32 Best Wildlife Experiences For Your Bucket List

We live amongst some of the most beautiful wildlife in the world. Depending on where you travel, you can have experiences amongst them, from swimming with nurse sharks or whale sharks to stingrays or fish. You can even hold a monkey or an exotic bird. We share 32 best wildlife experiences for your bucket list!

#1: Alligator Airboat Tour-

The Everglades National Park is the third largest national park in the US at 2,500 square miles. This national park is a slow-moving alligator swamp. The swamp is 60 miles wide. What better way to experience the alligators than on an airboat? Book your experience here!

#2: Feed a Giraffe-

Kenya in East Africa is known for being home to the infamous Giraffe Manor, where you can feed giraffes from your hotel. The best beach to visit in Kenya is Diani Beach. 

#3: Stay at an Underwater Hotel or Go to an Aquarium-

You won’t regret going to an Aquarium, as underwater life is peaceful and soothing to be surrounded by. A unique experience is to stay at an underwater hotel or eat at an underwater restaurant where you can see marine life up close. This adventure is quite expensive, but it is worth every penny for the unforgettable memories you will cherish. You can book this unique adventure in Florida, Maldives, Singapore, Australia, Dubai, Berlin, and Tanzania.

• Florida: Jules Undersea Lodge Rooms in Florida
• Maldives: Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, Niyama Private Island Maldives
• Singapore: Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore
• Australia: Reefsuites, Australia
• Dubai: Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
• Berlin: Radisson Collection Hotel, Berlin
• Tanzania: The Manta Resort, Tanzania

#4: See a Kangaroo in the Wild-

Australia is known for having incredible wildlife, including wallabies, koalas, and kangaroos. At Kangaroo Island, these wild animals roam freely in their natural habitat. If you want a closer look at the incredible kangaroos, visit Paul’s Place Wildlife Sanctuary set on Stokes Bay. 

#5: Hold an Exotic Bird- 

I held an owl along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh and it was one of the most unique experiences of my life! The owl was 8lb and very soft. You can also hold a parrot!

#6: African Safari-

This African safari experience is one for the books because you will spot incredible wildlife and have a private tour guide. You will see black rhinos, lions, zebras, giraffes, and more! The tour will provide round-trip hotel transfers with WIFI. The tour guide drives you in a wetland off-road vehicle through the safari. Do not forget to bring your camera because the photos you take will last a lifetime. We recommend printing out pictures from all of your trips so that you can reminisce on the memories that you made. 

#7: Zoo- 

Spending the day at the zoo and witnessing wildlife up close is an experience you won’t forget! I also recommend going to the drive-through Animal Safari at Six Flags!

#8: Dog Sledding- 

Tromso is a city in Norway where you can go dog sledding, see the northern lights, go whale watching, or even go polar fishing! There is so much to do that you will not be bored!

#9: Meet an Alpaca- 

You do not have to book a tour to spot Alpacas in Peru. They are EVERYWHERE! If you want to guarantee running into an Alpaca, you can feed the animals at the Alpaca and Llama Sanctuary!

#10: Hug a Koala Bear- 

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is home to animals, including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, and Tasmanian devils. You can feed kangaroos at this sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia. You can get photos with a Koala bear at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

#11: Snorkeling and Scuba Diving: 

A Sea Bob is an underwater jet ski that pulls you through the water without much effort other than pressing a button. You will see amazing views of coral reefs, tropical fish, and other underwater creatures, including sea turtles.

#12: Whale Watching- 

We recommend whale watching in Cabo San Lucas. 

#13: Watch Baby Turtles Hatch- 

People patiently wait for the return of sea turtle nesting season and the opportunity to watch a hatchling release at Padre Island National Seashore. Hatchling releases typically occur from mid-June through August.

#14: Swim with Stingrays:

Book your tour to swim with stingrays and explore the island of Antigua! Swimming with stingrays was the ultimate underwater adventure. We were scared shitless, BUT it was worth it. The professional tour guides calmed us down completely. Stingrays are HARMLESS. Stingrays won’t sting you if you feed them or swim with them. You can even hold one, and it won’t hurt you!

#15: Cat Café- 

Enjoy a delicious cup of coffee while snuggling up against the cutest animals in the world AKA cats. 

#16: Swim with Nurse Sharks- 

We went on a snorkel tour to swim with NURSE SHARKS and stingrays. We booked ours at the resort. I was SCARED, but they won’t harm you.

#17: Horseback Ride on the Beach-

 The best activity in Turks and Caicos is Horseback Riding. The world is full of magical things waiting for our senses to grow sharper. This throwback epic experience did just that. Wow, we had the time of our lives because we got to go horseback riding along the turquoise, beautiful ocean. There were little to no waves. Horseback riding was a fun, unique, and calming experience. 

#18: Swim with Dolphins-

We swam with dolphins in Saint Thomas. Swimming with the magical creatures at Coral World Ocean Park in St. Thomas was one of the best experiences of my life. Book your excursion here!

#19: Swim with Whale Sharks-

You can go swimming with whale sharks in Cebu, Philippines! Whale Sharks are the largest fish in the sea, as they reach lengths of 40 feet and weigh up to 60 tons. They are harmless creatures because they feed on squid or fish and do not harm people.

#20: Swim with Sea Turtles-

You can swim with sea turtles on every Caribbean Island! Book an excursion to swim with sea turtles in Cancun, Mexico! 

#21: Rock Wallaby-

Magnetic Island, a short ferry or boat ride from Townsville, Australia, is one of the only places to feed rock wallabies. The wallabies reside in Arcadia near the pier at dusk and enjoy eating bananas and apples. The animals hop around like kangaroos and are so small and cute in comparison.

#22: Qoakko selfie- 

Quokkas live on Rottnest Island, a 30-minute boat ride from Perth’s coastline. Rottnest is a protected nature reserve and is a habitat for the 12,000 Quokkas that live there.

#23: Swim with Pigs- 

YOU CAN SWIM WITH PIGS! Did I say pigs? YES, I said pigs. My boyfriend did not want to do this adventure; however, I would add it to my itinerary if he did. You can even feed the baby pigs.

#24: Donkey Sanctuary- 

The Aruba Donkey Sanctuary shelters more than 150 donkeys. You can also feed an ostrich in Aruba.

#25: Goat Yoga-

 Goat Yoga is a social, fun, interactive, and therapeutic experience. The company offers classes on the weekends. 

#26: Flamingo Gardens or Flamingo Beach-

The Flamingo Gardens has a botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary, where you will find peacocks, alligators, bears, bobcats, eagles, otters, panthers, snakes, owls, and flamingos. The gardens showcase more than 3,000 species of rare and exotic, tropical, subtropical, and native plants.

Feeding flamingos on the beach is a unique experience in Aruba. You can experience this activity at Renaissance Island or Palm Island. I had the time of my life at Palm Island!

1. Renaissance Island- To stay at the Renaissance hotel or to arrive there early at 8 am. This beach is on Renaissance Island. The only way to get there is by a boat taxi service that leaves every 15 minutes. The island is open from 7 am to 7 pm.

2. Palm Island- Another spot to visit Flamingos on a beach is Palm Island. On palm island, you can also go on water slides, snorkeling, on a banana boat, and enjoy unlimited food and drinks.

#27: Have Lunch at a Picnic Table with Peacocks-

Historic buildings, colorful gardens, and brilliant peacocks create a unique feel for this Austin oasis. Stepping into Mayfield Park is not unlike stepping into an oasis.

#28: Gorilla Trekking- 

It is mesmerizing to see wild gorillas living in their natural habitat on a tour. The best area in Uganda to trek with Gorillas is at Volcanos National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. At Bwindi, you will hike for about 4 hours through the rainforest. You might find slippery mud paths and fire aunts; however, the humid hike is worth it because you get to see amazing views. oh, and of course, gorillas…

Tips: You need to book a trekking tour that also gives you access to a permit.

#29: Bird Watching at the Galapagos Islands-

Watching birds will be inevitable on your Galapagos Island vacation, as there are frigates, blue-footed boobies, and seagulls almost everywhere.

#30: Hang Out with Sea Lions-

There are many things to do at La Loberia, from watching the sunset to snorkeling with sea lions or even surfing. Sea lions and iguanas lay around all day on the rocks in the water, and if you are lucky, they will even swim with you!

31: Witness Giant Tortoises-

El Chato Tortoise Reserve is a great place to spot Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat.

32: Hold a Monkey-

You can hold a monkey at Monkeyland or Scape Park in Punta Cana!

Other:

-Feed an Ostrich

You can feed an ostrich in Aruba.

-Ride a Camel

You can ride a camel in Giza! Giza is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and what better way to see it than to hire a camel for a one-to-two-hour adventure? The best time to witness the golden sand and pyramids is at sunset.

-Swim with Orcas

Witness incredible ice formations and a thousand shades of blue and white in Antarctica!! The best way to go to Antarctica is on a boat trip or cruise. The trips run through the warmer months, from October to March. You will see penguins, whales, dolphins, sea lions, and more. You can go cold water diving to swim with Orcas! Orcas are the largest member of the dolphin family. Why are Orcas also known as Killer Whales? Killer whales got their name because they hunt and prey on larger whale species. The Orcas are as smart as dolphins and can work together socially.

-Meet a Wolf

We shared the 32 best wildlife experiences for your bucket list! Have you ever had any of these animal encounters? Please comment about your experience! 

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32 Best Wildlife Experiences for Your Bucket List