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Are you an Animal lover? Maybe your kids are always on the lookout for birds, insects, and wild animals when you go out? Either way, there’s an animal lover in the family! And as a special treat, you’d love to travel and find out what interesting, cute, and downright weird wildlife there is in other parts of the world.
If you want to see as many animals as possible, and be safe while you’re doing it, you’ll need to pick your time wisely. And depending on the location you want to visit, this time is going to vary wildly! Some countries have the most wildlife appearances in March, some in August, and some in November.
In general, you want to avoid times like monsoon season in the southern hemisphere, or even mating season if you want to see animals that tend to be aggressive, such as bears. You also want the temperature to be comfortable for you, so it’s best to aim for early summer or early autumn no matter where you’re thinking of going.
Go on an Animal Focused Cruise
Animal cruises can be booked at many companies these days. From worldwide ocean cruises to river and lake cruises within a country, you can get on board, bring your binoculars, and see some amazing animals up close and personal. If you’re a fan of turtles and dolphins, this is definitely the travel option for you.
Of course, these cruises try to be as ethical as possible, meaning marine life and animals that graze close to the shore may not be active, or may not show up in great droves. But you’ll still be able to experience the wondrous nature they live in, as well as see their habitats from never seen before angles.
Go Camping and Build a Den in the Woods
Want to get hands on with wildlife in a safe situation? Go camping! Try to camp as close to areas of natural beauty as possible, such as forests, lakes, and plains. Once you’re there, you can set up the tent and create a self contained camping area, but try to collect natural materials together and build a den as well.
This is where you can put your outside skills to the test, by creating a shelter out of branches and leaves. Double check you’re in a safe area, and then have some fun - if you’ve brought the kids with you, this is going to be a super exciting activity! You can then set up a fire outside and cook your ingredients on it, whether this be bread for grilled cheeses or marshmallows for s’mores.
Pack a Thermal Imaging Drone
If you want to get the most closeup, detailed shots of wildlife, without having to be intrusive and scare anything away/impact the habitat, invest in a thermal imaging drone. This way, even when it’s getting dark and you’re staying up late to track certain animals, you’ll be able to see who and what is out there.
If you’ve never heard of a thermal imaging drone before, you can learn more right here. Do your research to make sure you get the best model for your needs, and you’re not wasting money when you’re trying to plan an expensive vacation at the same time! Then just pack it into your suitcase and take it with you into wide open spaces, but double check with the relevant authorities that you’re allowed to do so first.
Keep a Wildlife Journal
A wildlife journal isn’t just for writing notes in, although this can be a lot of fun after a long day of animal watching and going on safari. You can also pick flowers and leaves and press them into the book, stick them down, and then write down as many facts about them as you like.
This is a good activity for kids, as it helps them put their experiences into perspective, and even have something for show and tell when they go back to school. But even as an adult, making a wildlife journal is an interesting way to use your time after a long day.
Dropped feathers, broken claws and teeth, shed skin - pick up anything you like off the ground, as long as it isn’t a protected plant species, and put it into your journal.
Don’t Forget the Beach
The beach is a great place for watching some wildlife! From rock pools filled with sea life, to finding fossils next to a cliff’s edge and watching crabs and other animals making their way back to the ocean, the beach is a perfect spot for wildlife lovers.
Make sure you keep an eye on the sky, as well as crags in the cliff face - you could see some amazingly rare birds nesting or flying around, hunting fish for their young. And if you get tired or bored of spotting wildlife, you can lay a towel down, pop up an umbrella, and then open the cooler you’ve brought with you to grab an ice cold drink and a snack. What a day!
Fancy an Animal Packed Vacation? Yes Please!
If you’re an animal lover, an animal packed vacation will be a great way to spend your time off. If you’ve never been on an adventure like this before, use tips like those above to get your plans started.
Whether you want to head off on foot, try road tripping, or fly to a destination and then take safari tours from there, the world is your oyster! Have some fun, make sure the kids are having a good time, and go on a trip that you’re never going to forget.
