11 Best Places For Wildlife Photography Around The World

Bring whales basking off the coast of Antarctica into focus. Interact with endangered Costa Rican species right in front of your camera lens. We partnered with Intrepid Travel to bring you the 11 best destinations to take unbelievable photos of wildlife around the world – from the remotest polar reaches to the most diverse island ecosystems.

Hang out with orangutans in Sabah, Borneo

Sabah’s tropical climate is ideal for a wide range of exotic wildlife to thrive; many species are unique to this fascinating, rugged terrain. Watch sea turtles nest on Turtle Island as darkness falls, and make friends with orangutans at a local sanctuary. Pictures barely capture the breathtaking beauty of Sabah, but the memories of this captivating island will last a lifetime.

A baby orangutan clings to a tree in Borneo

Get close-ups of wildebeests and wild beasts in South Africa

Blue wildebeests roam dusty terrain in South Africa

Traverse the Northwest Passage to see whales between Greenland and Canada

Indulge your inner explorer by voyaging through parts of the historic Northwest Passage from Greenland to Canada. One of the hardest parts of the world to reach, the Arctic is home with numerous types of whales, pods of narwhals and walruses. The longer the voyage, the more this icy expanse opens up to endless photographic possibilities.

The tail of a humpback whale surfaces near Icefjord, Ilulissat, Greenland

Come face-to-face with tigers at Ranthambore National Park, India

Deep in the jungles of Ranthambore National Park lives one of India’s most majestic species, the Bengal tiger. An encounter with this beautiful animal is priceless, and a perfectly timed photo serves to capture the unforgettable moment.

An Indian tiger rests in the thickness of Ranthambore National Park, India

Discover more than just kangaroos on Australia’s Kangaroo Island

For a quick glimpse of the land Down Under, go to Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia. The island is a refuge for wildlife, so explore Seal Bay’s sea lion population and be on the look out for numerous koalas perching in the nooks of gum trees at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. The nature and impressive coastal views make this trip well worth it.

A sleepy koala clings to a tree on Kangaroo Island, Australia

Tango with tree frogs at Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica

Go straight for the heart of Costa Rica’s wilderness by navigating the many natural habitats of Tortuguero National Park. From rain forest to mangroves to swampy lagoons, Tortuguero rewards nature enthusiasts with its lavish biodiversity. Search for manatees, listen out for monkeys and fall in love with even the smallest of creatures – red-eyed tree frogs are known to be quite the posers!

A red-eyed tree frog perches on tropical foliage in the jungle of Costa Rica

Take it slow with giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands

With several native species unique to this part of the world, venturing to Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands should be at the top of every wildlife photographer’s list. From the remote west coast of Isabela Island to the coves of Santa Cruz, perhaps no other place on Earth compares when it comes to the sheer diversity of the flora and fauna. Get up close and personal with the largest living tortoises, watch as blue-footed boobies soar overhead and discover secluded beaches literally crawling with iguanas.

Getting up close with a Galapagos tortoise of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Waddle alongside penguins on the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula

What does it feel like to be vastly outnumbered by penguins? Journey to the South Shetland Islands off the Antarctic Peninsula to find out. A dramatic landscape carved by the harsh climate sets the idyllic scene for an otherworldly photo shoot of bird life.

A colony of penguins at Yankee Harbor in the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica

Discover the sights of Kilimanjaro National Park

Get to know Africa’s highest peak by visiting Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. There’s plenty to do besides hiking, and the Tanzanian plains leading up to this volcanic mountain are home to an array of species, from antelopes to elephants. Kilimanjaro is a stunning backdrop for wildlife photos, so ask a tour guide for the best spots.

Kilimanjaro rises above the Serengeti as elephants graze

Warm up with a shot of polar bears in the Norwegian Arctic

Spitsbergen, the largest island of Norway’s Svalbard Archipelago, is known for its immense tundra and ice-covered fjords, as well as rare seabirds and its resident polar bears. The opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures hunt along sheets of ice shouldn’t be missed; perhaps a few will even snuggle up together for a family portrait.

Polar bears in the Norwegian Arctic, Svalbard

Dive into an underwater world at Australia’s Ningaloo Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is great and all, but Ningaloo Reef off the northwest coast of Australia also boasts an amazing underwater ecosystem. From swimming among schools of frenzied fish to floating alongside docile whale sharks, if you’re a budding underwater photographer, Ningaloo is the place to be. Experience this ecological underwater wonder by traveling on a glass bottom boat or snorkeling.

To dive into your own photography excursion, learn more about Intrepid Travel’s wildlife tours.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.