The Wildlife Index

What We Did

To find out the best countries for wildlife, Go2Africa set out to create The Wildlife Index, a comprehensive data study that looks at the best destinations around the world for wildlife travel.

To do this, we analysed seven different data metrics, including megafauna conservation efforts, the number of wildlife species and endangered wildlife species, the prevalence of national parks, the number of protected natural areas, natural environment quality and the percentage of indigenous protected areas. All these data points show a commitment to preserving wildlife habitats and the environment.

Read on to see the full results of our wildlife index.

The Wildlife Index

Explore the world of wildlife travel through our comprehensive map, which highlights each country's score based on factors such as biodiversity, protected areas, and conservation efforts. This visual guide will help you identify the top destinations for experiencing nature and its incredible inhabitants.

Dive into the scores and discover where you can embark on your next wildlife adventure:

The Top 10 Countries for Wildlife Travel

These countries are among the top picks for wildlife experiences, where travelers can truly connect with nature in some of the planet’s most varied landscapes. You’ll find everything from thick rainforests buzzing with rare animals to wide-open plains where well-known predators roam free, giving you a front-row view of nature’s wonders.

Chosen based on factors like the variety of wildlife, conservation efforts, and protected areas, each of these top 10 places offers something special. Whether you're aiming to spot hard-to-find predators or simply enjoy the sight of vibrant birdlife, these locations provide some of the most amazing opportunities to experience wildlife up close.

1. United States – 90.5/100

Overall, the United States ranked as the top country for wildlife travel with a score of 90.5 out of 100. The country ranked highly as the top place in the world for its 51,018 protected natural areas, the highest globally, which include national parks, wildlife refuges, and conservation units—many of which are concentrated in Alaska's expansive wilderness. The country is home to an impressive diversity of wildlife, with over 5,500 animal species, and supports a robust system of 61 national parks that offer unparalleled opportunities for encountering nature.

2. Brazil – 90.2/100

Brazil comes in second place with an incredibly close score of 90.2, battling the U.S. for the top spot. It's true that Brazil has been blessed with a large number of wildlife making it the most biodiverse country on the planet. While many of these species are endemic such as the golden lion tamarin and Schneider’s marmoset, it also has the highest number of endangered or critically endangered species. However, the country still has a lot of ongoing challenges to tackle, including widespread deforestation, loosening environmental protection laws and conflicts over indigenous land rights.

3. Colombia – 85.5/100

Rounding up the top three countries, which interestingly are all based in the Americas, Colombia comes in third place with a score of 85.5 out of 100. The country has a high level of biodiversity with 6,113 unique wildlife species, 432 of which are classified as endangered. Colombia also has 60 national parks, covering over 14% of the country’s territory, from Tayrona National Natural Park featuring a mix of beaches and jungle to Los Nevados National Natural Park known for its stunning Andrean landscapes.

4. Australia – 82.1/100

Australia ranks fourth on the list with a strong wildlife index score of 82.1 out of 100. As a country with a diverse range of ecosystems, Australia supports one of the most unique collections of flora and fauna on Earth. It leads the world in the number of national parks, with 685 protected areas dedicated to conservation and biodiversity. With 7,799 recorded wildlife species, Australia holds the third-highest number globally, many of which are found nowhere else on the planet, including iconic species like the koala, platypus, and echidna.

5. Tanzania – 81.8/100

Tanzania is the first African nation to appear on our list, securing fifth place with an impressive score of 81.8 out of 100. Known for its extraordinary biodiversity, Tanzania is home to 3,945 wildlife species and 413 critically endangered or endangered animals, including iconic species such as the cheetah, chimpanzee, leopard, and black rhino. The country also leads in megafauna conservation, earning a Megafauna Conservation Index (MCI) score of 96.69, ranking just behind Namibia and Botswana.

6. Canada – 77.5/100

Canada ranks sixth on the list with a wildlife index score of 77.5 out of 100, reflecting its vast natural landscapes and strong commitment to conservation. The country boasts an impressive 11,885 protected natural areas, including 47 national parks that stretch from the rugged coastlines of British Columbia to the Arctic tundra of Nunavut. With its expansive boreal forests, mountain ranges, freshwater systems, and Arctic habitats, Canada plays a crucial role in safeguarding biodiversity on a global scale.

7. Peru – 75.8/100

Seventh on the list, Peru stands out with a wildlife index score of 75.8 out of 100, driven by its biodiversity and forward-thinking conservation strategies. The country is home to 5,334 wildlife species, including the elusive jaguar, the Andean condor, the spectacled bear, and a variety of amphibians and birds unique to the Amazon basin. 21.64% of Peru's protected areas are managed by Indigenous communities. These community-led efforts are often more effective than those overseen by governments or private entities, thanks to generations of ecological knowledge, sustainable land-use practices, and an ingrained respect for nature.

8. Spain – 74.4/100

Spain claims eighth place with a wildlife index score of 74.4 out of 100. The country is home to 451 endangered or critically endangered species, including the Iberian lynx, once the most endangered wild cat in the world, as well as the Cantabrian brown bear and the Mediterranean monk seal. The 4,131 protected natural areas in Spain play a crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable habitats and species, particularly as climate change and urban development pose increasing threats.

=9. Kenya – 73.6/100

Coming in joint ninth place is Kenya as the second African country on the list with a wildlife index score of 73.6 out of 100. Known for its iconic savannahs and rich biodiversity, Kenya is home to 3,051 wildlife species including 259 that are endangered or critically endangered, such as the Grevy's zebra and black rhino. It also scores highly for megafauna conservation with a Megafauna Conservation Index of 91.67. Notably, 12.47% of Kenya's 409 protected natural areas are managed by Indigenous communities, whose stewardship plays a key role in preserving the country's unique ecosystems.

=9. Panama – 73.6/100

Rounding out the top ten in joint ninth place is Panama which earns a wildlife index score of 73.6 out of 100. Despite its small size, Panama is part of Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, a biological bridge between North and South America and home to 3,216 wildlife species. Its tropical forests, coastlines, and mountainous regions support a wide range of fauna, including jaguars, quetzals and the Geoffroy's tamarin. Panama also scores relatively high on the Environmental Prosperity Index with a score of 25

Read on below to find out which countries excelled in each category.

Megafauna Conservation

Megafauna refers to large animals such as elephants, rhinoceros and polar bears. They’re important for biodiversity, as they help keep ecosystems in balance by controlling populations of smaller predators and herbivores and also often migrate over large distances linking ecosystems.

We looked at the Megafauna Conservation Index to determine which countries are most committed to preserving large animal species. Botswana ranks highest on the index with the top score of 100. Its large animals include elephants, lions and rhino which they've successfully harnessed these species to attract overseas visitors to boost their economy.

Two other African countries, Namibia and Tanzania came in second and third place scoring 98.95 and 96.69 respectively. Namibia is home to the African elephant, Cape buffalo and leopard while Tanzania boasts similar large animals including the African lion and rhinoceros.

Quality of Natural Environment

Environmental prosperity plays a crucial role in preserving wildlife habitats as it emphasises a balanced approach to economic development that does not compromise the health of ecosystems. To measure this, we analysed the Natural Environment pillar of the 2023 Legatum Prosperity Index which measures the aspects of the physical environment that have a direct impact on their daily lives and futures.

The environmental prosperity score revealed that Europe excels, with all ten of the top countries in the ranking based here. Sweden ranks as the top country for environmental prosperity overall scoring number due to its comprehensive environmental policies, sustainable forest management and ambitious climate goals.

Neighbouring Finland comes in second place for its commitment to biodiversity protection and its strong environmental policies and regulations while Latvia comes third thanks to their emphasis on ecotourism and sustainable development.

Wildlife Species

Potentially one of the most important factors when discussing wildlife travel is the total number of species in a country. This means you have a higher chance of seeing different animals that the world has to offer. The data is based on several science-backed and recently updated sources including Fishbase. Birdlife International, AmphibiaWeb, IUCN and The Mammal Diversity Database of the American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) and the Reptile Database.

Brazil has the largest number of animal species in the world at 9,613 partially down to its diverse ecosystems of rainforest, savannahs, topical wetland and coastlines. As many of its ecosystems are isolated, this allows species that evolve in isolation over time meaning that Brazil has many endemic species you can only spot in the wild such as capybara, jaguar and giant anteater.

This is followed closely by Indonesia with 8,774 total species offering unique sightings including sun bears, monkeys and pygmy elephants in the dense jungles of Borneo. Its 17,000 islands has meant that the country offers a wide variety of habitats, developing their own unique species over time.

In third place is Australia with 7,799 vibrant species of animals, most of which are like no other species in the world, consisting of kangaroos, koalas, emus and platypus. Australia is so separate from other land masses that this has allowed species to evolve independently, leading to high levels of endemism.

Endangered Wildlife Species

Understanding the number of endangered and critically endangered species in a country is essential to grasp the full picture of its wildlife health and conservation challenges. This element of the wildlife index taken from the official IUCN Red List reveals where biodiversity is most at risk and where urgent protection efforts are needed to preserve these irreplaceable species.

Indonesia leads with 791 endangered species, reflecting its status as one of the world's most biodiverse nations. Its sprawling archipelago of 17,000 islands includes rich rainforests and unique habitats that are home to many rare animals, such as orangutans and Sumatran tigers. However, rapid deforestation and habitat loss have placed immense pressure on these species, making conservation efforts critical.

Brazil ranks second with 667 endangered species, many of which are native to the Amazon rainforest and other unique ecosystems like the Pantanal wetlands. Brazil's vast and varied habitats support a wealth of wildlife, including iconic species like the jaguar and giant otter. Yet, ongoing threats from deforestation, agriculture, and mining continue to jeopardize these populations.

The United States comes in third with 657 endangered species, representing a diverse range of habitats, from forests and deserts to coastal areas. Species such as the Florida panther and California condor highlight the need for focused conservation programs to safeguard vulnerable wildlife amid urban expansion and climate change.

National Parks

National parks are areas set aside by the national government to preserve the natural environment and for conservation purposes, often for natural significance. They're great places for people to visit if they want to see wildlife and nature with minimum intervention. The number of national parks in a country can indicate their commitment to conservation.

In our study, Australia has the most national parks at an incredible 685 in total, completely eclipsing any other country. These parks range from the wetland and river ecosystems of Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, home to the iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock) and even Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the world's largest coral reef system.

Thailand comes in second place with 147 national parks such as Khao Sok National Park, famous for its lush rainforests, limestone cliffs, and diverse wildlife. India ranks not far behind with 116 national parks with protected areas such as Bandhavgarh National Park where visitors can spot Bengal tigers making it a popular safari destination.

Protected Land

Protected land is incredibly important to ensure the health and survival of wildlife species and the environment that they live in. Effectively managing protected areas is a critical tool for safeguarding biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem balance, preserving important habitats, building resilience to climate change, providing global food security, maintaining water quality, conserving natural resources and driving economic success.

We used the Protected Planet database to find out the total number of protected land in each country. The United States has the most protected areas overall at 51,018. This could be down to the country's history of prioritising protected areas with conservationists like John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt advocating for the preservation of natural areas, which helped lay the groundwork for the establishment of protected lands.

The country with the second most protected areas is Sweden with 32,544. We already know that Sweden has a strong commitment to its natural wildlife and environments but its protected areas further strengthens its cultural connection to nature and a deep-seated environmental consciousness. Germany comes in third with 23,546 most protected areas, likely down to the country's robust legal framework for environmental protection and land conservation.

Indigenous Land

While we looked at overall protected land in each country, we also wanted to focus on the land governed by local indigenous communities. Indigenous people and local communities conserve far more of the earth than national parks or nature reserves. Their respect and knowledge of the lands they protect allow native species to thrive.

In our study, Papua New Guinea ranks top with 92.98% of the land governed by indigenous and local communities. Guinea-Bissau comes in second place with 84.36% of protected land run by indigenous peoples and Namibia third with 77.22%.

Interestingly, many countries included in our study lack land governed by indigenous communities, which may result in missed opportunities for effective wildlife conservation. The United States, for example, only has 0.01% of land managed by local communities. Indigenous peoples often possess invaluable traditional ecological knowledge and sustainable land management practices that have been honed over generations.

Final Thoughts

While our study reveals the top countries to see wildlife and highlights their conservation efforts and the unique ecosystems they support, it’s important to recognize that there is always more work to be done. Despite these countries being great for seeing unique animals out in the wild, the ongoing threat to wildlife and their habitats necessitates a continuous commitment from countries and governments worldwide.

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Methodology:

To develop our Global Wildlife Travel Index, Go2Africa evaluated countries across seven key dimensions that reflect their biodiversity, conservation efforts, and environmental stewardship. Each dimension was selected to provide a holistic view of a country's appeal and commitment to wildlife-based travel and ecotourism.

All data was gathered from reliable third-party sources, including the IUCN, World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), Yale Environmental Performance Index, UN FAO, and WWF, among others. Full source details are available below.

• Megafauna Conservation – Measures national efforts to protect and preserve large, iconic species, using data on anti-poaching initiatives, conservation funding, and species recovery programs.
• Wildlife Species Richness – Assesses overall biodiversity by looking at the total number of known terrestrial and marine wildlife species in each country.
• Endangered Wildlife Species – Looks at the total number of endangered and critically endangered wildlife species in each country.
• Prevalence of National Parks – Evaluates the number and accessibility of national parks, which serve as vital sanctuaries for wildlife and destinations for eco-conscious travelers.
• Extent of Protected Natural Areas – Considers the percentage of each country's land designated as protected for nature conservation, based on IUCN and WDPA classifications.
• Indigenous Protected Areas – Assesses the proportion of land and marine areas under management of local indigenous communities
• Natural Environment Quality – Assesses the proportion of land and marine areas under sustainable management practices, reflecting long-term ecological viability.

Using the 3rd party sources as outlined in the source list above, we scored each country for each specific data metric and then totalled every country's score across all of the categories. These scores were then aggregated to form a composite Wildlife Travel Index Score, with a maximum possible score of 100. Countries were then ranked from highest to lowest based on their total scores.

Data is current as of June 2025.