8 Ways to See Wildlife

Lions and turtles and polar bears -- oh my! These trips go where the wild things are

By Andy Dimond

Growl! It's no secret that one of our favorite pastimes as humans is observing the antics of animals. They thrill us in the heat of nature's life-and-death drama, and at their more tender moments they remind us of ourselves. They captivate young and old alike, so it's no surprise that travel companies arrange entire trips around the promise of glimpsing the world's plethora of critters in action. Whether your quarry of choice is furry, scaly or shelled, here are eight trips bound to bring out the beast in you.



The Galapagos Islands of Ecuador are a dream destination for the zoologically minded. You can follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, whose musings here on Mother Nature's many variations would become the foundation of modern biology. Many of the species that he discovered then can still be found on the Galapagos today, from the exotic black marine iguanas his shipmates called "imps of darkness" to the commonplace, such as 14 species of finches that differ only in their beaks.

But the headliner here is the Galapagos tortoise, the world's largest tortoise and one of its longest-living animals, with a life expectancy of 150 years in the wild. As Darwin noted, each island's tortoises have uniquely shaped shells. One local celebrity, "Lonesome George," is believed to be the last of his Pinta Island subspecies. For about 30 years, scientists at the Charles Darwin Research Station have tried to breed George with a related species, but efforts have been unsuccessful.

Unfortunately, George's story mirrors that of many creatures in this small, isolated ecosystem: The priceless biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands has always been threatened, whether by whalers in the 19th century or poachers in recent history. As a result, the Ecuadorian government has increasingly clamped down on travel to the Galapagos over the years. No tour groups are allowed without a guide, and visitors must remain on the paths so as not to harm any flora or fauna.

Celebrity Xpedition, a 98-passenger cruise ship, sails exclusively to the Galapagos year-round. Passengers can hear lectures by naturalists on biology and learn about the history of Darwin's expedition as well as browse an onboard library of related books. These cruises last 10 to 13 days and include pre-cruise hotel stays in Quito, Ecuador, the departure port. Rates start at $3,399 per person.

Information: Vacations To Go or (800) 338-4962.



Ever since colonial days, the archetypal wildlife vacation has been the African safari. The word conjures up images of adventure and excitement, khaki shorts and pith helmets -- though you're welcome to stick with a baseball cap and some SPF 50 sunscreen. One of the most popular goals for safari-goers is to track down all of the "Big Five," which originally referred to the five animals most difficult to hunt on foot: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros. Nowadays, of course, the only shooting you'll do is with your camera, but the thrill is no less intense.

East Africa is the classic safari locale, specifically the rolling savannas of Kenya and Tanzania. Masai Mara National Reserve is widely considered to be Kenya's prime grounds for game-viewing. All the Big Five roam here, including a permanent population of more than 20 lion prides. Around August or September, more than 1 million wildebeests and zebras lead the "Great Migration" into Masai Mara, where they graze in the lush grasslands until October or November.

The greatest density of wildlife in Tanzania can be found in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which rests in an enormous volcanic crater. The desert, plains, forests and lakes here support Tanzania's greatest density of wildlife, including zebras, wildebeest, lions, hippos, gazelles, pink flamingos and endangered black rhinos. Safari guests descend some 2,000 feet to explore "Africa's Eden," returning to lodges perched on the caldera's ridge.
The "East African Explorer" adventure from Brendan Worldwide Vacations visits both Masai Mara and Ngorongoro, as well as other wildlife-rich parks in Kenya and Tanzania. The 13-day package starts at $3,759.

Safari seekers will find interesting alternatives in South Africa, where many itineraries include cultural and historical stops and even jaunts to the wine country for more of a "town and country" trip. For example, "Captivating Cape and Kruger" from African Travel begins in Cape Town, where you'll ascend Table Mountain, tour city highlights and then explore the Cape winelands and coastal Dutch villages. The second half of the vacation is spent in Kruger National Park, one of the world's oldest wildlife preserves, protected since 1898. It has the most mammal species of any African park, at 147. There are vast hordes of zebra and buffalo, and for a time game wardens resorted to contraception to control the elephant population. The nine-day journey starts at $2,945 per person, with departure dates throughout the year.

Information: Vacations To Go or (800) 291-3346.



Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica is home to the Caribbean's most important breeding ground for endangered green sea turtles. The park is made up of a network of canals lined by mangroves and richly inhabited jungle, and it sustains a wide variety of sea turtles -- including hawksbills, loggerheads and leatherbacks -- as well as jaguars, monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, caimans and manatees. Poison dart frogs, basilisk lizards and more than 375 bird species add more color.

G.A.P. Adventures offers an inexpensive four-day package called " Turtles and Tortuguero." You'll meet your guide in the capital city of San Jose and access the park on a boat ride down the river, as the sleepy village of Tortuguero has no roads. Your base camp is Turtle Beach Lodge, ensconced on 175 acres within the park.

During the nesting season, March through September, you'll join a night trek to see the nesting sites of the giant turtles. For the rest of the stay, you can lounge in a hammock by the lodge's pool, head to its half-mile of isolated beach or roam the grounds studded with lemon, papaya, avocado and coconut trees. Optional activities, such as kayaking, canopy tours and horseback riding, are offered for an extra fee. Rates start at $299 per person.

Information: Vacations To Go or (800) 680-2858.



Every year, gray whales migrate about 5,000 miles from the Bering Strait off Alaska down to the warm lagoons of the Baja Peninsula, to breed or give birth. Many cruise operators, such as Lindblad Expeditions, plan trips around this awe-inspiring sight, which takes place from late December to April.

The company's five-day "Baja Escape: Exploring the Sea of Cortez" itinerary begins in La Paz, capital of the Baja California Sur state of Mexico. Your ship, the 62-passenger Sea Bird, makes its first stop in Isla Los Islotes, known for its population of sea lions. You'll be provided with snorkeling gear for a swim alongside these playful creatures.

The next few days are spent along the Baja coast, with opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking and whale-watching. Sightings include not only gray whales but also bottlenose and common dolphins. There are three departures for this trip -- Dec. 1, 5 and 9 -- and rates start at $1,990 per person.

Information: Vacations To Go or (800) 680-2858.



Another seasonal excursion takes place each October in the Canadian province of Manitoba, when polar bears come ashore as the ice of Hudson Bay is melting. Get a close-up look at the creatures on the "Polar Bears of Churchill" adventure with Cosmos.

You'll meet your tour director in Winnipeg, then board a flight to Churchill, an outpost founded by 18th-century English explorers and fur traders on the western shore of Hudson Bay. You can explore the fort at Cape Merry, with its stone cannon battery and the remains of a powder magazine, and visit the Eskimo Museum to see a fascinating collection of Inuit carvings and artifacts.

Then it's time to see the bears, first at Churchill's "polar bear compound," where delinquent bears that stray into populated areas are detained until the winter freeze. The next day, you'll head into the wild aboard heated tundra buggies equipped with special viewing platforms and onboard restrooms. The bears may look cute as they frolic, roll in the snow and wander up to examine your tundra buggy, but don't be fooled -- they are more deadly than cuddly. This six-day itinerary starts at $5,099 and also includes a dogsledding excursion. Departures take place Oct. 14, 21 and 28.

Information: Vacations To Go or (800) 680-2858.



In addition to its spellbinding scenery, Alaska boasts teeming populations of wildlife. Along the southeastern coastal stretch known as the Inside Passage, you'll find humpback whales, orcas, sea lions and five species of salmon; wolves, Sitka deer and brown and black bears; and marbled murrelets, bald eagles, puffins and harlequin ducks. While many major cruise lines deploy large vessels to this popular sailing region, intimate small-ship cruises are better suited for viewing the wildlife, as they offer the best opportunities for up-close encounters.

Cruise West specializes in small-ship explorations of the Inside Passage. Its captains will stop a ship and linger when wildlife is spotted, allowing passengers plenty of time to observe and take pictures. The company's "Alaska's Whales and Wilderness" itinerary is a nine-day voyage on a ship with roughly 100 passengers. It cruises from Juneau to Icy Strait Point, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Sitka, Frederick Sound and Tracy Arm, with included excursions in ports of call. Cruises take place from May through September, and fares start at $4,599 per person.

Information: Vacations To Go or (800) 338-4962.



One of the wonders of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is Earth's largest coral reef, stretching along 1,500 miles of Queensland coast and big enough for astronauts to see from space. In biodiversity terms, it's also one of the planet's most lush ecosystems. The 400 species of coral that actually build the reef support countless others, including 5,000 species of mollusks, more than 200 species of birds, 14 species of sea snakes and 1,500 species of fish. Many tour itineraries Down Under visit the reef, including "Sydney, Cairns and Barrier Reef" with Trafalgar Tours.

On this 10-day trip, you'll not only spend time absorbing the urban sights of those cities but also engage in a number of activities at the reef, including snorkeling, visiting the Underwater Observatory and taking a ride in a semisubmersible vessel. You'll also get to explore land-based wonders at the Daintree Discovery Centre in the rain forest outside Cairns, where you can climb a 76-foot tower and look out over the canopy. Departures take place throughout the year, with rates starting at $1,315 per person.

Information: Vacations To Go or (800) 680-2858.



Earth's least-inhabited continent may seem like a strange place to go in search of wildlife, but the few species that have adapted to the harsh conditions are that much more fascinating. Besides the adorable penguins, in varieties of emperor, king, chinstrap, gentoo, rockhopper and Adelie, there are several types of seals, such as crabeater, leopard, fur and Weddell. One thing worth noting about all these air-breathing animals is that they still must go to sea for food, primarily Antarctic krill, which in terms of biomass may be the most successful animal species on the planet. Antarctica's one insect, a type of flightless midge, is its largest purely terrestrial creature.

Antarctic cruises are seasonal, occurring in the continent's summer months of November to February. They depart from either Buenos Aires or Ushuaia, Argentina, the capital of Tierra del Fuego and the world's southernmost city.

There are two approaches to Antarctic cruising. Some take place aboard traditional cruise ships, such as the Star Princess of Princess Cruises or the Seven Seas Mariner of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. You'll get close enough for great views of the awe-inspiring landscape and enjoy a full slate of onboard amenities and entertainment, but you won't set foot on the icy continent.

Other Antarctic trips employ smaller expedition ships that navigate where the large ships can't. Zodiac boats take passengers ashore, weather permitting. The 120-guest Expedition from G.A.P. Adventures offers this type of adventure, on cruises that range from 10 to 20-plus days; the shorter itineraries start at $5,395 per person on departures this November and December.

Information: Vacations To Go or (800) 338-4962.

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