For the bravest only: the best wildlife destinations around the world

There is nowhere better to relax than in nature. Vacationing among plants and animals allows you to really relax, putting aside the worries of city life and feeling like a part of the world.

But where to go? Woman and Home magazine told us about the best safari destinations. You will be able to admire the life of animals in their natural environment, and even communicate with some of them directly. However, be sure to ask the guide if it's safe beforehand.

Sumatra, Indonesia - home to orangutans

These red primates are cousins of humans. Of course, they are also very intelligent, which makes them very interesting to watch. There are only two places left in the world where you can admire orangutans in the wild, and Gunung Leuser National Park in the north of Sumatra is one of them. Go on a hiking trip and you will meet not only orangutans. Many species of tropical animals and plants live here too.

Iceland - the land of humpback whales

No matter how tall you are, one look at these giants makes you feel like a tiny creature. During the summer months, up to 15,000 humpback whales swim into Icelandic waters to enjoy the cooler temperatures. Tourists love to see the huge creatures, which are over 10 meters long, jumping out of the water. Rent a boat and head out into the waters of the bay near Reykjavik to admire this spectacle. But don't get too close to the whales - it doesn't cost them anything to tip over a pleasure boat.

Patagonia, Argentina - lots of penguins and relatively warm weather

Of course, the best place to watch penguins is Antarctica. But it's very far away, it's difficult to get there, the living conditions are not very comfortable, and it's cold all year round. But if you've always dreamed of seeing penguins in the wild, go to Patagonia. This southernmost region of Argentina is home to 5 species of these magnificent birds. For example, Magellanic penguins hatch their chicks here.

Madagascar - the island of ring-tailed lemur

Everyone likes gray primates because of their big eyes, long striped tail and frantic behavior. The Berenty Reserve in Madagascar is the home of these fascinating creatures. You can admire them during both day and night hikes. Ring-tailed lemurs like to spend time in flocks in open areas, but they can also be found in forests, where feline foxes and the largest lemurs in the world, the indri, live too.

Namibia - the land of zebras

Of the four species of zebra living on our planet, two (Hartmann's mountain zebra and Burchell's zebra) live in Namibia, Africa. They are very common in nature reserves scattered throughout the country. You don't have to go far to see herds of these fascinating creatures.

Costa Rica - home to two-toed sloths

It is impossible to resist the charisma of these slow and calm creatures. The charming two-toed sloths spend most of their time high in the treetops. They either sleep, hang down, or dry off from tropical storms. Most visitors to the green country of Costa Rica will have no trouble seeing sloths in the wild. Want to increase your chances? Go for a hike along the east coast trails.

Eastern Australia - home to the platypus

This creature seems paradoxical from every point of view. It has a beak, but it is a mammal and lays eggs at the same time. You won't see such a miracle anywhere except in eastern Australia and Tasmania. The platypus is actually smaller than you might imagine, so it's often hard to spot. However, if you show a little patience, you can see these shy animals near the Broken River in the Eungella National Park.

Zambia - the land of giant bats

All the bats that live in Ukraine are quite modest in size. And all of them are listed in the Red Book, so don't forget that when you meet a bat. If you've always dreamed of seeing a truly giant bat, then you need to go to Zambia. Every year, from October to December, about 10 million megabats fly into the night sky here. At this time, they migrate from Congo to Kasanka National Park in Zambia. This is the largest mammalian migration in the world, and it is an incredible sight to see the giant flying mammals descend into the fruit trees to eat. Yes, these bats are not dangerous at all, although they do make a big impression.

Sri Lanka - an island of slender loris

Sri Lanka is home to two species of slender loris: the gray, which can also be found in India, and the red, which is exclusively local. The gray loris is much easier to spot, especially in the areas around Sigiriya, while the red loris is found in the rainforest and is well hidden. These cute creatures are nocturnal and rarely leave the treetops where they live, coming out only at night to eat small insects. It is possible that you will immediately want to take one of these cute creatures home. However, keep in mind that smuggling them is punishable by hefty fines, and these miniature animals with huge eyes are the only mammals in the world that produce venom, so caring for them is not an easy task.

China - home to giant pandas

These black-and-white bamboo bears can charm anyone with their wilful charisma. The population of giant pandas in China is declining, with only 2,000 left in the wild, so you're unlikely to encounter one while out for a walk. However, several sanctuaries are working tirelessly to propagate these peaceful creatures and bring them out of danger. Visit the Wolong National Nature Reserve to see how much effort it sometimes takes. It will probably be extremely fun.

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