Wildlife vacations advice
Tips on enhancing a safari vacation
Will Fox is the founder of our supplier On Track Safaris, and a conservationist specialising in leopard behaviour. Here's his South Africa wildlife vacation advice: "So many people come back from Africa and say, "that was nice, but I wish I'd been more involved." They don't want to just be shown animals, it's not Disney World. Safaris shouldn't just be about seeing animals and staying in a nice lodge with a spa. That's wonderful, but it should also be about understanding the real issues in Africa and learning more about whatever it is you're keen on. We teach our guests a few native words. If you thank the lodge staff in their own language, you'll get such a beaming smile. They're just so impressed that someone has learned a few words of their language."
Our Wildlife Vacations
Three Reserve safari in South Africa
A 10 day big game safari visits 3 different game reserves
From
£3395 to £3625
10 days
ex flights
Botswana wildlife safari
Explore Botswana on this small group wildlife safari
From
US $4010 to US $4700
15 days
ex flights
Family luxury camping safari in Kenya
5-Day Safari to Basecamp Masai Mara and Naboisho Conservancy
From
US $1870 to US $2235
5 days
ex flights
Costa Rica nature adventure tour
Immerse yourself in the scenary of Costa Rica.
From
US $2450
10 days
ex flights
Botswana Fly-In Luxury Safari
Discover Botswana in style with this fly-in luxury safari
From
£6995
9 days
ex flights
Costa Rica wildlife vacation
An amazing variety of Costa Rican wildlife
From
US $4349 to US $5179
15 days
ex flights
Tiger photography tip
Paul Goldstein, top tiger safari guide and expert at one of our leading suppliers, Exodus, shares his advice for photographers: “Much like mountain gorillas, you have to be aware that the tiger is a desperately endangered species, so please try and look beyond your camera. I have led countless tiger safaris in India, but probably only have half a dozen really good photos. So, particularly when you see your first one, put the camera away because, firstly, you might not see another one and also, it is a deeply emotive moment. The photo will probably be rubbish anyway as you will be sobbing or shaking, as you should be.“Bear safety
Tom Brown from our bear watching specialist supplier, Natural World Safaris:“The most important thing to be aware of is that the polar bear is a very dangerous animal. Especially a hungry polar bear. They can smell humans from up to 30km away. And so, when they are hungry, they start moving towards humans pretty fast. In Svalbard, if you are on land, and one comes towards you, the guide who is armed with a rifle first fires warning shots in the air, and if they don’t get scared off, then they would shoot to kill. Although I have never seen that happen on a trip because realistically, if they see a polar bear on land, then they won’t land there. But it is key to listen to your guide and never wander off on your own. Which is a very silly thing to do, when you have a polar bear that will eat you very quickly.”
Safety at sea tip
Amanda Stafford, from our supplier Dolphin and Whale Connection, shares her whale watching tips: "Whale watching is it about what you see, but it's also about the safety and the standard of the boats, and how well you're looked after. Our clients are briefed on the sea conditions, they fill in a medical form and we don't let them on the hard-hulled, rigid inflatable boats if they've got a history of back problems. Check that your operator can advise you what the sea conditions are going to be like, and what it's like on the boat: where to sit; how to look after your back; if it impacts on a wave, take the impact with your knees... We also have a catamaran which is a little bit easier, there are places to hold on, you may fall over but you're not going to have one of those jolts - and that's the thing to watch on the inflatables."Health & safety on wildlife vacations
HEALTH
SAFETY
See our Gorilla Safari guide for more details.
Our top Wildlife Vacation
Tiger tour in India, land of the Tiger tour
Wildlife tour through India
From
US $4479 to US $4699
16 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 7 Oct, 11 Nov
2024: 27 Jan, 17 Feb, 9 Mar, 23 Mar, 13 Apr, 5 Oct, 17 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov
2023: 7 Oct, 11 Nov
2024: 27 Jan, 17 Feb, 9 Mar, 23 Mar, 13 Apr, 5 Oct, 17 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Wildlife or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

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Vacation reviews from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful wildlife vacations advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful wildlife vacations advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.

Take layering clothing as it can be cold in the viewing platforms but warm other times.![]()

- Suzanne Wafer
"If your guide suggests getting up at 5am, agree! I love my bed but we had to leave at 5am to get our return flight, the sunrise on the river and the birds were wonderful. If I had realised I would have agreed to get up this early on other days!" - Sue Shickle on orangutan watching vacation
“Talk with the guides – they are a mine of information.” - Stuart Sutcliffe, wildlife watching in Namibia
"Viewing the (many) grizzly bears in a natural environment without any interference with nature. Specifically, it was thrilling to see several mothers with cubs! Take layering clothing as it can be cold in the viewing platforms but warm other times. Take insect repellent and USE IT! I don't normally get bitten but this time I did. Take NO food or drink: it is all provided and is superb and plentiful. They also provide toiletries, so no need to take those either! And finally, be prepared to be amazed!" - Suzanne Wafer on our grizzly bear watching tour in British Columbia
"Don't use flash photography on the wildlife, it is cruel and frightens off the creatures for other people to see!" - Alicia Jane Taylor
“Talk with the guides – they are a mine of information.” - Stuart Sutcliffe, wildlife watching in Namibia
"Viewing the (many) grizzly bears in a natural environment without any interference with nature. Specifically, it was thrilling to see several mothers with cubs! Take layering clothing as it can be cold in the viewing platforms but warm other times. Take insect repellent and USE IT! I don't normally get bitten but this time I did. Take NO food or drink: it is all provided and is superb and plentiful. They also provide toiletries, so no need to take those either! And finally, be prepared to be amazed!" - Suzanne Wafer on our grizzly bear watching tour in British Columbia
"Don't use flash photography on the wildlife, it is cruel and frightens off the creatures for other people to see!" - Alicia Jane Taylor

Be prepared for the beauty of the natural landscape and seascape. Be prepared for possible rough waters on the orca viewing expedition.![]()

- Robert Roberto
"Take a head torch and a she-wee, ladies if you don't want to leave the safety of your tent in the middle of the night!" - Phoebe Harrison on our gorilla safari and the Maasai Mara vacation
“Be prepared for the beauty of the natural landscape and seascape. Be prepared for possible rough waters on the orca viewing expedition and also accept that a complete soaking is likely due to the small size of the craft. However, the soaking is fully acceptable once the orcas are located and the small craft allows for more personal viewing.” - Robert Roberto, whale watching on Vancouver Island
"Be patient. Rwanda is a wonderful country with many experiences to reward what may seem longish journeys - particularly that to Nyungwe Forest where Colobus monkeys are very interesting and there is much else to enjoy. Do use sticks and porters when available. They do make progress easier as well as giving needed income. Visit genocide sights if possible. Not at all easy but will help understanding of what Rwanda has been through and the burden of memory that many people must still carry." - Patrick Taylor on a gorilla watching vacation in Rwanda
“Be prepared for the beauty of the natural landscape and seascape. Be prepared for possible rough waters on the orca viewing expedition and also accept that a complete soaking is likely due to the small size of the craft. However, the soaking is fully acceptable once the orcas are located and the small craft allows for more personal viewing.” - Robert Roberto, whale watching on Vancouver Island
"Be patient. Rwanda is a wonderful country with many experiences to reward what may seem longish journeys - particularly that to Nyungwe Forest where Colobus monkeys are very interesting and there is much else to enjoy. Do use sticks and porters when available. They do make progress easier as well as giving needed income. Visit genocide sights if possible. Not at all easy but will help understanding of what Rwanda has been through and the burden of memory that many people must still carry." - Patrick Taylor on a gorilla watching vacation in Rwanda
More about Wildlife

It is a good lesson to remember that, on wildlife vacations, it is the wildlife that calls the shots. They tell us when the best time to go on a wildlife vacation is. If there is a sudden change in weather, for example, you might find that the most reliable wildlife sightings are suddenly rare. Or vice versa

This wildlife travel guide is meant to be like a trailer for the new Attenborough series. Because we also have individual travel guides for more specific wildlife vacations, such as our safaris, bear watching and whale watching. The travel guide below gives you the perfect introduction to getting your head around the extraordinary life on earth, and where to go to find it.