11 countries to discover rare wildlife

11 countries to discover rare wildlife

We love the great outdoors: hiking, cycling, sailing and swimming and especially spotting rare wildlife. We've been lucky enough to swim with humpback whales in Tonga, walk among giant tortoises in the Galápagos Islands and most recently observe herds of elephants in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka.

Wildlife goes hand in hand with beautiful scenery and, in most cases, minimal human influence. There is still so much incredible and diverse wildlife to see and so many beautiful countries in which to see it. Here is our wish list of the best countries to spot rare wildlife.

In each case, we have focused on destinations that support conservation efforts and sustainable tourism.

1. Cheetahs in Namibia

In 2007, there were an estimated 4,000 cheetahs in southern Africa. Recent estimates suggest the population has risen to over 6,000, with Namibia having the largest cheetah population in the world. As of 2015, over 3,500 cheetahs live in Namibia.

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Although most Namibian cheetahs are scattered across unprotected areas, the country remains the best place to see these glorious creatures in the wild. The best opportunities are offered by the Etosha National Park together with the private nature reserve Okonjima, where the headquarters of the AfriCat Foundation is located.

2. Jaguars in Brazil

Known as the “Tiger of America,” the jaguar is the third largest big cat. Tragically, jaguar populations are declining rapidly and the big cat is considered near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning it could soon face extinction. It is estimated that there are only about 15,000 jaguars left in the wild.

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Jaguars can survive in a variety of habitats, from the Sonoran Desert in Mexico to the pampas of northern Argentina, but they thrive in the humid jungle and rainforest of the Pantanal in Brazil. Here, a sighting is virtually guaranteed during the dry season (August to October). Visit Refugio Ecologico Caiman for a range of thriving ecotourism options.

3. Everything in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Almost all of the wildlife in the Galápagos Islands is endemic to the archipelago, which automatically makes them rare and unique. Whether on land, in the air or underwater, the wildlife of the Galápagos Islands has captured the imagination of enthusiasts since Darwin's visit and his consequent development of the theory of evolution through natural selection.

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Whether it's giant tortoises, iguanas, Galápagos penguins, albatrosses or blue-footed boobies that capture your imagination, the Galápagos Islands are sure to delight you. Be sure to take a look at our article on eco-friendly tourism in the Galápagos to help you reduce the impact of your visit.

4. Tigers in India

The Bengal tiger is found primarily in India with smaller populations in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar. Recently, the WWF estimated an increase in the number of tigers worldwide: from an estimated 3,200 in 2010 to 3,890 in 2016.

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The creation of Indian tiger reserves such as Ranthambore National Park in the 1970s and 1980s helped stabilize numbers and support the recent rise. Tigers are incredibly elusive creatures, meaning the best places to spot them are places like Ranthambore National Park, where they are most accustomed to vehicles. This kind of habituation may seem counterintuitive, but WWF supports it to fund conservation and prevent tourism from encroaching on other areas.

5. Mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda

The global gorilla population is steadily declining. However, the subspecies of mountain gorillas that live in the Virunga Mountains - a series of extinct volcanoes bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda - has seen an increase in overall population in recent years. It is now believed to be at least 880 people, up from 620 in 1989.

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Uganda's gorillas live in the epically named Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest, a veil of tangled green that covers the country's southwestern mountains. A gorilla trek in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park is a simpler affair, with easier access and a more developed and sustainable tourism industry.

6. Leopards in Sri Lanka

In 2008, the Sri Lankan leopard was listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. However, today it has been classified as vulnerable, offering some hope for the future. The wild population is roughly estimated at 700-950 as of 2015, with Yala National Park having one of the highest leopard densities in the world.

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Our last safari in Yala National Park in Sri Lanka was a success. On our first game drive of the trip, we were able to spot a leopard despite the monsoon rain and fading light. The dry season offers the best chances of seeing leopards, as these elusive creatures prefer dry weather and are more likely to hunt in the months of June to September, when rainfall is lowest.

7. Rhinos in Kenya

Rhinos once roamed Eurasia and Africa and were depicted in cave paintings by early Europeans. Unfortunately, very few rhinos survive today outside of national parks and protected areas. Two rhino species in Asia, Java and Sumatra, are threatened with extinction.

White rhinoceros species in Africa were threatened with extinction 100 years ago and now number more than 20,000. This is one of the greatest success stories in wildlife conservation. The number of black rhinos has also increased, doubling in the last two decades.

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Kenya remains one of the best places to see rhinos, black or white. The non-profit 90,000-hectare Ol Pejeta Conservancy has the largest population of black rhinos in East Africa, while the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Borana Ranch and Conservancy and Lake Nakuru National Park offer excellent opportunities to see white and black rhinos.

8. Sea turtles in Costa Rica

Almost all species of sea turtles are classified as endangered. Killed for their eggs, meat, skin and shell, sea turtles suffer from poaching and overexploitation. They also face habitat destruction and accidental fishing, and suffer the effects of climate change on their nesting sites and mating rituals.

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Often referred to as the birthplace of ecotourism, Costa Rica's coast is home to dozens of important nesting beaches for several turtle species. The Las Tortugas Research Station, Tortuguero National Park and the protected Osa Peninsula are excellent places to observe these magnificent seafarers while supporting their survival.

9. Giant pandas in China

Despite all the efforts of recent years and the relative lack of natural enemies, pandas are still endangered. There are just over 1,800 pandas in the wild - all in China. The Chinese government has established over 50 panda reserves, but still only about 61% of the country's panda population is protected.

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The best places to see giant pandas while supporting conservation efforts are Dujiangyan Panda Base, Bifengxia Giant Panda Base and Gengda Giant Panda Center. All are located in the Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan.

10. Polar bears in Canada

There are an estimated 22,000 to 31,000 polar bears worldwide. Due to loss of sea ice habitat due to climate change and other threats such as polar bear-human conflicts, overexploitation, and industrial impacts, polar bears are classified as endangered, with a high estimated risk of future decline due to climate change.

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Between 60 and 80 percent of the world's polar bear population lives in Canada, and the small town of Churchill in northern Manitoba is at the forefront of the region's growing ecotourism scene.

Every fall, the large polar bear population migrates from the interior to the coast, inspiring the name "Polar Bear Capital of the World" and making Churchill the best place to see polar bears.

11. Lemurs in Madagascar

Lemurs are a special group of primates found only on the African island of Madagascar. Of the 50 different species of lemurs, 10 are critically endangered, seven are endangered, and 19 are considered endangered.

alt="Eco-Friendly Wildlife Tours Lemurs Madagascar">DreamtimeWild lemurs can only be seen in Madagascar

The best places to see lemurs in Madagascar are Parc National Mantadia and Parc National de l’Isalo. Both parks offer excellent protection for their residents, as well as knowledgeable guides and strong infrastructure for visitors. In addition, some of the parking fees help fund community projects.

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In Born Wild: The Extraordinary Story of One Man's Passion for Lions and for Africa, Tony Fitzjohn recounts his 20 years in Kenya with Born Free's George Adamson - a time of discovery, isolation and frequent danger in a remote part of the country.

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