INSPIRATION
Some people and some organisations like to perpetuate the myth that seeing the best birds and other wildlife in the world involves months of planning, negotiating bureaucratic minefields, undergoing unbelievable hassle, enduring horrendous conditions for weeks even months on end and only just managing to get out of the country, when in reality you do not need to be a member of an expedition, a wildlife documentary crew and so on to see the vast majority of the best birds and other wildlife in the world. In fact most of them can be seen with considerable ease and often in some comfort, given, in the words of Herman Melville in Moby-Dick, 'Time, Strength, Cash, and Patience!' So ...
‘Of the gladdest moments in life, methinks is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the leaden weight of routine, the cloak of many cares and the slavery of home, ...’
Richard Burton, the traveller not the actor, in his journal on 2nd December 1856.
Common Dolphins off North Island, New Zealand by Graham Ekins.
Ruby Topaz at Asa Wright Nature Centre on Trinidad by Steve Garvie.
Want to go where you have always dreamed of? Don't know where to go? Why not have a look at more than 150 places to go via the Destinations A-Z link above. Each destination account has highlights and 150 have lists of birds and other wildlife, best sites to see them, best times to go, recommended books etc., or
Want to visit a certain continent but not sure which country to visit? Choose a World Region, or
Don't know when to go? Can only get away at a certain time? Why not check out the Calendar linked above which provides links to the best destinations to visit every month of the year, or
Want to see a bird you have always dreamed of? Take a look at the list of what we believe are the 100 best birds in the world, and where to see them, via the Birds link above, or
Want to see an animal you have always dreamed of? Take a look at the list of what we believe are the 100 best animals in the world, and where to see them, via the Other Wildlife link above, or
Want to take into account what other natural wonders are present at a certain destination? See what we believe are the best Other Natural Wonders in the world, or
Maybe there is a certain type of activity or animal or bird which appeals the most, bird watching perhaps, or bear watching or whale watching, in which case take a look at the list of holiday types below.
A magnificent silverback 'Western Lowland Gorilla' in the Central African Republic by Sjef Ollers.
'I looked in reverie down the path through the savanna woodland and imagined walking to the Saramacca River and beyond, over the horizon, into a timeless reconnaissance through virgin forests to the land of magical names, ..., back and forth, never to run out of fresh jungle paths and glades.'
Edward O Wilson in Biophilia, 1984.
Under many destinations and on separate pages, linked below, there are also lists of the best websites for trip reports and lists of tour companies who run scheduled tours to those destinations. Many of these companies also arrange customized, private, tailor-made tours and if you prefer to travel independently, at your own cost and at your own speed, staying longer where you like in accommodation you prefer, there are also lists of local guides and accommodation.
‘There can be no very black melancholy to him who lives in the midst of Nature and has his senses still.’
Henry David Thoreau in Walden, 1854.
Verreaux's Sifaka in Andohahela National Park, Madagascar by Coke & Som Smith.