Last Updated on June 22, 2020 by Amanda Stancati
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
Looking for a new adventure? Imagine exploring the wilderness and witnessing remarkable creatures in their natural habitat. tripcentral.ca has many escorted tours for animal-lovers looking to embark on a memorable journey. We’ve narrowed it down to five unique wildlife tours in five fascinating destinations. Prepare to fall in love- and don’t forget your camera!
British Columbia
On tripcentral.ca’s Orcas and Grizzlies Wildlife Tour, you will discover the wonders in our own backyard. Free time in Victoria at the beginning and end of the tour will allow you to explore the scenic landscapes and historic sites in this picturesque city. You will head to Alert Bay by ferry to visit the unique shops and galleries, ecological gardens, and walking trails. Halfway through this eight day tour you will embark on a six hour excursion to Telegraph Cove for whale-watching and other marine life viewing such as pacific white-sided dolphins and sea lions. You may even spot bald eagles, black bears, deer, and cougars along the shore line. In Knight Inlet, you will see grizzly bears as you sail on the water, surrounded by mountains and cliffs for a surreal experience.
Costa Rica
Start off your Tropical Costa Rica tour with a relaxing stay in the Guanacaste region and enjoy the beaches and ocean views. Walk through the Monteverde forest and witness trees of spectacular heights and possibly encounter the endangered quetzal bird. Marvel in awe at the butterfly and hummingbird gardens and dazzling views of the Arenal Volcano. You will enjoy a lecture about birds that migrate to Costa Rica, a cooking demonstration using unique Costa Rican flavours, and a spa retreat. In Cana Negro, you will take a boat trip to view creatures of all kinds- from crocodiles and river otters to sloths, turtles, and exotic birds. Before your departure, you will have the opportunity to visit city sites in Grecia and San Jose such as churches, parks, markets, and theatres.
Kenya
The Plains of Africa Kenya Wildlife Safari is a safari adventure like no other. You will witness the Big 5 (lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos) roaming freely. You will even spot giraffes, zebras, and flamingos as well as some of the 365 bird species that contribute to Kenya’s colourful surroundings. You will embark on game drives through reserves and discover gorgeous mountains and waterfalls. Your free time at the Fairmont Mt. Kenya Safari Club may be spent walking through the gardens, visiting the animal orphanage, and enjoying the pool. You will even be able to feed endangered Rothschild giraffes in Nairobi. The Masai Mara Game Reserve is the perfect place for game viewing and immersing yourself in the wild, complete with tent lodgings, a traditional dinner and Masai dance performance!
South Africa
The Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana tour begins in Cape Town, where you will appreciate the architecture and visit popular shopping and entertainment destinations. Here, you will enjoy traditional African drumming, sample local cuisine, and go on leisurely mountain hikes. Move on to Boulder Beach to witness the penguins and then to Hermanus village for a winery tour, spa treatment, and pool retreat. Partake in a game drive in Entabeni Conservancy to see lions, African elephants, Cape buffalo, leopards, and rhinos, and learn how to track wildlife with a ranger. In the beautiful Victoria Falls, you will be able to get up-close with a friendly elephant on an elephant-back safari, and see roaming hippos and floating crocodiles on a safari cruise in Chobe. If you’re willing, you may sample game meat such as crocodile, ostrich, kudu, and wart hog.
Tanzania
Tanzania: The Serengeti & Beyond is a tour filled with many game drives through famous national parks. In Tarangire National Park, you will view elephants along the Tarangire River as well as baobab and acacia trees. Other fauna that congregate here include zebra and Cape buffalo. Lake Manyara National Park is home to baboons and giraffes, while Serengeti National Park is known for cheetah-spotting. In Ngorongoro you may find lions, buffalo, hippos, elephants, rhinos, and flamingos. You will visit the village of Mto wa Mbu to experience everyday life, with stops at a local home, farm, school, and market. Enjoy picnic lunches and forest walks, and even participate in a coffee making demonstration and indigenous medicine walk to learn about plants and their various uses.
Our wildlife tours are a spectacular way for travellers to experience the stunning scenery, exotic wildlife, and cultural diversity of unfamiliar places. And these options aren’t all we offer! Visit our website and browse our escorted tours to learn about other destinations. If you have something particular in mind or would just like to chat with our agents who’ve been there, call 1-800-665-4981.
