ZOO TRIPS · WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES IN THE USA
Good wildlife sanctuaries in the USA fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 12 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
From Anchorage, ride a guided shuttle along Turnagain Arm to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Beluga Point, Portage Valley, and Potter Marsh. Guides such as Gary, Melissa, Matt, and Matthew add local stories about wildlife, geology, and Alaska life. Wildlife sightings vary, but the scenery is constant.
“Great tour. Matt was superb. So knowledgable and enthusiastic.”
Travel from Anchorage to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center with guides such as Chris, Kimberly, or Elizabeth. See bears, moose, musk oxen, wolves, and more in broad natural habitats, stop for lunch and Alaska-made beer in Girdwood, and pause for photographs along Turnagain Arm.
“Seeing the Brown Bear up close while elk bugled and a huge V of migrating geese honked overhead. Magical. Also, baby Muskox. C'mon! Where else could this happen? Up close viewing of Explorer glacier and distant sights of beluga whale and Dall Sheep. Yes, please.”
You’ll ride from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm, stop at Beluga Point and Bird Point, cruise Portage Lake past several glaciers, and tour the 200-acre Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. A guide such as Jeremy adds local wildlife and geography context. Hotel pickup, snacks, water, and admission are included.
“Our trip was wonderful. Jeremy is an excellent guide - very knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife. The boat ride allowed us to get up close and really see the size and scale of Portage Glacier. Even the weather was exquisite that day!”
You’ll travel from Anchorage to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Alyeska Resort in a small group of up to 14. Expect winter scenery, wildlife, local commentary, and professional photos. Confirm the exact itinerary before booking, since the advertised tram and wildlife inclusions conflict with separate self-guided shuttle details.
“This excursion has been removed from Viator as available. Viator gave me incorrect information. Vendor was gracious and rescheduled us to a valid excursion that met our time schedule”
Travel by coach from central Miami to the Everglades for a 60-minute airboat ride with a licensed ranger. Look for wild alligators and birds, then visit a sanctuary with a short wildlife presentation, restrooms, snacks, souvenirs, and one free group photo.
“A fantastic tour, very informative guide and gator show was excellent. Decent transport, arrived on time.”
From downtown Naples, an English-speaking eco-trained guide leads you by climate-controlled vehicle to an Everglades airboat ride and a 259-acre sanctuary. Expect mangrove tunnels, Ten Thousand Islands, alligators, crocodiles, rescued big cats, and conservation stories during this 4.5-hour outing.
Travel from Ketchikan to Herring Cove for a guided rainforest walk, Eagle Creek views, and possible sightings of bald eagles, bears, seals, and marine birds. You’ll also see a totem carver, reindeer, rescued raptors, and enjoy hot drinks with smoked salmon.
“We had an excellent time. The guide was very knowledgeable and informative. I would recommend this tour to others”
Travel from downtown Anchorage along the Seward Highway to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, then stop in Girdwood for lunch and beer tasting at Girdwood Brewing Company. Guides such as Elizabeth and Tom add local context, with groups limited to 14 people.
“Our guide Elisabeth was knowledgeable, energetic and helpful throughout our trip. We were lucky to have our small group to ourselves with Elizabeth and it felt more personal. The place to stop for lunch was also delish. She suggested great photo opportunities as well.”
Travel south from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, then spend free time in Girdwood for the Alyeska Tram or hiking. The 4 to 6-hour trip uses an air-conditioned vehicle and returns to downtown Anchorage.
“Canceled trip because leave times changed and did not fit into our schedule and was harassed all night long via text messages”
You’ll ride from Seward to Anchorage with an English-speaking guide, stopping for a glacier-view hike, wildlife at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and Turnagain Arm scenery. Guides Ben and Geoff have led recent departures. Hotel or airport drop-off makes this a useful final-day tour.
“Excellent Tour! We wanted a transfer to the airport and thought we get to see a little bit more if we booked a tour with It. We got way more than we could have asked for. From beautiful glaciers and water falls to BEARS1 Geoff (our guide) was very communitive with picking us up and telling us many facts about the area. We got a lot of great pictures and had a lot of fun1”
Travel from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm with an English-speaking Alaskan guide, stopping for views and wildlife sightings before touring the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. You get guided time inside the sanctuary, free time to walk around, hotel pickup and drop-off, water, and a snack.
Leave Miami by bus for a 45-minute airboat ride at Everglades Holiday Park. Your English-speaking guide points out alligators, turtles, and birds before a live alligator show using traditional Seminole handling methods. Pickup, a group photo, and return transport are included.
“Nice to discover for the first time but not the best part of the Everglades. Also the airboat was with a roof so not like in the picture…”
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