The Best Trips For Incredible Wildlife Encounters

Book a journey to where the wild things are – these trips are roaring with incredible wildlife encounters.

When a trip to the zoo simply won’t do, the world invites you to encounter wildlife the way these amazing animals were meant to be seen. From the waters of South America to the jungles of Asia, fascinating species roam the land, sea and air across the world. And they’re all ready for their close-up. Grab your camera and your sense of adventure – these Epic Trips are built to deliver incredible wildlife encounters.

Giant tortoise walks through grass on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Say hi to giant tortoises in the Galápagos

The biodiversity found on the Galápagos Islands is what you might describe as the holy grail of wildlife encounters. The penguins, giant tortoises, boobies and iguanas are delicate creatures yet demonstrate incredible strength in the face of potential extinction. Take five days to see these birds, reptiles and marine wonders in real life on an eye-opening Galápagos encounter. You’ll venture to uninhabited islands, dive beneath the Pacific and look to the skies to admire these majestic creatures. Kayaking, hiking, and snorkelling are all on the itinerary – although, avid animal lovers will enjoy nothing more than sitting next to a giant Galápagos tortoise as it plods gently along the grass.

From US$2499

Next available from 13th Jan 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

ENDS AT

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island

DURATION

5

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

Safari guide in jeep with calming sign looking at rhinos in South Africa

Tick off your wildlife bucket list in South Africa

Think spotting the Big Five on a South African safari would be the most incredible wildlife experience on the planet? Well, on this 11-day Garden Route adventure you’ll get to do it at a luxury game reserve, where we’ll stay in a stunning lodge, fit with an outdoor pool sometimes frequented by local elephants. You’ll be able to embark on up to four game drives during our stay, but you’ll also have the opportunity to go for a cycle, a spa treatment or an outdoor picnic. Before we reach the game reserve you’ll also explore Cape Town and Table Mountain, go on a tractor safari on an ostrich farm and visit Tsitsikamma National Park.

From US$2899

Next available from 3rd Feb 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Cape Town, South Africa

ENDS AT

Cape Town, South Africa

DURATION

11

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

Mandi Keighran, Gethin Morgan and Maja Proescholdt contributed additional reporting.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.