Wildlife tourism has no guarantees but huge potential payoffs

Seeing wildlife on vacation can be quite a thrill. Zoos and aquariums are fun, but there's nothing quite like seeing an animal in its natural habitat. There's the feeling of being part of a unique experience not many get to have, even if you're on a tour with 40 other people.

Wildlife tourism is becoming increasingly popular, particularly eco-friendly options that are respectful to the animals as well as having a lower impact on the environment. That could be anything from a photo safari in Kenya to a guided snorkeling excursion on the Great Barrier Reef.

Naturally, there are a few key rules to keep in mind, like not trying to touch wild animals. You wouldn't think that needed to be said but it does. Keeping that in mind, there is a completely different issue to be aware of if you're heading out to do some wildlife spotting.

There are no guarantees

One of the most amazing places in North America to enjoy the biodiversity of nature is Yellowstone National Park. It's home to amphibians, reptiles, fish, mammals, and well over 300 species of birds. Yellowstone is also home to massive herds of wild bison.

A surprising number of tourists don't seem to understand that there are guarantees when it comes to wildlife spotting. These are wild animals. They do what they do when they want to do it, and certainly do not care about the schedules of humans. Well, beyond avoiding them.

People who go to places like Yellowstone often want to see big predators like wolves, bears, and cougars. Those animals shy away from humans, meaning opportunities to see them are rare. Some visitors go home feeling like they got cheated because they didn't see what they planned on seeing.

Manage your expectations

Viewing wildlife on any excursion isn't as simple as driving down a road and pointing at all the bears or wolves standing around. That might work with bison or elk, but not big predators. You have to research wildlife to know where to find it.

Some animals only like to be out and about at certain times of day or frequent specific places. That could mean getting up really early to get to the right place to spot wolves while they're on the move. You may want to consider hiring an experienced guide to help you out.

The key is to go into wildlife tourism knowing that no one can guarantee you'll see the animals you hope to see. Even zoos can't make that guarantee. To enjoy your wildlife tourism experience, you just have to be happy seeing whatever wildlife decides to make an appearance.