Two African Nations Rank Among the World’s Top Wildlife Destinations

• The United States is the top country for wildlife travel scoring 90.5 out of 100, thanks to its extensive protected natural areas.
• Brazil follows closely at a score of 90.2 with the largest number of wildlife species and many national parks.
• In third, Colombia has a score of 85.5, recognized for its strong megafauna conservation efforts and protected natural areas.
• Australia comes fourth scoring 82.1, boasting the most national parks globally and a uniquely diverse range of wildlife species.
• Africa’s top scorer is Tanzania with 81.8 out of 100, excelling in megafauna conservation and endangered species diversity.

Choosing where to go for wildlife travel isn’t just about finding the easiest place to spot animals. It’s also about connecting with different environments that support life. Each destination has its own story to tell, showing us different ways animals live and behave.

That’s why the wildlife experts at Go2Africa created The Wildlife Index, a comprehensive data study that looks at the best destinations around the world for wildlife travel. The company analysed seven different data metrics from each country’s megafauna conservation efforts to the number of protected natural areas to show which countries show a commitment to preserving wildlife habitats and the environment.

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.

Check out the table below to explore the top 15 ranking:

The Top 15 Best Countries for Wildlife
Ranking	Country	Region	Wildlife Index Score
1	United States of America	North America	90.5
2	Brazil	South America	90.2
3	Colombia	South America	85.5
4	Australia	Rest of Asia and Oceania	82.1
5	Tanzania	Africa	81.8
6	Canada	North America	77.5
7	Peru	South America	75.8
8	Spain	Europe	74.4
9=	Kenya	Africa	73.6
9=	Panama	North America	73.6
11	Honduras	North America	71.4
12	Philippines	Rest of Asia and Oceania	70.2
13	Finland	Europe	69.6
14	Guatemala	North America	69.3
15	Mozambique	Africa	68.7

(To explore the data in full, please visit the Go2Africa website).

1. United States – Wildlife Score: 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 – Wildlife Score: 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 – Wildlife Score: 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 – Wildlife Score: 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 – Wildlife Score: 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 – Wildlife Score: 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 – Wildlife Score: 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 – Wildlife Score: 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 – Wildlife Score: 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 – Wildlife Score: 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

To explore the data study in full, visit Go2Africa.

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Methodology:

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 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.

Data is current as of July 2025.

About Go2Africa:

Go2Africa is a multi-award-winning and B Corp certified tour operator based out of Cape Town that curates exceptional and personalized African holidays, specializing in safaris. Celebrating over 25 years, the team has been committed to building first-hand knowledge of every destination, lodge, and activity they recommend from their 3000+ partners.

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