Choosing where to head on vacation can be tough. After all, the world holds no shortage of wonders, both manmade and otherwise. Of course, if you’re a fan of animals, the decision becomes considerably easier; it’s simply a matter of choosing which species to admire, and pinpoint where they can be found. For all you animal lovers out there, these are seven vacation-worthy spots, featuring everything from four-legged creatures to airborne beauties.
Custer State Park – Black Hills, South Dakota
Custer State Park encompasses over 71,000 acres of the Black Hills. With so much space, as well as terrain varying from vast grasslands to rugged peaks, it’s only natural that the park accommodates a plethora of animal life. Local species like elk, white-tailed deer, and bighorn sheep will appear in spades. The perfect Stick around long enough, and you could be met by wild barros in search of food, or witness a herd of roaming bison more than a thousand strong.
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Bandhavgarh National Park – Madhya Pradesh, India
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Bandhavgarh has remarkable biodiversity; twenty-two species of mammal and more than two hundred varieties of bird inhabit the area, and that’s without counting all the reptiles. In other words, a visit to any of the park’s three zones—Tala, Magdhi, and Khitauli—will leave you awestruck. For tiger-lovers, a trip through Tala is a must; the zone is a hotspot for Bengal tigers, which can be observed from the safety of an elephant’s back.
Pig Beach – Exuma, Bahamas
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Chances are you associate pigs with farms, not a sunny beach in the Bahamas. It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds though. On the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay, there lives a population of feral pigs. Nobody knows how they got there; some speculate they were brought by sailors, while others claim they survived a shipwreck. Whatever the case, the pigs now inhabit the titular beach, spending much of their time swimming about the surrounding waters. Doesn’t that sound tooth-achingly adorable?
Elephant Nature Park – Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Elephant Nature Park sits a short jaunt from the city of Chiang Mai. Since its establishment in 1990, the park has been dedicated to nurturing animals in need. In addition to the titular elephants, they care for a host of species, including cats, dogs, and buffaloes. Depending on what time you arrive, you might find the elephants bathing in the nearby river, playing in custom-made mud pits, or gathering around for feeding time.
Nara Park – Nara, Japan
Found at the foot of Mount Wakakusa, Nara Park is one of Japan’s oldest parks, open since 1880. While many are drawn to its lush gardens and breathtaking temples, an equal number come for the local sika deer population. The deer have been classified by the Japanese government as a national treasure, and are known for freely approaching and interacting with visitors. They can be photographed, pet, or fed crackers sold on-site. Just make sure you’re gentle with them; friendly as they are, they’re still wild animals.
Largo di Torre Argentina – Rome, Italy
In 44 BCE, the Theatre of Pompey was the site of Julius Caesar’s assassination. Today, the remains of the historic structure serve as a sanctuary for feral cats. Since its excavation in 1929, numerous felines have flocked to Largo di Torre Argentina. Thankfully for the sick and elderly among them, volunteers have been visiting the square for years, providing food and medical care to kitties in need. You, too, can show them some love, or put your dollar towards supporting them with the purchase of a souvenir.
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Serengeti National Park – Tanzania, Africa
There’s plenty of reasons to visit Serengeti National Park. Blue wildebeest and zebra can be seen migrating in droves, their herds more than 1.5 million and 250,000 respectively. Alternatively, you can observe (from afar) colossal Nile crocodiles, or admire the antics of the fearless honey badger. Or maybe you’d rather marvel at panthera leo melanochaita – an endangered subspecies of African lion. These creatures and many more await your curious eyes. And if they’re not enough for you, there’s always the option to cross over into the neighbouring Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Featured Image: Swimming with Pigs
