Travel is many things to many people. Some are happy simply to put some distance between themselves and the stress of work and maintaining the home. Some may want nothing more than to spend their days drinking in the sun’s rays (and maybe a freshly made cocktail or two). Some want to create magical experiences for their children that they’ll cherish forever. And others want to immerse themselves in the sheer adventure of the unfamiliar. To throw themselves into new environments and experience the raw majesty of nature. And for the devout animal lover, the perfect holiday allows for all of the above, as they encounter all manner of beautiful animals from all over the world.
Here we’ll look at 4 destinations that animal lovers will want to add to their bucket lists...
The Galapagos Islands
This stunning archipelago in Ecuador has something to offer just about everyone. Gorgeous azure seas, stunning sandy beaches, and incredible biodiversity. Indeed, the islands are a Unesco World Heritage site and justly famed for their incredible life. They have been referred to as a “living museum and showcase of evolution”. And while they have an abundance of fascinating wildlife, the star of the show has to be the the incredible giant Galapagos tortoises. Due to the fragile ecosystem on these islands, new visitors will need to meet specific Galapagos entry requirements. However, this is a small price to pay to keep this stunning site and it’s incredible wildlife protected.
Brisbane, Australia
Speaking of extraordinary ecosystems, Australia is one of the most incredible countries you could hope to visit if you’re looking for memorable animal encounters amidst stunning scenery that’s unlike anywhere else in the world.
And while there are all kinds of memorable encounters available in this diverse country, nothing beats a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary near Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. Here you can explore the koala’s natural habitat, watch them and (for a small extra fee) even hold one.
Borneo
Located off the coast of Indonesia, in the Malay Archipelago, Borneo is a fascinating and beautiful island. The largest in Asia and the third largest anywhere in the world. And while it is home to all manner of incredible plants and animals, none is more fascinating and rewarding to watch than the stately Orangutan. If you want to spend some time working with these majestic creatures, we heartily recommend volunteering for the Great Orangutan Project, a multi-award winning sanctuary in Borneo.
Phuket Thailand
Finally, Thailand has a lot of animal tourism. The problem is that most of it is ethically dubious at best and downright cruel at worst. Many of the country’s wonderful elephants are made to endure tremendous suffering in order to carry and entertain tourists or work in the punishing logging industry. Fortunately, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary allows them ample space to wander, relax and enjoy their lives after having endured hard lives as working elephants. Every elephant has their own mahout (handler) who looks after their needs and helps them to settle in and socialise with the other elephants.
Needless to say, all of these attractions are completely ethical.
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