Want a Wild Vacation? Get Up Close to Some Exotic and Endangered Animals Lauren Saccone December 4, 2017 Family Travel This post was last updated on May 4, 2023. Nature is truly remarkable. But sometimes seeing it on the screen isn’t enough. If you want to get up close and personal with some of the most exotic and endangered animals on the planet, look no further. From local zoos to far-flung reserves, these places are perfect for planning your next vacation — especially if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience for your kids. Not only do these experiences make for incredible memories, they’ll help your family develop an appreciation for just how precarious the existence of a species can be. You’ll leave with a newfound appreciation for this fragile, wonderful world that we all share — and some amazing pictures to show family and friends. San Diego Zoo One of the most beautiful and popular zoos in the world, the San Diego Zoo is a feast for the eyes — and full of fun and exciting activities for every animal lover in your life. With more than 3,700 animals to visit, this must-visit southern California destination promises to have something for everyone. Best of all, there are a host of different experiences that let you get close to the animals. You can learn about nature and sidle up to some remarkable creatures. Basel Zoo — Switzerland It’s one of the most visited attractions in all of Switzerland, and with good reason. The Basel Zoo has some of the most beautiful and exotic animals on the planet. You can stroll through the gorgeous zoo any time of year, as heated exhibits keep the animals nice and cozy during the colder months. If you’re particularly partial to a certain species, sign up for one of the amazing tours — you’ll learn things you never imagined about your favorite animals. Loro Parque — Canary Islands This zoo in the Canary Islands is consistently voted as one of the best zoos in the world — and after a visit, you’ll see why. Simply enormous in size, this sprawling zoo offers immersive interactive tours that are hard to beat. Doubling as a preserve for rare and endangered species, Loro Parque promises an experience that simply can’t be matched. The “behind the scenes” tour offers a peek at what it takes to maintain a major zoo, with plenty of fun and informative facts about all sorts of creatures. Kīlauea Point — Hawaii This refuge on the northwest coast of Kauai is simply one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It’s also home to a staggering amount of wildlife that you won’t be able to see anywhere else. Set against the backdrop of breathtaking peaks, visitors can watch dolphins play in their natural habitat, or wild birds soar through the sky. If you plan your visit from January through March, you can get a front-row view to the migration of the humpback whales — a truly awe-inspiring experience. Toronto Zoo If you’re looking to see pandas, snow leopards, and about 460 other species, there’s simply no place better than the Toronto Zoo. Besides being the largest zoo in all of Canada, it’s also one of the most popular. People come from across the globe to marvel at these rare and wondrous creatures and learn tons of fun facts about conservation activities. You can spend literally days poring over the in-depth exhibits, and see some of the rarest and most beautiful animals on Earth. Chester Zoo — England The Chester Zoo in London promises a singular animal experience, and it more than delivers. With thousands of species to choose from, there’s something for every animal lover at this sprawling locale. Make sure to bring your walking shoes for this trip — it’s got over 125 acres of habitat to explore. And for the little ones, there are seemingly endless activities sure to get kids pumped about the natural world. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park — Uganda At Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda you can experience gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience. This is a rare opportunity to see endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Trekking involves hiking through the forest to observe gorilla families, while habituation experience gives visitors a chance to spend more time with the gorillas. Additionally, visitors to the park can enjoy wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and cultural tours. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is also home to several primate species, including black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, and chimpanzees among other activities. Don’t worry. Visitors are accompanied by knowledgeable and experienced guides or rangers who have gone through extensive training on how to interact with the gorillas and ensure the safety of both the visitors and the gorillas. The park follows strict guidelines and regulations to ensure the safety of visitors and the conservation of the gorillas. Visitors are also required to follow guidelines, such as keeping a safe distance and not touching the gorillas to minimize any risk. Sichuan Province — China Visitors to China’s Sichuan Province can experience the Giant Pandas in multiple ways. One common way is to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a non-profit research and breeding facility for pandas and other rare animals. Here, visitors can observe pandas in their natural habitat, learn about conservation efforts, and even participate in panda volunteer programs. Another location to see pandas is the Bifengxia Panda Center, where visitors can experience pandas in their natural habitat through viewing areas and hiking trails. Palmwag Concession — Namibia Visitors to Namibia’s Palmwag Concession, specifically at the Desert Rhino Camp, can experience black rhino tracking on foot through natural habitat. The Camp is located in Palmwag concession in Northwest Namibia and it’s an initiative to protect these critically endangered species. Visitors go on guided tours that are aimed at maximizing the chances of sighting black rhinos in the semi-arid landscape. This experience offers visitors the opportunity to observe these majestic animals up close while also learning about the conservation efforts being made to protect them. It is an unforgettable experience that visitors will cherish for a lifetime. Do you have any suggestions for seeing exotic and endangered species in a safe and sustainable way? Let us know in the comments below!
