The best animal travel experiences

Get wild with these phenomenal nature adventures - by Andrea Black

See the big five

In South Africa’s bushveld, not only can you view the big five – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo – you can snorkel in the Indian Ocean, stay in five-star luxurious accommodation and combine it all with daily yoga. Southern Africa Yoga Safaris offers biannual 10-day bush to beach safaris. Visit sayogasafaris.com.

Swim with wild dolphins

Swim with beautiful wild dolphins on the shores of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, 45 minutes south of Perth. Wild encounters also offers Penguin and Seal island cruises allowing you to get up close with the local sea lions and penguins – truly magical. Visit rockinghamwildencounters.com.au.

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Native birds of otago

Head to New Zealand’s remote Taiaroa Heads on the otago Peninsula to spy on the world’s only mainland breeding colony of the northern royal albatross. This region is also home to yellow-eyed penguins, seals, sea lions, water and wading birds. Land and sea excursions are available. Visit southpacifctravellers.co.nz.

Swim with manatees and dugongs

At Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa – a new hotel that forms part of the Hat Chao Mai National Park in the Sikao district of southern Thailand – you can swim with manatees and dugongs. Anantara’s eco Wildlife Trail in the turquoise Andaman Sea promises to get you up close with these magnificent vegetarian creatures. Head to anantara.com.

Go walkabout

Help save our wildlife with echidna Walkabout’s Koalas & Kangaroos in the Wild tours. With a hands-on conservation ethic, the tours fund the Wild Koala Research Project in Victoria. Visit echidnawalkabout.com.au.

Keep practicing those dance moves little fella, it is the weekend after all, you might need them! This #echidna lives at @australiazoo in @visitsunshinecoast and if you're lucky, you might get to spot him showing off his skills. However, he generally prefers to spend his day eating termites and sleeping. And in case you didn't know, a baby echidna is called a #puggle - we are not even kidding!