According to new research by adventure travel experts Explore, the giant panda has officially topped the global bucket list, with 41 per cent of travellers naming the rare bear as the wild animal they most want to see in its natural habitat.
The traditional African safari is facing a major shake-up as a global study reveals that the iconic 'Big Five' has been overthrown by a new, people-powered list of the planet's most desired wildlife encounters.
According to new research by adventure travel experts Explore, the giant panda has officially topped the global bucket list, with 41 per cent of travellers naming the rare bear as the wild animal they most want to see in its natural habitat.
Only one member of the historic safari quintet — the elephant — managed to retain a spot in the new rankings, coming in joint second alongside the kangaroo at 32 per cent. The koala and the whale completed the newly crowned Big Five, capturing 30 per cent and 29 per cent of the global vote respectively.
This dramatic shift in traveller preferences reflects an unprecedented boom in nature-based tourism, highlighted by a staggering 211 per cent surge in Google searches for 'wildlife holiday' over the past year. The comprehensive international study, which surveyed 2,400 people across 12 countries including the UK, the USA, and Australia, found that wildlife is no longer just a pleasant bonus for holidaymakers, but a critical deciding factor.
