The best places in the world to view incredible wildlife all year round

Leading long-range optic specialists SWAROVSKI OPTIK, has partnered with wildlife specialist Natural World Safaris, to offer exclusive tips for nature enthusiasts looking to explore the ‘unseen’ and spot incredible wildlife throughout the year in different destinations across the globe.

From spotting the elusive Snow Leopard in the Himalayas from January to encountering the striking Puma in Chile from December, Natural World Safaris’ exclusive tips, along with a pair of Swarovski Optik binoculars, will help nature lovers to plan and create captivating wildlife adventures for the year ahead.

Natural World Safaris’ must-visit destinations for spotting wildlife in 2022 are:

Snow leopards in the Himalayas from January

• January in the Himalayas brings cold and harsh conditions where one would think nothing could survive, but snow leopards know where to hide.
• Spotters go out in the early hours searching for tracks or the sign of a kill to provide the best chance to spot these elusive animals.
• With only a few thousand snow leopards left dotted throughout the Asian mountain ranges, any sighting is one to treasure.

Swim with whales in Dominica and Sri Lanka from February to March

• From February, one of the most relaxed marine mammals in the world, the Sperm Whale, traverses the coastline around the volcanic island of Dominica.
• Some of the best sightings of Blue Whales happen in March, with Sri Lanka being one of the best places in the world to spot these gentle giants.
• Natural World Safaris are one of select few travel operators worldwide able to secure permits for this exclusive experience, allowing visitors, alongside specialist guides and world-renowned photographers, to dip under the waves and free dive with the marine mammals.

Bengal tigers in India or Siberian tigers in Far East Russia from April

• Delve into India in April, when Bengal Tiger movements become easier to predict as the tall grasses die back and water sources dry up, resulting in easier sightings and great photography opportunities of these majestic big cats.
• Alternatively, venture to the remote Durminskoye Reserve in Russia’s Far East – the home of the endangered Siberian Tiger. Assist renowned conservationist and Siberian Tiger expert, Alexander Batalov, with setting up camera traps to track and monitor the world’s largest feline.

Polar bears in Svalbard from May

• Discover white-capped mountains fronted by desolate tundra, glittering glaciers under a constant midnight sun and brilliant blue skies in the summer months.
• As the ice starts to thaw in May and permits access to the frozen North, and therefore Polar Bears, it is the best time of the year to visit for anyone wishing to spot the ‘Kings of the North’ in all their glory.
• Experience Polar Bear Explorer trips with Natural World Safaris and take aboard the M/V Kinfish expedition ship with just six passenger cabins, perfect for a small group wildlife adventure in the Arctics.

Jaguars in the Pantanal from June

• June marks the beginning of the Jaguar watching season in the Pantanal as temporary water sources dry up and jaguars are forced to come to the riverbanks, making it easier to spot and photograph the typically elusive animals.
• Jaguar spotting safaris are principally carried out in boats as you patrol the riverbanks, scanning for the formidable predator.

Wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara from July

• Every year, more than 2 million animals (wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles) migrate in a clockwise direction across the ecosystems of the Serengeti Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya.
• The rivers crossings offer high drama, with the wildebeest herds risking their lives to cross the Mara River and it is a magnificent sight to witness on African safaris.

Elephants in Sri Lanka’s Minneriya National Park from August

• August in Minneriya National Park is the optimum time to witness one of Asia’s finest wildlife experiences, the elephants’ gathering, where as many as 300 elephants congregate around the ancient Minneriya water tank, which dates back to the third century AD.
• Like many other species, loss of water forces the herd to move in search of more regular hydration sources, using the ancient water tank to their advantage.

Wild dogs in Zimbabwe from September

• Zimbabwe’s dry season in September provides the perfect conditions to discover the Wild Dogs of Mana Pools National Park, prominently featured in David Attenborough’s BBC Dynasties series.
• Follow the formidable Whiskey and Laili, the stars of the wildlife series and new alpha females of the pack, on a specialist safari led by award-winning wildlife photographer Nick Dyer.

 Baby lemurs in Madagascar from October

• Madagascar, often referred to as the ‘Galapagos of Africa’, with its resplendent breadth of biodiversity and array of endemic wildlife, provides one of the most unique wildlife adventures left on the planet.
• The nation’s endangered Ringtail Lemurs typically give birth between August and September, making October the perfect month to visit if one wishes to see the bouncing young cups, exploring their surroundings with the utmost fascination.

Swim with orcas in Norway from November

• As the low winter sun colours the sky pink, a perfect backdrop is created to the snow striated mountains that rise up from the fjords in Northern Norway. Below the surface of the inky black water, a feeding frenzy takes place during the winter months as orcas gather and greedily feast on migrating herring.
• Enter the water amidst the action and swim with the iconic marine predators as part of Natural World Safaris’ ship expedition.

Pumas in Chile from December

• The landscapes of Chile and Patagonia, make the elusive pumas easier to track during the winter season, starting from December.
• For the best chance of encountering the South American Puma, venture through the wild landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park and the Lake District and follow the footsteps of the striking big cat.