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These 11 Airbnbs Place You in the Heart of the World’s Most Stunning Wildlife Destinations
Airbnbs within spying distance of lions, elephants, monkeys, and more.
For a wildlife photographer, scoring the perfect image means immersion within the habitat. If you want to witness and document some of the planet’s most impressive wildlife spectacles, these Airbnbs will set you up for success. From the elephant herds of Botswana’s Chobe National Park, where a riverfront villa places you at the heart of the action, to the cloud forests of Monteverde, where a treehouse cabin provides a vantage point for observing endemic birds and monkeys, these rentals offer you front-row seats and some of the best conditions for wildlife viewing in the world.
We hope you love the Airbnbs we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
To capture the elusive resplendent quetzal in its natural habitat, Monteverde’s cloud forests, Costa Rica
Early morning or late afternoon are the optimal times for better light and animal activity in Monteverde. Giving yourself the gift of flexibility and time to enjoy photography here will significantly improve your experience, your chances of seeing more wildlife, and the end product. That’s why having a base in the forest is a must. This area of Costa Rica is a haven for wildlife due to the cloud forest ecosystem. Expect to see the colorful, resplendent quetzals, hummingbirds, howler monkeys, two-toed and three-toed sloths, red-eyed tree frogs, snakes, and tarantulas. One of the dreamest Airbnbs in the forest is this cabin in the trees. It’s within a private estate, so there’s a nice blend of luxury and adventure. The cozy space offers breathtaking mountain views and unforgettable sunsets from the deck and Jacuzzi.
Three guests, one bedrooms
Price: $439 per night
For your best chance to capture a herd of elephants, Chode National Park, Botswana
At the end of Botswana’s dry season (May to October), Chode National Park is one of the best places in the world to see herds of elephants. Over 120,000 elephants call this area of Botswana home, and the river that runs through the northeastern border of the park delivers some of the best safari boat cruises in the world. This four-bedroom private villa has an unbeatable location right on the water and three minutes by boat from the park entrance. It might be considered a bit pricey, but if you have a group, it’s considerably cheaper than staying at a nearby safari lodge. The property is fully staffed and luxurious. The large open deck with a private pool looks over the river, where hippos often relax under the trees; each bedroom has an ensuite, and there’s a library, gym, private jetty, and an outdoor dining area.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $1,173 per night
To document the iconic giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural environment, the Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands need no introduction. The archipelago is on the list of any wildlife enthusiast, and those lucky enough to visit return with stories that bolster its legendary status as one of Earth’s most scientifically important and biologically outstanding areas. The journey includes border crossings and multiple flights, but it wouldn’t be such a natural paradise if it were close to civilization. Getting there is expensive, but there are a handful of afforable Airbnbs that can help keep your budget in check. This villa sleeps five and is located on the slopes of an inactive volcano on Santa Cruz Island, almost 400 meters above sea level. The Scandinavian-style property is surrounded by endemic Scalesia trees and fruit (oranges, lemon, and tangerine) trees — which guests can harvest during their stay. And you won’t need to go far to see a Galápagos giant tortoise as they roam the property’s grounds.
Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $585 per night
For a chance to photograph rare and endemic Sri Lankan birds, south Sri Lanka
The southern littoral of Sri Lanka has some exceptional protected areas for birdlife. The Yala, Bundala, Lunugamwehera, and Udawalawe National Parks offer diverse habitats, from arid scrublands to wetlands and seasonal waterholes, perfect for various birdlife. The region is also within the Indian subcontinent’s migratory flyway, with seasonal influxes of waterbirds and raptors. You can find endemic species, such as the Sri Lanka Junglefowl, the Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, and the Sri Lanka Woodshrike, alongside many smaller passerines, including warblers, flycatchers, and babblers. This luxury lakefront safari house is within a bird sanctuary near the parks and Weerawila Lake. Although it’s a private residence, it is part of a hotel, so guests can use those facilities and enjoy a complimentary breakfast before heading out for a shoot.
Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $440 per night
For polar bears, walruses, reindeer, and the Arctic fox, Svalbard, Norway
This region’s stark, glacial landscapes and extreme climatic conditions create a dramatic backdrop for capturing images of Arctic wildlife. Depending on when you’d like to visit, the midnight sun during summer and the polar night during winter offer very different but equally impressive lighting conditions. The polar bear is the primary subject for many, but you’ll also have the chance to see the endemic Svalbard reindeer, walruses, and various species of seals, such as the bearded and ringed seals. Accommodations in the area are in limited supply. You need to plan a trip to Svalbard in advance and do your research (perhaps even including getting a local guide). This Airbnb cabin is near Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen (the largest island in the archipelago.) It’s the main settlement area, so it’s accessible and makes an ideal base for exploring the region. It sleeps up to seven people, and one of the bedrooms benefits from a glass ceiling that allows you to watch the northern lights dancing across the night sky from bed.
Seven guests, three bedrooms
Price: $251 per night
For stunning images of Atlantic puffins in their breeding burrows, St. Kilda, Scotland
St. Kilda, a remote archipelago 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, is home to seabird colonies, namely the largest puffinry of Atlantic puffins in the UK and Northern gannets, and free-roaming Soay sheep. Also known as Hiort, in Scottish Gaelic, the landscape of rugged terrains, towering sea cliffs, and exposed moorland create a dramatic backdrop for photographing these beautiful species. There’s camping on the main island but no formal accommodations. Because of this, I choose a nearby Guest Favorite one-bedroom cottage on the Isle of Harris. Plenty of boat trips leave Harris for St. Kilda, but because seeing the circus of puffins is high on the list of many visitors and locals in the country, you should book boats as far in advance as possible.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $237 per night
For close-up photography of the endangered huemul deer in its rugged mountain terrain, Patagonia, Chile
The Río Ibáñez region of Aysén, and Patagonia as a whole, are home to diverse landscapes: Andean foothills, steppe grasslands, and glacial watersheds. This combination creates habitats for many species, and the region’s remoteness, coupled with its relatively low human population density, allows for observation of wildlife in a largely undisturbed state. The main draw is the Patagonian mammals. If you’re lucky (and have a deep understanding of animal behavior), you might spot a puma. You’ll likely see guanaco, a wild relative of the llama, and an Andean deer, or huemul. Huemuls are shy, so again, you’ll need to do fieldwork and perhaps get a local guide to see the largest native deer in Chile. This three-bedroom cabin is one of the top one percent listings on Airbnb. It overlooks Patagonia National Park and is decorated with traditional Chilean textiles and artwork.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $287 per night
To photograph the African Big Five, Kruger National Park, South Africa
The dry winter months, from May to September, offer optimal conditions for photography in Kruger National Park. The sparse vegetation and concentrated water sources increase the likelihood of encountering the Big Five — lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo. There’s a surprising number of Airbnbs and lodges in or near the park. If my suggestion of where to stay is too expensive, check out Matador’s largest selection of other vacation rentals. With views of the Crocodile River and renowned Kruger National Park, this Airbnb is a modern architectural masterpiece, blending indoor-outdoor living seamlessly. Ideal for multi-generational families or small groups of close friends, the house sleeps 10 in its luxury five bedrooms. The waterfront property has WiFi, free parking, a swimming pool, and an expansive deck with a fire pit and outdoor dining facilities.
10 guests, five bedrooms
Price: $1,247 per night
For close-up photography of Yellowstone’s megafauna, Yellowstone National Park
You don’t have to go halfway around the world to flex your wildlife photography muscles; Yellowstone is one of the many parks in the US with exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Yellowstone’s megafauna are a primary draw for photographers. Elk, bison, and pronghorn are abundant. Wolves and grizzly bears, though more elusive, are present, requiring significant time and knowledge of their habits to photograph, and smaller mammals, such as coyotes, badgers, and marmots, also contribute to the park’s biodiversity. You’re spoilt for choice for Airbnbs near the gateways to the park. This family cabin not only has a jaw-dropping view and hot tub, it’s just minutes from West Yellowstone. The two-bedroom has a modern Scandinavian style, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a stylish neutral color pallet.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $541 per night
For a chance to document the breaching of humpback whales in their winter breeding grounds, Maui, Hawai’i
Maui’s isolation means a high degree of endemism, and its topography, ranging from coastal reefs to high-altitude forests, creates many habitats for land and water species. In a nutshell, it’s a playground for any wildlife enthusiast. During winter, the waters surrounding Maui become breeding grounds for humpback whales. The gentle giants migrate from their Alaskan feeding grounds to the warm, shallow waters of the Au’au Channel between Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. Maui is one of the best places in the US for land-based whale watching. There are various places on the shore where you can spot whales during the season, including the beaches of Pu’u Ola’i, Makena, Kāʻanapali, Kīhei, and Wailea, McGregor Point lookout, and Lahaina Pali Trailhead. It’s also another place where you have many choices on Airbnb. Check out this two-bedroom newly remodeled luxury suite for a Lahaina stay close to the action. The oceanfront location is prime Hawai’i real estate; the beach is on your doorstep, and it’s a short walk to Whalers Village. 
Eight guests, two bedrooms
Price: $1,045 per night
