This one week tour is 50% wildlife spotting and 50% long travel days. Wildlife is colourful, diverse and fairly easy to spot, but the experiences were hindered by unseasonably cool and wet conditions – unexpected, but nonetheless possible in February. Walks were often spent sheltering under the hood of my waterproof jacket and an appreciation of the Costa Rican landscapes was limited. Road journeys between hotels were longer than expected, often due to heavy traffic. The optional excursions were OK, but not great value for money. Unfortunately, Costa Rica’s high end tourist industry has become expensive and quite commercialised.
Canada Wildlife Holidays & Tours
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Top 5 Experiences on Canada Wildlife Holidays
Whale Watching Boat Trip: One of Canada’s greatest inhabitants is the whale and there are few places as wild and wonderful as the Pacific Rim National Park to go in search of these incredible mammals. The park lies between the Pacific Coast and Vancouver Island and from the end of February to late May, grey whales begin their migration north. The best way to get up close to the various species of whale, including the humpback and orca, is on a Zodiac tour. As you head out onto the deep blue ocean, you’ll have the opportunity to see whales swimming between the waves and watch sea lions basking on the headland.
Black Bear Watching: The American black bear is indigenous to Canada, Mexico and North America, and on our Canada wildlife tours, you’ll venture into the wilderness of Clayoquot Sound, which lies on the west coast of Vancouver Island. This is the gateway to unforgettable wildlife adventures and where you can set off on a thrilling Zodiac tour of the area. Passing by sheltered bays and inlets, watch black bears roaming free and scouring the beaches for shellfish, from the safe distance of the boat. It’s a moving experience to see these strapping bears in their natural environment.
Explore the Campbell River: On the eastern side of Vancouver Island, the Campbell River is a wildlife lover’s dream and has certainly been blessed by Mother Nature. It has earned its status as a designated Heritage River of British Columbia and ‘The Salmon Capital of World’. The area surrounding the river boasts some of the country’s most beautiful scenery and our wildlife tours guide you to the best viewpoints. Along the river and streams you’ll see the likes of seals, kingfishers, eagles and bears all swooping in to catch the salmon as they leap out of the water.
Boat Tour of the Orford River: British Columbia is one of the best destinations to see grizzly bears and it’s estimated there are around 10,000 roaming the land here. With the mountain scenery framing the water, you’ll be in awe of this wildly beautiful setting which creates the backdrop to a boat tour along the river. An expert guide will steer you to a series of viewing platforms where you can watch bears in their natural habitat and feasting on the spawning salmon. Throughout this wildlife adventure you might also spy whales, dolphins, sea lions and porpoise.
Visit Quadra Island: Lying off the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, Quadra Island is a natural paradise, home to idyllic beaches and countless species of flora and fauna. You can reach the island via a ferry which takes you along the Discovery Passage. It’s not surprising the island is a popular destination for wildlife lovers owing to its pristine wilderness, friendly community and vast diversity of animals. Its lakes and coves are home to deer, harbour seals, peregrine falcons, river otters and oyster catchers, to name a few. One of the best ways to get up close and personal to the wildlife is on a sea kayaking excursion with an experienced marine observation guide.
Ross Bishop Natural Highlights of Costa Rica
Judy Ustina Galapagos Escape – Solaris (Itinerary C)From beginning to end this was a fabulous holiday! The ship and its crew were amazing. Spotlessly clean and always attentive 5 days aboard this ship was a great pleasure. The food was 5* all the way, delicious and plentiful, with frequent snacks and creative juices at every break. The tour was well paced with loads of activities, hiking and snorkeling and informative talks. The naturalist guide, Carlos, was one of the best. Enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable, he is passionate about the Galapagos and maintaining it pristine qualities. Wild life was abundant and snorkelling with fish, turtles and even penguins.. it was a trip of a life time. The chef was very attentive to my restrictive diet, being celiac. Did I mention the food??? First class all the way!
lizette Lizzie Essential Kruger SafariFrom incredible wildlife sightings to the majestic scenery of the Panorama route, Essential Kruger delivered magic at every turn. The tour leader was outstanding, the pacing was spot on, and I felt completely immersed in all the experiences from start to finish. An unforgettable safari tour with a few dashes of sightseeing. I’d recommend in a heartbeat.
The Adventure Begins Here
Get regular inspiration straight to your inbox from Exodus’ experts.