Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Wildlife experiences around the world

If you count coming face-to-face with wild animals in their natural habitats as a powerful experience, here are four of the world’s best wildlife encounters to have. Tissues not provided.

If you count coming face-to-face with wild animals in their natural habitats as a powerful experience, here are four of the world’s best wildlife encounters to have. Tissues not provided.

1. SEE THOUSANDS OF PENGUINS IN ANTARCTICA

With such a remote location and harsh conditions, this desolate continent in the south is largely unexplored and untouched, and therefore, wildlife can still be found in large numbers.

The dramatic mountains and icebergs are home to hundreds of species of animals, ranging from chinstrap penguins to leopard seals and humpback whales. Whether from an expedition vessel, on a zodiac (inflatable dinghy) or on foot, you’ll find yourself surrounded by hundreds of penguins, or pods of seals and whales.

How to: Anyone can travel to the Antarctic Peninsular on board an expedition vessel. It can be pricey, from US$6,000 (S$8,340) for an eight-day trip), but it is well worth the price. Most expedition cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina. Popular companies that run these expeditions include Quark Expeditions and G Adventures.

When to go: Expeditions only run in the summer months of the southern hemisphere from November to March. While there are over 20 hours of sunshine during these months, you are looking at temperature ranges of -6°C to 10°C.

2. FIND POLAR BEARS AT THE ARCTIC

The Svalbard archipelago of the Norwegian Arctic is home to more polar bears than human beings. Here in the northernmost reaches of the world, you can cruise through mammoth icebergs, gaze into the eyes of polar bears from a close distance, walk by groups of walruses and see puffins fly overhead.

Get there soon though. Arctic animals are facing the danger of losing their natural habitat due to the effects of global warming. About two-thirds of the world’s polar bear population will disappear by 2050.

How to: The best way to see Svalbard is on board an expedition cruise departing from Longyearbyen, the region’s largest town. Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions have the best reputations for Svalbard cruises, with prices starting from S$5,000 for a week-long trip. You can also base yourself in Longyearbyen, where you can find a range of accommodation, and go on excursions like snowmobiling, dog sledding or chasing the Northern Lights with Spitsbergen Travel.

When to go: Most cruises run in summer (between July and September) when temperatures are not as extreme (4°C to 6°C). In winter, temperatures average around -12°C to -16°C.

3. SWIM WITH SEA LIONS ON THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Home to some of the world’s most unique animals, the Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, located 906km west of continental Ecuador.

This group of islands was formed millions of years ago as a result of volcanic activities, and has been separated from the mainland since. During this period, the animals that inhabited these islands evolved into endemic species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

These days, animals continue to roam freely around the islands, thanks to wildlife conservation policies. You’ll find sea lions waddling on the beach, giant lizards swimming in the sea and cute blue-footed boobies flying overhead.

How to: You can fly from Guayaquil or Quito on mainland Ecuador to two islands: San Cristobal and Baltra. Small yachts and diving liveaboards are the best way to see a few of the islands. Ecoventura and Quasar Expeditions are highly recommended.

Prices for a week-long cruise start from S$5,000. Alternatively, you can stay in hostels or hotels on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, and take day trips from there. All tourists visiting the Galapagos Islands must pay an entry tax. Singaporeans over the age of 12 years pay S$142 each, while children pay S$71 each.

When to go: The peak season lasts from June to August, and from mid-December to mid-January. But the Galapagos has a year-round season as temperatures remain warm all year. The national park limits the number of visitors to each island and coordinates each ship’s itinerary, so the Galapagos will never feel crowded.

4. SPOT THE BIG FIVE gameanimals IN SOUTH AFRICA

You can see the Big Five game animals (African lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and white/black rhinoceros) in many parts of Africa. But the best place to see all of them in one spot is undoubtedly South Africa.

Some of the country’s best places to see the Big Five include the renowned Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Besides the Big Five, the marine life in South Africa is also spectacular. Gansbaai on the Western Cape is one of the few places in the world where you can go shark-cage diving.

How to: Johannesburg and Cape Town are the main gateway cities of South Africa and are served by many international airlines. Driving is a great way to explore the country as it’s well connected by roads and highways. You can either go on a self-drive safari (most national parks allow that) or join a group safari tour. Most lodges such as Cheetah Plains include game drives in their rates.

When to go: May to August are the best months for wildlife sightings in South Africa. The foliage is less dense, malaria risk is lower, and many of the private game reserve lodges drop their prices substantially.

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.