Top locations for wildlife encounters with kids

Kids have been captivated by wild animals for time immemorial. These wildlife encounters for kids give them the thrill of watching wild animals in their natural habitat. They are not only exhilarating but a learning opportunity that can help introduce kids to the importance of protecting the world’s ecosystems.

These are the ultimate destinations to safely and ethically, view some of the world’s most fantastic furry, feathered and flippered beasts. We start with the best overseas destinations then scroll further for the best Australian wildlife encounters.

Rajasthan, India

Bengal Tiger

Could there be anything more exciting than spotting a tiger in the wild? Especially from the safe confines of a safari vehicle. A guided game drive through Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park between October and June is one of the best ways to spot Bengal tigers in India.

Big cats are the star attraction in this protected wilderness area. But you might also glimpse a supporting cast of striped hyena, nilgai and the Indian leopards.

Serengeti, Tanzania

The Big 5

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of an African safari. The Serengeti is one of the best places for your kids to experience a real-life reenactment of the Lion King.

Home to Africa’s Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo – there’s plenty of kid-friendly safari accommodation. If you time your trip during May to July it’s the ideal place to witness the spectacle of the great migration. Which involves millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle migrating in a dusty conga line.

Finnish Lapland

Reindeer (and Santa)

Head to the land of the midnight sun and northern lights for close encounters with reindeer – with a side of Santa.

In the snowy pine forests of the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi in northern Finland, kids can enjoy both. In fact, it’s close to impossible not to see wild reindeer at any time of the year in Lapland. They roam free and often feed close to roads. While not strictly wild, no trip is complete without a sleigh ride guided by Dasher, Dancer et al…

Sri Lanka

Elephants, leopards and mongoose 

If you want to see elephants in their natural habitat, Sri Lanka has the world’s highest density of wild Asian elephants. A great first safari experience for families, tours through parks such as Minneriya, Yala and Udawalawe are well-organised and accessible.

Yala National Park is well-known for being one of Sri Lanka’s premier ecotourism destinations. Book a safari trip with Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris to experience the ‘real’ Yala with all-inclusive camp/safari packages. Children as young as three are welcome at the camp, and kids’ activities on offer include guided nature walks, amateur photography classes and animal checklists.

Mongooses are commonly spotted while those who see one of the 60-70 leopards are among the lucky visitors.

Borneo

Orangutan

Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

The man of the forest, best known for its distinctive flame-hued fur, is the most adored of apes. Mostly because of King Louie from The Jungle Book.

Although they’re critically endangered because of deforestation. Sabah’s Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a great place to see orangutans roam free. The 40-square-kilometre sanctuary is located at the edge of the Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve.

But if you’re keen to spy one in the wild and want to pull on your hiking boots, Danum Valley Conservation Area is the spot.

Tanjung Puting National Park, Indonesian Borneo

The Central Kalimantan province on the Indonesian side of Borneo is home to the largest wild orangutan population in the world. With most residing deep in the tropical rainforests of Tanjung Puting National Park.

The park was designated a UNESCO Biopshere Reserve in 1977 and is known for its conservation efforts.

Visit the Pondok Tanguy rehabilitation centre to uncover secrets of the rainforest. And see orangutans chattering from the treetops above as you cruise along the river aboard traditional klotoks.

Madagscar

Lemur

The much-loved lemur owes much of its fan base to mad King Julian the ring-tailed lemur, Maurice the aye-aye, and Mort the mouse lemur of the Madagscar movies. You won’t see them swing into madcap dance-party action, but Madagascar’s Kirindy Forest Reserve does come to life at night as nocturnal dwarf and mouse lemurs leap from tree to tree.

Active families can spot lemurs and other unique species as they explore Madagascar’s wondrous biodiversity on responsible small-group tours.

Galápagos, Ecuador

Marine Iguana

Experience wildlife like never before on the Galápagos Islands. These evolutionary marvels are home to some of the rarest animals on the planet. You can find giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies and deceptively fierce-looking marina iguanas.

Sure to be a big hit with lizard-loving littles, the iguana may rock a prototype Godzilla vibe, but the slow-moving herbivores are quite gentle. G Adventures offers small-group family tours of the archipelago. It makes meeting the lovely lizards and their Galápagos pals easy and educational.

Costa Rica

Sloths

Can anyone resist the slow-moving sloth? Costa Rica is renowned for verdant jungles, towering volcanos and pristine beaches. Spot the adorable two- and three-toed sloths doing what they do best, which is of course not very much at all.

Intrepid Travel offer a Costa Rica Family Holiday that includes a guided visit to Manuel Antonio National Park. Here, the kids can immerse themselves in nature and spot protected sloths in the wild.

Yellowstone National Park, USA

Wolves

Yellowstone National Park is said to be one of the last places worldwide where you can observe wolves in their natural habitat. With roughly 100 locals, you’re bound to see one of the packs roaming around.

Take a tour with Yellowstone Safari Company and spend the day hiking through the ‘real America’.

For a more in-depth look into the life of Yellowstone wolves, a five-day expedition with Yellowstone Wolf Guides offers not only prime spotting opportunities but rustic accommodation in the heart of wolf country and knowledgeable guides. Binoculars and spotting scopes are provided so that you can view the hypnotic creatures without putting your little ones in harm’s way.

Where to see Australian animals in the wild

Join a camel train at Uluru-Kata Tjuta

When you think of ‘safari’ and Australia’s Outback, undoubtedly camels spring to mind. And the best place to see them? Uluru-Kata Tjuta in the Northern Territory. Hop atop a camel for a sunrise or sunset plod with Uluru Camel Tours and then learn about how they came to Australia back at the saddlery.

You’ll also see plenty of kangaroos around the region, and they’ll never be too far from your campsite at Ayers Rock Campground, part of Ayers Rock Resort. Being in the middle of the desert doesn’t mean this campground is all bull dust (super fine dirt) and nothing else. There are air-conditioned cabins; powered sites for caravans, motorhomes and trailers; as well as spots to pitch a tent under the shade of cooling desert oaks.

Camp beside echidnas on Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is a haven for native wildlife, and one of the best places to surround yourself with it is at Western KI Caravan Park.

Introduce kids to free-roaming echidnas, wallabies, kangaroos and a plethora of birds, and keep your eyes peeled for koalas in the trees. Unhitch the van on a shaded powered site, pitch your tent or book a cabin. The campground is just a few minutes’ drive from Flinders Chase National Park, where you can meet fur seals at Admirals Arch.

Goannas, eagles and ‘roos are also returning to the park after it was burnt in the January 2020 bushfire. Another not-to-miss attraction is Seal Bay Conservation Park. Although it’s not your typical safari experience, it’s a huge expanse of wild, rolling dunes and beach with a resident Australian sea lion colony.

Lady Musgrave Island

Hawksbill Turtle

The hawksbill turtle has travelled oceans for more than 100 million years. But is under threat due to coastal development, hunting and climate change.

Some of the most prolific hawksbill nesting sites are located along the far northern section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. One of the best ways to get face to see hawksbill turtles is on a Master Reef guided swim in the protected marine environment of Lady Musgrave Island.

The Great Barrier Reef, QLD

Sea turtles

The Great Barrier Reef is home to six of the seven species of sea turtles. Check out Monkey Beach on Great Keppel Island for flatback turtles and Heron Island for green and loggerhead varieties. Alongside the turtles, you’ll also find fish, manta rays and stunning coral in the giant lagoon.

Fifteen minutes out of Bundaberg is Mon Repos. Which is where more than half of all the nesting loggerheads in the southern hemisphere come to lay their eggs. Visit between November and January to see them laying.

Keep reading:

• The best animal attractions in Australia
• Here’s where to get up close to your favourite animals

Quokkas on Rottnest Island, WA

Safaris aren’t all about the big creatures. Sometimes it’s the little guys that steal our attention, and this couldn’t be truer for Western Australia’s smiley marsupial, the quokka. You’ll find them all over Rottnest Island, a ferry ride from Perth or Fremantle. Although quokkas are mainly nocturnal, you’ll see plenty of these furry ‘scrub wallabies’ foraging for food during the day.

The ultimate place to stay to meet them is Discovery Rottnest Island, nestled behind the dunes of one of the island’s best beaches. There are 83 eco-tents, some with bunk beds. The glampsite also has all-day dining at Pinky’s Beach Club, a pool and poolside bar, barbecues and direct beach access. As far as an Aussie safari goes, this one’s hard to beat.

Emus at Exmouth, WA

Exmouth is the gateway to Ningaloo Reef and known for its friendly emu population. The birds can be seen wandering the streets and walking through the Exmouth town centre, as well as along the road between Exmouth and Coral Bay. Look out for them when driving and give them right of way.

Penguins at Phillip Island, VIC

The daily parade of little penguins at Phillip Island is one of Australia’s most popular wildlife attractions. Little penguins are the smallest type of penguins, and are native to Australia. Each night at sunset they return ashore after a day spent fishing, and visitors throng to watch them waddle up the beach from the viewing stands and boardwalks.

Tasmanian Devils at The Tarkine, TAS

Tasmanian devils are not easy to spot in the wild. An aggressive cancer has sadly killed many of them, so they are growing rarer and rarer. The Tarkine is a huge reserve in northwest Tasmania with an incredibly diverse landscape of rainforest, sand dunes and coastal heathland. It is home to a huge range of wildlife, so even if you’re not lucky enough to see the nocturnal carnivores, you could spot platypuses, echidnas, wombats, bandicoots, possums, gliders and quolls.

Go croc spotting in The Whitsundays

Few visitors to The Whitsundays realise this Queensland holiday spot – best known for its palm tree islands and partying ways – is also home to crocodiles. And they’re not in captivity. These big, muddy fellas are going about their daily business in the Proserpine River. You can see them on a cruise with Whitsunday Crocodile Safari, which will also put on a barbecue feast, and cook up some damper to go with your billy tea.

Afterwards, head back to safer waters at BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort. Cool down at the resort’s epic waterslide park before continuing your safari experience at their in-house Animal Park. Little campers will also love meeting the resident calves, lambs and hens.

Red crabs on Christmas Island

Christmas Island’s red crab migration sees millions of the critters emerge from the rainforest to breed on the coast. It is one of the most extraordinary natural events on Earth.

Occurring at the onset of the wet season each November, the crabs move in waves of scarlet. Their numbers cover every conceivable surface as they scurry from the forest to the sea for three weeks until spawning. Then the female crabs propel their eggs into the Indian Ocean and the frenzy ceases until the next year.

Do’s and Don’ts for encountering wild animals

Sadly, the urge to see these amazing animals can lead to unethical animal tourism practices.

Tempting though it may be to ride an elephant or sidle up for a selfie with a sloth, your few moments of fun may be inadvertently contributing to animal suffering. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many sustainably-run wildlife tourism operations with strict animal welfare policies, which genuinely work to conserve and protect wildlife and their unique habitats.

Jarryd and Alesha of NOMADasaurus have put together their tips for seeing animals in the wild, and keeping them safe in the process.

Do’s

• When you spot an animal in the wild, make sure you and your children keep your distance. Even the cutest animal can be dangerous if it feels scared or threatened, or it might leave its environment and young ones if you get too close.
• When you approach any animal in a controlled environment where it is allowed to do so like at a reputable sanctuary, walk up to it very slowly and in a calm way. Don’t make any sudden movements or noises, or you may spook it.
• Do spend a few minutes to watch the animal going about its life. Take note of the way it moves, its behaviour, how it plays or interacts with other creatures and the way it eats. Every animal is special, and by simply observing carefully, you and your kids will have a newfound appreciation for them.
• Find out as much information as you can about each animal, and share that knowledge with your kids. Talk about the importance of conservation so that your children can enjoy these creatures for many years to come.
• Do seek out ethical wildlife activities in the wild rather than in zoos.

Don’ts

• Don’t feed any wild animals. Animals have very strict diets and something that is harmless to us can make a creature very sick.
• Don’t sign up for any activities that have you or your kids interact with wildlife in an unnatural environment. Some examples of that are feeding and swimming with dolphins, elephant riding, big cat petting or visiting crocodile farms.
• Don’t touch any wild animals, particularly in the sea. Many marine animals have protective membranes over their skin that protects them from bacteria, and the natural oils in our hands can remove this, leaving them open to infection.

This article was produced with content supplied by World Animal Protection and is a Holidays with Kids digital exclusive. Be the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the enewsletter here.