Luxury New Zealand Wildlife Tours made for you
Cinematic beauty and extraordinary wildlife encounters
New Zealand is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean long isolated from other landmasses, where many of its species have evolved uniquely and are found nowhere else on the planet. The country’s wildlife includes several penguin species, the iconic flightless kiwi bird, the distinctive tūī bird and massive gannet colonies. Marine life is equally spectacular, with albatrosses, numerous dolphin species, seals and whales.
New Zealand wildlife tours incorporate Māori cultural concepts, particularly kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the environment) which is displayed within a network of conservation centres and wildlife sanctuaries across the country. With your expert guide, you’ll explore Zealandia in Wellington, a predator-free sanctuary with more than 40 different species of native birds, and visit the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua. Trek to remote protected headlands like Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay and Otago Peninsula near Dunedin, where thousands of seabirds gather during nesting season. You will go whale watching in Kaikoura; kayak to the Tonga Island seal colony in Abel Tasman National Park; and explore a labyrinth of caves with its thousands of glowworms that create a star-like canopy at Ruakuri Cave – a more peaceful experience than at the main Waitomo Cave.
Your travel designer will plan you the perfect luxury New Zealand wildlife tour, featuring epic landscapes and unique wildlife experiences, many of which aim to contribute to the protection and conservation of the magnificent species you’ll learn about.
Highlights
Stay on the doorstep of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park in a forest wilderness, part of an International Dark Sky Reserve
From Christchurch, enjoy a tour of Akaroa village and cruise the harbour to spot the rare Hector’s dolphin as well as the world’s smallest penguin
Take a guided tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua and you might see a newly hatched kiwi chick
Observe the Oamaru blue penguin colony as night falls in Coastal Otago and the little blue penguins waddle home to their nesting sites
Cruise the tranquil fiord waters of Milford Sound while watching for local colonies of fur seals, playful dolphins and Fiordland crested penguins
You’ll have some thrilling marine encounters in New Zealand, with Kaikoura delivering a particularly special experience. The nutrient rich waters here are an abundant year-round feeding ground for sperm whales, as well as dusky dolphins (often in super-pods of hundreds), fur seals, albatross and occasionally orcas or other whale species.
Keith Jarman
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury New Zealand accommodation
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
New Zealand trip inspiration
Where to go in New Zealand for wildlife experiences
Auckland
New Zealand’s largest cosmopolitan centre is a lively mix of culture, cuisine, music and art with ample green spaces and easily accessible beaches.
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Bay of Islands
Equally beautiful and historically significant, the bay is peppered with 144 vastly untouched islands that are renowned for their inviting clear waters, subtropical climate and diverse marine life.
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Christchurch
Curious travellers will relish all the new eclectic hubs to discover in a city and region that is full of surprises, friendly locals and an inspirational community spirit.
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Coromandel
A classic Kiwi beach holiday destination made up of petite coastal towns, velvety white-sand beaches and native rainforests teeming with birdlife.
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Dunedin and Coastal Otago
Dunedin is a university town and there is a good selection of lively restaurants and bars. It is also a great base from which to explore the Otago Peninsula with its rugged landscape, beautiful beaches and wildlife.
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Hawke's Bay
The North Island’s wine country is one of New Zealand’s warmest, driest regions with golden colours stretching across arid plains.
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Kaikoura
With the swelling Pacific Ocean on one side and the snowcapped Kaikoura Range on the other – Kaikoura is a quaint peninsula village that is a base for discovering some of New Zealand’s best wildlife.
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Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook
New Zealand’s highest peak, Aroaki Mount Cook, is an arresting sight dominating the skyline of the national park which surrounds it.
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Marlborough Sounds and Wine Region
Hop from vineyard to vineyard on the wine trail in this diverse, sun-drenched plateau and sample some of the country’s finest wines, most notably the internationally renowned Sauvignon Blanc.
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Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park
With the snowy-peaked Southern Alps sloping down into deep blue waters and lushly forested shores bursting with wildlife, the spectacular Fiordland National Park area in the south-western corner of the South Island is known for its stunning vistas.
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Nelson and Abel Tasman
New Zealand’s sunniest region has a diverse geography ripe for exploring from golden sand beaches to dense forests, the clearest fresh water lake in the world and secluded, enticing rivers.
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Queenstown and Wanaka
Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most picturesque towns, sitting on the tip of the crystal clear Lake Wakatipu. It’s a bustling hub of international and local visitors come to seek out one of the endless thrills on offer here from skiing, white water rafting, canyon swinging, jet boating, mountain biking and bungy jumping.
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Rotorua and Taupo
Steaming mud pools, erupting geysers and Maori traditions all make Rotorua and Taupo a special area to visit – one that is distinctively unique to the rest of New Zealand.
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Wellington
Nestled on rolling green hills that spill down to a charming harbour, New Zealand’s capital is an epicentre of culture and creativity – renowned for its arts, gastronomy, heritage and bohemian character.
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West Coast and the Glaciers
The narrow strip of coastline squeezed between the Southern Alps and Tasman Sea plays host to some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscape, which is quite some claim.
Discover moreWhen to visit New Zealand for wildlife
New Zealand works well whenever you can visit and you’ll always have great wildlife encounters. Summer (December to February) is great for beaches and hiking, winter (June to August) turns the South Island mountains spectacular, spring (September to November) brings mild weather and everything starts growing again, and autumn (March to May) has crisp, clear days perfect for exploring.
Whale watching is year-round but there are seasonal migrations; penguins have distinct breeding and moulting seasons that influence their presence on shore; birdwatching is year-round but different seasons provide unique opportunities to observe different species and behaviour.
Kiwi nesting season
September–March
Whale watching
Year-round
Little blue penguins breeding season
August–March
New Zealand Travel Guides
Plan your trip to New Zealand
Whatever you want from your adventure in New Zealand, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.
