Wildlife bucket lists are changing. While Africa’s Big Five remain legendary, new research shows travellers are increasingly seeking once-in-a-lifetime encounters with giant pandas, kangaroos, koalas, and whales in destinations across the globe.
Image used for illustrative purposes/Jiachen Lin/Unsplash
According to research by adventure tour company Explore, interest in wildlife-focused travel is soaring. The company surveyed 2,400 people across 12 countries and analysed Google search trends over the past year, finding a 211% increase in searches for “wildlife holidays”. Around 72% of respondents also said wildlife plays at least some role in deciding where they travel.
Australia emerged as the most sought-after wildlife destination, chosen by 38% of respondents. South Africa ranked second with 11%, followed by Kenya (9%), Canada (7%) and China (6%).
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Here are the five animals travellers are most eager to see in the wild.
1. Pandas
Giant pandas claimed the top spot, with 41% of respondents naming them as their ultimate wildlife sighting.
Native to the bamboo forests of China’s Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, these elusive bears remain a rare and memorable find in the wild. Although their conservation status has improved over the years, they are still listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Travellers hoping to see pandas can visit the Chengdu Research Base or explore protected habitats such as the Wolong National Nature Reserve.
2. Elephants
The only member of Africa’s original big five to feature in the new rankings, elephants remain a favourite, with 32% of respondents hoping to see them in their natural habitat.
Botswana’s Chobe National Park offers one of the world’s greatest elephant spectacles, with an estimated 120,000 elephants roaming the region. In Asia, Sri Lanka’s Udawalawe National Park is another renowned destination for elephant encounters.
3. Kangaroos
Australia’s iconic kangaroos tied with elephants, attracting interest from 32% of those surveyed.
While kangaroos can be spotted across much of the country, visitors have some of the best chances on Kangaroo Island in South Australia or at Murramarang National Park in New South Wales, where eastern grey kangaroos are often seen relaxing on the beaches.
4. Koalas
Koalas also featured prominently, with 30% of respondents eager to see the sleepy marsupials in the wild.
Despite spending much of their lives high in eucalyptus trees, koalas can be found in several accessible locations, including Kangaroo Island and Port Stephens in New South Wales.
5. Whales
Rounding out the list are whales, with 29% of travellers hoping for an unforgettable sighting at sea.
Seasonal migrations make whale watching one of the more accessible wildlife experiences, and South Africa remains one of the world’s premier destinations. Hermanus, often referred to as the whale-watching capital of the world, offers exceptional land-based sightings of southern right whales during the winter and spring months.
Other standout destinations include Mirissa in Sri Lanka, renowned for blue whale sightings, as well as whale-watching hotspots in Australia, Canada, and Madeira.
Whether it’s watching elephants gather along a riverbank, spotting a panda deep in a bamboo forest, or witnessing whales breach off South Africa’s coastline, today’s wildlife travellers are proving that unforgettable animal encounters extend far beyond the classic safari.
Source: Adapted from reporting by Euronews.
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