Earth is a vast, incredible place filled with destinations to spark your intrigue and spur your sense of adventure. While many vacations focus on cities and the rich history within them, there is another way to experience the world: amongst the wilderness. For your next vacation, delve into the wonders of the natural world.
See how the terrain changes as you explore picturesque corners of the globe and wrap yourself in the wonders that can only come with wildlife-spotting excursions in famous safari locations. Our wildlife tours highlight these elements while taking you to places on the doorstep of fantastic cities where beauty and culture collide. Every journey is a chance for a meaningful experience; each trip is a way to better understand the world that surrounds you. From Africa, where the "Big Five" roam freely, to Alaska's Inside Passage, water teeming with magnificent marine life, where can our top wildlife adventures take you?
The American West
Watch the story of the Wild West unfold while exploring six of America's vast national parklands on an expertly crafted twelve-day route. After an overnight train ride from Chicago, begin in the dramatic mountain ranges of Montana, looking for bears, bighorn sheep and elk while touring Glacier National Park. From here, you turn south to Yellowstone, which has the largest concentration of animals in the lower 48 states, and explore Grand Teton National Park, whose breathtaking mountainous terrain is home to bison, moose and bald eagles.
Traveling onward, the arid terrain of Utah and Arizona presents the opportunity for unique wildlife-spotting adventures in Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Grand Canyon National Parks. The terrain has a fascinating range of wild inhabitants, including mountain lions, ground squirrels, and reptiles like lizards and snakes. Exploring America's Treasures and Natural Wonders takes many forms on this journey.
Alaska
A treasure trove of natural wonders, majestic animals and cultural locations is yours to behold in Alaska the Greatland. America's Last Frontier is one of the only truly wild places left in the United States, from its vast surrounding waters to its mountain ranges and wide-open expanses. Spend nine days immersed in all these offerings and more, traveling from the "Golden Heart," Fairbanks, to coastal Anchorage.
Meet working huskies at a sled dog kennel while learning about the state sport, dog mushing, and travel into Denali National Park, where, if you are lucky, you might spot grizzly bears, moose, caribou or wolves while on a guided park tour. Continuing toward the southern coast, a 5 1/2-hour wildlife cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park and a five-hour cruise in Prince William Sound offer a chance to get up close and personal with marine life. See whales, orcas, otters and seals in their natural habitats while watching birds soar overhead - A symbolic picture of wild Alaska.
There's also the chance to venture into the heart of Alaska on a seven-day independent rail journey with the Alaska Wilderness Tour. Uncover scenic landscapes as the Denali Star rolls past a showcase of quintessential Alaskan sights, starting in vibrant Anchorage. Spend time amongst the wildlife on a Tundra Wilderness guided tour in Denali National Park and spend time exploring the rustic town of Talkeetna. With time on the Denali Star train, you'll have more opportunities to spot wildlife from your seat.
The Canadian Rockies
Spot whales and orcas breaching off the coast of British Columbia in Vancouver and discover the awe-inspiring mammals of Western Canada on a wildlife rail tour to remember. Featuring the Canadian Rockies and Rocky Mountaineer, this eight-day adventure gives you a chance to spot animals by rail and while surrounded by UNESCO-listed parklands.
Travel from coastal Vancouver into the Canadian Rocky Mountains aboard the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer. Because this train travels only by daylight, each mile of the route toward Jasper is wrapped in beauty and filled with chances to spot animals along the tracks from glass-enclosed rail cars. Once in the Rockies, visit places like Maligne Lake and Spirit Island in Jasper National Park and watch for wildlife while driving along the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise. Wrap up your tour surrounded by the wild expanses of Banff National Park, where you may spot bears, moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goats.
You may also be interested in spotting wildlife at your own pace on an Independent tour like Exploring Western Canada with Rocky Mountaineer. With an open itinerary and 8 days to explore, you can spend your time in each location how you want. We have plenty of excursions to choose from as you visit 3 national parks within the Canadian Rockies, and even more wildlife spotting opportunities on daylight-only routes onboard Rocky Mountaineer.
South Africa
Traveling across the Atlantic and below the equator puts some of the planet's most spectacular wildlife-viewing adventures within reach in South Africa. Spend two weeks in this exotic location, enjoying the wonders of the coast in Cape Town and the wilds of untamed Africa in Kruger National Park.
Despite being a cultural city, Cape Town is surrounded by nature. Meet the adorable penguins of Boulder's Bay, and watch for whales, dolphins, orcas and sharks from the harbor. You may even spot rock rabbits at the summit of the iconic Table Mountain, which overlooks the city.
Leaving Cape Town, the Blue Train and Kruger National Park are your ticket to seeing the "Big Five" - lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos. With two full-day safaris in South Africa's largest wildlife sanctuary, you are all but guaranteed to get a thorough look at the continent's most awe-inspiring inhabitants.
India
Wildlife tours may be the last thing you think of in a country of bustling cities with UNESCO World Heritage-listed attractions and rich culture wrapped in centuries of tradition. However, in India, this is exactly what we have in mind. Embark on a true journey of discovery to India's Golden Triangle, Shimla and Ranthambore National Park.
Spend nearly two weeks surrounded by the vibrant colors of India while visiting Delhi, climbing into the Himalayas to the peaceful village of Shimla, exploring the history of Agra, and touring the "Pink City" of Jaipur. But the pinnacle of this unique wildlife tour comes as we venture out of the city and into Ranthambore National Park. Setting out on afternoon and morning safaris here maximizes your chance of spotting elusive Bengal tigers. That said, India has a host of other species to admire, including leopards, hyenas, crocodiles, cobras, pythons and jackals, during your time in its wild.
Australia
Conversely, wildlife may be the first thing that comes to mind in the Land Down Under, Australia. Set out on the Ultimate Australia adventure, covering this diverse continent from the north coast to the south over nearly three weeks.
Beginning in Cairns, find yourself enchanted by colorful coral and schools of fish on a full-day cruise of the Great Barrier Reef. Travel into central Australia to Ulura and then onward to the "Red Center," where kangaroos, wallabies and emus roam freely. Wildlife-spotting opportunities continue as you travel through the wilderness to Adelaide and the lush Barossa Valley, and you can watch for koalas clinging to the trees while riding the Overland Train to Melbourne and the Puffing Billy Steam Train into the Dandenong Ranges.
In addition to being one of the world's most scenic drives, the Great Ocean Road sets the stage for dolphin or shark-spotting and koala viewing. You travel through the ancient rainforests of the Blue Mountains on the Katoomba Scenic Railway, and arrive in Sydney, home to the world-famous Bondi Beach and its array of aquatic life.
In addition to these locales, wildlife tours can take you to unexpected locations like Scandinavia, where reindeer experiences await, or to Orkney and the Shetland Islands to meet adorable Shetland ponies. Your animal-inspired expedition awaits with Vacations By Rail.
