{"id":115231,"date":"2022-03-27T12:48:40","date_gmt":"2022-03-27T12:48:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?p=115231"},"modified":"2026-10-23T12:29:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T12:29:43","slug":"european-safari","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/european-safari\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Safari in Europe: 8 Wild Spots + Safari Parks"},"content":{"rendered":"

\ud83e\udd81 8 Best Safari Parks in Europe for Wildlife Adventures<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Have you ever caught a glimpse of a lynx padding through the snow? Or seen the ocean turning black as a sperm whale glides under your boat? Seeing an animal in its natural habitat can be the best bit of your trip (and provides dreamy photo potential). The good news is that you definitely don\u2019t have to fork out for a long-haul ticket to have a brush with Mother Nature. A safari in Europe can mean bears in Spanish mountains, bison in Poland\u2019s ancient forest or a drive-through safari park with giraffes outside your car window. Get planning your trip with the best safari parks in Europe<\/strong>, and browse more ideas in our Europe travel guides<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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Best safari parks in Europe:<\/h3>\n
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  1. The Azores, Portugal<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. C\u0103limani National Park, Romania<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Camargue Regional Nature Park, France<\/strong><\/li>\n
  4. Merfelder Bruch Nature Reserve, Germany<\/strong><\/li>\n
  5. Skinnskatteberg, Sweden<\/strong><\/li>\n
  6. Somiedo Natural Park, Spain, Asturias<\/strong><\/li>\n
  7. Bia\u0142owie\u017ca, Poland<\/strong><\/li>\n
  8. Coa Valley, Portugal<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Prefer to stay in the car? Skip to our pick of drive-through safari parks in Europe<\/a>, including the biggest safari park in Europe.<\/p>\n

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    1. Whale Watching in The Azores, Portugal \ud83d\udc0b<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    When you see pictures of The Azores\u2019 lush green pastures and volcanic lakes, you could be forgiven for thinking that this string of nine islands is in the tropics. In fact, it\u2019s a region of sunny Portugal<\/a>! Between April and June, some of the ocean\u2019s most gentle giants glide by on their yearly migration, including blue, fin and sei whales. Sperm whales live around the islands all year round (with the best chances in summer), gorging themselves on squid and growing up to 20m long, while humpbacks are an occasional, lucky sighting. Summer is also the best season for dolphins.<\/p>\n

    \"European<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udcf7 Isa Jokela-Gomes<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n

    Most boat trips leave from S\u00e3o Miguel, so base yourself in one of the hostels in Ponta Delgada<\/a>.<\/p>\n