With wildlife and nature holidays, the format you choose depends to a large extent on the type of flora or fauna you particularly wish to see, be it Whales and Dolphins, Africa’s ‘Big Five’, Alpine flowers, Polar Bears, coral-reef fish species or birds.

The choice you make will also reflect how adventurous you wish to be. You can, for example, study Alpine flora, orchids or butterflies whilst on a two-week trek, or you could instead decide on an escorted tour featuring moderate day walks from a comfortable hotel. Similarly, a classic safari makes a superb game viewing holiday, but for others a walking safari, allowing you to get closer to the African bush and its amazing wildlife is the best option.

Whales may be spotted from shore, but often the best platform for observing these magnificent creatures is a boat or ship; a cruise ship is often the best means of getting within range of and observing whales, and is the only viable holiday format if you want to visit the frozen wilderness of Antarctica. Whilst the splendours of the world’s coral reefs may to some extent be appreciated from a boat or by snorkelling, diving offers the only true way to make the most of its extraordinary range of flora and fauna.

Of course, the holiday you choose can combine a range of different formats, or you can ask one of the AITO specialist tour operators to tailor a holiday which does just that. One thing’s for sure: with a combination of the fascinating diversity of wildlife and nature the on offer and the unrivalled expertise of an AITO tour operator you are bound to have a memorable and rewarding holiday.