The World's Best Locations For Wildlife

Below is a compilation of some of the world's best locations to view wildlife in their natural habitats. Granted some of the locations are remote & difficult to get to, but that serenity is the reason they're here in the first place. These locations aren't ranked based on their multitude of wildlife, but more on the uniqueness of the experience they offer.

10. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
The world's first national park, having been inaugurated in 1872, the park is the focal point of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact ecosystem in the Northern Hemisphere. Its local occupancy includes Gray Wolves, Bison, Grizzly Bears, & almost 60 other mammals. One of the more popular settings to make this assemblage, Yellowstone has been an American family road trip tradition since the invention of the automobile with at least two million visitors to the park every year. Things weren't always so rosy though, such as the park's initiative in the early 20th century to control the local wolf population which resulted in their near extinction from the ecosystem & their subsequent addition to the endangered species list. That said the park has the best wildlife viewing on the United States mainland.

9. Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
In the far north of Canada, on the Hudson's western shores lies the world's largest Polar Bear denning area. Visitors to the region take tundra buggies over the frozen ice for the chance to view polar bears in their natural habitat, many mothers with young cubs, usually seen in close proximity to the vehicles. To top all that off Churchill is one of Canada's best place to observe the Northern Lights. Fall is the time to visit, as its when the bears are returning to the ice after the summer, it's also the best time to observe the lights. VIA Rail, Canada's national rail line offers trains to Churchill from Winnipeg on a regular basis.

8. Sichuan, China
In the over populated ever expanding country of China, Sichuan is one of the few wildlife refuges. Stamping ground to over 80% of the world's Giant Pandas, it is also the botanically richest site of any temperate region in the world. At the moment the site is still a little hard to get to, but future development plans are in the works to make it tourist friendly while retaining its ecologically sound state. River rafting, rock-climbing and bungee-jumping are all things in the lineup.

7. Madagascar
Often referred to as the "eighth continent" in reference to the island's break from Africa sometime around 160 million years ago. Madagascar is now home to one of the world's more diverse eco-systems, housing 100% of the world's lemurs. It's long absence from a continental body has allowed an entirely unique set of animal & plant life to develop, making it definitely worth a visit. Tropical rainforests litter the island, & unspoiled beaches dot the coast, the easiest way to reach Madagascar is by flight from either South Africa or France. Seeing as the island was a French colony, there are regular flights from Paris to its capital of Antananarivo.

6. Antarctica
By far the most remote destination to make the cut, Antarctica is deserving if only because there is no place this untouched by the hand of man. One doesn't generally think of Antarctica as bustling with wildlife, but it's home to virtually the entire world's population of penguins, & a fair share of seals as well. One island alone (Macquarie Island) is home to three million Royal Penguins. There are dozens of cruises to Antarctica every season (Southern Hemisphere summer), with most offering opportunities to go on land & view the wildlife up close.

5. Democratic Republic of Congo
A volatile nation distraught with civil war may not seem too high on your list of places to visit, but the Congo does have a few things going for it, namely it's being home to the world's largest population of Lowland Gorillas, & is one of only three countries to house the captivating Mountain Gorilla. However with only an estimated 750 left in existence you'd be wise to visit soon. If only they could manage to make their civil war a little less bothersome.

4. Alaska, United States
"The Last Frontier", Alaska is 650,000 square miles of isolated tranquility. While having a sparse human population, Alaska has a vivid wildlife residency, with everything from Kodiak Bears to Bald Eagles & a beautiful landscape to boot. If you're looking for a truly unique experience try taking a dogsledding adventure through the wilderness. It'll provide you with ample opportunities to get in touch with your "inner self", & probably provide you with an Aurora Borealis sighting or two as well.

3. Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
The Amazon has the world's highest diversity of birds & freshwater fish., it spans the borders of eight countries, & one third of the world's animal species call it their home. However despite its beauty & necessity to this planet's environmental security, logging persists at an almost unchecked rate. The Amazon has lost an area the size of Greece over the last five years alone. Yet another of earth's longstanding pillars made fragile by the hand of man. This only makes environmentally friendly tourism to the region even more imperative. People need to understand that the quick buck from deforestation doesn't compare to the long term viability of sustainable tourism.

2. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Located over 600 miles west of the South American continent this small island chain is one of the world's most beautiful & unique destinations. Sporting a diverse & un-encroached wildlife the Galapagos Islands were the setting in which geologist Charles Darwin found himself immersed when he developed his theory of evolution. He had noticed that the plant & animal life of the islands were unique from any other he had seen, & that they seem adapted to the local environment. Home to Green Sea Turtles, Sea Lions, & the iconic Galapagos Land Iguana. Tourism to the islands is quite difficult however, with an annual imposed cap of 60,000 visitors. The majority of whom come by cruise ship from Ecuador. It's not cheap, but if you have the resources, it's worth it.

1. Botswana
Botswana is nourished and well preserved by mother nature. Boasting one of the world's most sound & protective environmental policy. Botswana has geared itself to the upmarket eco-tourist in an effort to reduce impact on the wildlife, but bring much needed financial resources to the nation. The Okavango Delta region in particular is renowned for its animal diversity with big names such as, Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinos, Giraffes, & every other possible African animal you could imagine. There's nothing quite like staying in a luxurious 5-star lodge surrounded by the planet's most beautiful wildlife.