7 Best Spots to See Animals in the Wild

By Sara Novak, Planet Green

The most memorable travel I’ve done in my life has always involved animal viewing. Whether it was the sought-after cheetah in South Africa’s Kruger National Park or the scarlet macaws on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, it’s the exotic creatures that you see for the first time outside of a zoo that you remember the most. You often have to travel to the world’s most remote places but that’s where you’ll find the real adventure anyway. Great wildlife viewing is spread far and wide, across this stunning globe.

Love nature and the indigenous animals that go along with it? There’s just no museum quite as dramatic as the natural world with all its crazy creatures. Here’s some of the most awe inspiring animal viewing and where to globetrot to catch a glimpse.

1. Osa Peninsula: Costa Rica

My husband and I spent our honeymoon on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula relaxing amidst the howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, and iguanas. We walked through the rainforest each day and as we strolled we saw howler and spider monkeys skipping from tree to tree without even noticing us. You may also see the white face monkey, kinkajou (night monkey), 3 toed sloth, and the chestnut mandible toucan. This rainforest was a world separated from any reality that I had ever known and it was an experience that has impacted my life ever since.

Image: Hans Hillewaert / Wiki Commons

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Darren W.

2:31PM PDT on Apr 24, 2013

Glad Great Nature still thrives!

April 24
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Natasha S.

2:53PM PDT on Apr 21, 2013

Animals are so beautiful and all very unique!! It would be great if we could just appreciate them from afar, as not to disturb their homes!!

April 21
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Danuta W.

1:20AM PDT on Apr 21, 2013

Thanks for the article.

Valentina R.

5:20AM PDT on Jul 17, 2012

Astonishing places and animals, thanks for posting.

July 17
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Amanda H.

6:01PM PDT on Jun 1, 2012

Wow how awesome it would be to be able to go to even a few of these amazing places, to see animals in their own habitats, without being locked up in cages!!
Amazing places!! i hope to go to some one day for sure!!