The Wildlife Window: What To See, And When

Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip or heading to the same getaway spot every year, timing is everything in terms of what you will experience. Choosing the right time to visit a particular destination can help ensure that you see everything you want, while minimizing waits, crowding, or other negative aspects that sometimes accompany travel adventures. Visiting at the wrong time might make it more difficult for you to get the most from your trip. 

This can be especially true if enjoying wildlife in natural habitats is on your itinerary. But this guide will help you understand the wildlife window and how to plan your trip for maximum enjoyment.  

Benefits of Timing Your Trip 

Let’s use Australia as an example, since it’s known for unique and abundant wildlife. Before you start shopping for travel packages to Australia, you should make sure that you are choosing the right time of year to see the wildlife that prompted your visit. Keep these factors in mind as you plan: 

• Season: Wildlife live their lives in cycles, which means that they may only spawn, nest, migrate, or even be visible at certain times of the year. 
• Time of Day: Animals tend to follow daily routines, requiring you to be there at the right time of day to see them active, feeding, or playing. 
• Location: Even if wildlife are present in the general location, you’ll need to go where they live or spend their time to find them. 
• Behavior Patterns: To really know that you’ll find the wildlife in the right spot, you’ll need to research their behavior patterns in advance.  
• Popularity: If the area you want to visit is a major tourist attraction, consider traveling at the beginning or end of the viewing period for lower costs and smaller crowds. 

A little early planning can give you the advantage of a great trip that comes off seamlessly. 

Timely Wildlife Watching Trip Ideas 

Although there are some wildlife that you can see at virtually any time of the year, you may be looking for something special. These trip ideas help you plan amazing experiences you’ll remember for a lifetime. 

Bird Migration: March to May 

During the early months of the year, birds start moving from warmer climates that helped sustain them during the winter. The advantage of following migration patterns is that you can be reasonably certain you will find the birds you want to see in a specific location. Optimal timing might give you the opportunity to view mating patterns or rearing of young. 

Whale Watching: June to August 

Whale watching can be experienced throughout the year, but the middle months provide more opportunities to view the greatest number of species. Many whale species complete a long migration, during which they travel close to land sources. Scheduling your trip for these months can increase your chances of spotting these large wonders. 

Kangaroo Joey Season: September to November 

Seeing kangaroos is a high point for many visitors to Australia. If you want to see the joeys once they are able to gain a little freedom from their mothers’ pouches, you should visit in the later part of the year. At this point, the joeys are developed enough that they can start to find their own food, which makes them easier to see and enjoy in their natural habitat.  

Sea Turtle Nesting: October to February 

Sea turtle nesting is highly dependent on the warmer months. This means that you are more likely to observe nesting rituals and hatching from October to February in Australia, and April to October in Florida. If you’re looking to spot green turtles or hawksbills as they build their nests, you’ll want to go around the end of the year. 

Planning a great trip to see wildlife starts with choosing the right time, location, and even the correct times of the day for optimal viewing. Wildlife have specific patterns and routines that they follow for feeding, sleeping, breeding, and migration. By considering your options and planning ahead, you can increase your chances of catching delightful glimpses of wildlife in the most natural ways. 

AUTHOR BIO: Corinne Goodman is the Founder of Down Under Endeavours, which crafts vacation journeys to some of the world’s most exotic destinations. Goodman founded Down Under Endeavours in 1998 to give travelers an immersive, authentic experience in her home country of Australia. Her love of exploration, adventure, and a good round of golf translates to clients stepping out of the ordinary and into parts of the South Pacific that are largely unexplored by tourists. She’s been named to the Travel + Leisure A-List of most influential travel specialists in the world four years in a row.