As a vegan traveller, animals are really important to me, and I love to see them happy and thriving in their natural habitats. Wherever you go, there are so many amazing animals to see; some of which are unique to certain parts of the world, and some that might sadly be extinct before too long.

The time to see them is now, but the question is, where to go? It all depends on which animals you want to see specifically. Here are five amazing places to see animals in the wild, to help you narrow down the search.

Botswana

Botswana is one of the best places in Africa to go for a safari, as there are plenty of parks and reserves to explore. For example in the south, at the Central Kalahari you might spot some black-maned lions, wild dogs or cheetahs, or potentially herds of zebras and antelopes. Over at Chobe National Park, you will see elephants and buffalo, but hippo and crocodiles are more likely to be at Okavango Delta. Depending on where in Botswana you head to, you will see a host of different animals.

Canada

There are so many amazing things to see and do in Canada, not least of all the wildlife. Although it might not be the first thing that people think about when planning a trip to Canada, there are over 200 species of mammals as well as 460 bird species, so there are plenty to see!

Keep your eyes peeled for polar bears, as around two-thirds of the world’s polar bears live in Canada. If you time it right and get really lucky, you might even spot them walking with their cubs! You might also see Canada lynx, moose, beluga whales, and beavers while exploring one of the friendliest places in the world.

Great Barrier Reef

This underwater haven is home to the largest coral reef and an incredible amount of animals and creatures, such as fish, coral, turtles and if you’re lucky (or perhaps unlucky) even sharks! Explore this wonder of the world by scuba diving, taking a helicopter tour to see the view from above, or head on a relaxed whale watching tour. Make sure you have your camera on you – preferably a waterproof one if you want to take a dive – to capture this amazing world.

Galapagos Islands

Where better to see rare animals than the very island that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution. You will spot giant tortoises, penguins, and seals, as well as animals that you won’t find anywhere else, including marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and red-lipped batfish.

This is certainly somewhere you are going to need a camera, as some animals need to be seen to be believed. You’ll likely see species that will never be found anywhere else – what an incredible story to tell friends and family when you get back!

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the best places for animal conservation, with an incredible 27% of the country serving as nature conservation areas. These jungles are home to so many different animals from sloths and monkeys, to crocodiles, lizards, and frogs. Take a trip to Tortuguero between September and October to see the tiny baby turtles hatch and make their way from the sand to the ocean. There’s a reason that Costa Rica is known as one of the happiest countries to live in!

When it comes to deciding where to go, it helps to have a look at which animals you might be able to see, at which times, and how likely you are to see them. For example, an organized tour like a safari might make it more likely for you to spot the most amount of different species as the experts will know the best way to find them.

It’s also important to check out the ethics of where you’re going, too – some attractions treat the animals poorly and aren’t worth giving your money to. Look for somewhere that puts money back into conservation and protecting the animals, so that they can be there to be seen by generations to come.

What animals would you most like to see in real life? Let me know in the comments!

photography – all rights reserved – Ana Rocha