By Alfred Stallion
Children love animals, and making sure that yours have memories and stories to tell for years to come is a great way to spend the holidays with them. Whether it’s special trip to a place you’ve all wanted to visit for a long time or a regular walk through your local zoo, spending time with your kids and giving them something to remember is an important part of their upbringing. So what are some of the places that you can all visit where animals are impossible to miss and have a great time along the way?
Whale watching
Canada – whale watching
The Canadian grey whales are all around the Clayoquot Sound area and regular family expeditions and trips are organized in large groups, so there’s no need to worry about safety. These expeditions offer a chance for kids to help researchers track whales, map their movements and identify different species. The accommodations are also included in the trip, with regular stops at a local island in a cozy hostel that provides everything you’d need to rest up and get ready for the next day. The expedition passes by the coastal rainforests filled with bears, wolves, otters and such animals that your kids will love to see, and in the form of an expedition, this is a sure way to get them interested into animal life.
Romania – come meet the bears!
The Kingstone Mountain National Park and its adjacent mountains are home to about 40% of Europe’s brown bear population. Experienced guides and tours are just waiting for interested groups to come by and meet these majestic animals with wolves, buzzards and more in the same park. The trip also offers a chance to visit Count Dracula’s castle since it is in the close proximity, and if you’re kids are brave enough, this will be the selling point that gets them hooked.
Madagascar – wonderful lemurs
This fabulous trip to Madagascar might require some planning ahead, but it’s a one-of-a-kind experience that your children will never forget. The leaping lemurs of Madagascar are a species that any child would love to spend some time with, since they are playful and full of energy. The natural reserves of Vakona, Berenty and others are ready and waiting for yearning families to come along for the ride and experience these animals first hand. It’s not just lemurs though; chameleons and birds of any color that you can imagine are out there as well, so why not give it a shot?
Nepal – stunning elephants
You can never go wrong with a safari, and the two-day safaris in the Chitwan National Park in Nepal offer just that; a chance for you and your children to see elephants out in the wild, firsthand. While the tours are mainly concerned about elephants, the safari offers plenty of other distractions for your kids like rhinos, tigers, exotic birds and monkeys. There’s also bike rides and night camping to go along with the guided safari, so you have plenty to convince your children with that this is a perfect trip for your family.
Zebras
South Africa, Cape Town – the great five
Cape Town is an exquisite travel destination for families with kids. The city is packed with an abundant wildlife that your kids will surely enjoy. Table Mountain National Park is home to an incredible fauna and flora. Kids will be able to enjoy fascinating safari experiences, and thus admire South Africa’s big five – leopards, lions, rhinos, elephants and buffalos. The city comes with an array of Cape Town holiday rentals too; families can enjoy sheer comfort while here, check out the beach, the botanical gardens and the most amazing mountain top – Table Mountain.
While there are plentiful options to choose when deciding where to spend time with your children, the most important thing to remember is that you really can’t go wrong. Just make sure that there aren’t any fears that your kids might have and once you’re through that, any place will do; your children will remember spending time with you and having a great time wherever you end up going. Enjoy a memorable vacation and head to places you’ve never been before. This way you’ll create memories your kids will cherish for a lifetime.
Images credits:Â https://www.flickr.com/
Alfred Stallion
Author Bio: Alfred Stallion has travelled to many destinations around the world. He also loves writing about his travelling experiences and the places he has explored.
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Author: Maralyn
Maralyn Dennis Hill, The Epicurean Explorer, is president emeritus of International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association, member of Society of American Travel Writers, and Society of Professional Journalists. She is Executive Editor of Luxe Beat Magazine and contributes to other publications. She also speaks and is a guest on many shows. The majority of Maralyn’s articles are now geared to the luxury market, spas, corporate retreats, business events, and culinary tourism, from simple to gourmet. Maralyn’s description of herself: I was born to travel and tell the tale. I’m energized by different cultures in every aspect of their lives, from food, wine, and destination, to how they conduct business. Travel represents a continual geography lesson.
