Travelers Redefine the “Big Five” with Pandas, Kangaroos and Whales

A July 2026 study by tour operator Explore surveyed 2,400 respondents in 12 countries and analyzed Google search data from the previous year. The research recorded a 211 % rise in searches for “wildlife holidays” and found that 72 % of global participants consider wildlife at least somewhat important when choosing a destination. While the traditional “big five” (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo) remains on many bucket lists, the survey identified a new set of priority animals: giant pandas, elephants, kangaroos, koalas and whales.

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• Giant pandas – top-ranked, with 41 % of respondents wanting to see them in the wild. Prime sites include the Chengdu Research Base and Wolong National Nature Reserve in China’s Gansu, Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces.

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• Elephants – cited by 32 % of travelers; the largest concentration is in Chobe National Park, Botswana (?120,000 individuals), with Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka also highlighted.

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• Kangaroos – also at 32 %, best observed on Kangaroo Island (off Adelaide) or Murramarang National Park, New South Wales.

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• Koalas – desired by 30 %; viewing opportunities focus on Kangaroo Island and Port Stephens, New South Wales.

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• Whales – wanted by 29 %; recommended locations include Hermanus, South Africa and Mirissa, Sri Lanka, with additional options in Australia, Canada and Madeira.

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The study places Australia as the leading wildlife-travel destination (38 % of respondents), followed by South Africa (11 %) and Kenya (9 %). This shift suggests growing demand for experiences beyond classic African safaris, prompting tour operators and conservation sites to market panda habitats, marsupial sanctuaries and whale-watching circuits. The trend may influence future travel-product development, funding for wildlife protection, and regional tourism strategies.

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• “The study found that there’s been a marked shift in the importance of seeing wildlife while travelling, with a 211% increase in searches for "wildlife holidays".” — Euronews

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• “Whales The data revealed that 29% of respondents want to see whales in the wild – and there’s no shortage of places to spot all kinds of varieties, from Australia to Canada and Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean.” — Euronews

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• “Kangaroos can live across a wide variety of areas, from grasslands to more coastal regions.” — Euronews

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