Wildlife tips

Just west of Portland is an area that encompasses much of what there is to love about Oregon – but it’s not a name on everyone’s lips. If you’re not aware of it, you might drive right through it on your way to Tillamook or Seaside, but that would be a mistake. The Tualatin Valley’s proximity to both Portland and Coastal Oregon make it a great place to stop, and once you’re familiar with what it has to offer, you may want to extend your trip a few days and enjoy yourself among the Oregonians who make the Tualatin Valley their home.

As Earth Day draws near, it's time to reflect on the beauty and diversity of our planet's ecosystems. For those with both a serious case of wanderlust and a passion for the environment, there's no better way to celebrate than by immersing yourself in the natural world. Here’s a selection of 4 of the best destinations that offer not just a getaway, but a chance to engage with wildlife and contribute to conservation efforts.

For 30 years, Singita’s safari lodges have set the standard for authenticity and quality in Africa. From October 10th-15th, though, the company takes another step in its conservation efforts aiding anti-poaching by creating a ride for mountain bike enthusiasts across 93 miles of the 350,000 acre Singita Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania. Not only will it be a unique way to view the wildlife that safari lovers flock to this region to see, it will also contribute funds to aid the company’s NGO partner The Grumeti Fund and its anti-poaching scouts.

Landlocked in the heart of the Balkans, Serbia is the crossroads of different cultures and historical influences, making it a unique and diverse travel destination.

For those looking for a wild adventure on their next vacation, the editors of Forbes Travel Guide have rounded up some of the best lodges where guests can enjoy exotic animals in their natural habitats. From Tanzania to Texas, here are 14 luxury wildlife hotels featuring giraffes and jaguars—and a Noah’s ark of creatures.

The best Alaska cruise excursions can range from the thrilling to the serene. Passengers can fly on sleds led by huskies, ogle bald eagles and salmon-gobbling grizzlies, and soar over towering glaciers in a helicopter. And the best part? All these activities are planned for you as part of the cruise itinerary—as a way for travelers to sample the diverse wonders of The Last Frontier in one fell swoop.

National Geographic’s new epic adventure, Queens explores Alaska, Mexico, Central America and Africa to compellingly spotlight and celebrate animal matriarchies and female leaders in nature. This is an eye-opening opportunity for armchair travelers to spy extraordinary remote places and feel uplifted. Gorgeously filmed and edited, the seven-episode ground-breaking Queens is the first-ever wildlife series steered by a women-led production team. Narrated by award-winning actor and executive producer Angela Bassett, Queens revels in female resilience, fortitude, passion and dedication. “This series is about stepping into and holding onto your power,” says Bassett. “These animal queens show us how to be a truly great leader. Each episode tells the story of sacrifice and strength, but also friendship and love. Behind the scenes is an equally inspiring story four years in the making of incredible women from around the world. It has a message of courage and hope that’s close to my heart.” Queens premieres on National Geographic March 4; on Disney+ and Hulu March 5. In the trailer (below), which features Billie Eilish’s electropop hit, You Should See Me in a Crown, Bassett asserts, “The strongest females fight for the survival of their families. Chosen to lead for her instincts, charisma, wisdom. We don’t call her Mother Nature for nothing.”

The best time to cruise Alaska isn't obvious—until you're quietly sailing along its calm waters under a cloudless, late-spring sky. It was on one such day that someone on board spotted a whale breaching. And then again. And again. Within minutes it seemed everyone on board had gathered at the railings on deck to watch. The captain of the ship nimbly repositioned us, giving both the port and starboard sides prime viewing, at a safe and respectful distance from the animals. With binoculars, cameras, and phones at the ready, the passengers and crew aboard UnCruise Adventures' 86-guest S.S. Legacy settled in for what turned out to be an hour-long private show by a juvenile humpback who had migrated from Hawaii to spend the summer in the nutrient-rich Alaskan waters.

While Seattle is renowned for its thriving tech industry and vibrant dining scene, those who venture east across Lake Washington can discover an idyllic vacation destination in the form of Bellevue. Officially incorporated in 1953, the city offers a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of downtown Seattle, with no shortage of charming restaurants and dazzling green spaces to explore within its limits. Whether you’re hoping to encounter fascinating flora and fauna, hit some of King County’s lushest hiking trails or just stuff your face with delicious hot pot, Bellevue has the perfect destination in store for you.

Massachusetts may measure in at just 27,363 square kilometers, but what this historic state lacks in size it certainly makes up for in biodiversity. From the craggy peaks of the Berkshires to the tip of Provincetown, classic New England fauna can all be found in abundance across the commonwealth—but when it comes to winter birdwatching in particular, it’s best to head east. Carved eons ago by moving glaciers, Cape Cod serves as a top summer vacation destination, while the dead of winter brings ample opportunity for birdwatchers hoping to lengthen their life list. With winter in its final throes, don’t miss out on the last few weeks of cold-weather birding across this stunning Bay State region.

Not long ago, visiting exotic animals in their habitats was the stuff of intrepid explorers who ventured weeks into remote wilds. Today, sleek new nature lodges bring adventurous luxury to fragile but closely cared-for ecosystems.

So you want to see a lion in the wild? Terrific. Now comes the tricky part: choosing where to go on your first safari.

One of South Africa’s pioneering eco-lodges, andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge, has entered a new era as it emerges from a complete redesign.

The remote Arctic archipelago of Svalbard has long captivated adventurers and nature enthusiasts with its pristine landscapes, unique wildlife, history of polar exploration, and the allure of endless summer days and total darkness in the winter.

Ferlach, Austria, is a hamlet of some 7,000 souls nestled in the Karawanken mountains to the south. It’s a land rich in forests, beauty, and gun-making traditions. Because of those traditions, Ferlach has become a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage community. Firearm manufacturing here dates to the 16th century when emperor Ferdinand of Austria had a vision to create a firearm production center in the region known as the Valley of Roses.

In the southern reaches of Australia, where the vast ocean stretches towards Antarctica, lies a hidden gem that rivals the famed Galapagos Islands in its natural splendor and unique wildlife. This is Kangaroo Island, described by Craig Bradbery, Chief Operating Officer for Baillie Lodges, as one of the most exceptional nature-based destinations globally. More than just its name, the island is a sanctuary for an array of Australian wildlife, including kangaroos.

AndBeyond will launch a branded expedition yacht in the Galapagos Islands this summer, expanding its South America portfolio.

If you’re on the lookout for a truly sustainable safari experiences that combines animal welfare with an unforgettable, immersive travel experience, then check out the tours offered by InsideAsia Tours and InsideJapan Tours.

It was a typical day at Colorado’s Breckenridge Ski Resort, 80 miles west of Denver—until a large moose lumbered up to the base lodge.

A US Customs and Border Protection dog sniffed out something unusual in luggage from a traveller returning from Africa - mummified monkeys.

Renowned for its balmy weather and rich cultural diversity, the Caribbean has developed over the centuries into one of the planet’s most sought-after destinations—but it’s not just humans that can be found exploring the region’s scenic shores. From tiny hummingbirds to colossal humpback whales, the wildlife of the Caribbean serves as a major draw for tourism, with no shortage of idyllic islands and verdant peninsulas harboring a truly impressive amount of biodiversity. If you’re looking for a warm-weather escape during the dead of winter, these properties offer plush accommodations paired with ample opportunity for encountering the fascinating flora and fauna found across the region.