10 wildlife experiences every senior traveller has to have
From polar bears to pink dolphins and everything in between, there’s no shortage of animal experiences out there to reward intrepid seniors who are willing to get out in the great outdoors.
But what are the best ones?
Well we’ve narrowed it down to a list, containing 10 wildlife experiences you have to have.
1. Meet the locals at Giraffe Manor, Kenya
Fancy having breakfast with a giraffe? This small hotel set within 12 acres of private grounds in Nairobi comes with a resident herd of Rothschild giraffe. They come to visit most days, often sticking their long necks right in the window while you’re drinking tea.
2. Dive with great white sharks, South Africa
The waters around South Africa are notorious for their population of great white sharks. If you’re feeling brave, get into a sturdy metal cage and be lowered into the ocean to come face to face with these fearsome predators.
3. Get up close to a polar bear, Canada
The town of Churchill in Canada’s Manitoba province is polar bear central. You can drive across the barren landscape in a tundra buggy or cruise around the shore in a Zodiac, looking out for the bears in their natural environment. Just be sure to bring your thermals.
4. Pet a panda, China
If money is no object, then add this one to your list. A luxury tour company will take you behind the scenes at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding where you can pet and feed the pandas, and even cuddle with the cubs. Just be prepared for the six figure cost.
5. Trek with the mountain gorillas, Uganda and Rwanda
There are less than 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the wild, spread across the mountainous region that joins Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo. Trekking through the lush jungle you can come face to face with these huge creatures, who stand up to six feet tall.
6. Swim in the aquarium of the world, Mexico
Marine legend Jacques Cousteau once called the Sea of Cortez off Baja California in western Mexico the ‘aquarium of the world’. It is teeming with whales, sharks, dolphins, fish and just about every kind of marine animal you can think of.
7. Spot snow leopards in the Himalayas, Ladakh
One of the world’s most elusive and mysterious big cats, the snow leopard inhabits the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India. There are only around 500 left in the wild, so you’ll need to be patient. The best spotting is in winter when the snow cover is lower down, though temperatures will be well below freezing.
8. Walk with rhinos, Zambia
Zambia is the home of the walking safari and it’s a unique way to get up close to animals in the wild. An expert tracker will take you out into the park in search of the incredible, yet critically endangered, white rhino.
9. Cruise with pink dolphins in the Amazon, Peru
Little is known about the unusual pink dolphins of South America, one of the few species of freshwater dolphin left on earth. Small ships cruise along the Amazon River and these curious, playful creatures will pop up to swim in the wake.
10. Meet a 100 year old tortoise, Galapagos Island
The Galapagos tortoise is one of the longest lived animals in the world, with some living for more than 150 years. These giant tortoises can be found on a number of the islands of the Galapagos and live an uncomplicated life, spending up to 16 hours a day sleeping.
Have you had any of these travel experiences?