There are few experiences as enriching as seeing animals in the wild. One glance and you’ll be hooked. Imagine the thrill of watching Polar bears in their natural habitats or hearing the thundering hooves of zebras in the migration. So for 2023, we have collected the best wildlife adventures that bring you one step closer to some of the world’s most unforgettable encounters.
January: Finland
Make 2023 the year that you get back to nature. Escape to the remote Finnish wilderness of Oulanka National Park, one of the most sparsely populated corners of Europe. Staying amid the silent, snow-capped forest, you’ll get back to nature in the most thrilling way imaginable: enjoy dogsledding, snowshoeing in search of the Northern Lights, and learn invaluable wilderness skills, including the ancient art of quinzee building.
When to travel: January
Book your space: Finnish Wilderness Weekend
February: Sri Lanka
The time between February and mid-March is the best time to spot blue whales off Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Sail out onto the ocean on a chartered boat and watch these giant mammals rise majestically from the water. As they dive back down below, the force from their tails as they come crashing into the water will, quite literally, take your breath away.
When to travel: February
Book your place: Wild Sri Lanka
March: Borneo
With an equatorial climate, Borneo is hot and humid all year round. But travelling in March avoids the rain season that runs from November through to January.
Borneo is rich in wildlife and natural splendours, with charming and lovable Orang-utans very much the star draw for most travellers hot footing it to this uniquely beautiful part of the world. However, the wild sights are as varied as they are enthralling. Prepare to spot the comical Proboscis monkeys, to discover the bats that call Deer Cave – the largest cave passage in the world – home, and to enjoy a wildlife cruise on the Kinabatangan River.
Borneo needs to be on your to do list this March.
When to travel: March
Book your place: Borneo Wildlife Discoverer
April: Galapagos Islands
Famed for its diverse wildlife, the Galapagos Islands offers unique experiences at different times of the year. However, if you want to witness the waved albatross and its courting rituals on Espanola Island, April is the best time to visit. This is a wonderful time when you can also watch sea turtles and land iguanas hatching, and colonies of sea lions can be seen sunbathing on the sand.
When to travel: April
Book your place: Galapagos Encounter – Archipel I (Itinerary B)
May: Spitsbergen
Owing to the increase of daylight and the midnight sun, May is a great time to visit Spitsbergen as the wildlife is rife. After mid-May, the snow quickly disappears and interesting flora starts to appear along the mountainsides. The rush of birdlife also returns. One of the main attractions here is the Polar bear but you can also spot seals, walrus and birds such as kittiwakes, common eider and fulmars.
When to travel: May
Book your place: Introduction to Spitsbergen
June: Botswana
In 2022, we launched our collection of Citizen Science Departure. These specialist departures are a result of our thrilling partnership with NatureMetrics and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The aim of these trips are to contribute to the eBioAtlas, and to paint an accurate picture of the world’s biodiversity by sampling animal DNA left in the environments we visit.
Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana, takes you on a wonderful journey through some of the world’s most fascinating natural landscapes – including the Okavango Delta. This trip will be hosting one of our first Citizen Science Departures, so why not join us in June 2023?
When to travel: June
Book your place: Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana
July: Romania
With longer daylight hours in July, this month is the perfect time to go in search of the Brown bear and experience a close-up encounter (from a hide, of course!) In the evenings, the bears are enticed to the hides with food so there is often a lot of activity at this time. With any luck, you might also witness bear cubs and white-tailed eagles.
When to travel: July
Book your place: Carpathian Walking & Bears
August: Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Between July and October, it’s green sea turtle nesting season in Tortuguero, Costa Rica. To watch these aquatic creatures crawl from the water and dig a deep hole where they can lay their eggs is an extraordinary and moving experience. But that’s not all you can witness in Costa Rica, in the National parks and forests, you can enjoy wildlife encounters with monkeys, sloths, jaguars and hundreds of species of birds, including scarlet macaws, hummingbirds and trogons.
When to travel: August
Book your place: Discover Costa Rica
September: Masai Mara
Although the Masai Mara has excellent wildlife viewing all year round, September is when you can witness the Great Migration in full swing. This is one of the most incredible spectacles and millions of animals occupy the plains. You can expect to see wildebeest, antelopes, zebras, elephants, giraffes, hippos and lions. This is the ultimate wildlife adventure.
When to travel: September
Book your place: Kenya and Tanzania Adventure
October: India
India is home to the tiger but more importantly, the elusive Bengal tiger. This endangered species is a rare sight and to see one in the wild is mesmerising. October is considered one of the best times to see tigers in India when the parks are lush, temperatures are cooler and the monsoon season is over. Throughout the game reserves, you can spot other wildlife such as monkeys, leopards, wild pigs and countless species of birds.
When to travel: October
Book your place: Indian Tiger Safari
November: The Falkland Islands and South Georgia
Join renowned photographer and Exodus guide, Paul Goldstein in November 2023 as he boards the fantastic Magellan Explorer vessel on an expedition to explore and photograph the rugged islands of the Falklands and South Georgia.
Expect energetic and instructive guidance to ensure that you step away from this adventure with your own stunning collection of wildlife photographs. And you’ll broaden your mind, as well as your photography skills, as you encounter the extraordinary islands of the Falklands, the vast rookeries of South Georgia and the cobalt iceberg galleries of Antarctica. You don’t want to miss out on this expedition!
When to travel: Special departure 28 October – 16 November
Book your place: Shackleton’s Footsteps – A Photographic Expedition with Paul Goldstein
December: The Maldives
The dry season in the Maldives begins from mid-December onwards and the weather tends to be warm and sunny, making it a great time to go in search of marine wildlife. Blessed with the most beautiful turquoise waters, the Maldives offers a magical underwater adventure. As you snorkel below the waves, come face-to-face with turtles and colourful fish – December is one of the best times to see manta rays. You can also go in search of Whale sharks as they occupy South Ari Atoll all year round.
When to travel: December
Book your place: Marine Wildlife in the Maldives ***Hurry: Single rooms for this date have sold out.***
