š Seeing Wildlife Responsibly: Our Do's & Don'ts for Animal Experiences
- Aug 9
- 5 min read
Wildlife encounters can be some of the most incredible moments of a holiday. But the best memories shouldn't come at the expense of the animals we have travelled to see.
At Aspire Travel, we believe responsible travel isn't about telling you what you can'tĀ do.
It's about helping you make informed choices so you can experience wildlife in a way that respects the animals, the environment and the communities that care for them.
Whether you're dreaming of seeing elephants in Africa, orangutans in Borneo, gorillas in Uganda, sloths in Costa Rica or marine life in the GalƔpagos, a little thought before you book can make a huge difference.
So, when you're planning your next wildlife adventure, here's our simple guide.
šæ DO: Observe animals in their natural environment
For us, this is the ultimate wildlife experience.
Seeing an elephant wandering through the bush, watching an orangutan high in the rainforest canopy or spotting a gorilla with its family is incredibly special because you're observing natural behaviour.
The animal isn't performing for you.
It isn't being handled.
It isn't being forced to interact.
You're simply a visitor in its world.
That's exactly the kind of wildlife experience we love to recommend.
Intrepid, for example, states that its wildlife experiences aim to observe animals in their natural habitat and from a respectful distance.
ā¤ļø DO: Choose genuine conservation and rehabilitation projects
Not every sanctuary is the same.
If you're visiting a rescue or rehabilitation centre, look beyond the word "sanctuary".
Ask:
Why are these animals there?
What happens to them long term?
Does the organisation prioritise the animals' welfare?
Does it contribute to genuine conservation or rehabilitation?
A reputable organisation should be able to explain its work openly.
š DO: Keep your distance
Sometimes the best wildlife encounter is the one where you don't get close.
Wild animals need space.
If an animal chooses to move away from you, let it.
Don't follow it.
Don't try to touch it.
Don't call it towards you.
And don't encourage a guide to get closer simply so you can get the perfect photograph.
ABTA's guidance specifically states that wild animals should not be subjected to tourist contact where they don't have the choice to end the interaction or move away.
š« DON'T: Ride wild animals for entertainment
Elephant riding is perhaps one of the best-known examples.
It might look like an innocent tourist experience, but responsible travel means asking what has happened behind the scenes to make that experience possible.
We would always encourage you to choose an experience where elephants are observed rather than ridden, touched or made to perform.
ABTA lists elephant shows, performances, tourist contact and feeding without a barrier among unacceptable practices.
š« DON'T: Take selfies holding wild animals
If a wild animal is being passed around for photographs, ask yourself:
Would this animal choose to be here?
If the answer is no - or you simply don't know - don't participate.
That includes opportunities to hold, cuddle, pet or pose with wild animals.
A photograph isn't worth compromising an animal's welfare.
š« DON'T: Feed wildlife for the perfect photograph
It can be tempting.
A monkey comes closer.
A bird lands beside you.
An elephant approaches.
But feeding wildlife can alter natural behaviour, create dependency and potentially put both animals and people at risk.
ABTA specifically identifies human-initiated contact with and feeding of wild animals as unacceptable.
Let them be wild.
š« DON'T: Walk with lions, cuddle cubs or interact with big cats
These experiences can look incredibly appealing on social media.
But a photograph of yourself walking alongside a lion doesn't necessarily mean you've had a meaningful wildlife encounter.
Responsible wildlife tourism should allow animals to behave naturally rather than being trained or handled for tourist entertainment.
Intrepid specifically says it does not include lion walks or cub-petting experiences because it considers them unnatural and stressful for the animals.
š« DON'T: Support animal performances
If an animal is performing tricks that aren't part of its natural behaviour, stop and ask how it was trained.
ABTA's guidance states that performances involving wild animals are unacceptable where training involves punishment or food deprivation, causes fear, injury or distress, or requires behaviour that isn't natural to the animal.
Watching animals behave naturally is always more rewarding.
šø DON'T: Geotag vulnerable wildlife
Here's one that many people don't think about.
If you've been lucky enough to see a rare or endangered animal in the wild, think twice before posting its exact location.
Unfortunately, social media can make it easier for people involved in illegal wildlife activity to locate vulnerable species.
Share the experience.
Share the photograph.
But sometimes it's better to keep the exact location to yourself.
Intrepid specifically recommends avoiding location tags for wildlife for this reason.
š¾ Our Simple Wildlife Rule
When you're unsure whether an animal experience is responsible, ask yourself five questions:
Can the animal walk away?
Is the animal behaving naturally?
Is human contact necessary?
Is the experience genuinely supporting conservation or welfare?
Would I be comfortable knowing exactly how this animal came to be here?
If the answer to those questions doesn't feel right...
Choose another experience.
š The best wildlife experiences don't need to be interactive
In fact, we think they're often better when they're not.
Imagine sitting quietly in the Ugandan rainforest and seeing a gorilla family emerge through the vegetation.
Watching elephants cross a river in Botswana.
Seeing an orangutan swinging through the trees in Borneo.
Spotting a leopard from a safari vehicle.
Swimming alongside marine life in the GalƔpagos.
Watching whales from a respectful distance.
No touching. No feeding. No performances. No tricks.
Just animals being animals.
And honestly?
That's the kind of wildlife encounter you'll remember forever.
š Travel with curiosity. Leave with respect.
We want our customers to experience the extraordinary places and wildlife our planet has to offer.
But we also believe how you experience them matters.
That's why, when you're planning a wildlife holiday with Aspire Travel, talk to us about the experiences you're considering.
We'll help you understand what's involved, who you're travelling with and what responsible alternatives may be available.
Because responsible travel doesn't mean seeing less.
It means making sure what you see is still there for generations to come.
Want to know more?
We use recognised industry guidance when considering animal-welfare experiences, including the ABTA Animal Welfare GuidelinesĀ and the animal-welfare principles used by responsible travel specialists such as Intrepid Travel. ABTA's framework also considers nutrition, environment, physical health, behaviour and mental state when assessing animal welfare.
Thinking about a wildlife holiday?
Talk to the Aspire Travel team before you book. We'll help you find the experiences worth travelling for - and make sure they're experiences you can feel good about.
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