Top destinations for luxury animal-spotting breaks

Thursday, 9 August 2012 12:14 PM

If you're planning to book a luxury all-inclusive holiday, but want to do something a little different, it's well worth considering a wildlife-spotting break. There's nothing quite like seeing a whale, lion or elephant in its natural habitat when it comes to having an unforgettable getaway.

Take a look at our guide to the best countries for this type of holiday to get a few ideas for your next trip.

Africa

Africa has to be the ultimate destination for a wildlife-themed getaway. No other continent can surely boast such a wide variety of wild animals, from the Big Five to smaller land and marine creatures.

The obvious option for an animal-focused break here is a safari. Indeed, Africa is home to a number of countries that attract crowds of safari-goers every year, including South Africa, Botswana and Kenya.

You don't necessarily have to make your entire holiday one long safari trip; South Africa in particular offers plenty of other attractions and activities that can be combined with a safari for a break that includes a little bit of everything. Kenya, too, is ideal for bringing together safari and beach holiday elements.

One thing worth remembering is that there's more to Africa than the mainland; its territories include some stunning islands that are rich in flora and fauna. One prime example is the isles of the Seychelles, which are particularly notable for their variety of native bird species.

Some of the birds you might want to look out for include the black parrot, the paradise flycatcher and the pink-backed pelican. The rarest bird in the country is the magpie robin, so you should count yourself lucky if you spot one.

USA

You could be forgiven for associating luxury breaks in the USA more with fancy casinos in Las Vegas and the bright lights of New York than with animal-spotting. However, the country is home to some fascinating national parks that are a real delight to explore if you love wildlife.

Yellowstone is where you might see black and grizzly bears, moose, red squirrels, bats, porcupines, cougars and bobcats, while the Grand Canyon has everything from mountain lions to rattlesnakes. If you fancy heading somewhere with even more exotic creatures, the Everglades is famous for its alligators and crocodiles - and there are many other animals lurking under the marshy waters here!

Of course, the Everglades is also ideal for the luxurious part of your holiday; Florida is renowned for its beautiful beaches, eclectic culture and laidback way of life, as well as its stunning hotels, so it shouldn't be too difficult to put together a high-end package that incorporates the best of all worlds.

Asia

It can be hard to know where to start when planning a luxury holiday to Asia, but you'll soon find some destinations stand out from the rest if you make wildlife your focus. India is a highly popular location for animal-themed breaks, thanks to attractions such as Ranthambore National Park, where you can spot tigers, jackals, hyenas and a host of other creatures.

As with Africa, there are some amazing island nations not too far from mainland India that are well worth a visit if you like the idea of stunning scenery and a wide range of wildlife to see. The Maldives, for example, lie south-west of India and are a haven for underwater explorers in particular.

Go on a snorkelling or diving expedition here and you'll have the chance to explore some of the hundreds of awe-inspiring coral reefs that have formed in the islands' warm waters, catching a glimpse of sharks, manta rays and other marine life along the way.

On land, you might also spot shrews, flying foxes, snakes and geckos, although the geography of the Maldives means underwater creatures far outnumber land-based ones.