Nature's Great Events

Our extensive experience and research has shown us that there is always something amazing happening in the natural world.

Landscapes dramatically transform, wildlife migrates in flocks and herds of thousands, and endearing baby animals take their first steps in the outside world.

Most commonly, when we think of the word ‘migration’, our minds picture thousands of wildebeest storming the plains of Kenya and Tanzania, crossing croc-infested rivers with hungry predators watching in wait. While this is one of mother natures most grandiose events, it is not the only migration in the world, or even in Africa. In fact, the world’s largest mammal migration takes place in the wild Bangweulu wetlands of Zambia featuring an incredible eight million fruit bats as they arrive from the Congo.

Further north in the Canadian Arctic you can spot polar bear cubs emerging from their snowy dens, seeing the world for the first time under the watchful eye of their mothers. Being there to see their playful antics as they explore the outside world for the first time is an incredible once in a lifetime experience.

NEXT STEPS

• Browse our holidays
• Download our free guides
• Contact our Destination Specialist for advice

The Great Wildebeest Migration - the birthing - For anyone in search of a wild, apres-Christmas adventure to see something great - well you're in luck. Despite not being one of the best known times for viewing wildebeest, it is one of the most fascinating. January to February in the Southern Serengeti marks ‘the birthing’, a short window of time in which the wildebeest give birth to their young, all 400,000 of them.  

Polar Bear Mother & Newborn Cubs - Heading towards Arctic territory, March is one of the most amazing times to visit the north. This is when you can see the polar bear cubs leaving their dens for the very first time. Nothing compares to seeing these amazing predators as cubs, playing out in the snow with their mother, finding their feet having only ever seen the inside of their snowy den. They leave their den and explore the area, learning the ways of the world before heading out for hunting season.

The Northern Lights - Polar bears aren’t the only reason to head north at this time of year, as the northern lights around Churchill can be magnificent. These dancing natural lights brighten the sky and reflect on the crystals of snow and ice on the ground. It's no wonder they inspire such amazing stories about other worlds. The northern lights are also great between October and November, another great time to combine them with a polar bear safari.

It’s is no secret that April, May and June are wonderful times to travel, a time that universally symbolises the start of new life. Combine your holiday with the Easter bank holidays for a longer time away. Rather than focusing on seasonal chicks and bunnies, celebrate the following events. 

Swim with Blue Whales - The north eastern coast of Sri Lanka this time of year, is perfect for many things, including, of course, sun and sand, but April is also the best time to swim with the magnificent blue whales, worthy of being noted as a great event in our eyes. These whales are astounding in size and at the top of many peoples lists when it comes to the ocean. We can get you up close and personal so you don't just see them, but swim with and photograph them. These aren't the only marine life you can see on this adventure of a lifetime, you'll also see pilot whales, dolphins and much more. If swimming with blue whales sounds amazing

Narwhal Migration - If prefer your marine life with sword-like tusks, then best head up to Arctic Canada for some polar bear and narwhal spotting. In June the narwhal are migrating to their summering grounds and, being creatures of habit, we can get you in the right place at the right time to see them as they venture north, not just see them, but swim with these amazing unicorns of the sea.

Great Sardine Run - In South Africa mid-May is the start of the sardine run, which is amazing opportunity to swim, snorkel and dive as predators such as sharks, eagles and dolphins graze on the tasty fish. Travelling in densely packed groups that can be as long as 7 kilometres, the glistening mass attracts some of the most amazing marine and bird-life around.

The summer months in the northern hemisphere, July to September, are an exciting time in the natural world.  

The Great Wildebeest Migration - the river crossing - July marks the wildebeest crossing the great Mara River in the hopes of making it to the green grasses of the Masai Mara. These river crossing are famous around the world for the dramas that unfold that including a cast of crocodiles, wildebeest, zebra, lion and much more. The Masai Mara and the northern reaches of the Serengeti are both excellent places at this time of year for the wildebeest migration.

Okavango Delta Flooding - Meanwhile, the Okavango Delta in Botswana is starting to flood, breathing new life into the plains as animals arrive in their thousands to feast on the nutrient-rich flood-plains.

Great Elephant Gathering - Moving on to Asia, August marks the dry season in Sri Lanka and the start of the largest Asian elephant gathering known to exist on the planet.

The Salmon Run - Further north, in Alaska and British Columbia, Canada, the salmon run occurs between July and September, an amazing time to spot grizzly bears fishing and even walk with them on foot. Also in Canada at this time of year you can see the impressive caribou migration with the opportunity to walk within just metres of these peaceful animals.

Bat Migration - In Zambia, the largest mammal migration known starts mid-October and involves eight million straw-coloured fruit bats squeezing into the Kasanka plains to feast on delicious, brightly coloured fruits. This cloud of puppy-sized bats departs each evening to find food in a huge mass, then returns each morning to sleep upside down, hanging from trees so thickly that branches snap, causing a myriad of commotion in the bat world. 

The Northern Lights - In the extreme north at this time, you have an excellent opportunity to see the northern lights (aurora borealis). This magnificent light show seems more prolific at this time due to the near constant dark and clear skies that allow them to beam through. This is best combined with a polar bear safari because, well, polar bears and the northern lights together are just incredible. 

Emperor Penguin Migration - travelling further south all the way to the White Continent of Antarctica, the emperor penguins are preparing their chicks for their first voyage to the sea. The chubby chicks are spoilt with food and so unfamiliar with human presence that they have no reason to be afraid, in fact it is not unusual for one to come up to you for a closer inspection. Although the famous 'March of the Penguins' is actually in March, the best time to see the penguins is earlier in the season, as they prepare but before they start to march to the sea.