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May 25, 2017 • 4 min read
The Classics of Wildlife Encounters
The classics are the classics for a reason, and this round-up of iconic wildlife encounters is no exception.
Explore Brazil’s wetlands in search of jaguars, seek out brilliant bears in Alaska, visit a whole island dedicated to Australia’s national animal, and cruise next to crocs down Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
Head to Kangaroo Island, Australia, for Wonderful Wildlife
Lying just eight miles (13 km) off the South Australian mainland, Kangaroo Island hasn’t gone unnoticed. This sizeable outcrop, the country’s third-largest island, is ruggedly handsome and renowned for wildlife – humans play second fiddle to koalas, echidnas, fur seals, sea lions, little penguins, and, of course, kangaroos.
Such a reputation attracts tourists and raises prices, especially during the peak season. However, a visit in wintry July reduces both costs and crowds, allowing you to spend longer exploring the stunning beaches and bushland. Moreover, this is the season when you might spot newborn kangaroos and wallabies emerging from their mother’s pouches. It’s not even that cold (8-15°C; 46-59°F) – simply chuck on a jacket, and you’ll be comfortable.
Great Wildlife Awaits in Botswana’s Okavango Delta
Interestingly, Botswana’s vast Okavango is wettest when it’s dry. The delta is nourished by the Okavango River, which rises far away in Angola’s highlands. The rain falls there at the start of the year and takes six months to trickle down to Botswana’s floodplains, reed-beds, papyrus swamps, and channel networks; by which time, the skies here are cloudless blue.
The waters usually arrive in June, so as July progresses, more of the serpentine tributaries become navigable by mokoro (dugout canoe), enabling excellent wildlife viewing from the water. Guides will punt you past crocodiles, hippos, water lilies, and a myriad of birds; animals flock to the banks to drink, ensuring remarkable sightings. This is peak season for wildlife enthusiasts, yet Botswana’s commitment to low-volume, high-value tourism means you’ll still experience tranquility and few crowds.
Alaska: The Best Weather for Brilliant Bears
The best things come in small packages, which is true of Alaska’s summer season. The USA’s northernmost state is only fully explorable for a few precious months; to see its unique highlights, you need to visit when the days are long, warm, and the region most accessible.
This is especially true for Denali National Park’s six million acres of pristine wilderness – the one road here is only navigable from early June, and the shuttle buses that open up the majestic backcountry stop running in September. Furthermore, the best bear viewing requires a July or September visit. For example, July is an excellent month to be at Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park, where up to 100 grizzlies can be seen fishing for sockeye salmon mid-river.
Visit Pantanal, Brazil: A Wet Wildlife Wonderland
The Amazon may steal all of Brazil’s biodiversity headlines, but it’s actually in the country’s Pantanal wetland, which lacks the Amazon’s dense jungle, that you’re more likely to spot remarkable wildlife. This is particularly true during the dry season, when foliage thins out, and creatures gather around dwindling water sources.
Animals are abundant here – species include giant otters, giant anteaters, howler monkeys, capybara, caiman, tapir, toucans, and hyacinth macaws. The most sought-after creature, however, is the jaguar. Housing the world’s highest density of these elusive cats, the Pantanal is the ideal location to catch a glimpse, especially between June and August, when the more remote areas become more accessible. Traveling at this time allows for a week of excursions from Porto Jofre, at the end of the Transpantaneira highway, significantly increasing your chances of spotting a jaguar.
