From observing whales in their natural habitat to watching wildfowl in thousands, there is a wildlife experience awaiting any nature enthusiast at every corner of the planet.
These ten exciting destinations will showcase wildlife encounters like nowhere else on earth. So if you want to do something quite out of the ordinary, just book your trip via Naturtrek and jump onto this bandwagon for a wildlife adventure of a lifetime in 2022.
Husky Safaris, Finland
The Western Lapland is one of the last remaining tracts of wilderness in Europe and an incredible place to access driving your special team of huskies through the panoramic Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park in northwest Lapland.
For five magical nights and days your trained huskies will pull your sleds as per your command and cover around 40km/day over frozen lakes and snow clad forests with a fantastic chance of spotting the Aurora Borealis.
Wildlife of La Montana Palentina, Spain
The three protected areas of La Montana Palentina in Spain are home to immense natural riches and the only refuge for the Cantabrian brown bear, polecat, roe deer and pine marten, among others.
An eight day trip is the ideal way not only to enjoy rural Spain at its best, but also to spot the birds, butterflies, plants and mammals of this wildest corner of the country.
Adventure and Nature, Gibraltar
Whether you are looking for a short two hour trip or have a full week of observation on hand, the strait of Gibraltar is a fascinating place to see marine mammals with chances to see as many as seven species of whales and dolphins.
The dolphins regularly seen are the common, striped and bottlenose varieties. Pilot whales (regularly), fin whales (spring) and orcas (July and August) can be seen at certain points and often close to the observation boat.
Birding in Southern Portugal
From the courtship display of the Great Bustard to seeing one of the rarest birds of prey in the world, the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Southern Portugal is a virtual birding hotspot if ever there was one.
The Tagus Estuary near Lisbon, Castro Verde, Castro Marim, Guadiana Valley Nature Park and Ria Formosa Nature Reserve are a major flyway for migrants and resident passerines and waders.
Wildlife of La Palma, The Canaries
Due to their unique geographical location, every island of the Canaries have different flora and fauna, especially the northwest island group of La Palma. Because of the isolated location there are plenty of endemic species like the La Palma blue tit and the endangered Canary raven found here.
The northern part is characterized by deep mountain streams and gorges, where hiking is an unforgettable experience. The fauna of La Palma is limited to bats, geckos and some centipedes which are a bit poisonous. However, the waters are rich with hammerhead sharks, pilot whales and dolphins among other sea creatures.
Wildfowl watching, Scotland
The coast of Scotland supports a large wintering population of wildfowl and other waders with a number of sites that enjoy international importance. A five day trip to Islay offers a great opportunity to witness huge flocks of geese and wildfowl that spend the winters on this Scottish island.
The highlight of the trip would undoubtedly be the scene of the largest wintering population of Greenland White Fronted Geese and an equally large flock of Barnacle Geese against a magnificent landscape. In addition there is a healthy resident population of seals, hare, otter and deer.
Coast and Headlands, South Devon
From climbing the Dartmoor to Salacombe coasteering South Devon is full of adrenaline pumping activities. Equally perfect for families and large groups there is an unforgettable outdoor adventure awaiting the visitor in the stunning South Devon countryside and the legendary moors of Dartmoor.
A fantastic Devon coastline trip provides a plethora of wildlife as well as information on the fascinating history of the locals. Sail across Babbacombe, Labrador Bay and Torbay keeping an eye for porpoises, dolphins and whales.
Mammals of the Scottish Highlands
Sir Walter Scott’s country is not only replete with mystery and love but an abundance of wildlife as well residing in its dense pine forests and the rocky secluded mountains. In fact, some parts of the Highlands are designated wilderness areas such as the Knoydart Peninsula.
From catching a wee glimpse of covert tree dwellers like the rare and elusive pine marten to the staggering humpback whale which abounds along the Scottish coast, a summer wildlife adventure awaits the nature lover in this exceptional part of the country.
Danube Delta and Carpathian Mountains, Romania
Romania’s Danube Delta, Black Sea coast and the Carpathian Mountains can be truly discovered on a ten day trip by boat and by hike which focuses mostly on birds and mammals. Europe’s largest wetland at 580,000 acres has been formed at the junction of the mighty Danube and the Black Sea where apart from hundreds of resident water birds, this is a favorite haunt of passing migrants from the tundras further north. Explore the few remaining mosaic forest landscapes of Europe in the lovely woodlands of Caraorman and Letea, known for harbouring a good population of white-tailed eagles and golden jackals. Flagship fish species in large numbers can be found in the waters of the delta, including sturgeons, which at one time could be found on the entire length of the Danube beginning from its source in Germany.
Savannah and Marshlands, Botswana
September to December is the best time to see the Africa of your dreams. At this time of the year, Botswana’s deltas and deserts are teeming with game and flux of predators like lions, cheetahs and leopards on their heels, always in close attendance. This exceptional ten day mammal tour is undertaken in the Khawai region, where herds of Impala, Waterbuck and Red Lechwe literally fall over each other in their grazing grounds.
Additionally, the Okavango Delta, which earned the World Heritage status in 2014 is also home to incredible species of wildlife in an expansive ecosystem spread across 5791 square miles of wetlands. The water acts as a magnet to over 200,000 large animals and 400+ species of birds, making for an exhilarating safari experience.
Wildlife adventure holidays cater to every type of nature enthusiast. For some it may be to tick off as many species as possible in one go, while for others it could be for an iconic animal like a tiger or a hammerhead shark. One thing is certain that the experience is bound to be an exciting and nerve-tingling one. We hope this selection fulfills all your wild aspirations and many more.
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