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10 Wild Bucket List Ideas‏

By: Lesley Posted in: Africa, Bahamas, Bucketlist, Canada, Caribbean, Destination, Hawaii, Mexico, Namibia, Uganda, USA
Kibale Chimpanzees

Standing in a national forest in Uganda, I was surrounded by gorillas. I was told not to look them in the eyes. Be non-threatening. Turn off your camera’s flash. Don’t get in their way. Stay at least 5 m away at all times. I was able to experience something so few people will ever experience in their life. I came face to face with a community of mountain gorillas and I watched them in their natural habitat for over an an hour. Similarly, I sat down on a glacier in Antarctica and watched as thousands of penguins marched around me. I took a selfie with one of them and he inquisitively looked at me for more than a minute before continuing on his journey. From trekking gorillas to penguin selfies, I’ve been running wild this year but my animal side is just getting piqued. Encounters with wild animals are the most adrenaline-filled adventures. Regardless of how in control you feel or how prepared you are, you can’t control a wild animal, especially when you are a guest in their home. Here are 10 wild encounters to add to your bucket list and fantastic places to give them a try.

10 Wild Bucket List Ideas‏

1. Swimming with Whale Sharks in Mexico
(Usually takes place between May-September)

Swimming-with-Whale-Sharks in Mexico

2. Diving with Great White Sharks in Mexico with Islander Charters

Great White Sharks - Islander Charters

3. Trekking Gorillas in Bwindi National Park, Uganda with Africa Adventure Safaris

Bwindi Mountain Gorilla, Uganda

4. Trekking Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, Uganda with Africa Adventure Safaris

Baby Chimp on Mom in Uganda

5. Searching for Polar Bears in Manitoba, Canada with Churchill Nature Tours

Polar Bear in Churchill, Manitoba

6. Taking Selfies with Penguins in Antarctica with Bark Europa

Penguin Selfie on Barrientos Island

7. Swimming with Manta Rays in Hawaii with Fair Wind Cruises

Swimming with Manta Rays in Hawaii

8. Swimming with Stingrays in Grand Cayman with Captain Marvins

Stingrays in Grand Cayman

9. Self-Driving on an African Safari in Namibia with ATI Holidays

Zebra in Etosha National Park, Namibia

10. Swimming with Pigs in Exumas, Bahamas

Swimming with Pigs in the Bahamas

What wild bucket ideas have you experienced? I’m always look for new inspiration and ideas.

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Related posts:

  1. 2015 Bucket List
  2. Gorilla Trekking Itinerary – Uganda
  3. Why You Should Make A Yearly Bucket List
  4. Women Gone Wild
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Comments

  1. Jolanta aka Casual Traveler says:
    May 31, 2015 at 2:30 am

    I would love to try swimming with manta rays some time! What an interesting list! I don’t know if I’m quite brave enough, and whether my budget could handle most of these trips, but it’s so nice to look at your photos!

    Reply
    • Lesley says:
      June 13, 2015 at 1:12 pm

      The manta ray swim was in my top five. It was amazing. Depending on where you’re located, Hawaii isn’t as expensive. It’s only a short flight for us and we can find great deals in the off season. The actual swim isn’t as expensive either (comparatively). Have you been to Hawaii before?

      Reply
  2. Hitch-Hikers Handbook says:
    June 13, 2015 at 12:42 am

    I love pigs, so I would definitely go for the last option!

    Reply
    • Lesley says:
      June 13, 2015 at 1:13 pm

      The pigs are so amazing. They are a little more aggressive than I anticipated but it’s beautiful and an adventure, which is a great combination. Have you been to Bahamas before?

      Reply
  3. Jo says:
    June 13, 2015 at 3:11 am

    It would have to be the penguins for me! I’d love to visit Antarctica and for me the penguins would be an absolute highlight. I grew up not far from a colony of little penguins, and it was always a thrill to go and watch them come in from fishing of an evening

    Reply
    • Lesley says:
      June 13, 2015 at 1:15 pm

      The penguins might be my favorite, especially since I sailed to Antarctica as part of the training crew on tall ship, Bark Europa. It was an amazing adventure.

      Where did you grew up? Sounds like a lovely place.

      Reply
  4. Will says:
    June 13, 2015 at 5:02 am

    Great stuff! Love it! SHARKS!!

    Reply
  5. João Leitão says:
    June 13, 2015 at 7:21 am

    This is one of my favorite thing while traveling: animals! WOW i just want to go out and fly and swim among those Pigs and Manta Rays… are those for real?! Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs. I’m really in love with them now. They look so cute while on the water don’t they?

    Reply
    • Lesley says:
      June 13, 2015 at 1:18 pm

      They were both a little intimidating in different ways. In Hawaii with the manta rays, the thought of what lurked in the water at night scared me, but when I saw the manta rays dancing in the water, I forgot all about everything else. The Bahamas with the pigs was the opposite. The surroundings were bright and beautiful but the pigs seemed a little aggressive. I was nervous of them, not the surroundings.

      I would do both again in a heart beat and loved every second. Have you been to Bahamas or Hawaii?

      Reply
  6. Katja - Globetotting says:
    June 13, 2015 at 9:17 am

    I haven’t done any of these (yet!). Swimming with whale sharks is definitely top of my list, I think it must be an incredible experience. Followed quickly after by the pigs – too cute!

    Reply
    • Lesley says:
      June 13, 2015 at 1:21 pm

      I only swam with whale sharks in the Georgia Aquarium, but I’m hoping to try it in Mexico in August. Are there any that you wouldn’t do?

      Reply
  7. noel says:
    June 13, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    Wow those look amazing, where did these pictures come from?

    Reply
    • Lesley says:
      June 13, 2015 at 1:20 pm

      8 of the photos are mine during my adventure and two come from the company that offer the experience 🙂

      Reply
  8. Sophie says:
    June 14, 2015 at 8:48 pm

    Going to Antarctica has been a big dream of mine for a long time. I adore penguins. Hoping one day i’ll get there.

    Reply
  9. Lindsay Nieminen says:
    June 15, 2015 at 12:37 am

    i swam with the sting rays and the reef sharks in Bora Bora – Terrifying but cool! i didn’t like that the rays wanted to rub against you!
    i would love to see the gorillas!

    Reply
  10. Ralph says:
    June 15, 2015 at 3:58 pm

    Who knew pigs could swim? I think I’d choose swimming with whale sharks. No desire to bump into a polar bear. Ever.

    Reply
  11. Janice Stringer says:
    June 17, 2015 at 8:15 am

    I’d like to swim with the pigs… they look lovely!

    Reply
  12. Stephanie Mayo says:
    December 4, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    Great list! As for bucket list worthy animal encounters I have a few! They include; seeing the great masses of Monarch butterflies in Mexico, seeing the caribou migration in Northern Canada, and the Great Migration in Africa to name a few!

    Reply
  13. simo says:
    July 3, 2019 at 11:52 am

    Wow, so nice pictures! Thanks for sharing, it’s really helpful for me.

    Reply
  14. Albert says:
    March 17, 2020 at 7:46 pm

    wow!! your blog is amazing, thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply

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