Six Adorably Cute Animal Tours to Immerse Yourself in the Wild World

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, Li Xinyi | Compiled & Reported | Source: Moleskine Editorial Department

Cute animals always capture everyone’s attention—why not embark on an ultra-cute or thrilling animal adventure? Head to Australia to see penguins and koalas, not only incredibly adorable and perfect for family trips; if you love water activities, go to Thailand to find pink dolphins or visit Malaysia to see proboscis monkeys; for an adrenaline rush, head to Harbin to come “face to face” with Siberian tigers, where you might even hear their low growls, or go on a safari in Kenya to witness wildlife in its true habitat!

1. Australia: Nocturnal Penguin Parade

Cuteness Level: ★★★★★  Thrill Level: ★

On the shores of Diamond Island, located 2 kilometers from the center of Bicheno Town, lives the world’s smallest penguin—the Fairy Penguin. For thousands of years, these tiny penguins have maintained unchanged habits: they head out to sea at dawn to forage and return to shore in groups as the sun sets. Some penguins stay at sea during autumn and winter, only coming ashore in spring and summer to molt, build nests, lay eggs, and raise their young.

In Tasmania’s long summer evenings, the penguin viewing begins at dusk. Tour guides lead small groups of visitors, laying down the rules as everyone waits quietly by the shore. Aside from the guide’s flashlight, all disturbances—especially camera flashes—are strictly prohibited. Around 9 PM, groups of little penguins line up and prepare to come ashore. The lead penguin scouts the area to ensure there are no predators nearby before small groups of penguins waddle up the sand dunes, through the grass, and between visitors’ feet, some chasing each other for mating and reproduction, others returning to their nests to feed their chicks. As more penguins arrive, the once silent night fills with their noisy calls—the Fairy Penguin being the loudest of all penguin species.

2. Australia: Koala Cuddling

Cuteness Level: ★★★★★  Thrill Level: ★

Located in the suburbs of Brisbane, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world’s largest and oldest koala sanctuary. Starting with just two koalas, it now houses over 130. It’s undoubtedly the best place to get up close to koalas. As the star attraction, one of the first things visitors can do here is hold a cute koala for a photo—a rare opportunity, as koala cuddling is banned throughout Australia except in Queensland.

3. Thailand: Pink Dolphin Spotting

Cuteness Level: ★★★★  Thrill Level: ★★★

In the vast ocean near the border of Thailand’s Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and Surat Thani Province, pink dolphins roam—the species known as the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin. These dolphins are gray at birth with white bellies, only turning pink after the age of 8. Female dolphins live around 30 years on average, males up to 50. Females become pregnant at ages 5–6 and care for their calves for 3–4 years.