Skip to main content

3 Adventure Trips to Track the World’s Most Elusive Wildlife

For many nature lovers, there are few things more exciting than spotting wildlife in its natural habitat.

But some creatures are so rare, so endangered, or so elusive that few humans ever see them in the wild. From the jagged peaks of India to the plankton-rich waters of the North Atlantic, here are three destinations to track the world’s most elusive wildlife.

Recommended Videos

North Atlantic Right Whales (New Brunswick, Canada)

North Atlantic Right Whales
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Right whales take their name from the Golden Age of whaling when they were deemed the “right whales” to hunt. They feed close to shore, at the surface, and float easily once killed — none of which has helped their survival odds. Today, right whales number in the teens (and are deemed “functionally extinct” by scientists) in the eastern North Atlantic. Several hundred still exist off the coast of New Brunswick Canada, however, in the rich cetacean feeding ground that is the Bay of Fundy. At more than 50 feet in length and weighing up to 70 tons, they’re easily spotted from the road. However, organized tour providers like Wildlife Worldwide offer full service trips that include flights, hotel stays, and whale watching boat trips with local expert guides.

Time to go: Mid-June to Mid-August

Snow Leopards (Uley Valley, India)

Snow Leopards (Uley Valley, India)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In general, cats are among the most elusive wildlife in the world — their cunning, stealth, and distrust of humans all make them incredibly difficult to find, let alone hunt. Snow leopards in particular are highly intelligent, camouflaged, and well adapted to their environment — even among cats, they are a rare breed.

Intrepid Travel’s Expedition – In Search of the Snow Leopard is an intense, two-week expedition into the heart of India’s Uley Valley. The region offers one of the highest concentrations (approximately 200) of snow leopards in the world. Be prepared that the encounters with these elusive cats are not of the “up close and personal” variety. Even under ideal conditions, you’ll likely be spotting them in the distance through a pair of high-powered binoculars. Tour-goers can also track a bevy of other wildlife throughout the region, including Tibetan Antelope, Ibex, and Blue Sheep.

Time to go: January

African Wild Dogs (Zululand, South Africa)

African Wild Dogs (Zululand, South Africa)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Africa is home to more endangered species than anywhere on earth. But fewer endangered species are lesser known or understood than African wild dogs. Their population decline is due in large part to a PR problem: they’re ugly, they’re vicious hunters, and, from the perspective of many local Africans, they just “don’t serve a purpose.”

For these reasons, they’ve had a long history of human conflict that has left their numbers decimated in the last century. Their packs cover broad swaths of the entire continent. However, the large number of conservation areas in South Africa makes the region one of the best for spotting them. Wildlife ACT offers intensive, two-week volunteer programs in the country’s biodiverse Zululand region to study and get up close and personal with these elusive creatures.

Time to go: Year-round

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Yes, you’re probably overpacking — 7 travel tips for packing I swear by
Years of travel mistakes led me here. These tips actually work
An overhead view of a man packing a suitcase

There are two types of people in the world – the ones who pack two weeks in advance with a packing checklist, and the ones who shove a random pair of shoes into a bag 10 minutes before leaving for the airport. I’ve been both.

But after years of red eyes, lost luggage, and trying to survive long layovers in jeans, I’ve learned what actually works. These are the travel tips for packing I swear by – the things that save space, stress, and yes, your sanity.
1. Lay everything out. Then put a third of it back.

Read more
Move over Vegas — this U.S. city is now the top casino spot
Is Chicago the new Las Vegas?
Casino

Before you book your next trip to Las Vegas, you might want to consider a surprising alternative. A new ranking from gaming aggregator SlotMatrix reveals that Sin City isn’t even in the top three casino destinations in the U.S. In fact, Las Vegas came in fourth place, while the number one spot went to an unexpected winner: Chicago, Illinois.

The study analyzed several factors, including the number of casinos per 100,000 residents, casino amenities like hotels and restaurants, the number of slot machines, table games, poker tables, late-night bar options, and average hotel prices.

Read more
Luggage shipping gains popularity as travelers seek stress-free flying
Avoid long baggage claim waits and lost luggage stresses
Man carrying luggage in both hands

In case you are unaware, AAA says a record-setting 72.2 million Americans are estimated to travel ahead of Independence Day this week (between Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, July 4th). AAA projects that this year's domestic travel forecast will surpass 1.7 million travelers over last year, and 7 million more than in 2019. Busy summer travel also means an increased chance of encountering common airport hassles, such as long wait times at baggage claim, and even lost, damaged, or stolen luggage. Travelers are also looking for new ways to avoid rising checked bag fees and overweight baggage fees.

As a solution, more travelers are turning to luggage shipping as an alternative to make their summer journeys a bit smoother. With luggage shipping options at The UPS store, specialty luggage boxes are used to accommodate a wide variety of the most common suitcase sizes. For airlines with strict size and weight regulations, using luggage shipping may offer an easier, stress-free option to transport your belongings without the hassle. Travelers with specific mobility issues or with multiple suitcases have also turned to luggage shipping as a more straightforward solution than navigating busy airports with numerous suitcases at once.

Read more