The 8 Best Places to Go on Safari Outside Africa
Explore a world of safari outside Africa. Trade bush game drives for jungle trekking, encounter unique biodiversity and spot tigers, orangutans and other rare species
This guide explores eight remarkable alternative safari destinations. Explore South American wetlands, venture into the rainforests of Asia and observe big cats in the wild. When you picture the perfect safari, chances are the first place that comes to mind is Africa, but look beyond the traditional Big Five and you’ll find many countries with safaris that can be just as memorable. These are our favourite places to go on safari outside Africa.
What you need to know
- India is best for the royal Bengal tiger, along with leopards and sloth bears. The best time to visit is February to April.
- To see the world’s highest concentration of leopards, as well as Asian elephants and sloth bears, visit Sri Lanka between May and October.
- As far as jaguar spotting goes, Brazil is best. You’ll also see capybaras and giant anteaters. The best time to visit for wildlife is from June to October.
- Nepal is best for the royal Bengal tiger, as well as one-horned rhino and leopards. Aim to visit between September and November for the best sighting opportunities.
- One of the highlights of a visit to Borneo is the chance to spot orangutans, along with pygmy elephants, and clouded leopards. Between May and August is the best time to visit.
- Australia is best for unique marsupials and Outback wildlife, as well as kangaroos, koalas and wallabies. Plan your visit for between April and October for the most excellent viewing opportunties.
- The Galápagos Islands offer a host of unique endemic wildlife encounters year round, as well as the chance to see giant tortoises, sea lions and blue-footed boobies.
- You’ll discover a variety of wildlife in Costa Rica, including capuchins, ocelots, jaguars and pumas. The best time to visit is December to April.
India
Best for tiger safaris
When it comes to seeing tigers in the wild, India is the place to be. The country has several reserves and national parks dedicated to protecting these majestic animals, as well as a variety of other fascinating species.
Why is India a top safari destination?
India is the place to spot big cats. Not only is it home to the magnificent Bengal tiger, but it is also the only country where you can see wild Asiatic lions, which reside in Gir National Park. You can expect excellent tiger viewing in places like Bandhavgarh National Park, which has one of the highest known tiger densities globally, and Ranthambore National Park, also renowned for its large population.
Top wildlife to spot
Beyond big cats, India’s national parks have seen some notable conservation success stories, helping to save species like the one-horned rhinoceros from extinction. Their diverse landscapes encompass the world’s largest mangrove forest to dry desert plains. On your safaris in India you can hope to see various species such as deer, sloth bears, jackals, crocodiles, primates and many bird and reptiles species such as eagles and snakes.
When to visit for safari
The best time to visit India’s national parks, which are open from October to June, depends on the region you’re heading to and the species you want to see. February to April is the best time to see tigers. Kanha Tiger Reserve and Panna National Park are among the top Indian safari places. You’ll see tigers, sloth bears, leopards and hyenas. And Ranthambore National Park offers you the opportunity to see tigers wandering through ancient temple ruins.
Our travel expert Rachel suggests
Going on a tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park is particularly special, due to the large numbers of ruins within the park, where nature has become intertwined with the ancient structures: vines and trees grow, wildlife will wander and the Raj Bagh ruins reflect in the lake.
Sri Lanka
Best for leopards
A breathtakingly beautiful country with strong culture and tradition, Sri Lanka is also one of the best alternative safari destinations. Gal Oya National Park is particularly enticing. Its remoteness lends itself to a truly exclusive safari experience.
Why is Sri Lanka a top safari destination?
Head to Yala National Park to see the country’s apex predator: the leopard. The park has one of the world’s highest concentrations of this elegant feline.
Top wildlife to spot
In addition to leopards, you’ll also see Asian elephants swimming between the lake’s islets, as well as other species like langurs, sloth bears, wild boar, buffalo and crocodiles.
When to visit for safari
You’ll find the best game viewing in Yala National Park between May and October, with lush vegetation and wildflowers from November to April. For excellent birding, aim to visit between November and April. Yala National Park is also the best place to see leopards, the country’s apex predator. While over in Gal Oya National Park you can expect a more remote and exclusive safari experience.
For the best safari experiences in Sri Lanka
For the ultimate safari experience in Sri Lanka we suggest combining both Yala National Park to see leopards and, Gal Oya National Park, which is famous for its swimming elephants. Our family trips and honeymoons in Sri Lanka are tailored to offer the perfect blend of wildlife, activity, connection and downtime.
Brazil
The top country for jaguar spotting
Brazil offers an unparalleled focus on biodiversity. Away from the modernism of cities, you can adventure into immense natural regions like the Brazilian Amazon and the Pantanal‘s vast wetlands. This natural wealth is staggering.
Why is Brazil a top safari destination?
Brazil is an essential destination for a South American safari, thanks in no small part to the enormous Amazon. Beyond the millions of animals we already know of, new species are constantly being discovered. Apart from the Amazon, Brazil is also home to the world’s largest wetlands area: the Pantanal. This vibrant region features all kinds of habitats and hundreds of species.
Top wildlife to spot
The Pantanal is the best place in the world to see jaguars. You can see many of them in the wild on an Amazon river safari. In the Pantanal, you can also spot capybaras, tapirs, toucans, macaws and more. And for a unique perspective, head out on an Amazon River safari.
When to visit for safari
The best time to go to Brazil for wildlife encounters is from June to October, Brazil’s dry season. This period is specifically great for wildlife viewing and activities in the Amazon. To combine your wildlife adventures with some time exploring Brazils beaches, aim for December to March, the hot summer season.
Why you should add Brazil to your list
Brazil is an essential destination for a South American safari. Head out on an Amazon River safari and you’ll be treated to an abundance of wildlife sightings. And if you spend some time in the Pantanal you’ll have the opportunity to see animals like jaguars, capybaras and tapirs.
Nepal
Home to the royal Bengal tiger
This country may be best known for the Himalayas and Mount Everest, but the rest of Nepal also has plenty to offer. You can take a tropical safari through Chitwan National Park. Bardia National Park is another great option, offering raw and pristine wilderness.
Why is Nepal a top safari destination?
Nepal offers a biodiverse safari experience in the wild, subtropical heart of the country, where towering Himalayan peaks provide the dramatic backdrop to the jungle floor. It offers you the chance to see rare animals like Bengal tigers and one-horned rhinos. Jeep safaris, jungle walks, bird watching and canoeing all add to the appeal.
Top wildlife to spot
Bardia National Park is best known for its Royal Bengal tigers. You’re also likely to see elephants, leopards, crocodiles and even dolphins here. In Chitwan National Park, the forests are filled with hundreds of species – including the endangered one-horned rhino. Red pandas and snow leopards can also be spotted, although rare, in the mountains and temperate forests along with many different types of birds such as kites, eagles, pheasants and the tiny ednemic Spinny Babbler.
When to visit for safari
The autumn months, from September to November, are the best time to visit Nepal. The days are warm and pleasant and the skies are clear during this time, making for great hiking and mountain viewing. March and April are also good months to visit, before temperatures get too hot and the rain gets too heavy.
Ready to start planning?
Speak with our travel experts to start planning your own incredible safari.
Borneo
For rainforests and clouded leopards
This biodiverse island is a dream for wildlife enthusiasts. Head out on guided expeditions through the Kinabatangan Rainforest and Danum Valley, with a focus on conservation of the environment and the communities working to protect it. Borneo is an off-the-beaten-track adventure that spans rainforests, beaches and mountain peaks.
Why is Borneo a top safari destination?
Borneo’s landscapes are diverse. There are soaring peaks, lush rainforests and idyllic beaches which all attract a hugely varied amount of wildlife. Perhaps Borneo’s biggest allure as a safari destination is orangutans. Along with Sumartra in Indonesia it is the only place on the planet to see the critically endangered orangutan in the wild.
Top wildlife to spot
The most iconic animal in Borneo is undoubtedly the orangutan. This Southeast Asian island is also home to a variety of other rare species. Here you can see endangered pygmy elephants, Malayan sunbears, rhinos, monkeys and more. The forests of the island are also home to gibbons, proboscis monkeys, flying lemurs, clouded leopards, and the Bornean pygmy elephant, as well as around 300 bird species.
When to visit for safari
The best time to go to Borneo for hiking and trekking is April to August when rainfall is low. Aim from May to August if you’re keen on the best wildlife spotting conditions. And for snorkeling and diving, Borneo is great between April and September.
Wild encounters
We recommend visiting the Danum Valley for a thrilling night safari. And heading to the Sepilok Nature Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan to see some of the rescued orphaned animals they care for.
Australia
For Outback wildlife
The land down under is home to all kinds of unique wildlife, from kangaroos and koalas to Tasmanian devils and dingoes. The vast interior region also offers sweeping landscapes and endless skies, making it the ideal destination for a safari in Australia.
Why is Australia a top safari destination?
Ocean to Outback – Australia is an incredible destination for safaris. Discover exquisite coral reefs, stroll along pristine beaches, trek along rugged cliff tops and venture across the red earth of the Outback. Wherever you go, the wildlife is plentiful and unique. You’ll find kangaroos and other marsupials, as well as a huge variety of other interesting creatures, like platypuses and echidnas.
Top wildlife to spot
Australia boasts an incredible menagerie of creatures. A true safari here means leaving the familiar behind to encounter a collection of unique, endemic wildlife. Top sightings include kangaroos, koalas, Tasmanian devils and quokkas. But the real thrill lies in spotting the bizarre monotremes – the egg-laying mammals – like echidnas and duck-billed platypus.
When to visit for safari
For Uluru and the Outback and The Great Barrier Reef, the best time to visit is from April to October. While Kangaroo Island can be visited year round as it never really gets too hot or too cold. The winters, from June to September, are mild and the rains really bring the landscapes to life.
Explore more
No trip to the Outback is complete without a visit to Uluru, a red monolith with historic and spiritual significance. And there are also adventures to be had in the remote Top End, the coastal Great Ocean Road, the Daintree Rainforest and of course the Great Barrier Reef.
The Galápagos Islands
For a unique marine safari
The Galápagos Islands, an isolated archipelago 600 miles off Ecuador, offer you a marine and land safari experience unlike any other. The islands are something of a living wildlife museum where colossal giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies thrive and countless other species live without predators. While the wildlife is the main attraction, your journey is set against a backdrop of diverse landscapes, like black and red sand beaches and dramatic volcanic craters.
Why are the Galápagos Islands a top safari destination?
Whether by land or by sea, the Galápagos offer some of the most thrilling safaris on the planet. Here you can combine many different types of safari experiences: snorkelling, scuba diving, observing marine life in a glass bottom boat, kayaking, nature walks, adventurous hikes, biking, the list goes on.
Top wildlife to spot
The main stars here are the massive giant tortoises. Look to the skies and coastlines for blue-footed boobies, alongside the red-pouched frigatebirds, flightless cormorants and Darwins finch. In the water, you’ll find the world’s only swimming lizard, the prehistoric-looking marine iguana, playful sea lions and the endemic Galápagos penguin.
When to visit for safari
The Galápagos offers exceptional wildlife viewing year-round, but the best time to visit for bird watching is between April and June. For a snorkelling the best time to go is from December to April.
Wildlife cruise
We highly recommend taking to the high seas on a Galápagos cruise, which will allow you to see as many islands and animals as possible during your trip. We also suggest a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Centre for in depth insights into Darwin’s evolution research and current conservation studies.
Costa Rica
The land of jaguars and cloud forests
A visit to Costa Rica is all about celebrating the great outdoors. Adrenaline seekers and nature lovers are spoilt for choice when it comes to epic landscapes and adventure. The wildlife here is also incredible. You can enjoy numerous and rewarding experiences in Costa Rica: exploring plantations in the Coffee Valley, hiking through cloud forests or searching for jungle waterfalls.
Why is Costa Rica a top safari destination?
The Central American country of Costa Rica is home to countless natural havens including sandy coasts, steamy jungles, towering volcanoes and misty cloud forests, making it a top-tier safari destination where you can explore increidble biodiversity. With over 500,000 species packed into its small territory, the experience is less about covering vast distances and more about deep, rewarding immersion.
Top wildlife to spot
It’s a fantastic place to see all kinds of animals. There are lots of monkey species: capuchins, howler, squirrel and spider. Ocelots, jaguars and pumas live in the dense jungles and humpback whales and dolphins are often spotted on the coast. The Osa Peninsula hosts all of these species – and many more – in its incredibly biodiverse ecosystems. The Guanacaste Coast is also ideal for animal lovers, as it encompasses various wildlife reserves and national parks. Not to mention gorgeous beaches.
When to visit for safari
The best time to visit Costa Rica for the wildlife is during the dry season from December to April. Concentrated water sources and less vegetation make for easier spotting. In turn, the lush green season from May to November is excellent for bird watching, and turtles in July and August.
Wildlife hotspots in Costa Rica
There are many great areas for wildlidfe in Costa Rica. We always recommend the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park due to it’s immense biodiversity and beautiful lodges. We particularly love Playa Cativo Eco Lodge. Families will enjoy Manuel Antonio for easy access to jungle adventues and Tortuguero is the best place to see turtles.
Ask the expert
There are a number of places you can see big cats in the wild outside Africa. For Bengal tigers and Asiatic lions, India is the place to go. Brazil’s Pantanal is home to jaguars. In Sri Lanka, specifically Yala National Park, you’ll find leopards, and in Patagonia’s Torres del Paine you can spot pumas. Each destination offers its own unique big cat safari experience. Whether making your way through wetlands, venturing into temple ruins or trekking through forests, the opportunity to see these animals in the wild is extraordinary.
The Pantanal region of Brazil is widely regarded as the top place to see jaguars in the wild.
Yes. Australia offers safari experiences that focus on the continent’s unique native wildlife. Think koalas, kangaroos and crocodiles, as well as creatures like quokkas and echidnas. The diverse landscapes make for thrilling wildlife adventures.
Yes. Sri Lanka is good for safari, especially for spotting the highest concentrations of leopards in the world at Yala National Park, as well as Asian elephants and sloth bears.
Your best option for a first safari depends very much on what you’re hoping to see and the pace you’re comfortable with. Leopards in Sri Lanka, the rich biodiversity in Brazil and the unique endemic wildlife in the Galápagos Islands are all great options for a first safari outside of Africa. These destinations combine well with beach or tropical escapes as well as cultural experiences.
