Unforgettable Wildlife Encounters: Lonely Planet Experts Share Their Best Moments in the Wild
Whether it’s coming face-to-face with a lion on the African plains or spotting a resplendent quetzal in a Central American cloud forest, observing wildlife remains one of travel’s greatest thrills for adventurers worldwide.
Responsible tourism—carefully weighing the environmental, social, and economic impacts of your choices—plays a crucial role in preserving these experiences for future generations.
The United Nations’ World Wildlife Day on March 3 celebrates the wonders of the natural world, promotes conservation benefits, and spotlights the dangers of wildlife crime.
To commemorate the occasion, Lonely Planet experts share their most memorable wild animal encounters from around the globe.
Elephants in India
Trekking through Kerala’s Periyar National Park, our group had already lost half its members to leeches. Covered in salt to fend them off, I was determined to spot an elephant. Just as we neared defeat, a tremendous crashing echoed nearby. Our guide’s eyes widened with a mix of fear and thrill. He positioned us at the base of a jungle hill and dashed ahead. Moments later, a majestic elephant emerged just 20 feet away.
Bald Eagles in Canada
Each winter, the salmon run draws thousands of bald eagles to Brackendale’s rivers in British Columbia, earning the town its title as the ‘World Eagle Capital.’ On a recent raft trip down a local river, eagles blanketed the bare winter trees, pecking at salmon like bizarre ornaments. By trip’s end, we’d tallied over 50 of these iconic birds.
Whales in Madagascar
On our honeymoon in Madagascar’s Île aux Nattes, stormy seas kept us onshore. Exploring on foot one afternoon, we glimpsed a humpback whale’s tail just hundreds of feet from the beach. The massive creature breached repeatedly for over an hour—no photo could capture its awe-inspiring power.
Wallabies and More in Australia
I’ve had incredible animal sightings worldwide, but nothing tops the serendipitous encounters in my hometown of Byron Bay, Australia. Recently, a kookaburra’s call woke me, dolphins flanked the Cape, a monitor lizard crossed my path mid-jog, and a wallaby shared the beach sands.
Reindeer in Sweden
Riding the Snötåget (‘snow train’) at sunrise in Sweden, the locomotive slowed and honked to clear wild reindeer from the tracks. Expecting only captive herds, I was stunned by a wild group—watching one race alongside the train was magical.
Monkeys in Sri Lanka
Pausing elephant spotting in Sri Lanka’s Uda Walawe National Park, a bold macaque met my gaze, posing nonchalantly for photos as its troupe raided our jeeps. Our stare-down ended abruptly when it lunged for my camera.
Rhinos in South Africa
Self-driving Kruger National Park’s Steilberg Loop, a crash to my right revealed two white rhinos charging from the bush. Branches snapped as they barreled toward my 4WD—I floored it, narrowly escaping collision.
Manatees in Belize
Snorkeling Belize’s Hol Chan Marine Reserve yielded turtles, stingrays, and nurse sharks. Heading back, our guide spotted a West Indian manatee below—a gentle, walrus-like giant. We floated above it respectfully for 15 minutes before it vanished with a tail swish.
Top Tips for Responsible Wildlife Viewing
- Steer clear of overcrowded spots or visit off-season
- Select tour operators with strong responsible tourism practices
- Follow all local laws, especially in fragile ecosystems
- Adhere to wildlife observation guidelines
- Avoid souvenirs from wild animal products
Explore more sustainable travel ideas on our ecotourism page. Learn about World Wildlife Day at wildlifeday.org. Share your own wildlife story: Tweet @lonelyplanet with #WWD2016.
