A summer holiday with your family can be more than just a getaway - pick the right tour and you'll have an educational experience that stays in the minds of your children for life. If you're after an trip your whole family will never forget, choose a wildlife-spotting holiday and enjoy visiting some of the world's most biodiverse areas. From the remote and rugged isles of the Galapagos, to the scenic cloud forests of Costa Rica, take your family on a trip of a lifetime with one of these truly memorable wildlife experiences.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
After a day wandering around the historic city of Quito, Ecuador, fly to the remote airport on Isla San Cristobal, located three hours away in the vast Pacific Ocean. From day one, you'll be able to see some of the world's most spectacular and unique wildlife up close. The islands' isolation has resulted in wildlife that are evolutionarily unique, and it was the experience of this which famously inspired Darwin's theory of evolution after a trip here in 1835. A boat trip to Isla Lobos means you can see the world's second largest sea lion colony, and during the boat ride here you can spot stunning birdlife like frigate birds and blue footed boobies. A visit to the remote Charles Darwin Research Centre means you can get up close to giant tortoises, part of the centre's breeding program, and snorkeling around pretty beach La Loberia will reveal a hidden world of sea lions and turtles.
Madagascar
Giant island Madagascar, located off the coast of Africa, is home to some of the most unique wildlife on the planet - over 90% of the biodiversity here isn't found anywhere else on the planet. Wander under towering baobab trees, spot curious ring-tailed lemurs and glide past waiting crocodiles on inland rivers. A visit to stunning Andasibe National Park is a must, and gives you a chance to see over 13 different lemur species, from the largest - the Indri with its distinctive call - to the tiny red mouse lemur. It's also extremely worthwhile to take a boat tour along the quiet Tsiribihina river to see beautiful birdlife like herons, ibis and egrets, before stopping to camp with a spectacular view of the stars.
Borneo
Take to the humid rainforests of Borneo, an island spanning both Indonesia and Malaysia, to experience some of the most stunning wildlife on Earth. A trip to Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary in Sabah will allow you to get up close to beautiful orangutans, our close cousins, and witness their feeding time. The sanctuary is also home to the rare Malaysian Sun Bear, which are in danger of becoming extinct. Close to here is the Kinabatangan River, which you can travel down to spot monkeys playing on the banks, crocodiles submerged below the rusty water, and if you're lucky, wild elephants drinking. Crossing over to Indonesian Sarawak, take part in a frog tour at Kubah National Park - a visit to the frog pond here will reveal some of the 60 species that live in the park, and you'll be treated to the harmonious music of their calls.
Antarctica
The southernmost continent of Antarctica is one of the world's last frontiers, and tagging along on an expedition here is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Stop off at remote South Georgia, to wander among a colony of over 500,000 king penguins, watch whales swim slowly from the deck of the boat and see strange, beautifully shaped icebergs float by. Don't miss a chance to take part on a kayak tour, which will allow you to glide past seals and below flying albatross. Book a cabin on the ship with a floor-to-ceiling window so you can watch the stunning wildlife from the comfort of your room as day turns into night.