New Wildlife Holidays 2026

Sri Lanka in Depth

Once again rising in popularity as a holiday destination, Sri Lanka enchants visitors with its rich tapestry of landscapes, exquisite temples, welcoming people and mouth-watering cuisine. But for those with a keen eye for wildlife, the island has long been celebrated not only for its vibrant culture but also for its remarkable diversity of habitats and easily observed birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

To experience it for yourself, join expert naturalist Ed Hutchings in 2026 for an exciting wildlife journey through Sri Lanka's verdant forests, wetlands and hill country to experience its unique natural history, welcoming climate and charismatic wildlife. Find Asian elephants, leopards and over 200 bird species in this naturalist's paradise in the heart of the Indian Ocean.

Colombia – Realm of the Jaguar

Well celebrated for its incredible avian diversity, Colombia is perhaps less known for its mammals, despite being home to an astounding 543 species! The absence of hunting in the Hato La Aurora ranch makes sightings of South America’s most iconic fauna far more reliable, including giant anteaters, southern tamanduas, green anacondas, Orinoco crocodiles and - with luck - jaguars.

Popularly found in the Northern Pantanal, we've developed a pioneering tour off the beaten track and into Colombia's Los Llanos to encounter these fantastic felines in a unique environment. Through a mix of safari drives, gentle walks and boat trips, we venture into the heart of South America's second-largest wetland - and into the realm of the jaguar.

Islay in Winter for Writers

As yet, and despite the line-up of award-winning nature writers we count among our leaders, we've never offered a dedicated writing tour. However, in 2026, we thought we might change that!

Author Michael Warren (The Cuckoo's Lea) and fellow naturalist writer Nick Acheson (The Meaning of Geese) are excited to lead our first-ever nature writing tour to Islay, the ‘Queen of the Hebrides’. This mid-winter departure takes place at the height of the island’s annual wild drama - when thousands of geese fill the fields, otters forage along the shoreline, and golden eagles soar effortlessly over the rugged landscape.

Combining time in the field with literacy workshops and the occasional dram of whisky, we explore past works and find ways of capturing the day's experiences in words. With soft winter light and few visitors, it offers the ideal conditions for creative inspiration.

Wildlife of Torres del Paine

If Patagonia’s dramatic Torres del Paine is on your list for 2026, this new small-group tour is the perfect way to experience it. With towering grey, snow-capped peaks, sweeping grasslands and vivid turquoise lakes, this wild corner of South America is as rich in wildlife as it is in scenery.

On this comprehensive new small group tour, we hope to encounter a cast of unusual characters, including the Patagonian hog-nosed skunks, South American grey foxes and fabulous hairy armadillos - all while keeping a watchful eye on the herds of guanacos standing alert ... this region has the highest density of puma in the Americas! With the aid of expert local trackers, we hope to observe these cats on foot, a truly spine-tingling experience that should find its way to the top of your list of new wildlife holidays to experience in 2026!

Baja’s Ultimate Whale Safari

There are few wildlife holidays as memorable or as thrilling as those where you encounter a whale for the first time. If you've somehow missed the boat on this one (couldn't resist!), let 2026 be your year to change that!

On our ultimate quest in Mexico’s Baja California, we enjoy exceptional opportunities to whale watch and observe an incredible variety of these magnificent cetaceans. We hope to witness intimate moments with blue whale mothers and their calves, along with humpback, fin and grey whales, as well as vast pods of dolphins. With luck, we may even encounter orca and sperm whales.

A true highlight of this extraordinary wildlife cruise is the chance to swim alongside the gentle giants of the sea - whale sharks.

Ethiopia Wildlife Highlights

Despite its growing popularity, Ethiopia still retains an off-the-beaten-track feel that will appeal to true adventurers. Far removed from the traditional Big Five safari, Ethiopia offers a completely different experience, making it one of the unique travel destinations for wildlife enthusiasts next year. Where Tanzania or Kenya might provide views of lions beneath acacias on open savannah, Ethiopia reveals otherworldly mountains, remnants of ancient kingdoms and an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including endemic species found nowhere else on Earth.

Journey through the Bale Mountains to encounter gelada monkeys travelling in their hundreds, Menelik’s bushbuck, mountain nyala and one of the world’s rarest mammals - the Ethiopian wolf. Beyond its wildlife, Ethiopia’s cultural treasures are equally compelling. There's no shortage of adventures in this kingdom of plenty.

Wildlife of The Lot Valley

A short flight from the UK, France's Lot Valley is a slow-paced gem, and an excellent option to add to your 2026 travel checklist. From hanging villages and dramatic cliffs to flower-strewn meadows, sun-drenched vineyards and ancient forests, this gentle exploration of the Lot Valley offers a rich taste of rural France.

Timed for peak spring activity, this tour blends warm hospitality and comfortable accommodation with rewarding encounters, from golden orioles, hoopoes, short-toed eagles and honey buzzards to mazarine blues, spotted fritillary and map butterflies. Explore a tapestry of varied habitats, including limestone plateaus, woodlands and wetlands, alongside scenic villages and prehistoric caves. There's an abundance of wildlife and culture to enjoy on this leisurely tour.

Canada: In Search of Coastal Wolves & Grizzly Bears

On this small group dedicated wildlife tour, encounter two of British Columbia’s most charismatic apex predators and photograph them alongside the region’s remarkable wildlife in the spectacular settings of the Great Bear Rainforest and Vancouver Island.

Guided by award-winning wildlife photographer and team member Bret Charman, we journey into the heart of the traditional territory of the T̓łat̕ła̱sikwa̱la First Nation, home to the extraordinary "coastal wolves". Only found between these coastlines and islands, these elusive predators have adapted to thrive on these rugged isles by following a diet consisting of 90% sea life.

Staying in a remote tented camp, we spend four days tracking these mythical creatures in the hope of photographing them in their natural habitat. We then travel to the north-east coast of Vancouver Island for two full days of wildlife watching and photographing iconic grizzly bears as they move between forest and water.

Best of the South Pantanal

Brazil’s famous wetlands have long-drawn wildlife enthusiasts, with the north particularly renowned for its reliable jaguar sightings. For those keen to escape the crowds and delve deeper into this remarkable ecosystem, a journey to the far less visited South Pantanal reveals a treasure trove of biodiversity.

Staying at two traditional, characterful lodges, we explore dry savannah, seasonal wetlands and gallery forests in search of giant anteaters, southern tamanduas, tapirs, peccaries, howler monkeys and no fewer than five species of macaw. By boat, we drift along the scenic Rio Negro, where giant and neotropical river otters thrive and there’s a strong chance of spotting jaguars.

This is true off-the-beaten-track travel - often we’ll be the only people present during wildlife encounters. This isn't one to be missed!

Natural Wonder of Nagarhole

To round off our list, we invite you to explore the jewel in the crown of southern India’s national parks - Nagarhole. While departures for 2026 are fully booked, spaces remain for this extraordinary wildlife holiday in 2027.

This small-group tour begins at Machaan Wilderness Lodge, where fewer vehicles operate and sightings of Asian elephants and sloth bears have historically been excellent. We then move on to Kabini River Lodge on the park’s eastern side - a renowned area for tiger and leopard encounters.

This carefully chosen combination of lodges offers the best of Nagarhole, supported by the insight and expertise we’ve gained from years of visiting this remarkable park.

Browse all our wildlife holidays in 2026, use our holiday search or to discuss your plans for 2026 contact a member of our team today!