Africa may have a lock on our collective imagination when it comes to safaris, but there are plenty of places outside of Africa where you can come face-to-face with wildlife in its natural habitat, too — think Canada’s “Kings of the Arctic,” Brazil’s big cats, the wolves of Romania, and so much more.

So, if Africa doesn’t figure into your travel plans this year, don’t despair. Here are seven trips that prove you don’t have to go all that way to have an authentic bucket-list safari.

Meet polar bears, ‘Kings of the Arctic,’ in Manitoba, Canada

What it doesn’t have in Big Five wildlife, Canada more than makes up for with its own impressive safari finds, including moose, grizzly bears and even reindeer. Still, it’s seeing polar bears in the wild that many people consider North America’s once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience.

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Looking for a travel destination that’s unique and underrated? These 10 lesser known natural wonders are perfect to add to your travel bucket list!

If you’re looking for a place where you’ll be inspired, where you’ll see some of the most beautiful sights in your lifetime, these 10 travel destinations around the world are perfect to add to your bucket lists. Not only are these natural wonders absolutely stunning, but this mix of known and  lesser-known trips will take you to unique spots of unspoiled beauty. Here are the world’s most gorgeous natural wonders you must visit:

Pink Lakes, Mexico

The pink lakes, or Las Coloradas, in Mexico are the hidden gems of the country, a magical wonder of color. These cotton-candy pink lakes, filled with salt, are home to protected wetlands rich in wildlife – flamingos, sea turtles, crocodiles, birds, and more.

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Jaguar, Panthera onca, El Jaguar (Spanish), Balam (Mayan), Onça (Brazilian Portuguese).

Living in the Yucatan jaguars seemed ever present whether visiting Maya ruins or the protected preserves of Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan’s private El Zapotal Reserve, the private Kaxil Kiuic Biocultural Reserve and Calakmul Biosphere Reserve , and in architecture, literature, art and sculpture. To the Maya, the jaguar led the transition between the living world and underworld, a symbol of power, energy, fertility, a great hunter, and warrior. Friends even discussed their excitement of a jaguar crossing a road in Calakmul. I never saw one but was pleased protected areas exist.

However, did any of us ever “paw-nder” the daily life of a jaguar, this powerful, solitary, nocturnal creature of shadows and stealth?

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