Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, Kangaroo Island, Australia
We travel to see new places, learn about the culture of countries and meet new friends. What if animals become these acquaintances? Take a selfie with a monkey, walk with an alpaca, feed pandas and run to the sea with turtles.
We bring to your attention 6 places where animals can be found not in cages and open-air cages, but in their natural habitat.
High cliffs, dense thickets, sand dunes … But the landscape is not that important here. The main thing on this island is its inhabitants: koalas dozing on eucalyptus trees, pelicans soaring above the surface of the water, fur seals and seals sunbathing on the beach and, of course, many kangaroos. It is not for nothing that the island is named after them.
Once upon a time it was part of mainland Australia, and now it is an independent island with its own unique flora and fauna. At the beginning of the 20th century, rare animals were brought here in order to preserve their appearance.
The island is large and we recommend taking a few days to visit. Moreover, on its territory you can relax: there are hotels, restaurants and beaches with golden sand.
There are several parks and reserves here, and you should definitely visit at least Wildlife Park: grab a wombat or a koala, watch how funny penguins are fed and, of course, shake a kangaroo’s paw.
Cost: from $ 28 for the entrance to the park.
Website: kangarooislandwildlifepark.com
I want to Australia
Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Yes, there are many places in the world where you can see turtles up close and even swim with them. But where to see how little turtles are born and crawl to the ocean? Of course, in Mexico!
Not far from the city of Todos Santos there is a “Turtle camp” – a camp for the rescue of turtles. Little turtles are born here, they are taken care of, and then released into the sea. Tourists not only can look at this touching picture, but can also take part by releasing babies.
Typically the season runs from December 1st to March 31st.
Cost: Free volunteering
Website: todostortugueros.org
I want to Mexico
Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand
At first, elephants were forced to work on a par with humans. Then they began to entertain people: perform in the circus, draw pictures with their trunks, do massage, stand on balls and dance. I don’t want to look at this, right?
We offer a different picture: in the Chiang Mai Natural Park, you will see the life of elephants as it should be according to the laws of nature. Measured, happy, without a canvas with paints and people on the back. They are taken care of, they are helped and raised, fed and bathed, with them, as with old friends, they walk by the trunk. By the way, visitors may also have such an opportunity. And you will do the massage elsewhere, you are in Thailand.
Cost: there are several programs: for the day, for the weekend, with feeding and bathing the elephants. Cost from $ 80.
Website: elephantnaturepark.org
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Punta Tombo, Chubut, Argentina
Penguins are the cutest birds, aren’t they? Want to visit them and see how they spend their days? Come to Argentina!
In the reserve, you can watch the penguins and their affairs, and also watch how they are fed and looked after. Shown here is a unique species of Magellanic penguin that the workers will tell you about.
You can also see other representatives of the fauna in the park: elephant seals, hares, ostriches, dolphins and whales.
It is better to come to the reserve for at least one day. The closest city to it, Puerto Madryn, is approximately 170 kilometers away.
Cost: from $ 17 for entry.
Website: puntatombo.com
I want to Argentina
Giraffe Manor, Nairobi, Kenya
Leslie and Betty Melville bought an abandoned mansion, renovated it and purchased a couple of Rothschild giraffes. Who would have known that after years there will be large offspring, they will turn their estate into a boutique hotel, and the park into a nursery.
Visitors can not only look at giraffes (after all, you do not need to go to Kenya for this), but also feed or pet. Just imagine: at breakfast the most insolent giraffes peep into the windows to beg for something tasty! They do not bite, unlike the price for a hotel stay, but agree that such an experience is worth it.
Price: from 600 $ per night per person.
Website: thesafaricollection.com
I want to go to Kenya
Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
This forest is a real monkey kingdom. They are here at every step: big and very young, wise elders sitting at a distance, and impatient cubs. You can walk through the green thickets at least all day and rejoice: here one monkey is ready to climb on his shoulder for a banana, another grabs a bottle and selflessly drinks water, a third with a serious look is looking for fleas from a neighbor, the fourth will take a selfie with you.
In general, visiting our ancestors will not be bored.
Cost: from $ 5 for entry.
Site: monkeyforestubud.com
I want to go to Bali