Lioness playing with cubs, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Wildlife holidays

Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is not only a privilege but also an exciting, visceral and often emotional experience. We only work with the very best of guides and naturalists to ensure that your wildlife encounters and experiences are truly memorable.

We have been organising wildlife holidays for over thirty years. From classic trips such as snow leopard tracking in India to gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Our team are passionate about wildlife and about getting you close, sometimes extremely close, to wildlife for the most incredible experiences.

Our most popular wildlife holidays remain the African safari, an Indian tiger safari, polar bears in the Arctic, a Galapagos cruise or an Antarctic cruise. However, we are equally at home putting together itineraries to see the monarch butterflies of Mexico or the chameleons of Madagascar. If you have your own ideas then speak to our experienced team so they can help you turn these ideas into the perfect wildlife holiday.

Impala and driving safari cars on the savannah in Africa
Impala and driving safari 4x4 cars on the savannah in Africa

Safaris

The luxury of a safari is watching wild animals in their natural habitat. Going on safari is inevitably on most people’s bucket list but most are not sure what this entails. At Steppes, the average length of safari expertise is 15 years, so there are very few that are more qualified to advise about what constitutes the perfect safari.

Whilst Africa is naturally the main destination that people perceive offers the best Safari experience, it is worth looking further afield to destinations including India, Sri Lanka and Baja, for jeep, flying, walking or boat-based safari exploration.

View our Safari holidays

 

Gorilla family in wild, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Par, Uganda

Gorilla Trekking

There are few more poignant wildlife encounters in the world than sitting peacefully with a family of mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas can be seen in Bwindi in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda or the Virunga National Park in the DRC. To find out more about the different experiences of each location and what is best for you, speak to one of our team and tap into their expertise rather than rely on the sometimes spurious information of websites.

View our Gorilla Trekking holidays

Bengal Tigers, Bandhavgarh National Park, India
Bengal Tigers, Bandhavgarh National Park, India

Tiger Safaris

Tigers can be found in scattered in fragmented populations in 13 countries, from India to Southeast Asia, and in Sumatra, China and the Russian Far East. Our expertise favours India for Tiger holidays. Each of its 21 national parks offers differing fauna and flora.

We craft extraordinary tiger safari experiences for bespoke itineraries and fixed group departures, that take into account the nuances between the parks, take advantage of the best chance of being in the right place at the right time, that are sensitive to local issues and avoid the many pitfalls that create sub-standard tiger safari experiences.

View our Tiger Safaris 

Brown Bear, Katmai National Park, Alaska
Brown Bear, Katmai National Park, Alaska

Bear viewing

Famed through history thanks to Paddington, Pooh, Rupert and Yogi, Bears are considered solitary animals. However, for those that have had the opportunity to explore Alaska during the Salmon run, or Wrangel Island in high Arctic summer, this myth would be dispelled by the mass of bears that can be seen.

In total, there are eight species of bear – American black, polar, giant panda, Asiatic black, sloth bears, sun bears, spectacled bears and brown bears, all located in varying regions from China to Canada. Steppes Travel has bear watching holidays and bear tours that can take you to see any of these species.

View our Bear viewing holidays

Meadows and Lake, Italy, © Umberto Esposito - Wildlife Adventures
Italy

European Wildlife

The wild areas of Europe are a sometimes-overlooked option for immersive wildlife experiences however, right on our doorstep lies some of the most outstandingly beautiful swathes of wilderness and national parklands, rich with wildlife. Each of our engaging and impactful wildlife experiences takes you to explore some of Europe’s most hidden wild secrets, providing you with access to conservation experts, local projects on the ground and exceptional wildlife sightings.

VIEW OUR EUROPEAN WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS

Holiday Inspiration

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made wildlife holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Experiences

Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.

Aardvark, South Africa
Wildlife

Aardvark Safari

Head out on an on-foot aardvark safari at Samara Game Reserve, searching for these fascinating and unusual creatures.

Suggested Lodge

Aerial view, Graham Island, British Columbia, Canada
Wildlife

Flying Safari

Take to the skies on a flying safari in British Columbia.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Game drive at Sungulwane Private Game Lodge, Zuka Private Game Resere, Northern Zululand, South Africa
Wildlife

KwaZulu-Natal Safari

Visit beautiful private game reserves, home to wonderful flora and fauna including the Big Five and fabulous bird life.

Suggested Reading: Blog

Wildlife

Boat Safari on the Chobe River

Head out on a sunset cruise down the Chobe River, spotting the vast herds of elephants for which this area is famous.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Air Boating on the Floodplains, Bamurru Plains, Mary River, Kakadu, Northern Territories, Australia
Wildlife

Airboat Safari

Stay at Bamurru Plains and cruise the mangroves and floodplains in search of crocodile, magpie geese and jabiru.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Flying safari, Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Wildlife

Flying Safari

Join one of the highly-regarded Schoeman brothers on a flying safari along the Skeleton Coast. Fly low over the landscape, spotting shipwrecks, meeting Himba communities and staying at remote camps.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Game drives, Makanyane Safari Lodge, Madikwe & The Waterberg, South Africa
Wildlife

Day & Night Game Drives

Once barren farming land, Madikwe now teems with species. Set out on game drives during the day and night, in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes and more.

Suggested Hotel

Western or Horsfield's Tarsier, Borneo
Wildlife

Danum Valley Night Safari

Join a night safari in Danum Valley and silently search for amphibians like flying frogs as well as the elusive slow loris and the extremely cute western tarsier.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Elephant on grasslands, Marataba Game Lodge, The Waterberg
Wildlife

Low Risk Malaria Safari

Explore the dramatic landscapes of South Africa’s Madikwe & The Waterberg, northern reserves, a low risk malarial area.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Ibo Island dhow safari, arimba dhow, mozambique
Wildlife

Dhow Safari

Take a dhow safari between the islands, camping beneath palm trees on white sands.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Kanha track, Kanha National Park, India
Wildlife

Luxury Tiger Safari

Stay at Taj Mahua Kothi Lodge in Kanha National Park for the ultimate luxury tiger safari.

Kinabatangan River Sabah,Borneo, Malaysia
Wildlife

Kinabatangan River Safari

Spot proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants and orangutans on a boat safari along the Kinabatangan River in Malaysian Borneo.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Leopard eating impala in trees, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Wildlife

Linyanti Big Cat Safari

Linyanti is renowned for its predator activity – spot lions, leopards and cheetahs as they stalk prey across the reserve.

Suggested Safari Camp

Male Lion and Cub, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Wildlife

Big Five Safari

Experience a Big Five safari in the incomparably vast Kruger National Park.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Looking out from Nyiragongo towards Rwanda, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo
Wildlife

Helicopter Safari

Take a helicopter safari over the Virunga Mountains, spending time on active volcanoes.

Tanjung Puting National Park, Borneo
Wildlife

Borneo Wildlife River Cruise

Stay at Rimba Lodge and cruise the Sekonyer River on a traditional klotok boat in search of orangutan, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and monitor lizards.

Suggested hotel

Sunset, Ibera Wetlands, Argentina
Wildlife

Night Jeep Safaris

Under cover of darkness, head out in a 4×4 to experience the Ibera Wetlands at night, observing its nocturnal critters under torchlight.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Walking, Selinda Canoe Travel, Selinda Reserve, Botswana
Wildlife

Mobile Safari in the Okavango Delta

Take a luxury mobile safari through the heart of the delta. Stay at beautiful tented camps and benefit from expert guiding as you explore on foot, by boat and by 4×4.

Desert Safari, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Wildlife

Go on a Desert Dunes 4×4 Safari

Join a group of adventurous thrill-seekers for a fun-filled, action-packed few hours, driving across the mighty dunes outside Dubai.

Skidoo, Sweden
Wildlife

Electric Snowmobile Safari

Explore the frozen reaches of Sweden on an extended snowmobile adventure.

African Green Pigeon, Lango Bai, Odzala, Rep of Congo
Wildlife

Wildlife Safari

Explore by boat, 4×4 and on foot, looking out for forest elephants, monkeys, birds and more.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Asian Rhino, Tiger Tops Tharu, Chitwan, Nepal
Wildlife

Safari in Bardia National Park

Nepal’s best-kept secret, Bardia is a beautiful, unspoiled wilderness. Raft down the river and view an extraordinary array of wildlife, including the elusive Bengal tiger.

Crater, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Wildlife

Wildlife Safari

Take game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park for a genuine East Africa safari experience without the crowds.

Suggested camp

Tiger walking along road, Dudhwa National Park, India
Wildlife

Tiger Safari

See a wild tiger strutting through the jungle, straight out of Rudyard Kiplings’s Jungle Book.

Elephant encounter, South Luangwa, Zambia
Wildlife

Walking Safaris

Home of the walking safari, Zambia offers some of the best walking in Africa.

Suggested read: blog

Exterior of Tent, Serian Serengeti, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Wildlife

Safari with Alex Walker

Join renowned guide Alex Walker on a walking safari, staying at simple tented camps. Immerse yourself in the environment, with complete flexibility and at the whim of Alex’s instincts and the animals.

Suggested camp

Elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro behind, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Wildlife

Safari Photography

Take advantage of the superb photographic opportunities away from the crowds.

Suggested camp

heron type bird flying at the chitwan national park
Wildlife

Wildlife Safari

Stay at Chitwan or Bardia National Park, and take a safari in search of wildlife.

Lioness playing with cubs, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Wildlife

Serengeti Safari

Take a safari out on the majestic plains of the Serengeti, dotted with granite kopjes and home to breath-taking wildlife.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Male Tiger, India
Wildlife

Ranthambore Tiger Safari

Go in search of tigers at Ranthambore National Park.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Morning Game Drive, Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Wildlife

Wildlife Safari

As a Junior Ranger, track leopard and wild elephants in one of the many national parks.

On foot, Sapi, Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
Wildlife

Walking Safari

Walk across the rich floodplains that border the Zambezi River, with views of Zambia on the opposite bank. Encounter bull elephants, herds of buffalos, prides of lions and numerous antelopes.

Suggested camp

Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Wildlife

Skeleton coast flying safari

In the late afternoon we circled high and then landed in a tight valley surrounded by mountains – few can make that kind of landing. Andre is one of the most experienced pilots in Namibia, in southern Africa and that is one of the joys of the safari: you can touch down pretty much anywhere.

Sundowners with lake behind, Chem Chem, Tarangire National Park
Wildlife

Slow Safari

Stay at the home of the “slow safari”, Chem Chem Lodge. This beautiful lodge sits in a private concession adjoining Tarangire National Park and has perfected a wonderful mix of relaxation and wildlife.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Wading on walking safari, South Luangwa, Zambia
Wildlife

Walking Safari

Experience the thrill of approaching big game on foot – accompanied by one of the best walking guides in Africa.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Walking, Sand Rivers Selous, Selous Game Reserve
Wildlife

Walking Safari

Join an armed ranger on foot and track big game across the landscapes of Ruaha and Selous.

Suggested camp

Local Aboriginal people with Sab Lord, Arnhemland, Australia
Wildlife

Sab Lord Safari

Join a Lords Safari and explore remote Arnhem Land with guides who know this region intimately and put their knowledge at guests’ disposal. With permission to enter special areas of Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land they can take you far from the crowds, into the wilderness where stresses of everyday living simply melt away.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Bears, The Cantabrian Mountains, Spain
Wildlife

Explore the Cantabrian Mountains

With an expert naturalist, walk through pristine mountain terrain in search of Iberian wolves, Brown bear, wildcat and other interesting mammals.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Mountain view Abruzzo, Italy
Wildlife

Explore the Apennines

Walk, hike or bike through the Apennine Mountains of Abruzzo and experience spectacular scenery and range of wild fauna.

Bear, Cantabrian Mountains, Spain
Wildlife

See Marsican Brown Bear

Explore the Apennine mountains of Abruzzo in the wild heart of Italy, to see Marsican brown bear, Roe deer and other fauna.

Wild Cat, Cantabrian Mountains, Spain
Wildlife

View Wildcat

Watch the very beautiful Wildcat hunting for rodents in the grass.

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Chris Johnston

Chris is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Africa.

25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Kate Hitchen

My travels were first inspired by my love of the UK, which I take as much pleasure in exploring as countries far and wide. For me, travel is all about the adventure, the people I meet and the food I sample along the way.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Start planning your trip


Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Name(Required)
Hidden

Thoughts. Opinions. Experiences

Walking Safari Lion Encounter, South Luangwa, Zambia
Stories
A walk on the wild side
Steppes Travel
There is a low deep rumble coming from behind me and suddenly I realise how vulnerable, and to be honest at…

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


More about Steppes

F L E X I B I L I T Y P R O M I S E B O O K W I T H C O N F I D E N C E