Wildlife Encounters: What is the world’s new big five?

For decades, wildlife travel has focused on one iconic concept: the Big Five.

Traditionally referring to the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo, the “Big Five” was originally a term used by trophy hunters. Today, however, it has evolved to represent some of the most sought-after animals to encounter in the wild.

With Google searches for “wildlife holidays” increasing by 211% in the past year (averaging 46,000 searches per month), it’s clear that interest in animal encounters is stronger than ever. But as travel trends evolve and global wildlife bucket lists change, what does the modern Big Five look like?

To uncover today’s must-see species, we surveyed 2,400 people across 12 countries, identifying the animals travellers most want to see in their natural habitats, alongside the destinations they are willing to travel to find them.

The result is a new, people-powered list – from one of Earth’s rarest land mammals to the ocean’s largest creatures. Meet the world’s New Big Five.

Our research revealed a clear, updated bucket list of wildlife the world wants to see. The New Big Five, based on global demand:

1. Panda (41%)
2. Elephant (32%)
3. Kangaroo (32%)
4. Koala (30%)
5. Whale (29%)

These species reflect a shift away from purely traditional safari experiences, towards a much more diverse list of global wildlife encounters.

As Australians, we've got it pretty good, as two of the world's New Big Five are right on our doorstep. Standing out as one of the most wildlife rich countries, where we’re lucky enough to be surrounded by unique and extraordinary species. But when we do travel, which other animals are at the top of our lists?

Based on survey responses from 2,400 participants across 12 countries, here are the animals the world wants to see in the wild.
 

Rank	Animal	Most like to see in their natural habitat (%)
1	Panda	41%
2	Elephant	32%
3	Kangaroo	32%
4	Koala	30%
5	Whale	29%
6	Tiger	27%
7	Penguin	26%
8	Wolf	17%
9	Lion	16%
10	Giraffe	14%

Australia isn’t just home to incredible wildlife; it’s officially the world’s number one wildlife destination. When asked where they’d travel specifically to see animals in their natural habitat, our respondents ranked Australia far ahead of other countries.

Australia ranks as the most in-demand country for wildlife experiences, chosen by over a third (38%) of survey participants. Coming in three times higher than the second place, South Africa (11%). This highlights how much Australia resonates with travellers seeking memorable and unique wildlife encounters.
 

1. Australia (38%)

With two of the world’s New Big Five animals (kangaroos and koalas) found right here in Australia, it’s no surprise to see it in the top spot. But the appeal of the country extends beyond these species.
 
Australia is home to extraordinary levels of biodiversity, with wildlife found nowhere else in the world. From wombats and wallabies to saltwater crocodiles and quokkas, and even the Tasmanian devils, the country offers a truly unparalleled variety of encounters to explore.
 
Not only is it diverse, but accessible too, making it the perfect base for exploring. Whether that's visiting eucalyptus forests, rugged outback or marine reefs, there are countless things to discover.
 
Global appeal for Australia remains high, with over 32,500 searches for wildlife trips to Australia in the past year alone.
 

2. South Africa (11%)

A long running favourite for wildlife travellers from near and far, South Africa continues to attract visitors from around the world with its breathtaking array of species.
 
Home to the original Big Five, lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo, South Africa remains the gold standard for safari travel. Popular spots like Kruger National Park give travellers the opportunity to see the animals in their natural habitat, usually within one trip.
 
Beyond the savannah, the country’s wildlife is just as diverse. In Cape Town, travellers can see African penguin colonies and whale migrations at Hermanus, the whale watching capital of the world.
 
The appeal of South Africa isn’t going away, with 12,840 global searches for South African wildlife holidays over the past year.
 

3. Kenya (9%)

Kenya is synonymous with the classic safari experience, with the Maasai Mara National Reserve, renowned for its vast rolling savannahs, pristine forests and of course its abundant wildlife. Visitors to the reserve will have the opportunity to spot the traditional Big Five, alongside a wide range of other species.  

Kenya is also home to the Great Migration, one of nature's most spectacular events. Where millions of zebras and wildebeests cross the African plains searching for a fresh place to graze. A genuine once-in-a-lifetime experience any wildlife enthusiast.
 

4. Canada (7%)

 

Canada offers a different take on a wildlife experience, but one that’s just as breathtaking. From the towering peaks of the Rockies to dense forests, and emerald lakes, Canada’s impressive landscape is home to a wide range of species, including bears, moose, elk, marmot and mountain lion as well as many species of birds.

Interest in Canadian wildlife travel is continuing to grow, with searches increasing by 50% over the past year, averaging 720 searches per month.
 

5. China (6%)

 

China is an unexpected addition to the list, with a lesser-known wildlife scene to explore. Best known as the home of the giant panda, top of the New Big Five list, China is also home to red pandas, snow leopards, Siberian tigers and dolphins.

 
Despite the array of species, many live in remote and protected regions, making wildlife encounters rarer but also all the more rewarding for those willing to venture off the beaten track.
 

While global travel aspirations remain strong, our research reveals that people still treasure the wildlife closer to home.

An extraordinary 91% of respondents say it is important to see wildlife in their own country, with 29% describing it as very or extremely important to them. Yet for many, this desire hasn’t translated into real encounters.

Countries placing the highest importance on domestic wildlife:

1. South Africa (99%)
2. Mexico (96%)
3. Chile 96%)
4. UK (95%)
5. Australia (93%)

In South Africa, despite ranking highest for domestic wildlife interest (99%) very few have experienced wildlife sightings for themselves. The most commonly spotted animal, the elephant, had been seen in the wild by just 23% of South Africans, followed by giraffe (19%), lion (18%) and zebra (16%).

In the UK, over half of native species have been spotted by less than 50% of Brits. While foxes have been seen by 90% and hedgehogs by 86%, fewer than a third of Brits have never seen a dolphin in British waters,  despite them residing in multiple locations across the country, from Cardigan Bay in Wales, and Penzance in England to Moray Firth in Scotland. More surprisingly, as little as 2% have ever seen a basking shark.

Even with so much on our doorstep, most of us haven't ticked off as much as we'd like. While 93% of us reckon it's important to see wildlife in our own backyard, the reality is many of us haven't quite got around to it. Sure, 89% of us have spotted a kangaroo and 67% a koala, but fewer than half have ever seen a penguin in the wild (44%), and only about a third have come face to face with an emu (36%). All up, less than half of those surveyed had seen two thirds of Australia's native species. Turns out, there's more to explore closer to home than most of us realise.
 

Wildlife encounters aren’t just a nice addition to a trip; for many travellers, they’re a deciding factor when choosing a destination.

72% of global respondents say wildlife is at least somewhat important when choosing a holiday destination, with many ranking it as a key motivator.

Countries where wildlife plays the biggest role in travel decisions:

 

• South Africa (95%)
• Chile (81%)
• Italy (79%)
• France (77%)
• Mexico (75%)

Meanwhile, travellers in countries like the USA (41%), New Zealand (39%) and the UK (39%) are more likely to say wildlife is less important to them when travelling.

From bucket list species spotting to once in a lifetime animal encounters, our data shows that wildlife remains strongly in the heart of how and why any of us are travelling.

Whether it’s discovering more of Australia’s own iconic species or travelling further afield to tick off your wildlife bucket list, there’s never been a better time to plan your next adventure. Ready to start your own wildlife journey?

Explore Worldwide offers small-group wildlife itineraries across all five New Big Five destinations - including right here at home. Browse Explore wildlife holidays and start planning your next adventure."
 

Methodology
 

We compiled a comprehensive list of over 355 animal species, split by native country. We then conducted a survey of 2,400 participants across 12 countries, including UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Chile, Germany, France, Australia, and New Zealand. Data was collected March 2026.
Search data is from Google Keyword Planner and was collected between March 2025 to February 2026. Data is correct as of March 2026.