When most people think of taking a safari holiday they think of Africa but the USA has many beautiful national parks with spectacular wildlife and below is the list of our top ten. Enjoy!
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, just outside the park, offers a four-hour safari led by a wildlife biologist. See elk, moose, bears and wolves! fourseasons.com/jacksonhole
Wild Animal Safari , Pine Mountain, Ga.
Have you ever seen a liger, vervet or southern pig-tailed macaque? Hop on one of the park's tour vehicles, and you might. Or take a self-drive through the preserve featuring animals from six continents.
San Juan Islands, Washington
Score some one-on-one time with resident killer whales on an afternoon kayaking trip to this group of islands located near Vancouver, British Columbia. Among the outfitters is Sea Quest Expeditions, with guided trips through the whales' favorite feeding and play areas. Here in the shadow of the Olympic Mountains, you're also likely to see bald eagles, harbor seals (also known as rock sausages), Steller sea lions and minke whales. sea-quest-kayak.com
Monarch butterfly preserves, Mexico
It takes several generations of butterflies to complete a single migration. Amazingly, the butterflies know their way every year. Among outfitters offering guided trips: G Adventures. gadventures.com
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Spot grizzly bears on an overnight trip organized by Silver Salmon Creek Lodge. The outing incorporates fishing, other wildlife viewing and sea kayaking. silversalmoncreek.com
La Paz, Mexico
For jaw-dropping scenery, this Gulf of California city doesn't disappoint. Same goes for the wildlife. Dive shops, including Baja Expeditions, offer two-tank dive packages starting at $50 per person, bajaex.com
Wagon Trails Animal Park, Vienna, Ohio
This interactive park, where you can feed and pet many of the animals, is great for kids. Sixty acres of woods and ponds are home to camels, zebra, bison, water buffalo, ostrich and antelope. wagontrails.com
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose, Texas
This 1,700-acre park offers options ranging from self-guided day trips to private tours with overnight accommodations. Choose from photography expeditions, behind-the-scenes adventures or feeding tours, where guests accompany the zookeeper on the morning breakfast rounds.fossilrim.org
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
One way to experience this precious ecosystem is through the Yellowstone Association Institute's field seminars. They let you join experts in animal-tracking, biology and photography to get "a first-rate look at the wildlife of Yellowstone." yellowstoneassociation.org
Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
In the heart of California's wine country, this 400-acre preserve with 800 free-roaming animals is a Sonoma Serengeti of sorts. For a complete safari experience spend the night in one of the on-site luxury tents. Some overlook a pristine lake; others are nestled in the woods for a true bushveld feel. safariwest.com
