January

Two million Wildebeest gather on the plains of the southern Serengeti to calve during the latter part of the month and stay until mid-April.

The whale-watching season begins in Baja California and runs until the end of April. You may see Fin, Minke, Bryde's, Orca, Pilot and Humpback Whales, as well as Blue Whale - the largest mammal on the planet!

Go to: Mexico

February

Leatherback and Loggerhead Turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on the beaches of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa and also Western Australia.

As leaves fall, grasses wither and water sources recede in the Tiger Reserves of India, opportunities to see the magnificent Tiger (and other game) are at their best from now until the end of April.

This is the best time to visit Romania in search of Wolves and Deer.

Go to: India

March

Botswana's Kalahari Desert abounds with game and migrant birds following the rains.

Whale Sharks, the largest fish in the sea, visit the shores of Western Australia at Coral Bay (Ningaloo Reef) - they remain until May.

Go to: Australia

April

Now until the end of May is the best time to visit Zambia's Bangweulu Swamps for the elusive Shoebill Stork, Black Lechwe and innumerable waterbirds.

Go to: Zambia

May

The peak time for seeing Grey Whales off Vancouver Island's west coast as they head north to their summer feeding grounds.

Brown Bears congregate for the first time in the year north of Vancouver to feed on succulents and to fish for salmon.

June

This marks the beginning of the 'dry' season in much of southern Africa with the opening of various seasonal bush camps and the beginning of walking safaris.

Go to: South Africa

The beginning of the dry season in Australia's north. Much of the Kimberley region and far north Queensland becomes accessible.Go to: Australia

The salmon return from the ocean to spawn in the freshwater creeks of Alaska, and ravenous Black, and Brown Bears arrive to feed on them.

Go to: Alaska

European Brown Bears emerge from hibernation in Finland's eastern wilderness.

Go to: Bears

July

The Blue Wildebeest reach their dry season refuge in the Masai Mara and stay until mid- September.

Go to: Kenya

Southern Right Whales arrive into the bays of both South Africa's coast and Australia's south coast to calve. They stay until October.

Go to: Australia

The islet-dotted waters of Canada's west coast is perhaps the best place in the world to see Orca Whales, they will be here until early September.

Go to: Canada

From now until mid-September you will find Green, Leatherback and Hawksbill Turtles in Costa Rica's Tortuguero National Park.

Go to: Costa Rica

August

In late August magnificent wildflower spectacles appear in two of the world's greatest floral kingdoms - South Africa, and south-west Australia.

Go to: South Africa

From now until mid-September you will find Green, Leatherback and Hawksbill Turtles in Costa Rica's Tortuguero National Park.

Go to: Costa Rica

Brown Bears congregate for the second time in the year, north of Vancouver, to fish for salmon.

Humpback Whales head south on their epic migration to Antarctic waters. They can be seen off the Australian coast from now until the end of October.

Go to: Australia

Eastern Canada's Bay of Fundy is home to Northern Right, Minke, Humpback and Fin Whales between now and the end of September.

Go to: Canada

From August to September the Gulf of St Lawrence is home to a high concentration of Blue Whales.

Go to: Australia

September

Many migrant birds begin to appear in southern Africa.

Late September sees thousands of colourful iridescent Carmine Bee-eaters re-establishing their colonies in the banks of the main river courses in southern Africa, particularly the Luangwa and Zambezi Rivers.

Fall in Canada and USA, a time of wonderful colours and scenic photographic opportunities.

October

The last dry month in southern Africa and the best time to see large concentrations of Wildebeest, Buffalo and Zebra as they congregate near the main water courses and rapidly drying lagoons.

Polar Bears gather in Churchill on the west coast of Hudson Bay.

November

The beginning of the Austral Summer and the only time to visit Antarctica and the Falkland Islands. Between now and March the area is superb for whales, seabirds, seals and numerous penguins.

The Indian 'dry' season begins now and national parks and wildlife reserves re-open after the monsoon.

Yellow-eyed Penguins breed and are readily observed from November to May near Dunedin, New Zealand.

Olive Ridley, and Leatherback Turtles may be seen between now and April in Costa Rica's Tamarindo Bay.

December

December to August is the best time to visit the Royal Albatross colony on the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin, New Zealand.

A huge population of Pacific Green Turtles gathers off the shores of the Galapagos Islands to mate, socialise and then lay their eggs.