Tanzania: Wildebeest
Twice a year, nearly two million wildebeest make the longest overland migration in the world across Africa. In October, the herds pass through the southern Serengeti on the last leg of the journey that they started in June. At the luxury tented Governors’ Camp Il Moran on the Mara River (+254 (20) 273 4000, governorscamp.com, doubles from £460 per night), you can watch the wildebeest make their way past snapping crocodiles. BA flies to Nairobi from London Heathrow.
Australia: Whales
Australia’s southeast coast plays host to visiting humpback whales during the autumn months as they travel to Antarctic waters to winter with their calves. Spot humpbacks and orca from Eden, one of the most popular whalewatching locations in Australia, and visit its annual whale festival (edenwhalefestival.com) in October. Stay on the waterfront at the Seahorse Inn (+61 (0)2 6496 1361, seahorseinn.com.au, from £92 per night). BA flies to Sydney from London Heathrow.
California: Monarch butterflies
From August to November, monarch butterflies fly up to 3,000 miles from the Rockies to the Californian coast and Mexico for the winter. The butterflies don’t live long enough to make the return journey in the spring, but their offspring miraculously know which routes to follow. Spot them in October along the Big Sur River in Andrew Molera State Park. Stay at Ventana Inn & Spa (+1 831 667 2331, ventanainn.com, doubles from £341 a night), set in 243ha of woodland. BA flies to San Francisco from London Heathrow.
South Africa: Bull elephants
Bull elephants in South Africa start to migrate in the autumn to find female breeding herds. To allow them to follow their ancient routes, fences are coming down between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique to make a transfrontier game reserve, the Great Limpopo Park. Stay at The Outpost (+27 11 245 5704, theoutpost.co.za, from £235 all inclusive), in the north of Kruger National Park and centre of the new reserve. BA flies to Johannesburg from London Heathrow. For details of all flights, visit ba.com.
