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Top 10 Wildlife Safaris in America


If your African safari bucket list trip is on hold, there are wonderful wildlife safaris in the meantime right here in your own backyard! Did you know America's 6,770 national parks and protected areas occupy over one million square miles and that North America is home to 457 mammal species, 662 reptile species, and 914 bird species? Over 1,200 animals in North America are endangered or threatened, and Nine Muses Travel works with conscientious tour operators whose wildlife programs directly contribute to wildlife preservation. 

Your friends and family will set out on custom-designed routings with expert guides incorporating special vehicles outfitted with spotting equipment for the best wildlife viewing. I'll provide you with access to top biologists, conservationists, and researchers as well as privileged access to research sites, rehabilitation centers, and museums for those like me who always want to learn and have educational elements included, everywhere. Plus you'll receive 24/7 real-time support from our travel partners throughout your trip - an incredible perk!

Here's a list of 10 excellent wildlife viewing regions and extraordinary experiences all across the United States, so you might not have to travel far to go wild on your next trip!

Maine

Best Wildlife Viewing

  • Acadia National Park

  • Moosehead Lake

Key Species

  • Moose, black bears, whales, puffins, lynx, bobcats, coyotes, flying squirrels, porcupines, beavers, otters

Key Experiences

  • Whale watching Zodiac tour

  • Moosehead Lake moose safari

  • Hands-on lobsterman experience

  • Puffins and bird watching private eco boat tour

Florida

Best Wildlife Viewing

  • Everglades National Park

  • Biscayne National Park

  • Big Cypress National Preserve

  • Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

  • Dry Tortugas National Park

Key Species

  • Alligators, crocodiles, iguanas, manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, tortoises, wading birds, reef fish

Key Experiences

  • Dry Tortugas seaplane and snorkel

  • Florida Keys snorkel or dive tour

  • Everglades off-road bike tour

  • Private Everglades eco-tour

  • Audobon birding in Central Florida

The Dakotas

Best Wildlife Viewing

  • Badlands National Park

  • Custer State Park

  • Wind Cave National Park

Key Species

  • Bison, elk, prairie dogs, bighorn, owls, badgers, coyotes, ferrets

Key Experiences

  • Wind Cave prairie dog towns

  • Custer Park bison tour

  • Mickelson Trail bike excursion

  • Pactola Lake kayaking adventure

Wyoming

Best Wildlife Viewing

  • Yellowstone National Park

  • Grand Teton National Park

Key Species

  • Black bears, grizzly bears, grey wolves, elk, bison, pronghorn & bighorn sheep, eagles

Key Experiences

  • Teton / Yellowstone safaris

  • Snake River private float trip

  • Wolf tracking in Lamar Valley

  • National elk herd refuge visit

Montana

Best Wildlife Viewing

  • Glacier National Park

  • Private ranches and reserves

Key Species

  • Wolves, grizzly & black bears, elk, eagles, bighorn & pronghorn sheep, mountain goats, lynx, wolverines

Key Experiences

  • Glacier flightseeing tour

  • Guided winter snowshoeing trek

  • Wildlife tours (Logan Pass, Fishercap Lake)

  • Flathead River rafting

  • Wolf tracking

New Mexico

Best Wildlife Viewing

  • Apache & Gila National Forests

  • White Sands National Park

  • Private ranches and reserves

Key Species

  • Bison, coyote, elk, black bears, prairie chickens, owls, roadrunners, oryx, barbary sheep

Key Experiences

  • Bison habitat & population management

  • Conservation of wildlife reserves

  • Typical ranch activities: horseback riding, fly fishing, etc.

  • Natural resource management

  • Protected area conservation challenges

California

Best Wildlife Viewing

  • Yosemite National Park

  • Channel Islands National Park

  • Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

  • Elkhorn Slough

  • Elephant Seal Vista Point

Key Species

  • Elk, bears, coyote, seals, sea lions, marmots, whales (year-round), dolphins, otters, monarch butterflies (Oct-Feb)

Key Experiences

  • Eco tour ocean safari

  • Yosemite naturalist touring

  • Big Sur hiking adventure

  • Channel Islands sea caves kayak

  • Catalina Island bison Jeep safari

Washington State

Best Wildlife Viewing

  • Olympic National Park

  • San Juan Islands

Key Species

  • Black bears, orcas, whales, dolphins, otters, seals, sea lions, eagles, salmon, elk, bobcats, coyotes, moose, mountain goats, pronghorn sheep

Key Experiences

  • Olympic wildlife and nature tour

  • Private whale watching charter

  • San Juan Islands kayaking adventure

Hawaii

Best Wildlife Viewing

  • Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

  • Maui, Lanai, Big Island Coral Reefs

Key Species

  • Sea turtles, humpback whales (Dec-April), dolphins, manta rays, reef fish, endemic birds

Key Experiences

  • Private SCUBA / snorkel charter

  • Maui canoe and snorkel tour

  • Big Island dolphin safari

  • Private manta ray night snorkel

  • Whale watching

Alaska

Best Wildlife Viewing

  • Denali National Park

  • Kenai Fjords National Park

  • Glacier Bay National Park

  • Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

  • Coastal wilderness lodges & privately chartered cruises

Key Species

  • Grizzly, black and Kodiak bears, wolves, caribou, moose, mountain goats, Dall sheep, salmon, eagles, falcons, orcas, migratory whales

Key Experiences

  • Katmai Peninsula bear safari

  • Denali wilderness tours

  • Private whale watching charter

  • Wrangell-St. Elias flightseeing tour

Wildlife Center Partners

Nine Muses Travel's relationships open doors for special access and meetings with key staff at these and other important wildlife centers across the country.

  • Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

  • Grizzly Bear & Wolf Discovery Center

  • The Wild Center

  • Vermont Nature Center

  • Turtle Hospital

  • Aquarium of the Pacific

  • Monterey Bay Aquarium

  • Vancouver Aquarium

  • Shedd Aquarium

  • San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

  • Houston Zoo

  • Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

  • American Museum of Natural History

Nine Muses Travel works with exceptional tour operators who add unparalleled value for my clients.

  • Expert guides for private tours: historians, naturalists, artists, unique locals

  • Exclusive experiences

  • Comfortable, sanitized, and luxurious vehicles

  • Custom-designed routings

  • 24/7 real-time support

  • Competitive rates at four and five star properties with strict health and safety protocols

  • Deep destination knowledge

  • Flexible and worry-free cancellation policies, including 100% refunds until shortly before travel

Contact Nine Muses Travel when you're ready to go wild around America and learn more about me and what I can do for you!


I design journeys that inspire by highlighting local arts and culture, history, and cuisine for intellectually curious clients longing to feel deeply inspired by exciting destinations, culinary delights, and authentic cultural experiences on a life-changing, joyful journey of discovery.


Danielle Dybiec

President of Nine Muses Travel

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