at night, taking one of their night game drives because that is when those animals are most active. They use the cover of darkness to hunt, according to the Park’s official website.

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So if you are looking for adventure or just an opportunity to connect with nature, click on the slideshow above to see some of the best travel destinations for animal lovers around the world.

This article was originally published on October 28, 2014 and was updated on March 3, 2016.

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