But nature often defies expectations. Here are some destinations where animals appear in the last places you’d imagine and the best times to see them:
Penguins on beaches — Africa & beyond
When you think penguins, your mind probably jumps to Antarctica’s icy wilderness. But some penguins prefer sunshine and sand.
On Boulders Beach near Cape Town, African penguins waddle across warm white sand and swim in turquoise waves — a sight that stuns first-time visitors.
And they’re not the only “tropical” penguins.
You’ll also find colonies along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, Chile’s desert coast where Humboldt penguins thrive near the Atacama, tiny blue penguins in New Zealand’s coastal forests, and even Galápagos penguins basking right on the equator.
Best time to visit: Year-round in South Africa, but peak visibility is March–May and October–November (less crowded, mild weather). Galápagos penguins are best seen in June–December when waters are cooler and food is abundant.
Flamingos in the sky — Bolivia & Chile
High in the Andes, at over 4,000 meters above sea level, pink flamingos thrive in surreal landscapes like Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni and Laguna Colorada.
Instead of tropical lagoons, you’ll find them wading through mineral-rich lakes surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes.
Best time to visit: May–November (dry season) for accessibility and clear views; January–March during the rainy season for mirror-like reflections at Salar de Uyuni, with flamingos still present.
Reindeer in Mongolia — Lake Khovsgol Region
Not just Lapland! Northern Mongolia is home to the Tsaatan reindeer herders, one of the last nomadic groups living with reindeer.
Visitors can trek to their camps, where reindeer are both companions and transport through Siberian-like forests.
Best time to visit: June–September (short summer season) when roads are passable, camps are accessible, and the landscape is lush.
Kangaroos by the sea — Australia
Okay, it’s not shocking at all that kangaroos are in Australia, right?
What surprises visitors is where exactly: at Lucky Bay in Western Australia, kangaroos hop right down onto the pristine white sand to lounge by the ocean like sunbathers.
Best time to visit: December–April (summer/autumn) for sunny beach weather. Early mornings and evenings are when kangaroos are most active.
Monkeys in the snow — Japan
The Japanese snow monkeys (macaques) of Jigokudani soak in steaming hot springs surrounded by snow. Tourists can watch them lounging like spa-goers, a scene equal parts funny and surreal.
Best time to visit: December–March, when snow blankets the park and monkeys huddle in the steamy baths.
Goats in trees — Morocco
On the roadside near Essaouira, visitors often stop to see goats casually perched in argan trees, balancing high in the branches to nibble fruit. It looks Photoshopped, but it’s real.
Best time to visit: June–July, during argan fruit season, when goats climb in large numbers to feed.
