Orangutan in Malaysian Borneo
Sea Lion in Galapagos, Ecuador
Rhino in Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Monkey in Cahuita, Costa Rica
Butterflies at Iguazu Falls, Argentina
Koala on the Great Ocean Road, Australia
Monkey near Lovina, Indonesia
Turtle in The Perhentians, Malaysia
Marine Iguana in The Galapagos
Flamingos near Uyuni, Bolivia
Helping track and band baby crocodiles to monitor growth in Lamanai, Belize
Monkeys in Pushkar, India
I’ve been extremely lucky to see wild animals up close (sometimes too close, but those stories for another day). I’m not a huge fan of most zoos, and prefer to see animals in their natural habitats. My dream, ever since I was a little girl, has been to see an African elephant in the wild; that’s why, on the eve of my 30th birthday, I’m flying to South Africa so that I can start a tour through Botswana where, hopefully, I’ll be surrounded by animals.
Have you ever been on a safari? What are some of your most memorable moments with wild animals?
For more of my Around the World series, click here.
12 comments
Lovely pictures! And yes, I’ve been on a safari! It was near Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda right on the Nile. We didn’t see any lions (my biggest travel regret so far), but saw giraffes, elephants, hippos, ant-eaters, crocodiles, various antelopes and deer, lots of birds and monkeys. It was AWESOME! We weren’t allowed to get out of the jeeps, but a bump in the trail knocked my Boston Red Sox hat off. The driver kindly stopped for me to fetch it, and I was the only one in our group who stepped foot in the safari area. ;P Another favorite moment was seeing a baby elephant stuck to its mama’s side. So adorable!
Wow, what a story! I’m so glad that you had such a good time, I can only hope to have the same. I am going to Africa with absolutely no expectations so that I am not disappointed if I don’t see something… but truth be told I will be DEVASTATED if I don’t see an elephant! I’m hoping it’s near impossible not to, but you never know. Thanks for your comment, Katrina!
baby crocodile!!!! these are all amazing pictures. Animal photos from traveling are my favourite. I have an awesome selfie with a deer in Nara.
The baby crocodiles were so cute! It would be so interesting to see how big the one I’m holding in that photo is now. I have some great selfies from Nara, too, the deer are so funny there!
Happy birthday in advance and best of luck with the safaris! I spent a couple of months in Africa early last year so was able to see the big 5 over the course of a few safaris. That said, it was the giraffes that were my favourite things.
Thank you! For some reason I feel like I’m really going to be milking this 30th birthday, ha ha. How amazing that you got to spend all of that time in Africa. Someone else told me his favourite animals on safari were giraffes, so I can’t wait to see them up close!
Amazing pictures! I can’t wait to see one of your elephant, it will be the best birthday gift ever 🙂
Thank you for the idea! I can’t wait to see an elephant in the wild… I wish you were there with me xo
Me too xoxo
You’ll love it. Southern Africa is my favourite part of the world! My nani lived in South Africa and so every christmas we would all go on a family trip into the Kruger Park for a few days and no matter how many times I go I still love it! And you can rest assured, its pretty much impossible NOT to see an elephant. At least, I have never met anyone or heard of anyone who has been on safari that hasn’t seen them! 😛 If you’re going to be in an open jeep or something though make sure to keep a hold of your belongs. Monkeys are inquisitive, cheeky little devils!
Thank you so much, Madeleine! I am really excited to finally see at least a little bit of South Africa. Thanks for the tip about the monkeys…
I’m keeping my mind and my heart open. Like you, I believe there is adventure and discovery in most of the places we’ve been to and will continue to travel to. Getting to see your beautifully photographed animals from around the world is a sort of an adventure. But hey … 80 countries you’ve experienced? Bully for you!