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As a wildlife artist and filmmaker, I usually journey the globe to look at and movie wildlife in its pure habitat. I all the time select my vacation spot by the species I might prefer to see and over time I’ve realized which areas are the very best for sightings. I’ve chosen my prime for seeing probably the most iconic of species.
1. Harpy Eagles & Sloths – Panama
You possibly can see harpy eagles by means of a lot of Central & South America, however for me Panama’s Darien area affords the very best alternative for sightings. One of many world’s strongest birds of prey, the elusive Harpy eagle happens right here in larger numbers than elsewhere and it’s in truth Panama’s nationwide hen. Steeped in legend and mythology, to see one within the wild is really magical, not least as a result of it includes some intrepid journey. After an extended automobile journey, adopted by a canoe journey, then a trek on horseback throughout a swamp in stifling warmth and eventually an extended stroll by means of a forest, seeing certainly one of these giants with its chick was price each second!
Panama is greatest identified for its incredible hen life and the huge record of different uncommon species right here contains double-toothed kites, golden-hooded tanagers, keel-billed toucan, and crimson-backed tanagers. Add to that tamanduas and three-toed sloths lounging within the rainforest cover, and you’ve got a wildlife watcher’s paradise. Watching wildlife in its pure habitat is so vital if you wish to perceive it is behaviour and it wasn’t till I noticed the kind of leaves sloths have been chewing as they swung by means of the tree tops that I lastly realized why sloths are so sluggish.
When to go: Harpy eagles will be seen at any time, however January, February and March are the very best months to go to Panama for hen sightings on the whole. Mid-March to early Could you’ll end up in the midst of spring migration, Could-June is the wet season. I travelled in October, in time to identify a whole lot of hundreds of raptors fly on their method to their southern wintering grounds.
2. Jaguars – The Pantanal, Brazil
The Pantanal is the world’s prime vacation spot for jaguar sightings and I used to be blown away by my very own encounteres there. This huge wetland ecosystem gives open terrain and excessive jaguar densities, making it one of many few locations you’ll be able to reliably spot these secretive cats by boat. From this vantage level I watched a feminine jaguar looking a false water cobra. It was fairly spectacular to see her dramatic leap into water. The water boiled as the 2 wrestled ferociously till the jaguar ultimately dragged the snake off for her cubs to eat. Even my Pantanal Safaris information had by no means seen a snake hunt prefer it!
And spectacular jaguar sightings should not all these wetlands have to supply. While there I got here nose to nose with the area’s most secretive animal, the endangered tapir, was deafened every day by lovable, noisy river otters and spent hours watching a household of capybaras.
When to go: July by means of November are the very best months to see Jaguars on the rivers.
3. Elephants & lions – Zimbabwe
I’ve travelled extensively by means of Africa however for dependable sightings of this continent’s iconic wildlife, you’ll be able to’t beat Zimbabwe’s Hwange Nationwide Park nationwide park and Mana Swimming pools. In Mana Swimming pools you’ll be able to take guided strolling excursions which makes the expertise extra intensive and at Hwange, close to the Zambesi, you’ll be able to spot a uncommon group of elephants with the distinctive means to face on their hind legs to succeed in large Albida bushes. The lion prides stalking dry riverbeds and water holes are additionally phenomenal. Throughout my go to I spent hours watching the best way the females labored collectively to care for his or her three cubs. 
When to go: I travelled in October, however suggest any time between June – October when the dry season means wildlife congregates across the waterholes.
4. Penguins – South Georgia & Antarctica
Few sights examine to that of a colony of hundreds of King penguins set in opposition to a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and icebergs. It is an expertise that fills your each sense. Simply the sheer noise {that a} colony of half 1,000,000 penguins make is overwhelming!
And while South Georgia is an absolute should for penguin lovers, close by Antarctica additionally affords sightings of gentoo penguins porpoising by means of the icy waters, chinstrap, and Adelie penguins too. Personally, I’d be completely satisfied simply watching the penguins, particularly the hundreds that congregate in St Andrews Bay, however this pristine panorama additionally groups with elephant and fur seals, wandering albatross and even humpback whales.
Of all of the locations I have been, I might say this was my favorite.
When to go: Expedition cruises can be found between late October and March
5. Polar Bears, Arctic Foxes & Walruses – Svalbard, Arctic Norway
Svalbard is among the most accessible locations to see polar bears within the wild. Boat-based excursions by means of this breath-taking glacial panorama additionally supply the possibility to look at walruses haul out on distant shores while guided walks to identify arctic foxes of their summer time coats and reindeer herds grazing on the Arctic tundra provide the probability to actually expertise this magical, icy panorama.
For me the spotlight was watching an impressive male polar bear prowl throughout the ice and crusing previous a polar bear mum and her cubs as they sat calmly blinking within the arctic sunshine. However like its polar reverse, the arctic fills each sense, and at occasions, the icy silence is shattered by the collective grunting of huge colonies of walrus or the mocking laughter of little auks nesting in giant colonies within the rocks. A go to right here is once-in-a-lifetime expertise that, for me, lived as much as my each expectation.
When to go: I travelled in July, when the ocean ice across the archipelago is extra in depth, and polar bears are actively looking seals on the ice floes.
6. Grizzly Bears – Alaska, USA
If you wish to see grizzly bears, then you really want to go to Alaska. Yearly these giants collect for the annual salmon run, when pink salmon run upstream alongside the rivers and tributaries of the Katmai Nationwide Park heading to their breeding grounds. Watching the bears collect to fish is among the strongest wildlife encounters conceivable. The river are flush with salmon, actually operating pink with the abundance of fish and the bears lay in wait to gorge. However a go to to Alaska is each wildlife-watchers dream and alongside the grizzlies and I additionally suggest Katchamak Bay the place in simply 24 hours I used to be handled to spectacular sights of whales breaching otters and bald eagles.
When to go: July to early September in Katmai is taken into account peak viewing time, when bears congregate at Brooks Falls to feed on salmon.
7. Large Tortoises, Marine Iguanas & Waved Albatross – Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands actually teem with distinctive wildlife species. From historic large tortoises to sunbathing marine iguanas and the spectacular courtship shows of waved albatross, it is a wildlife vacation spot like no different. Uncommon species are so ample you’ll be able to barely transfer with out virtually bumping right into a frigate hen or recognizing a Sally Lightfoot crab scurrying by. For me, one of the crucial memorable moments was snorkelling alongside sea lions, turtles and even the indigenous Galapagos penguins!
When to go: To see spectacular courtship shows I like to recommend visiting in Could and for the tortoise migration you’ll want to go to in November.
Comply with in my footsteps
If like me, wildlife is your final journey vacation spot, I like to recommend travelling with a good information – native information makes all of the distinction – and selecting excursions that contribute to defending species and habitats to make sure these species are right here for all to get pleasure from sooner or later. Additionally keep in mind to be respectful of the animals – hold your distance and by no means feed wildlife – and pack the best gear – binoculars, a great digital camera, and impartial clothes are important for watching wildlife.
I hope you have discovered the following tips helpful. Keep in mind, if you happen to guide a visit by means of certainly one of my journey companions I’ll obtain a small fee – which means you’ll be able to assist my work on the identical time.
