Rare Encounters

Whether lurking in the depths of the darkest jungles, or scurrying across the driest plains of the savannah, the world’s wildlife has adapted not just to survive, but to flourish in every corner of the globe.

Words: SOPHIE GREEN, illustrations: ALICIA WARNER

Anyone fortunate enough to witness animals in their natural habitat will tell you that few experiences thrill the soul quite like a fleeting glimpse of a creature, moving as nature intended – darting through a sun-dappled clearing in a quiet forest, prowling through the scrub of the savannah, or soaring high across the infinite sky.

The magic of these chance encounters lies in their unpredictability. No amount of money or planning can guarantee a sighting of some of nature’s most elusive creations, and therein lies the true adventure. To catch a glimpse of some of the world’s rarest animals in the wild is to count yourself among a fortunate few, and treasure the memories forever.

World-leaders in biodiversity

Let us journey first to the shores of Latin America, a land teeming with biodiversity. Its varied topographies boast almost innumerable species, from the murky depths of the Amazon rainforest, where the mighty river weaves its way through almost impenetrable greenery, to harsh and unyielding mountains, and the well-documented treasures of the renowned Galápagos Islands.

On the shores of Argentina, Bahia Bustamante is the country’s own answer to the Galapagos. This protected birding sanctuary is a refuge for marine and coastal wildlife, serving as an important scientific research centre. Of the sixteen marine bird species that nest along Argentina's coastline, thirteen of them can be found here – and you can see how many of them you can tick off while on a coastal excursion. Many others, such as the Red Knot and Hudsonian Godwit, grace the region during their migratory journeys. Bahia Bustamante Lodge plays a crucial role in protecting this pristine area, offering complimentary accommodation and logistical support to scientists who conduct research here.

Moving into Brazil, the Onçafari team in Caiman has worked to rehabilitate and reintroduce threatened species to the wild, including the successful reintroduction of jaguars to Argentina’s Ibera Wetlands. Jaguars’ solitary nature allows them to melt seamlessly into the shadows of the forest. Even in the Pantanal region of Brazil, home to the planet’s largest concentration, they are still elusive to spot.

Working with Onçafari, Caiman Lodge, one of the properties in the Jacada Positive Impact Collection, strives to raise awareness of jaguars through ecotourism. Activities allow guests to learn more about these predators and their role within the forest, while tourism income helps fund conservation efforts. This is particularly important in Brazil, where, despite hosting between 15–20% of the world’s biodiversity, the existence of many species is threatened, particularly by deforestation.

To the north, Costa Rica is home to some 500,000 species. Its largest national park, Corcovado, is described by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on earth”. A stay at either Playa Cativo Eco Lodge or Lapa Rios, both part of our Positive Impact Collection, puts you in perfect stead to observe Corcovado’s kaleidoscope of biodiversity.

The secrets of the skies

Cross the ocean to one of the stars of the wildlife-spotting show, Africa, where the headline act is a thrilling safari to see the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, African buffaloes and rhinos.

Rather than scanning the scrub for the elusive flick of a leopard’s tail among the grass, we’ll shift our gaze skyward in search of some of the continent’s rare bird species. Africa is a bird watcher’s dream, yet it remains underrated as a bird-watching destination. Staying at a Wilderness camp or lodge, you might spot one of almost 930 different bird species, many of which are endemic, with the highest diversity found in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Kenya.

Look for the Pels Fishing Owl in Botswana and the Saddle-billed Stork and Green Barbet in South Africa. Although one of our favourite ornithological encounters is the Shoebill, found in Zambia and Uganda. Reaching up to five feet tall, and with an impressive eight-foot wingspan, this formidable feathered friend is surprisingly hard to glimpse. Hop aboard a boat from Entebbe and navigate the winding channels of the Mabamba Swamps to spot one among the reeds.

Back on solid ground, it’s on to the forests of central and east Africa, including Rwanda and Uganda for one of Africa’s rarest wildlife encounters: gorilla trekking. Wild populations of these majestic but critically endangered animals are dwindling to just the hundreds. They are so rare and uniquely identifiable that trackers can identify individuals, and the precarity of this encounter is what makes it all the more precious.

Often overlooked, Africa’s smaller inhabitants deserve just as much protection. Namely the ground pangolin; an adorably charismatic mammal native to both Africa and Asia, and threatened by extinction due to illegal trade. At Tswalu Reserve in the South African part of the Kalahari desert, they are the subject of fascinating research which aims to track their movements and assess their survival in a changing climate.

A kaleidoscope of creatures

Asia, the largest and most diverse continent on Earth, spans over 44 million square kilometres. A breathtaking array of wildlife can be found across its wide spectrum of climates and habitats, covering everything from the weird to the wonderful.

India may evoke images of sprawling cities and colourful streets, but away from the hustle and bustle it’s a haven for all kinds of big cats. Bengal tigers, leopards and lions all call the country home. Heart-stopping sightings of tigers are a possibility in SUJÁN Sher Bagh in Ranthambore National Park, and of leopards at SUJÁN Jawai.

Equally fascinating are dugongs, commonly known as sea cows. Little is understood about these threatened marine mammals, which are related to manatees. Within Vietnam, they are only found around Phu Quoc island and the Con Dao archipelago. These gentle giants can weigh up to 900 kilograms, and a glimpse of their squashed but smiling faces makes for a unique entry on any wildlife watcher’s list.

No journey to spot rare wildlife in Asia is complete without a stop in Borneo. The island, adorned with thick rainforests and tropical beaches, plays host to many incredible endangered species. Famous for its orangutan population, it’s also home to pygmy elephants, Malayan sunbears, Borneo rhinos and the comical proboscis monkey.

Responsible experiences

At Jacada, the welfare of all living creatures is incredibly important to us. We are committed to ensuring the trips we plan do not involve physical interactions with wild animals nor experiences that see wild animals used for entertainment or commercial gain. Where wild animals are in captivity for their benefit, for example in sanctuaries, we seek to work with non-profits that prioritise their welfare.

Find out more → www.jacadatravel.com/ positive-impact-principles/