Meeting a Giant Tortoise

The giant tortoise, found in the Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, is the largest tortoise in the world and can live for up to 100 years.

10 Animals You Can Meet on Vacation

From Seychellois turtles to Asian elephants, see what friends you might make on your next adventure, according to photos from Four Seasons guests and staff.

Animals bring peace, laughter and comfort into our lives, and vacations are no exception. Sometimes the most memorable part of a trip is the local wildlife you encounter, which makes spotting a parrot tucked into a palm tree, or hugging an elephant for the first time, worthy of an Instagram post. Take a look at animals you might encounter on your next getaway, from the gentle giants of Thailand to a playful monkeys in Nevis.

Elephant love in the Golden Triangle

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Thailand is known for its elephants, and Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle is home to a few of the friendly 4-ton mammals – so guests have the opportunity to walk with, bathe or play with them. Be sure to say hello to Yuki, who loves wandering into neighbouring banana plantations for a treat, or give a bath to Yuki’s best friend, Phuang Phet, who prefers sugar cane. Meet the whole four-legged team here and discover each rescued elephant’s backstory.

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

Meet miniature Dougal in Hampshire

While at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, stop by to pet 3-year-old Dougal, the Shetland pony. The Hotel has a top-class Equestrian Centre so guests can take lessons and explore the English countryside on horseback. Treat children ages 7–16 to the Own a Pony experience, in which they learn about riding, grooming and stable management.

Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire

Sea turtle hatchlings in Punta Mita

The beaches of Punta Mita are crowded each summer with thousands of female turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs. In midsummer, visitors can spot an adult olive ridley, green, hawksbill or loggerhead turtle during her maternal migration. In December, guests at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita can be a part of the baby turtles’ exciting journey to the water during the annual safe release programme.

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

Giraffes standing out in the Serengeti

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Marvel at the world’s tallest mammal on the Great Plains of the Serengeti. Though they can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, giraffes spend more of their time grazing on acacia trees to get both food and hydration. For optimal photo opportunities, book a walking safari at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti. Globetrotter Leah Walker did, and she met zebras, hippos and even a lion.

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania

Parrots perched in Hawaii

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The Hawaiian Islands are home to an abundance of colourful bird species, including this eye-catching blue and gold macaw, a type of tropical parrot that was spotted at Four Seasons Resort Lanai. A macaw is distinguished by its medial – a facial patch as unique as a fingerprint.

Four Seasons Resort Lanai

Giants of the sea in the Maldives


The underwater beauty of the Maldives is almost unmatched. With its plankton-rich waters, Baa Atoll is a favourite destination for many impressive sea creatures, including manta rays. You have a chance to swim with these strange and graceful fish all year round when you visit Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, but the best months for the most mantas are June through September.

Maldives Private Island Voavah at Baa Atoll

Grazing ‘buffalo’ in Jackson Hole

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While out in the beautiful mountainous landscape of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, travellers have a high probability of spotting a bison, also known as the American buffalo. The powerful beasts can run up to 35 miles per hour, can jump up to 6 feet in the air, and love gathering around the warm springs and geysers for the steam.

Book a wildlife safari with Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole for an exciting four-hour journey. The guides know the best places to spot local wildlife, like bison, moose, bear and elk.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole

The eagle lands in Langkawi


Malaysia’s Kilim Karst Geoforest Park is rich in biodiversity, and visitors to the nature preserve may glimpse one of the world’s fiercest birds: the eagle. Watch these royal birds of prey soar above you as you venture out by boat from Four Seasons Resort Langkawi.

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi

The world’s largest tortoise in Seychelles

Guests at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles should stop by the Resort’s turtle pen to say hello to Tedwina, the giant tortoise. Her favourite food is mango peel, and she loves interacting with people, especially children.

The Resort team originally named her Ted, thinking she was a male, but quickly changed it. Guests can pet or feed Tedwina, along with Taka, Maka, Cinderella and Socrates. The giant tortoise is the largest of tortoise species in the world.

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

Green vervet monkeys in Nevis

Sea turtles aren’t the only local residents that Nevis is known for. In fact, there are more monkeys on the island than people, so guests at Four Seasons Resort Nevis are guaranteed to spot at least one of these curious and playful creatures. Families of monkeys frequently appear on the championship 18-hole golf course at the Resort. Sunset tours on golf carts guide guests to some of the best vantage points for Caribbean Sea–gazing, including the place where monkeys congregate on the 15th green.

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