Your Guide to Witnessing and Protecting Endangered Wildlife on Your Travels
By choosing ethical travel operators, supporting community-based conservation, and understanding the threats wildlife face, we can turn our journeys into powerful acts of preservation. Whether trekking through misty mountains or walking barefoot on protected beaches, here’s how you can witness some of the world’s most endangered species—and help protect them for generations to come.
Swing into Action – Bornean Orangutans Hidden deep within the lush rainforests of Malaysian Borneo lies the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, a sanctuary for the critically endangered Bornean orangutan. This pioneering centre rescues orangutans orphaned by deforestation and poaching, rehabilitating them before releasing them back into the wild.
A visit here allows you to observe orangutans in a semi-wild setting, watching their playful antics while knowing your presence helps fund rescue missions, medical care, and habitat protection. It's an inspiring reminder of what compassionate travel can achieve.
Step into the Wild – Black Rhinos In the vast savannahs of Kenya, Lewa Safari Camp offers a front-row seat to one of Africa’s most inspiring conservation stories. Located in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, this 65,000-acre protected area is home to over 100 black rhinos—14% of Kenya’s entire population.
Guests can embark on immersive bush walks and game drives while supporting initiatives that extend beyond wildlife: education, healthcare, and micro-enterprise programmes that uplift local communities. It’s a journey that connects nature conservation with human empowerment.
A Journey to the Highlands – Mountain Gorillas Imagine standing just metres away from a silverback gorilla in the misty forests of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Thanks to sustainable tourism and long-term conservation work, mountain gorilla populations are slowly rebounding from the brink of extinction.
Operators like Sense of Africa ensure that each trek contributes directly to conservation. Gorilla trekking permits help fund anti-poaching efforts, habitat protection, and community development. The experience is as humbling as it is hopeful.
Protecting Hatchlings – Green Turtles On Costa Rica’s pristine Pacific coastline, organisations like Tortugas de Osa are safeguarding one of the world’s most ancient sea creatures: the endangered green turtle. Their work includes beach patrols, nest protection, and hatchling releases.
Visitors can join guided night walks or volunteer with the team, offering hands-on support while respecting the turtles’ fragile nesting grounds. Whether watching a female turtle lay her eggs under a moonlit sky or seeing hatchlings dash to the sea, these moments are nothing short of magical.
Wander into the Woods – Marsican Brown Bears In Italy’s Apennine Mountains, the critically endangered Marsican brown bear teeters on the edge of extinction—with just around 60 individuals remaining. But hope is alive thanks to Rewilding Apennines, a project supported by our travel partner Exodus Travels.
Travellers on Exodus' guided adventures explore “Bear-Smart Corridors,” engage with conservation communities, and track wildlife through breathtaking ancient landscapes. This is more than a holiday—it’s a chance to become part of a remarkable rewilding success story.
Travel That Gives Back Every encounter with endangered wildlife carries the potential to inspire and to protect. By making informed, ethical choices while travelling, we can all become guardians of the wild. Let’s use our journeys not just to see the world—but to safeguard its most vulnerable inhabitants.
Want to start planning a wildlife-conscious trip? Get in touch with us to discover meaningful adventures that make a difference.
