Travel | My Top Wildlife Destinations

As a wildlife artist and filmmaker, I regularly travel the globe to see wildlife in its natural habitat. In fact, I choose my destination by the species I'd like to see. Over the years I've learned which locations are the best for sightings of some of the world's most iconic species. Whether you've always dreamed of seeing a grizzly bear, or long to watch jaguars stalk through a jungle, read on for my personal recommendations of the best spots to see them.

1. Destination Harpy Eagles – Panama

You can see harpy eagles through much of Central & South America, but for me Panama's Darien region offers the best opportunity for sightings. One of the world's most powerful birds of prey, the elusive Harpy eagle occurs here in greater numbers than elsewhere and it is in fact Panama's national bird. Steeped in legend and mythology, to see one in the wild is truly magical, not least because it involves some intrepid travel. After a long car journey, followed by a canoe trip, then a trek on horseback across a swamp in stifling heat and finally a long walk through a forest, seeing one of these giants with its chick was worth every moment! 

Panama is best known for its incredible bird life and the vast list of other rare species here also includes double-toothed kites, golden-hooded tanagers, keel-billed toucan, and crimson-backed tanagers. Add to that tamanduas and three-toed sloths lounging in the rainforest canopy, and you have a wildlife watcher’s paradise.  Watching wildlife in its natural habitat is so important if you want to understand it's behaviour and it wasn't until I saw the type of leaves sloths were chewing as they swung through the tree tops that I finally learned why sloths are so slow.

When to go:  Harpy eagles can be seen at any time, but January, February and March are the best months to visit Panama for bird sightings in general. Mid-March to early May you’ll find yourself in the middle of spring migration, May-June is the rainy season. I travelled in October, in time to spot hundreds of thousands of raptors fly on their way to their southern wintering grounds. 

2. Destination jaguar – Brazil's Pantanal

The Pantanal is the world’s top destination for jaguar sightings and I was blown away by my own encounteres there. This vast wetland ecosystem provides open terrain and high jaguar densities, making it one of the few places you can reliably spot these secretive cats by boat. From this vantage point I watched a female jaguar hunting a false water cobra. It was quite spectacular to see her dramatic leap into water. The water boiled as the two wrestled ferociously until the jaguar eventually dragged the snake off for her cubs to eat. Even my Pantanal Safaris guide had never seen a snake hunt like it!

And spectacular jaguar sightings are not all these wetlands have to offer. Whilst there I came face to face with the region's most secretive animal, the endangered tapir, was deafened daily by lovable, noisy river otters and spent hours watching a family of capybaras. 

When to go: July through November are the best months to see Jaguars on the rivers.

3. Destination lion – Zimbabwe

I've travelled extensively through Africa but for reliable sightings of this continent's iconic wildlife, you can't beat Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park national park and Mana Pools. In Mana Pools you can take guided walking tours which makes the experience more intensive and at Hwange, near the Zambesi, you can spot a rare group of elephants with the unique ability to stand on their hind legs to reach giant Albida trees. The lion prides stalking dry riverbeds and water holes are also phenomenal. During my visit I spent hours watching the way the females worked together to care for their three cubs.

When to go: I travelled in October, but recommend any time between June - October when the dry season means wildlife congregates around the waterholes.

4. Destination penguin – South Georgia & Antarctica

Few sights compare to that of a colony of thousands of King penguins set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and icebergs. It's an experience that fills your every sense. Just the sheer noise that a colony of half a million penguins make is overwhelming!  

And whilst South Georgia is an absolute must for penguin lovers, nearby Antarctica also offers sightings of gentoo penguins porpoising through the icy waters, chinstrap, and Adelie penguins too. Personally, I would be happy just watching the penguins, especially the thousands that congregate in St Andrews Bay, but this pristine landscape also teams with elephant and fur seals, wandering albatross and even humpback whales.

Of all the places I've been, I'd say this was my favourite. 

When to go: Expedition cruises are available between late October and March

5. Destination polar bear – Svalbard, Arctic Norway

Svalbard is one of the most accessible places to see polar bears in the wild. Boat-based tours through this breath-taking glacial landscape also offer the chance to watch walruses haul out on remote shores whilst guided walks to spot arctic foxes in their summer coats and reindeer herds grazing on the Arctic tundra give you the chance to really experience this magical, icy landscape.

For me the highlight was watching a magnificent male polar bear prowl across the ice and sailing past a polar bear mum and her cubs as they sat calmly blinking in the arctic sunshine. But like its polar opposite, the arctic fills every sense, and at times, the icy silence is shattered by the collective grunting of vast colonies of walrus or the mocking laughter of little auks nesting in large colonies in the rocks. A visit here is once-in-a-lifetime experience that, for me, lived up to my every expectation.

When to go: I travelled in July, when the sea ice around the archipelago is more extensive, and polar bears are actively hunting seals on the ice floes.

6. Destination grizzly bear – Alaska, USA

If you want to see grizzly bears, then you really need to go to Alaska. Every year these giants gather for the annual salmon run, when pink salmon run upstream along the rivers and tributaries of the Katmai National Park heading to their breeding grounds. Watching the bears gather to fish is one of the most powerful wildlife encounters imaginable. The river are flush with salmon, literally running pink with the abundance of fish and the bears lay in wait to gorge. But a visit to Alaska is every wildlife-watchers dream and alongside the grizzlies and I also recommend Katchamak Bay where in just 24 hours I was treated to spectacular sights of whales breaching otters and bald eagles.

When to go: July to early September in Katmai is considered peak viewing time, when bears congregate at Brooks Falls to feed on salmon.

7. Destination giant tortoise & waved albatross – Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands literally teem with unique wildlife species. From ancient giant tortoises to sunbathing marine iguanas and the spectacular courtship displays of waved albatross, this is a wildlife destination like no other. Rare species are so abundant you can barely move without almost bumping into a frigate bird or spotting a Sally Lightfoot crab scurrying by. For me, one of the most memorable moments was snorkelling alongside sea lions, turtles and even the indigenous Galapagos penguins! 

When to go: To see spectacular courtship displays I recommend visiting in May and for the tortoise migration you need to visit in November.

Follow in my footsteps

If like me, wildlife is your ultimate travel destination, I recommend travelling with a reputable guide – local knowledge makes all the difference. I choose tours that contribute to protecting species and habitats - after all it's important to try to ensure these species are here for all to enjoy in the future - and are respectful of the animals. One last tip: I recommend spending a bit of time choosing the right gear to pack. Along with binoculars and a good camera, it's important to dress for the outdoors. Comfortable shoes, hats, waterproofs should all be in neutral colours so you don't stand out.

I hope you've found these tips useful. Remember, if you book a trip through one of my travel partners I will receive a small commission - meaning you can support my work at the same time.