Once-in-a-lifetime wildlife trips inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday

Legendary broadcaster, historian and environmental activist Sir David Attenborough turns 100 on May 8.

In a career spanning eight decades, Attenborough has become synonymous with natural history and a remarkable advocate for the world’s wildlife – and its future in the face of climate change.

His most famous TV series such as the BBC’s Life On Earth in 1979 and Blue Planet (2001), as well as Planet Earth (2006), Frozen Planet (2011) and Africa (2013) helped educate and entertain millions – and have inspired plenty of holidaymakers to explore distant, biodiverse corners of the earth, witness animals in their natural habitats and helped lead a shift towards more eco-conscious and ethical travel.

In celebration of Attenborough’s 100 years on earth, here are five incredible wildlife experiences.

Gorillas and chimpanzees in Rwanda and Uganda

When Attenborough famously encountered a young silverback Gorilla, Pablo, nearly 50 years ago – which he reflects on in the new Netflix documentary David Attenborough: A Gorilla Story – it was in Rwanda.

The presenter has put the central African country’s conservation story onto the global stage. Filmed in the Volcanoes National Park, the documentary follows Pablo’s gorilla family and looks back at Attenborough’s connection to the animals, dating back to his 1978 visit to the park.

You can follow in his footsteps. Volcanoes Safaris focus exclusively on conservation-led journeys into the gorilla and chimpanzee parks of Rwanda and Uganda, with five luxury lodges close to key habitats – including Virunga Lodge near Volcanoes National Park, which also has ties to the late primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey.

Perched above Lakes Burera and Ruhondo with volcanic views, Virunga Lodge offers a seven-night gorilla and golden monkey safari, paired with Mount Gahinga Lodge in Uganda. The itinerary includes trekking to see mountain gorillas in both countries and rare golden monkeys, hiking a volcano, and learning about Batwa cultural experiences.

Prices for Seven-Night Gorilla, Golden Monkey and Batwa Culture Safari are from £7,480 per person in low season, all-inclusive. Book before June 30 for a complimentary night at Mount Gahinga Lodge and free golden monkey permit. Visit: volcanoessafaris.com.

Rhinos in Nepal

Rhino populations face severe threats from poaching, but Nepal, which has one of the major populations of the animal, has achieved success in conserving the greater one-horned rhino in the UNESCO World Heritage site Chitwan National Park. Numbers of rhinos generally have increased so much since the 1970s (when an estimated 100 only remained in the country) that some communities are having to relearn how to coexist with rhinos, with around 700 living in around the park now, according to The Guardian.

Travellers can witness firsthand this incredible conversation effort during an 11-day tour with The Ultimate Travel Company. It begins in Kathmandu, for the ancient temples, stupas and palaces, before heading to the Nepalese Himalayas. Other wildlife you might come across includes sloth bears, monkeys and the Bengal tiger (although sightings are rare in the park).

The Simply Nepal 11-day tour costs from £3,880 per person, including international flights. Visit: theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk.

Jaguars in Brazil

Brazil has some of the world’s greatest biodiversity in the world and considered the best place to see jaguars in the wild – namely in Porto Jofre, of Brazil’s Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland. Rainbow Tours offer an 11-day trip here, designed with as much overland travel as possible to reduce environmental impact while exploring this remarkable region, as well as the Cerrado Savanna and the Amazon rainforest.

With hikes near dramatic waterfalls, up mountains and down canyons of the Parque Nacional Chapada dos Guimarães, excursions expose the depth of Brazil’s flora, fauna and animal life in the day and night. With a good chance of spotting jaguars, you can expect to see caimans, capybaras, monkeys, anteaters, tapirs, giant river otters and, perhaps if you’re lucky, maned wolves – with expert guides highly attuned to every shift and nuance of the local habitat.

Brazilian Wildlife in Depth Holiday, 11 nights from £6,295 per person (based on two sharing) includes return flights, activities, accommodation and some meals. Visit: rainbowtours.co.uk (0203 930 2552)

Penguins and whales in Antarctica

For a sense of true exploration, beyond what many people will ever experience, travelling to the least-visited, and virtually uninhabited, most-southerly continent has to be up there. The world’s oldest expedition cruise company, HX Expeditions, offers a 12-day cruise to see some of the world’s rarest wildlife.

See penguins court and nest in October and November, and their chicks hatch in December and January. February and March is the best time to see blue, humpback, minke, sperm and beaked whales. Roughly 50% of the world’s orcas are thought to live in Antarctic waters too. The hybrid battery-powered ship reduces emissions and results in minimal noise, for a better environmental impact. With an onboard science centre also providing educational resources, travellers can really gain an understanding about the ecosystems around them, aiming to inspire a duty of care for visitors to this incredible place.

HX Expeditions Highlights of Antarctica expedition cruise is all-inclusive but doesn’t include flights. Starting from £7,576pp with an anniversary offer of free suite upgrade. Visit: travelhx.com.

Bengal tigers in India

Attenborough’s landmark BBC series Asia showcased Bengal tigers in central India. The country’s national parks offer travellers the chance to see these elusive creatures – the national animal of India and one of the biggest wild cats in the world. Today though, they’re threatened by poaching and habitat loss, and listed as endangered with an estimated 4,500 remaining in the wild across Asia.

Selective Asia offers a 13-day safari journey across India’s premier wildlife reserves. Beginning in Delhi and going into three national parks – Panna, Bandhavgarh, and Kanha. As well as trying to spot a Bengal, guests will explore diverse ecosystems and may encounter other rare species like the Barasingha, a breed of deer now extinct in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Designed for wildlife enthusiasts, the trip combines game drives with cultural immersion – including a visit to the Taj Mahal and the ancient temples of Khajuraho.

The Walk on the Wild Side tour starts from £3,990 per person (not including international flights). Visit Selectiveasia.com.