If you’re a wildlife lover, it makes sense to want to travel somewhere full of opportunity to spot some of the biggest, most majestic and exciting animals out there. With that being said, here are five destinations all wildlife lovers should visit.

South Africa

A safari is indisputably one of the best travel experiences to see an abundance of animals in their natural habitats, and South Africa is one of the best places for it.

Kruger National Park has an abundance of opportunities to spot beautiful animals in the wild – perfect for first timers, as well as those travelling on a budget, it’s here that you’ll get to see the Big Five for yourself. Lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo can all be found in Kruger’s five million acres.

Whether you want to live in luxury during your stay or instead try something more exhilarating, gorgeous lodges and camping safaris are both available in South Africa alongside many more options.

Borneo

Although it’s under constant threat of deforestation, effectively putting the lives of hundreds of species at risk, Borneo’s rainforest is a luscious, thriving wonderland full of thousands of beautiful animals from the Bornean orangutan all the way through to the critically endangered Sumatran rhinoceros.

Visiting this severely underrated and highly threatened part of the world will certainly allow you to tick an abundance of animals off your bucket list. There’s some lodges and other accommodation choices here to allow you to be in the heart of it all – come quick before the effects of nearby plantations and farming devastate the rainforest further.

Galapagos Islands

People who visit the Galapagos Islands often say it’s the experience of a lifetime. One of the most famous destinations in the world for wildlife, this archipelago boasts over ten islands, all of which offering very unique natural features as well as an incredible amount of beautiful, curious, intriguing animals.

From the iconic Galapagos tortoises to flocking penguins, from soaring albatross to majestic sea lions basking on one of the islands’ shores, the Galapagos are a fulfilling and almost overwhelmingly exciting destination for any animal lover. Add to that some of the most gorgeous natural scenery in the world, and it’s a true place of wonder.

Mauritius

Want to try a spot of diving? Head to Mauritius – not only is this island known for its paradisiacal beaches, crystal clear waters and luxurious accommodation, but there’s a thriving world beneath the surface that deserves your attention.

Winning the World Travel Awards’ best Indian Ocean diving destination a record five times, Mauritius certainly has a reputation to live up to. Visit for yourself and it’ll do just that.

Not only are there nearly 500 marine species and 200 coral species underneath the surface to discover, but the volcanic activity upon the island has led to a number of incredible natural underwater features such as caves, tunnels and even a “cathedral” – a majestic cavernous section on the western side of Mauritius.

Sri Lanka

Many people flock to Thailand in pursuit of up-close experiences with elephants, but Sri Lanka is arguably actually the best place to see the beautiful creatures. With thousands of them thriving in the wild, opportunities to see elephants in Sri Lanka aren’t exactly scarce – visit some of the country’s sprawling national parks to see them roaming the plains.

It’s an alternative to an African safari, and Sri Lanka is a great choice if you’re looking for something a bit more lowkey from your wildlife getaway.