1. Masai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
This savannah wilderness is located in Kenya and is a paradise for animal and nature lovers. With the great African landscape in the background, animals like hippopotamuses, African leopards, cheetahs, lions, African bush elephants, zebras and giraffes can be seen all around. The verdant meadows, flatlands, and the famed Mara and Talek Rivers make this a wonderful destination. The greatest time to visit this reserve is during the yearly migration season when thousands of herds pass through its plains which you can witness in an open jeep.
2. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, U.S.A.
A tropical paradise of the highest order, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is located in Hawaii and is one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world. The blue and tranquil waves of the Pacific Ocean offer a wide array of coral islands, banks and seamounts that forms the natural habitat for many fishes, corals, birds and marine animals. Hawaii has a splendid display of flora and fauna in itself with huge and plush greenery surrounded by crystal clear waters. On some islands reside the endangered green turtles and monk seals and also millions of seabirds who have found a home here.
3. The Northeast Greenland National Park, Greenland
Touted as the largest land national park in the world, this wildlife sanctuary is enveloped by picturesque scenery surrounded by icebergs. Being in close proximity to the arctic circle, the winters are usually extremely harsh with the temperature dropping below -20 degrees celsius. So the ideal time to visit would be during the summer months when it is pleasant. One can find many mammals here including stoat, arctic hare, arctic fox and a huge population of musk oxen. Also, polar bears, walrus, whales and seals can also be found frolicking around.
4. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Australia
Australia is the home to the Koalas who have become an Instagram sensation with their cute videos having seeped up into everyone’s feed. In operation since 1927, this sanctuary is the biggest Koala Sanctuary in the world that offers a one of a kind experience to its many visitors where they can hold koalas, feed kangaroos and enjoy raptor shows. They boast more than 100 koalas and 70 indigenous species of the Australian continent. You can even find wombats, Tasmanian devils, platypus and echidnas in the lush surroundings of this safe haven.
5. Elephant Nature Park – Thailand
Thailand is the land known for its many elephants and loads of tourists visit the country each year in order to witness these gigantic beasts. Elephant Nature Park was started by a woman named Lek who wanted to rescue and rehabilitate the elephants who were mistreated due to their commercialisation. Here they can roam free and you can find them in their natural habitat and also enjoy giving them mud baths, feeding them and playing with them. Watching these pristine mammals in their true home is surely a joy to the eyes.
6. Kaziranga National Park, India
Located in Assam, this World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in India. The vulnerable Indian one-horned rhinoceros is the reason behind this park’s massive tourist attraction. Preserved on a huge size of 430 square kilometres that has an abundance of elephant grasslands, marshy lagoons, and thick jungles and is home to more than 2,200 Indian one-horned rhinoceros. It was also announced as a Tiger Reserve after a huge spurt in the tiger population and is home to many birds who often migrate from Central Asia in winters.
7. Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary
Sited as one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India, it is a true saline desert that hosts many majestic pink Flamingoes and is famously called the ‘Flamingo City’. It is also the location of the buried city of Dholavira from the Harappan civilization and this has made Rann of Kutch a historically significant area. In the months of October-November, the area transforms into a saline wetland and during the summer month the area dries up to become a saline desert. This duality in its nature supports many water birds and different kinds of mammals including hyena, fox, chinkara and nilgai.
