Sometimes the best time to experience the wild isn’t always the busiest time. Across some of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife destinations, the shoulder seasons bring their own rewards that can draw travelers in. Wildlife travel is a type of travel I’ve recently become increasingly fascinated with, and I hope to do more of it in the coming years.
Traveling in the fall for fewer crowds, dramatic landscapes, more unique seasonal animal behaviors, and intimate encounters simply makes sense to me. As many safari destinations reopen for the season this fall, these five wildlife trips will get you inspiration for your next adventure.
See baby Emperor Penguins in Antarctica
I’m a huge penguin lover — so this particular wildlife adventure is highest on my bucket list. Traveling to Antarctica in November is one of the few opportunities visitors have to see adorable emperor chicks before they leave for the open ocean later in the season.
In the fall, these tiny penguins begin exploring and developing their juvenile plumage, giving visitors a chance to see something remarkable up close. If you’re looking to take on an ambitious trek like this one, Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions offers extended time with these furry birds at Gould Bay Camp, the only private field camp located near an emperor penguin colony.
“There is nothing else in the world quite like this experience. Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions’ Gould Bay Camp is the only private field camp near the southernmost Emperor Penguin colony, which means that guests have unparalleled access to one of the most secluded, majestic wildlife encounters on Earth and the ability to spend multiple days immersed in the rhythm of the colony,” says David Rootes, Partner at Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions.
“Seeing emperor penguins in their natural habitat is an extraordinary privilege. We are diligent about protecting the colony and ensuring the birds remain undisturbed, and all visits are conducted in accordance with established wildlife viewing procedures, ” he shares.
Experience an Indian tiger safari
Fall is an ideal time to visit Bandhavgarh, as the monsoon ends, temperatures cool and become more comfortable, and the forests remain lush while wildlife becomes increasingly active. For travelers interested in the chance to spot Bengal tigers in one of India’s most renowned tiger habitats, it’s a great time to consider a visit. For luxury stays, The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambore offers an elegant base for exploring Ranthambore National Park. Meanwhile, guests seeking a more intimate experience can check out The Oberoi Vindhyavilas, Bandhavgarh, which sits near one of India’s most celebrated tiger reserves, known for its high tiger density.
“Many seasoned wildlife travelers will tell you that some of their most memorable safari moments come unexpectedly,” says Silki Sehgal, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications at The Oberoi Group. “A tiger sighting may be unforgettable, but equally memorable can be observing alarm calls ripple through the forest, watching a herd of deer emerge through the morning mist, or witnessing the extraordinary birdlife that thrives in both reserves.”
Experience a safari camp in Kenya
If you’re feeling daring, you can be one of the first to experience Kenya’s newest safari camp, Wilderness Mara. Fall offers a chance to experience the Mara with fewer crowds than the peak Great Migration months of August and September, while resident wildlife remains abundant and the landscape begins to transform with the green season. The quieter conditions also mean fewer vehicles, more space, and a more intimate safari experience. At Wilderness Mara, guests can enjoy one of 12 tented suites in the Mara Triangle, enjoying sightings of lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, and elephants.
“During the green season, resident predator behavior does not really change, since these animals are established in the area year-round, and their patterns stay consistent regardless of season. What does shift is the social landscape around them. Because the low season overlaps with mating season, we tend to see more incursions from other territorial male lions and cheetahs moving through, testing boundaries or looking for opportunities, which adds an extra layer of activity to what is otherwise a stable resident population”, shares
Hein Prinsloo, Wilderness’ Kenya CEO.
“Resident rhinos are a highlight during this period. They tend to stay close to camp, and we see the black rhino on a regular basis, which is a rare privilege given how elusive this species usually is elsewhere. Serval cats are another standout. We spot them regularly along the river line and in the marsh areas, often more visible during this quieter, greener stretch of the year. Birdlife is fantastic during the transitional season, since all the summer visitors are present and in full plumage, adding real color and variety to the sightings on offer.”
See the Amazon at its wildest during Peru’s peak dry season
September and October are an exceptional time to explore Tambopata National Reserve, as lower water levels concentrate wildlife along riverbanks and oxbow lakes, while drier trails make longer rainforest hikes more accessible. The autumn season also brings clear skies and incredible bird activity to the Amazon, including colorful gatherings of scarlet macaws, parrots, and parakeets at the reserve’s renowned clay licks.
Visitors can consider staying with Rainforest Expeditions, which operates three ecolodges in Tambopata. Posada Amazonas is a lodge run by the local Ese’Eja community, while Refugio Amazonas and Tambopata Research Center are options run by local guides. Each offers an immersive way to experience the Amazon with fewer crowds.
“Fall is an excellent time to visit Tambopata—as the water recedes in September and October, the Tambopata River exposes sandbanks and clay licks that were submerged just months earlier, which concentrates wildlife in ways that are hard to see during the wetter months. Our guides know these channels intimately, so navigation stays smooth even as levels shift, and the lower water actually makes for some of the clearest wildlife sightings of the year along the oxbow lakes, ” shares Eduardo Nycander, Founder of Rainforest Expeditions.
