20 Amazing Wildlife Encounters For Your Bucket List
Last Updated: May 10 2026
Whenever we travel, we always love to experience nature and spot native wildlife. On our adventures, we’ve visited some of the wildest destinations on Earth, including the Amazon Rainforest, the island of Borneo, and India’s Ranthambore National Park, although there are plenty of wildlife encounters still on our list.
Searching for the African ‘Big Five’, trekking with gorillas, and spotting polar bears in the Arctic Circle are just a few of the adventures we’d like to add to our travel resume!
In this guide, we’ll cover some of the world’s best wildlife experiences. We’ve divided the article into our personal experiences, as well as future encounters that are on our bucket list. Let’s get started…
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The Best Wildlife Encounters – Our Experiences
Wherever we go, we always love to spot native wildlife. During our travels, we’ve been lucky enough to stay in the Amazon Rainforest, spot orangutans in Borneo, go on a tiger safari in India, and much more.
Below, we’ll cover some of our favourite wildlife adventures!
1. Spot tigers in Ranthambore National Park – India
Ranthambore National Park offers one of the best wildlife encounters on Earth! Located in the state of Rajasthan, it’s one of the largest and most famous parks in Northern India.
Although you’ll find a wealth of wildlife here, it’s Ranthambore’s wild tiger population that draws travellers in. Approximately 70-80 tigers live in this national park, with numbers increasing year upon year. This success story is thanks to conservation efforts (through organisations such as WWF) and the local communities.
In addition to tigers, you can also spot a variety of other species in Ranthambore National Park. This includes leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, crocodiles, langurs, jackals, and more.
Honestly, Ranthambore is one of the best national parks in Asia for wildlife lovers. You can explore the park via safari jeep or canter, and there are 10 zones in total. In our experience, Ranthambore’s core zones (1-5) offer the best sightings. However, we’d still suggest booking more than one safari to increase your chances.
2. Find wild orangutans – Borneo
There are three species of orangutans in total: Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli. Although these great apes were once located all across Southeast Asia, they can now only be found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.
Although we’ve been lucky enough to visit both destinations, Borneo truly offers something special. Sepilok and Semenggoh Nature Reserve offer the chance to spot semi-wild orangutans. Although if you want a ‘wilder’ experience, we’d recommend heading to the Kinabatangan River.
The Kinabatangan River offers some of the best wildlife-watching opportunities in Borneo. Those taking a cruise along the river may be lucky enough to spot the ‘Borneo Five’ – the proboscis monkey, the pygmy elephant, the rhinoceros hornbill, the estuarine crocodile, and of course, the Bornean orangutan.
For the best experience, you’ll want to head out on a few river cruises to increase your wildlife-spotting chances. Travellers can base themselves in Sukau, a remote village located along the river.
3. Head on a whale-watching tour – Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world. Between late November and mid-April, you can spot up to ten different whale species off Sri Lanka’s coast. This includes the fin, humpback, sperm, and minke whale, as well as the mighty blue whale!
The blue whale is the world’s largest mammal, and it’s one of the largest animals to ever exist. These whales can reach over 33 metres (108 feet) in length and weigh up to 190,000 kg. During our trip to Sri Lanka, we were lucky enough to spot two of these incredible creatures, and the experience left us with memories to last a lifetime.
The south coast of Sri Lanka offers fantastic whale-watching opportunities. In Mirissa and the surrounding area, you’ll find a variety of tour companies to choose from. We hopped on a whale-watching tour with Raja & the Whales, which is known for its responsible whale-watching practices.
4. Stay in the Amazon Rainforest – Peru
The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest, spanning eight countries in total: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. It covers around 40% of the South American continent and is home to over 3 million species, making it one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.
As such, the Amazon Rainforest offers some of the best wildlife encounters on Earth. We’d highly recommend heading to the Peruvian Amazon, where you can explore Tambopata National Reserve.
Accessible from the city of Puerto Maldonado, you can travel upriver to stay in a secluded jungle lodge (Chuncho Lodge is a great option). We hopped on a 4-day expedition, hiking through the rainforest, taking cruises along the Amazon River, and enjoying breathtaking views from a nearby canopy tower.
During our trip, we spotted a variety of species, including howler monkeys, capybara, caiman, macaws, toucans, sloths, and more. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to spot the elusive jaguar this time!
5. Visit Skomer Island – Wales
Skomer Island is one of the most magical places in Wales. Located off the coast of Pembrokeshire in South Wales, this uninhabited island is famous for its puffin population.
Between mid-April and July, tens of thousands of puffins can be found on Skomer (43,626 puffins were recorded in 2025). These birds nest in burrows across the island, and you can walk amongst them, as long as you follow the guidelines and stick to the path. This makes it the perfect destination for birdwatchers!
There are three options when it comes to visiting Skomer: an overnight stay, a landing trip, or a boat-only trip. Just be aware that landing trips on Skomer are extremely popular.
Visitors are capped at 250 people per day to protect the island’s ecosystem. As such, tours often sell out months in advance – especially during the peak season (June to July). However, if you’re visiting at the last minute, cancellations are sometimes added to the website.
6. Search for elephants on Safari – Sri Lanka
In our opinion, Sri Lanka is one of the best countries to visit in Asia. As well as pristine beaches and ancient UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this country offers endless wildlife-watching opportunities – especially when it comes to wild elephants. There are over 20 national parks in Sri Lanka, so you’ll have plenty of options!
We headed to Udawalawe National Park, which is famous for its elephant population. Over 400 elephants call this park home, so you’ve got a great chance of spotting them, as well as plenty of other species. You can either stay nearby in Udawalawa or visit on a day trip from Tangalle, which is what we did.
Minneriya National Park is another fantastic place to visit if you want to spot wild elephants. During the dry months, large herds of up to 300 elephants congregate in this park. Finally, there are the national parks of Kaudulla and Yala, both of which are worth a visit if you have the chance.
7. Explore Taman Negara – Malaysia
Dating back approximately 130 million years, Taman Negara is one of the world’s oldest rainforests. The park was established in 1938 and attracts adventurous travellers from all over the world.
There are so many amazing things to do in Taman Negara, but wildlife-watching is certainly one of the best. This rainforest boasts incredible diversity, with over 200 mammal species calling it home, including elephants, rhinos, tigers, clouded leopards, and sun bears. Naturally, you can expect some fantastic wildlife encounters.
The best way to spot wildlife in Taman Negara is to embark on a multi-day trek, where you’ll stay in the rainforest. For those short on time, you can take day hikes into the rainforest – we’d suggest hiking up to Bukit Teresk, where you’ll be treated to sweeping views.
As well as trekking, you can walk along the Canopy Walkway (temporarily closed as of February ’26), explore local caves, visit the Orang Asli Settlements, or enjoy a boat ride through the river rapids!
8. Hike in Gunung Leuser National Park – Sumatra
Sumatra is the only place on earth where you can spot the elusive Sumatran orangutan. There are several destinations on the island where you’ll find the ‘Man of the Forest’, but we’d recommend visiting Gunung Leuser National Park.
Not only is Gunung Leuser one of the most accessible options, but it also boasts some of the richest tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia. This national park straddles the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra, and there are two main access points: Ketambe and Bukit Lawang.
From the charming jungle village of Bukit Lawang, you can hike into the rainforest with a licensed guide (this is a park regulation). We booked our accommodation and tour with Fun Family Guesthouse and had the most incredible time, so we’d highly recommend them!
It’s estimated that there are approximately 11,000 orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park, as well as elephants, gibbons, rhinos, siamangs, and tigers, just to name a few. As such, Gunung Leuser offers one of Asia’s best wildlife encounters.
9. Visit the Ballestas Islands – Peru
Nicknamed the ‘Poor Man’s Galapagos’, the Ballestas Islands are located off Peru’s south coast. These islands are accessible by boat from Paracas, which is around a 4-hour drive from the capital city of Lima.
Although the boats don’t disembark onto the Ballestas Islands, you’ve got the chance to spot a variety of wildlife. You’ll find thousands of sea lions in this area, along with various bird species, including Humboldt penguins, Peruvian boobys, Peruvian pelicans, and guanay cormorants.
Along the way, you can take in the views of Paracas National Reserve, admire the famous Candelabra Geoglyph, and appreciate the various arches and caves that can be found in this part of Peru!
Visiting these islands has to be one of the best things to do in Peru, especially for nature lovers. There are plenty of fantastic Ballestas Island tours to choose from, many of which are very affordable. Just be aware that these boat trips are dependent on the weather, as the seas can get pretty rough.
10. Explore Khao Yai National Park – Thailand
Southeast Asia offers a variety of wildlife encounters, and we’ve been lucky enough to experience several of them. Most recently, we headed to Khao Yai, Thailand’s most-visited national park.
Khao Yai National Park covers an area of approximately 2,206 sq km (849 sq miles). It’s home to an array of rare and endangered species, including gibbons, hornbills, black bears, and clouded leopards. However, Khao Yai is most famous for its Asian elephant population, which can be found throughout the park!
Thanks to our guide at Tontan Travel, we were lucky enough to spot a wealth of wildlife by driving through the park, trekking through the jungle, and hopping on a night safari.
Although visiting Khao Yai tends to offer a more touristy experience than other destinations on this list, it’s still a very special place. Unfortunately, there have been several conflicts with elephants in recent years that have led to fatalities, so you must listen to your guide and adhere to all park regulations.
Future Bucket List Wildlife Encounters
Although we’ve been lucky enough to have some amazing wildlife encounters, there are still plenty of experiences on our bucket list. From the plains of Africa to the mountains of Alaska, here are some of the future adventures that we’ve yet to plan!
11. Search for the ‘Big Five’ – Africa
Of all the wildlife encounters that are on our bucket list, heading on a safari in Africa is certainly up there at the top. It’s long been our dream to spot the ‘Big Five’ (elephants, cape buffalo, leopards, lions, and rhinos), along with the other species that you’ll find on safari.
Straddling both Kenya and Tanzania is the Serengeti, famous for the Great Migration. This world-renowned heritage site sees over two million wildebeest and zebra crossing the plains each year. You’ll also find thousands of cheetahs, leopards, and lions roaming through this national park.
The Maasai Mara is another iconic safari destination in Kenya, which can be explored by hot air balloon or 4×4. Alternatively, you can head to the Okavango Delta in Botswana or the Kruger National Park in South Africa – the options are endless! We’re actually planning to visit Africa on our honeymoon, so stay tuned…
12. Spot polar bears – The Arctic Circle
Located approximately 66°33 North of the equator, the Arctic Circle is a line of latitude that circles the Earth. It spans eight countries in total, and polar bears can be spotted in five of these countries: Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Canada, the United States, and Russia.
Dubbed the ‘polar bear capital of the world’, Manitoba in Canada is known for its incredible sightings. This destination offers the most accessible (and affordable) way to spot polar bears, with peak viewing season typically falling in October and November.
Travellers exploring Europe can head to the Svalbard archipelago, which is home to the Barents Sea bear population. Approximately 3,000 polar bears live in this area, with around 300 bears remaining on Svalbard all year-round. You can view these incredible mammals by hopping on a tour from Longyearbyen.
In terms of natural encounters, spotting polar bears is another must for our bucket list!
13. Go gorilla trekking – Rwanda & Uganda
Uganda and Rwanda offer one of the best animal encounters in the world, where you can trek through the jungle in search of wild gorillas. This wildlife experience is available year-round, though trekking permits are required, costing approximately $800 in Uganda and $1500 in Rwanda.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the go-to destination in Uganda for gorilla trekking. Approximately 480 mountain gorillas live in this park, in tight-knit family groups. In Rwanda, you can explore Volcanoes National Park, which is home to 12 gorilla families.
Whether you choose to visit Rwanda or Uganda is a personal preference, with both countries offering a special experience. It’s important to weigh up the time of year, trekking conditions, and permit cost before you make a decision, as this encounter will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Those travelling to Rwanda or Uganda can also go chimpanzee trekking, with Kibale Forest National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Nyungwe Forest National Park offering the best sightings.
14. Swim with humpback whales – Tonga
Located in Polynesia, the island country of Tonga is famous for its rich culture, white beaches, and coral reefs. It’s also one of the places in the world where you can swim with the majestic humpback whale!
Humpback whales can be found in these waters between late June and October/November. Depending on the time of year, you can experience mating behaviour or enjoy intimate interactions with newborn calves. October is considered one of the best times to visit due to warmer weather and calmer seas.
This carefully-regulated activity has plenty of rules in place to ensure the whale’s welfare. Only five people can be in the water at any one time (one must be a guide), and the length of the experience will all depend on how comfortable the whales are with your presence. This makes it the perfect wildlife encounter for ethical travellers!
15. Road trip through Alaska – The United States
Alaska is undoubtedly one of the best wildlife-watching destinations in the United States. This incredible state has its own version of the ‘Big Five’ – bears, caribou, dall sheep, moose, and wolves. A wealth of marine life also calls Alaska home, including humpback whales, beluga whales, orcas, sea otters, and more.
We’ve dreamed of road-tripping through Alaska for years, visiting iconic places such as Anchorage, Fairbanks, Homer, Juneau, and Seward, although it’s the state’s wilderness areas that really draw us in!
Denali National Park is considered one of the best places to visit in Alaska for wildlife lovers. Home to the mighty Mount Denali, this park is best visited by taking a bus along the Denali Park Road. There’s also Katmai National Park, which is home to over 2,000 brown bears, making it one of America’s best bear-viewing destinations.
Those looking to experience Alaska’s marine life should head to Glacier Bay National Park, the Prince William Sound, and Kenai Fjords National Park.
16. Find and photograph jaguars – Central & South America
Jaguars can be found in 18 countries across Central and South America, including Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru. It’s one of the world’s largest big cats, and we were really hoping to spot one on our visit to the Peruvian Amazon. Unfortunately, this large feline remained elusive!
The Pantanal is considered one of the best places in the world to spot jaguars, which is why this destination has made it onto our wildlife encounter bucket list. Located in Brazil, this expansive wetland is approximately the size of France. It’s also home to around 5,000 of these big cats.
Manú National Park in Peru, which is part of the Amazon Rainforest, is another jaguar hotspot. This World Heritage Site boasts incredible biodiversity, and the best time to visit is typically during the dry season (from May to October). Keep your eyes peeled along the Madre de Dios River, where jaguars can be seen basking in the sun.
17. Explore Central America’s cloud forests – Costa Rica & Panama
Central America has so much to offer, although it’s the cloud forests of Costa Rica and Panama that draw us in! These mist-shrouded forests offer travellers the adventure of a lifetime.
Although there are several cloud forests in Costa Rica, the Monteverde Cloud Forest is perhaps the most famous. The best way to explore Monteverde is by taking a self-guided walk through the forest. There are two circuits to choose from, with the Continental Divide Trail offering the most complete experience.
There’s also La Amistad International Park and Biosphere Preserve, which straddles both Costa Rica and Panama. This preserve boasts incredible diversity, supporting a wealth of wildlife, including jaguars, pumas, howler monkeys, sloths, and tapirs. Over 600 bird species also call this area home.
Whether you’re looking to spot wildlife, search for rare birds, or enjoy scenic hiking trails, the cloud forests of Central America are a traveller’s dream.
18. Spot wild penguins – The Antarctic region
Covering approximately 14.2 million sq km (5.5 million sq miles), Antarctica is the largest desert on Earth. Despite this, the continent is teeming with life, making it one of the wildest places in the world.
Travellers will have the opportunity to spot a wealth of marine life, including whales, seals, and most famous of all, penguins. Seven species of penguin live in Antarctica (Adelie, Chinstrap, Gentoo, King, Macaroni, Rockhopper, and Emperor), although many of them don’t stay here year-round.
Antarctica is only accessible via cruise, with the majority of ships departing from Ushuaia in Argentina. Various companies operate cruises to this continent, including Silversea, Swoop, and HX Hurtigruten. Prices vary depending on the tour length, time of year, and company, so it’s best to shop around.
Cruise prices start from approximately £4,000-£5,000 per person, but that’s typically only if you can get a last-minute deal. However, those fortunate enough to visit can enjoy one of the world’s best wildlife encounters.
19. Search for the elusive snow leopard – The Asian Continent
Snow leopards live in some of the harshest conditions on Earth, surviving in the mountainous regions of Asia. Their range stretches across 12 countries, including Bhutan, China, India, Mongolia, Nepal, and Russia.
India is considered one of the best places to spot snow leopards in the wild. Located in the Himalayas, Hemis National Park offers some of the best sightings, as the park is home to around 200 snow leopards. Tibetan wolves, brown bears, golden eagles, and griffon vultures also live here.
India’s Spiti Valley and Ulley Valley, also both located in the Himalayas, are two other top picks for spotting snow leopards. Alternatively, travellers can visit the Altai Mountains of Mongolia or China’s ‘Valley of the Cats’.
As snow leopards are so elusive, travellers should visit with an experienced local guide or tracker. Just be aware that you’ll likely be tracking these big cats at high altitudes and through freezing temperatures.
20. Find Giant Pandas – China
China offers some of the best wildlife encounters in the world, with nature hotspots including the Qiangtang Nature Reserve, the Yangtze Nature Reserve, and Shennongjia Nature Reserve.
Nature lovers can expect to find a wealth of wildlife in China, although the Giant Panda is by far the most iconic. Research bases across the country offer visitors the chance to see these lovable bears in a natural setting, as spotting them in the wild is no easy feat.
Unfortunately, there are only around 1,860 wild pandas in China. However, if you’re up to the challenge, you can head to Tangjiahe Nature Reserve. Naturally, spotting one of these bears is very rare. They are extremely elusive and often stick to the more remote areas of the reserve.
Luckily, there are plenty of other species in Tangjiahe Nature Reserve, including leopard cats and Tibetan macaques, making it a must-visit for any wildlife enthusiast.
Final Thoughts On These Amazing Wildlife Encounters
During our travels, we’ve been lucky enough to have some incredible wild animal encounters. As keen wildlife photographers, we always love visiting wild places, and there are plenty of other spots on our wishlist.
If you’re keen nature lovers like us, we can highly recommend visiting the destinations in this guide. As well as the Amazon Rainforest, the Kinabatangan River (Borneo), and Ranthambore National Park (India), we’re sure you’ll want to include some of the places on our bucket list as well.
If you have further questions about these incredible wildlife encounters, don’t hesitate to contact us via Facebook, Instagram, or in the comments below. We’ll be happy to share our own experiences!
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I breathe all things travel and nature, with my favourite place being the great outdoors! After exploring 3 continents, I’ve discovered my passion for travelling on a budget, and I want to help you all do the same. I honestly believe travel broadens the mind which is why I want to share all of our adventures!
