Best Wildlife Tours & Vacations 2023/2024

Get closer to nature, the Intrepid way.

From Borneo’s rich jungle ecosystem to the islands of the Galapagos, our small group tours take you to the very heart of nature all over the world. Marvel at elephants as they’re silhouetted against an African sunset, watch chimpanzees swinging in the treetops above you, and come face to face with animals you’ve only ever read about or seen on TV in the wilds of Costa Rica. With incredible local leaders guiding the way and wildlife experts accompanying you on game drives, informational walks, informal sessions, and educational talks, our trips offer an unforgettable chance to observe these captivating creatures in their natural habitat, all while staying in a range of accommodations almost as memorable as your animal sightings - think safari lodges and wilderness camps.

But, before you take out your camera, we ensure that any interactions are done responsibly, and with the greatest level of respect. We believe that wild animals should be viewed – without our interference – doing what they do best: living in the wild.

Top-selling wildlife adventures

Bridge across the jungle in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Classic Costa Rica

15 Days From 1790

Travel to Costa Rica and discover a tropical playground of immense natural beauty....

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Map of Classic Costa Rica including Costa Rica

Okavango Experience

10 Days From 1815

Tour through Johannesburg, Maun, Chobe, the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls on a ten...

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Map of Okavango Experience including Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe

Travellers taking pictures through the jeep viewing roof of an elephant in Ngorongoro National Park, Tanzania on an Intrepid Travel tour

Serengeti Trail

8 Days From 1890

Roam the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, camp beside Lake Victoria and spot Africa's...

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Map of Serengeti Trail including Kenya and Tanzania, United Republic Of

Gorillas & Game Parks

16 Days From 3702

Encounter the wildlife of Kenya and Uganda on this 16-day adventure including a gorilla...

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Map of Gorillas & Game Parks including Kenya and Uganda

Sabah Adventure

11 Days From 2575

This Sabah Adventure tour through the Borneo wilderness will truly capture your...

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Map of Sabah Adventure including Malaysia

Galapagos Island Hopping

8 Days From 2189

Explore the Galapagos Islands on this island-hopping tour that begins in Quito and...

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Map of Galapagos Island Hopping including Ecuador

Our wildlife trips

Trip Name	Days	Start city	Destination	Style	From USD
Classic Costa Rica	15	San Jose	Costa Rica	Original	1790	View Trip
Best of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer (Ocean Endeavour)	11	Ushuaia	Antarctica	Comfort	8810	View Trip
Best of Antarctica: Pristine Wilderness (Ocean Endeavour)	11	Ushuaia	Antarctica	Comfort	7900	View Trip
Best of Antarctica: A White Christmas (Ocean Endeavour)	11	Ushuaia	Antarctica	Comfort	10800	View Trip
WWF Giants of Antarctica (Ocean Endeavour)	11	Ushuaia	Antarctica	Comfort	7650	View Trip
Okavango Experience	10	Johannesburg	Botswana	Basix	1815	View Trip
Costa Rica Experience	9	San Jose	Costa Rica	Original	1360	View Trip
Serengeti Trail	8	Nairobi	Tanzania	Basix	1890	View Trip
Premium Kenya	7	Nairobi	Kenya	Premium	3855	View Trip
Gorillas & Game Parks	16	Nairobi	Uganda	Basix	3702	View Trip
Explore Southern Africa	18	Johannesburg	Botswana	Basix	3208	View Trip
Premium Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda	6	Kigali	Uganda	Premium	5441	View Trip
Best of Galapagos	10	Quito	Ecuador	Original	3254	View Trip
Premium Southern Africa	8	Johannesburg	South Africa	Premium	6078	View Trip
Premium Kenya & Southern Africa Highlights	15	Nairobi	Kenya	Premium	12985	View Trip
Premium Kenya & Tanzania	15	Nairobi	Kenya	Premium	10643	View Trip
Premium Botswana	7	Kasane	Botswana	Premium	4163	View Trip
Premium Kenya & Southern Africa In Depth	31	Nairobi	Kenya	Premium	25945	View Trip
Vic Falls to Kruger	9	Victoria Falls	South Africa	Basix	1560	View Trip
Road to Zanzibar	12	Nairobi	Kenya	Basix	2600	View Trip
Gorillas, Game Parks & Beaches	27	Nairobi	Tanzania	Basix	6826	View Trip
Classic Borneo	10	Kota Kinabalu	Malaysia	Comfort	2399	View Trip
Premium Uganda, Rwanda & Kenya	13	Kigali	Kenya	Premium	10875	View Trip
Premium Botswana & Namibia	17	Kasane	Namibia	Premium	12500	View Trip
Kenya Wildlife Safari	8	Nairobi	Kenya	Basix	1380	View Trip
Premium Southern Africa in Depth	14	Johannesburg	Namibia	Premium	10285	View Trip
Premium Tanzania	8	Arusha	Tanzania	Premium	5504	View Trip
Classic Galapagos: Central Eastern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)	10	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	5833	View Trip
Classic Galapagos: Central Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)	10	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	5833	View Trip
Galapagos Discovery	9	Quito	Ecuador	Basix	2561	View Trip
Ultimate Galapagos: Central Islands (Grand Daphne)	10	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	5503	View Trip
The Masai Heartlands	15	Nairobi	Kenya	Basix	3332	View Trip
Botswana Adventure	10	Windhoek	Botswana	Comfort	4983	View Trip
Kruger, Coast & Cape	22	Johannesburg	South Africa	Basix	2900	View Trip
Galapagos Island Hopping	8	Isla San Cristobal	Ecuador	Original	2189	View Trip
Experience Southern Africa	16	Johannesburg	Botswana	Original	4675	View Trip
Borneo Family Holiday	9	Kota Kinabalu	Malaysia	Original	1665	View Trip
Kruger & Coast	9	Johannesburg	South Africa	Basix	1208	View Trip
Vic Falls to Cape Town	22	Victoria Falls	Namibia	Basix	3079	View Trip
Costa Rica Family Holiday	10	San Jose	Costa Rica	Original	2196	View Trip
Galapagos & Inca Trail Adventure	17	Quito	Ecuador	Original	6696	View Trip
Galapagos Experience	7	Isla San Cristobal	Ecuador	Basix	1456	View Trip
Complete Galapagos (Grand Daphne)	10	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	5503	View Trip
Classic Galapagos: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)	10	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	5766	View Trip
Classic Galapagos: South Eastern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)	10	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	5766	View Trip
Treasures of Galapagos: Western & Central Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)	13	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	7873	View Trip
Botswana Highlights	9	Victoria Falls	Botswana	Original	2952	View Trip
Cape Town to Vic Falls	22	Cape Town	Namibia	Basix	2807	View Trip
East Africa Highlights	10	Nairobi	Tanzania	Original	3695	View Trip
Costa Rica Family Holiday with Teenagers	9	San Jose	Costa Rica	Original	2475	View Trip
Serengeti & Kilimanjaro	15	Nairobi	Tanzania	Basix	4914	View Trip
Africa Encompassed Southbound	63	Nairobi	Namibia	Basix	12895	View Trip
Journey to the Antarctic Circle (Ocean Endeavour)	14	Ushuaia	Antarctica	Comfort	11100	View Trip
Best of Antarctica: Whale Journey (Ocean Endeavour)	11	Ushuaia	Antarctica	Comfort	7340	View Trip
Galapagos Adventure: Northern Islands (Grand Daphne)	7	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	3557	View Trip
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)	7	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	3694	View Trip
WWF Journey to the Circle and Giants of Antarctica (Ocean Endeavour)	14	Ushuaia	Antarctica	Comfort	11850	View Trip
Galapagos Explorer: Central Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)	7	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	2941	View Trip
Galapagos Encounter: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)	6	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	2941	View Trip
Galapagos Encounter: Central Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)	6	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	2913	View Trip
Grand Galapagos (Grand Queen Beatriz)	17	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	10666	View Trip
Galapagos Voyager: Central Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)	14	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	8922	View Trip
Okavango & Beyond	9	Victoria Falls	Botswana	Original	2198	View Trip
Kruger to Vic Falls	8	Johannesburg	South Africa	Original	2236	View Trip
Madagascar Adventure	14	Antananarivo	Madagascar	Original	3335	View Trip
Best of Borneo	20	Kuching	Malaysia	Original	4199	View Trip
Amazing Southern Africa	22	Cape Town	Namibia	Comfort	9681	View Trip
Essential East Africa Ages 18 to 29	10	Nairobi	Kenya	Basix	1868	View Trip
Best of East Africa	20	Nairobi	Tanzania	Basix	4212	View Trip
Galapagos In Focus (Grand Queen Bea)	8	Isla San Cristobal	Ecuador	Comfort	5119	View Trip
Real East Africa & Zanzibar Ages 18 to 29	13	Nairobi	Kenya	Basix	2378	View Trip
Shackleton's Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica Expedition (Ocean Endeavour)	21	Puerto Madryn	Antarctica	Comfort	14700	View Trip
Ultimate Antarctica: Falklands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Circle (Ocean Endeavour)	23	Ushuaia	Antarctica	Comfort	18950	View Trip
Best of Antarctica: Whale Discovery (Ocean Endeavour)	12	Ushuaia	Antarctica	Comfort	7900	View Trip
Shackleton's Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Explorer (Ocean Endeavour)	21	Ushuaia	Antarctica	Comfort	15740	View Trip
Best of Antarctica In Depth (Ocean Endeavour)	14	Ushuaia	Antarctica	Comfort	10650	View Trip
Galapagos at a Glance: Southern Islands (Grand Daphne)	6	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	2892	View Trip
Southern Africa Adventure	30	Cape Town	Namibia	Basix	5028	View Trip
One Week in the Galapagos Islands Ages 18 to 29	7	Galapagos Islands	Ecuador	Basix	1190	View Trip
Peru & Galapagos Explorer	30	Lima	Peru	Original	8775	View Trip
Rwanda Gorilla Naming Ceremony & Uganda	9	Kigali	Rwanda	Original	5645	View Trip
Zanzibar to Vic Falls	19	Zanzibar	Tanzania	Basix	2886	View Trip
Gorillas to Vic Falls	42	Nairobi	Tanzania	Basix	8866	View Trip
Zanzibar to Nairobi	12	Zanzibar	Tanzania	Basix	2216	View Trip
Absolute Galapagos (Grand Daphne)	17	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	14725	View Trip
Kenya to Cape Town	48	Nairobi	Namibia	Basix	7848	View Trip
Vic Falls to Kenya	28	Victoria Falls	Zimbabwe	Basix	5425	View Trip
Vic Falls to Gorillas	43	Victoria Falls	Tanzania	Basix	10140	View Trip
Kenya to Vic Falls	27	Nairobi	Kenya	Basix	5024	View Trip
Pure Galapagos (Grand Daphne)	8	Isla Baltra	Ecuador	Comfort	4800	View Trip
Stone Town to Nairobi	9	Zanzibar	Tanzania	Basix	2142	View Trip
Vic Falls to Stone Town	17	Victoria Falls	Zimbabwe	Basix	2613	View Trip
Stone Town to Vic Falls	16	Zanzibar	Zimbabwe	Basix	2465	View Trip
Vic Falls to Zanzibar	20	Victoria Falls	Zimbabwe	Basix	2988	View Trip
Gorillas & East Africa Safari	18	Kigali	Kenya	Original	9780	View Trip
Beaches, Game Parks & Gorillas	27	Zanzibar	Tanzania	Basix	7465	View Trip
Cape Town to Kenya	49	Cape Town	Namibia	Basix	7654	View Trip
Safari to Kilimanjaro - Machame Route	16	Nairobi	Tanzania	Basix	6286	View Trip
Galapagos Family Holiday	8	Quito	Ecuador	Original	2374	View Trip
Johannesburg to Gorillas	52	Johannesburg	Namibia	Basix	12060	View Trip
Kilimanjaro & Serengeti Adventure	15	Moshi	Tanzania	Basix	5453	View Trip
Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda	9	Kigali	Rwanda	Original	4878	View Trip
Borneo Family Holiday Comfort	10	Kota Kinabalu	Malaysia	Comfort	1858	View Trip
Zanzibar to Cape Town	40	Zanzibar	Kenya	Basix	5764	View Trip
Kenya Family Safari	8	Nairobi	Kenya	Basix	1857	View Trip
Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans of Kalimantan	12	Jakarta	Indonesia	Original	3055	View Trip
East Africa Safari & Coast	13	Nairobi	Kenya	Original	4527	View Trip
Cape Town to Zanzibar	41	Cape Town	Namibia	Basix	5580	View Trip
Comoros: Wildlife Expedition	9	Moroni	Comoros	Original	3125	View Trip
Botswana Family Safari with Teenagers	10	Victoria Falls	Botswana	Basix	1740	View Trip
Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda	4	Kigali	Rwanda	Comfort	4930	View Trip
Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari	4	Arusha	Tanzania	Comfort	3623	View Trip
Peru: Amazon Jungle Short Break	4	Puerto Maldonado	Peru	Comfort	645	View Trip
Johannesburg to Zanzibar	29	Johannesburg	Namibia	Basix	4798	View Trip
Kruger Lodge Experience	4	Johannesburg	South Africa	Comfort	1238	View Trip
Malaysia's Ultimate Adventure	18	Kuala Lumpur	Malaysia	Original	4041	View Trip
Kruger Lodge Experience (3 days)	3	Johannesburg	South Africa	Comfort	1068	View Trip
Chiang Mai & Elephant Experience	3	Chiang Mai	Thailand	Original	330	View Trip
Uganda Gorilla Short Break: Original	4	Kampala	Uganda	Original	3090	View Trip
Nairobi to Stone Town	9	Nairobi	Tanzania	Basix	2248	View Trip
Wild Kruger Camping	4	Johannesburg	South Africa	Basix	1098	View Trip
Kruger & Cape Town Short Break by Plane	11	Johannesburg	South Africa	Comfort	3530	View Trip
Kruger Experience - Lodge (5 days)	5	Johannesburg	South Africa	Comfort	1595	View Trip
Masai Mara Walk	3	Nairobi	Kenya	Original	1505	View Trip
High Arctic Explorer - Greenland to Canada (Ocean Endeavour)	12	Toronto	Canada	Comfort	12215	View Trip
High Arctic Explorer - Canada to Greenland (Ocean Endeavour)	12	Ottawa	Canada	Comfort	20515	View Trip
Best of the Western Arctic: Canada and Greenland from Toronto	20	Toronto	Canada	Comfort	20990	View Trip
Northwest Passage: Epic High Arctic	17	Calgary	Canada	Comfort	16390	View Trip
Spitsbergen Photography: Under the Midnight Sun	11	Helsinki	Norway	Comfort	9490	View Trip
Three Arctic Islands: Iceland, Greenland, Spitsbergen	15	Reykjavik	Greenland	Comfort	12190	View Trip
Four Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland and Iceland	18	Helsinki	Greenland	Comfort	14590	View Trip
Introduction to Spitsbergen	10	Helsinki	Norway	Comfort	8990	View Trip
Spitsbergen Explorer	12	Helsinki	Svalbard and Jan Mayen	Comfort	9990	View Trip
Essential Greenland: Southern Coasts and Disko Bay	15	Reykjavik	Greenland	Comfort	12790	View Trip
Greenland Adventure by Sea, Land and Air	9	Reykjavik	Greenland	Comfort	9990	View Trip
Canadian Arctic Express: The Heart of the Northwest Passage	9	Calgary	Canada	Comfort	9990	View Trip
Canadian Remote Arctic: Northwest Passage to Ellesmere & Axel Heiberg Islands	12	Calgary	Canada	Comfort	13490	View Trip
Spitsbergen Highlights	7	Helsinki	Svalbard and Jan Mayen	Comfort	5990	View Trip
Spitsbergen in Depth	14	Helsinki	Svalbard and Jan Mayen	Comfort	12990	View Trip
Spitsbergen, East Greenland and Iceland - Southbound	15	Helsinki	Svalbard and Jan Mayen	Comfort	12190	View Trip
East Greenland and Iceland Northern Lights	14	Reykjavik	Greenland	Comfort	11495	View Trip
West Greenland Gems: Fjords, Icebergs, and Culture	12	Reykjavik	Greenland	Comfort	10690	View Trip
Africa Encompassed Northbound	64	Cape Town	Namibia	Basix	13885	View Trip
Greenland Explorer: Sail and Soar the Alpine Arctic (Ultramarine)	11	Reykjavik	Greenland	Comfort	10990	View Trip
Johannesburg to Kenya	37	Johannesburg	Zimbabwe	Basix	7244	View Trip
Ecuador: Amazon Jungle Sacha Lodge Short Break	4	Quito	Ecuador	Comfort	2483	View Trip
Premium Eastern and Southern Africa	37	Kigali	Uganda	Premium	32715	View Trip
Chitwan National Park Extension	4	Kathmandu	Nepal	Comfort	513	View Trip
Northwest Passage: In the Footsteps of Franklin	17	Toronto	Canada	Comfort	16390	View Trip

Wildlife trip features

Supporting wildlife

Not only does our entire range of wildlife trips promise to give you unforgettable animal experiences, but they also directly support the conservation of wildlife and the people who take care of that wildlife. So, you can rest assured knowing that the money you spend by travelling with us is reinvested into the protection of the wildlife you see and the communities you visit like the jewellery workshop run by a team of women in Zambia that donates funds for anti-poaching patrols.

Local expert-led tours

Is your lemur knowledge almost non-existent? Do you have any idea about the intricacies of Borneo’s jungle ecosystem? Don’t know the orangutans from the chimpanzees? On an Intrepid trip, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Every wildlife trip includes at least one local wildlife expert – from park rangers knowledgeable about mountain gorillas to indigenous people with a special connection to land - to take you on guided walks, conduct informal sessions, and participate in educational conversations.

Range of experiences

Traditional Game Drives, boat safaris, and nature walks are all par for the course on one of our wildlife trips but at Intrepid, our itineraries delve deeper to provide you with the whole, unique picture. Incorporating a range of different opportunities for travellers to experience the world’s wildlife such as a visit to a Wildlife Forensic Laboratory in Zambia where officials investigate wildlife crimes (just like CSI but for animals!) and learning firsthand about Antarctica’s ecosystem from your onboard marine biologist.

Responsible travel & conservation

We are not only giving back through offering safaris that make a difference but also partnering with conservation projects on the ground to raise awareness and important funding through the Intrepid Foundation.

Animal welfare

At Intrepid, we believe that it’s our responsibility to help preserve the planet for the next generation of travelers, as well as for the communities – and animals – that call these places home. That’s why we’ve worked with World Animal Protection to create a set of guidelines each and every one of our trips follows.

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Our animal welfare pledge

We’ve also partnered with the team at Blood Lions as a commitment to actively working towards a solution to lion exploitation by signing their ‘Born to Live Wild’ pledge.

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Visiting animals

We only visit facilities involving wild animals in captivity if the reason for the facility directly helps, and is in the best interest, of the animals involved. For example, rescue centers operating with the highest animal welfare and conservation standards possible.

Visiting the MandaLao Elephant Conservation in Laos

Being a wildlife-friendly traveler

From doing your research to never using animals as a photo prop, there are a few easy ways to become a wildlife-friendly traveler. Join Intrepid co-founder Geoff Manchester and Lek Chailert, the founder of Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, to find out more about Intrepid's ban on elephant rides and what you can do to help protect wildlife on your travels, or check out the partnerships between The Intrepid Foundation and various conservation organizations around the world.

How we help

We actively discourage the participation of travelers in any activities that exploit wild or domestic/working animals. Lately, there’s been a rise in animal-related incidents around the world, and it doesn’t sit well with us. That’s why we have this toolkit in conjunction with World Animal Protection, with the hope that it will help the tourism industry rebuild more ethically during the COVID-caused travel shutdowns.

Park & conservation fees

Did you know a portion of all national park fees (included in your trip price) go back into the conservation for the parks? In some countries, this can be a considerable amount and goes towards park upkeep, wildlife rehabilitation and protection, and funding for park rangers.

Become a Citizen Scientist

Contribute in a very real way on your trip to Antarctica by undertaking scientific studies, recording cloud cover with NASA, participating in the ‘Happy Whale’ initiative (taking photos of whales’ flukes and uploading them to a special database), and conducting seabird surveys.

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Our WWF partnership

Embark on an Antarctic adventure with WWF, a conservation organization working to protect endangered habitats and stop climate change, and learn about their non-invasive whale research project from onboard scientists.

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Giving back

Our wildlife trips are specifically designed to include local communities, businesses and NGOs that are working to support the conservation of wildlife, or the people protecting the wild.

Meet the experts

Man in a red jacket leaning up against an icy ledge

Alex - Antarctica Expedition Leader

Alex has long held a fascination with the natural world and polar regions. A graduate of Cambridge in Natural Sciences, Alex had been a polar guide for over a decade and is the co-founder of the Polar Citizen Science Collective, an organisation devoted to harnessing the research and data collection power of polar tourism. When not on a ship he can usually be found with skis or sticky rubber on his feet.

Man looking at the camera and smiling with lush greenery in the background.

Twongyeirwe - Head Ranger (Uganda)

Growing up in a family with a conservation background, Twongyeirwe quickly developed a dream of becoming a wildlife ranger, working with mountain gorillas in the forests of Uganda. He's been living that dream for 16 years (and counting), learning about gorilla behaviours, tracking their movements and passing on that knowledge to passionate travellers just as awestruck by the majesty of these animals as he is.

Woman crouching on the ground and smiling at the camera

Jessica - Naturalist Guide (Galapagos Islands)

Jessica grew up surrounded by sea lions, sea turtles, iguanas, amazing landscapes, and friendly people on the Galapagos Islands so it's no surprise she turned to a career teaching people about the diversity, endemism, and the marine life of the region she's loved since she was little. When she's not working, you can find her scuba diving, snorkelling and exploring as much of this magical Ecuadorian world as possible.

Man sitting on the dashboard of a truck in a khaki coloured outfit.

Ian - Professional Guide (Zimbabwe)

Ian's passion for leading travellers on authentic wildlife experiences in the wilds of Zimbabwe is one of the many reasons why he's been guiding tours for 33 years. His innate knowledge of Matabo National Park's scenery, birdlife, wildlife (including the black and white rhinos), and cultural history is exceptional and makes sure each traveller leaves with an understanding of why conservation is important to local communities.

Woman wearing a white jacket staring off into the distance

Eva – Citizen Science Coordinator (Polar)

Eva is a polar scientist, with a particular passion for marine mammals. Her love for whales led to her graduating at the top of her class with a Master's in Polar Science from the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge. Researcher, Naturalist, Photographer, Educator, Surveyor, Skipper and Wildlife Officer, Eva has travelled extensively throughout all 7 continents, but her heart remains in the polar regions.

Wildlife trips by region

Two gentoo penguins standing on a shelf of ice

Polar

Galapagos

A giraffe kissing another giraffe against a blue sky

Africa

Borneo

Costa Rica

Indonesia

Bucket list wildlife experiences

Travellers in an Overland vehicle taking photos on the Serengeti

Search for the Big Five in Tanzania

On safari, it’s all about getting as close as you can to the elusive Big Five – the African elephant, Cape buffalo, African lion, African leopard, and the endangered black rhino. Charge your camera, pack your binoculars, and keep your eyes peeled to the grassland floor of the Ngorongoro Crater as you travel in a custom-built, open-roof Overland vehicle on the animal-spotting trip of a lifetime.

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Travellers walking in Sepilok rainforest in Borneo

Seek out the unique wildlife in Borneo

From crocodiles, macaques, cheeky proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants spotted on a cruise along the Kinabatangan River to meeting the patients at the centre for injured and orphaned orangutans in Sepilok and joining researchers as they watch sea turtles waddle up the sand to lay their eggs on Turtle Island, you won’t be able to resist the call of Borneo’s wildlife experiences.

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A traveller snorkelling with a sea lion in the Galapagos

Isolated island encounters in the Galapagos

As far as wildlife meetings go, few places come close to the otherworldy islands of the Galapagos. Whether you want to strap on a snorkel and swim alongside friendly sea lions, watch the slow movements of giant tortoises, or marvel at the parade of iguanas prowling the beaches like a scene from a tiny Jurassic Park, exploring this ancient archipelago by boat or on foot - with a naturalist guide by your side – will be one for the highlight reel.

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Visit wild gorillas in the forests of Uganda

Trek through the steamy forest of Uganda’s Bwindi National Park alongside Park Rangers and expert trackers to catch a glimpse of these rare animals in their natural habitat. Be mesmerised as you watch them eat, sleep, groom, and play – the troop’s giant silverback surveying the scene while the little ones play like children. Spend an unforgettable hour in their presence and come back having ticked off another experience on your bucket list.

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Close up of a black rhino without its horn in the wild

Track rhinos on foot in Zimbabwe

Hop out of the 4WD and tackle this next adventure on foot with an expert local guide through the hilly terrain of Matobo National Park. Spend an exhilarating morning tracking black and white rhinos, spotting other wildlife such as leopards, warthogs, springhares, and klipspringers as you go, as they wander through the wilderness on their daily routine.

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Two people looking through binoculars on a suspension bridge

Spot exotic animals in Costa Rica's jungles

When you’re deep diving into the awe-inspiring jungles, swamps, and mangroves of Costa Rica, you’re bound to come face-to-face with an exotic animal or two (or twelve). From long-nosed tapirs and elegant ocelots to white-faced capuchin monkeys and three-toed sloths, this geologically rich country is a wildlife lover’s dream just waiting to be explored.

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Counting lemurs in Madagascar

Madagascar isn’t just about breathtaking landscapes and memorable experiences – it’s also about how many species of lemur you can spot. Dust off your binoculars and trek through Isalo, Anadsibe, and Ranomafana national parks in search of those fluffy little animals and check off how many you see. (Hint: there are 33 different types to find).

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Close up of a seal lying on an icy shelf in Antarctica

Marvel at Antartica's animals

When you leave land far behind you and set sail for the world’s whitest continent one thing you can expect to see is wondrous wildlife. From visiting penguin rookeries and spotting humpback whales as they breach the water’s surface to looking out for leopard seals and watching albatross soar above you, you’ll never forget the animals of Antarctica.

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View our range of gorilla treks

View our wildlife family holidays

A group of cheetahs lying in the African sun

View our Premium wildlife trips

Reviews

Wildlife FAQs

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join a wildlife trip?

Trips on or before 31 December 2022

If your Intrepid trip starts on or before 31 December 2022, you must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.

If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.

Children under 18 are exempt. Children aged between 5 and 17 years old must provide proof of either vaccination, recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

How safe are wildlife tours?

At Intrepid, the welfare of our people and our travellers is our highest priority, and we never put tours in a potentially harmful or dangerous position. To ensure that all travellers are safe while trekking or visiting wildlife conservation areas, there are a set of rules and regulations that everyone must observe at all times, which you'll be briefed on when necessary. Both your leader and the professional wildlife expert that accompanies you on specific activities such as gorilla trekking, will be happy to answer any questions you might have and make sure everyone's obeying safety precautions.

Do I have to be fit to join a wildlife tour?

Our wildlife tours range from having a lower physical rating (2 out of 5 stars) to a higher physical rating (3 out of 5 stars) which indicates that you should have a reasonable level of fitness to be comfortable throughout your trip. Most wildlife trips visit at least one national park so you can expect to participate in a couple of walks or longer hikes.

Am I guaranteed to see gorillas on my trek?

Animal movements can be unpredictable so we can't 100% guarantee that you'll see gorillas on your trek. Having said that, it's highly unlikely not to. You will be accompanied by a gorilla tracker on your trek and they'll have specific knowledge on how to find the gorillas and where they might be so you don't have to worry about a thing.

What’s the difference between trekking gorillas in Uganda and trekking in Rwanda?

There's not a huge difference between gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda when it comes to actually seeing the animals, but the terrain of both countries varies. Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park has a more open and less dense landscape than the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda so it can often feel easier to trek through. Uganda also experiences more rain and this can make tracks slippery and harder to navigate. Another difference is that the permit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is more expensive than in Uganda and this can deter budget-conscious travellers.

What vehicles do you use for Game Drives in Sub Saharan Africa?

The type of vehicles you'll travel on during your Game Drive is dependent on the style of your trip (basix, original, comfort, or premium) but all trips will use a 4x4 or alternate vehicle for at least one of those rides so you have the best opportunity to experience the wildlife from a unique perspective. If you want more details, check out the trip notes/itinerary information for your chosen trip.

When travelling on an Intrepid wildlife trip, how does my money support local conservation efforts?

Regardless of the style, every single one of our wildlife trips directly supports the conservation of wildlife or the people protecting the wildlife. A portion of any National Park or Game Reserve entrance fee (which is included in your trip price) is also fed back into protecting and conserving the park's natural and cultural heritage. This money is crucial to safeguarding these habitats for wildlife to breed and survive together with its surrounding local communities. Our wildlife trips are also designed to seek out and support local projects, communities, and businesses that are actively working to protect wildlife, and educate and empower local communities to be custodians of conservation.

Will I get the opportunity for a range of different wildlife experiences on my trip?

Absolutely! Our trips feature a whole heap of fun activities such as Game drives, nature walks, and boat safaris, as well as unique experiences such as visiting a Wildlife Forensic Laboratory in Zimbabwe (which is exactly what it sounds like - a unit investigating wildlife crimes) and sitting down to dinner with a local park ranger where you'll learn about life in the wilderness and their special relationships with the mountain gorillas (guaranteed to be one dinner conversation you've never had before)!

Will I get the chance to learn from a local wildlife expert during my trip?

You'll have access to your trip leader who already has an impressive base of knowledge about the countries visited in the itinerary, and the local flora, fauna, cultural, religious, and social aspects associated with them but we also use additional local guides and wildlife experts who have a deeper and more specific knowledge about the places you go to and the animals you see. This is to add to your overall experience and make sure you're getting the full, well-rounded picture so expect to spend some time with wildlife veterinarians, park rangers, naturalist guides, and conservation researchers. For some trips, you will be accompanied by these experts for the entire duration, such as on our Antarctica departures where there's a naturalist and marine biologist onboard.

Which islands should I visit in the Galapagos to see the wildlife?

There's a good chance you'll see a wide variety of animals on any Galapagos Island since there are over 300+ different species that inhabit this archipelago. It's the sheer diversity and variety of life on land, in the air and under the water that makes the Galapagos such a drawcard for nature and wildlife lovers and each trip will give you the opportunity to experience as much of it as possible.

See below for some of the animals known to frequent the Galapagos Islands:

Sea lions are found across all islands.
Penguins are found across Santa Cruz, Santiago, Isabela, Fernandina, Floreana, and Bartolome islands.
Giant tortoises are found across Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela, and Floreana islands.
Green sea turtles are found across all islands.
Land iguanas are found across Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, Plaza Sur, and North Seymour islands.
Flamingoes are found across Santa Cruz, Santiago, Isabela, Floreana, and Rabida islands.

Do I need travel insurance to join a wildlife tour?

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Are Intrepid's wildlife trips accessible for travellers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.