Amazing Encounters: Road Scholars Recall Their Best Wildlife Moments
- Bears, whales and cheetahs turned Road Scholar learning adventures into moments travelers say they’ll never forget.
- A lighthouse stop, a garden tour and a boat safari all led to once-in-a-lifetime encounters.
- Learning and wonder go hand in hand. Travelers discovered desert life in Morocco and the comeback of wolves and bison in Yellowstone.
- Wildlife moments have brought generations together. From a grandson feeding a macaw to a father-daughter safari, photos chronicle memories are made to share.
For many Road Scholars, the chance to see rare and/or iconic wildlife is one of the irresistible aspects of our learning adventures. While the animals don’t always cooperate, often they do –— as we learned when we asked Facebook followers to share stories (and photos!) of their most spectacular sightings!
“This photo of an Orca was taken during The San Juan Islands by Land and Sea: Hidden Anchorages. This sighting was actually by happenstance. While visiting a lighthouse, some of us stayed behind at the water’s edge just enjoying the scenery, when all of a sudden a female Orca and her young calves swam right by where we were. It was a sight I will never forget, and I owe it all to Road Scholar! Beyond the sheer wonder of that moment, it also reinforced one of the great lessons of exploring with Road Scholar — adventures both known and unknown await around every corner.”
Lois G.
“During Southern Africa Safari and Train Adventure: From Cape Town to Victoria Falls, we encountered a lot of animals on various safaris. I never imagined going on a boat safari, but it was my favorite! This is one of the best memories — seeing elephants pull up lilies from the water and wash the roots before eating!”
Marsi O.
“We were on a grandparent program, and all the kids could hold a Burmese python. Such an opportunity to get close to nature. My granddaughter's expression says it all!”
Bonnie M.
“I took this photo on my Road Scholar program to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons in May 2025. To me this photo represents the relationship between the wolf and the bison, and how they have both been brought back from near extinction in the national park.”
Peggie M.
“In South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, we saw numerous wild animals — the giraffe is one of my favorites. I think all the wildlife we saw was beautiful. I loved watching them eat, run, fight — or just stand and look at us. I want my grandchildren and their grandchildren to be able to also see them and to learn about them.”
Barbara W.
“My first chance spotting a black bear — and her three cubs! This was the Road Scholar program A Gardener’s Delight: The Private & Public Landscapes of Asheville. Our small group saw so many gorgeous and vibrant gardens on this adventure, never expecting such a surprising guest as this mama bear. Black bears are plentiful in the Appalachian area, and while we were careful to keep a safe distance, we managed to get our photos so this once-in-a- lifetime surprise would not be forgotten.”
Lylene D.
“While I was in San Diego during a Road Scholar program. I went to La Jolla and saw a bull sea lion with a harem surrounding him. Then all of a sudden, he began to bark very loudly and chased all of the sea lions off the beach. Nature and animals are beautiful, but should be respected and given the proper environment to thrive.”
Lisa S.
“Costa Rica at a Slower Pace: Natural Wonders by Water & Land was life-changing for me. I was so moved by seeing wildlife in its natural habitat, and seeing sloths was truly a highlight. I was for conservation before the program, but now I am ardently for protecting the environment and the wildlife that calls it home.”
Joyce D.
“During a late-morning safari in Hwange National Park, our driver received a message that a mated pair of hyenas was frolicking at a water hole and we should make our way there before they left. Those hyenas put on quite a show! It was so special, even our driver and tracker got out their cameras to record video of their playfulness.”
Mary C.
“I went on From Monkeys to Macaws: Colorful Costa Rica With Your Grandchild. My grandson, who is generally quite adventurous, was uncertain about getting too close, but eventually decided to try hand-feeding this friendly macaw — and I was lucky to catch a shot of the two of them.”
Jean M.
“I had heard about the amazing sightings of gray whales on Road Scholar’s Mexico: The Great Gray Whale Migration and Baja's Natural Wonders, but I couldn’t really take it all in until I experienced it myself. The gray whales were everywhere and they really did approach our small boats, awaiting a chance to observe the human occupants. The momma whales even brought their offspring to ‘“interact’” with us as well. This encounter was incredible and joyful and will remain with me always.”
Marie C.
“These camels were strong and resilient. We learned about feeding them and caring for them as babies. We also learned about life in the desert and how they are an important part of Moroccan culture.”
Jolene H.
“This photo was taken on Southern Africa Safari and Train Adventure: From Cape Town to Victoria Falls in November 2024. We were on safari in a private game reserve, and this mother and baby are my favorite photo. I went with my 83-year-old father, and we just loved seeing all the wildlife conservation that is taking place across South Africa! Definitely an experience of a lifetime!”
Kimberly S.
“On The Best of Kenya and Tanzania, a Safari & Cultural Experience, I had a remarkable experience witnessing two cheetahs take down a topi. From our safari vehicle, we watched the cheetahs lying in wait for about 30 minutes before suddenly sprinting toward the topi!”
Kate B.
Chinstrap penguin.
“This is a chinstrap penguin that I saw on an expedition to Antarctica. The voyage also included South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, and we were able to see seven of the eight Antarctic species of penguins, along with lots of other wildlife, including whales, seals and many varieties of birds. It was such a privilege to be able to observe these amazing creatures in action at relatively close distances. Truly an experience of a lifetime!”
Wendy B.
This is just a small sampling of the wonderful wildlife interactions Road Scholars have experienced. From koalas in Australia to macaques in Thailand to moose in Canada, our participants have seen the wild kingdom in all its glory. And they teach the rest of us an important lesson: Always keep your phone — or your camera — ready!
If you’re inspired to go in search of amazing animals, here are some of our favorite adventures for it.
John Watters is an aficionado of the eclectic — quirks of history, unusual places and
whimsical pursuits. When he’s not crafting more mainstream pieces for Road Scholar, he sometimes reports on things off the beaten path — or just offbeat. His professional
expertise is derived from a long career as an advertising writer and creative director, while his personal expertise with vacuum cleaners and lint rollers is derived from a long association with Bernese Mountain Dogs.