Elkhorn Slough—a tidal estuary; pronounced “sloo”—is the second-largest tract of tidal salt marsh in California, and winds for 7 miles (11 kilometers) through Monterey Bay. Come in spring to catch baby otters frolicking in these gentle waters. Or—if time allows—explore the tidal creeks and marshes on foot by following the slough’s 5 miles (8 kilometers) of trails. Responsible tip: Ensure that boat motor props don't harm habitats you can't easily see (for example, plant meadows underwater).

Though some 11 million residents call Peru’s capital city home, once you reach Lima’s coastal outskirts, everything changes. The Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge makes up the only protected land within city limits, a maze of marshes and wetlands crawling with wildlife. Nab a guided tour to best see this spot and pair it with a visit to the nearby Pucasana fishing village. Responsible tip: Avoid rookeries or nesting sites. Parents may flee at the sight of you, abandoning their young.

The Amazon isn’t all massive rainforest—the Pampas (wetlands) lie on its edge, and they’re better for wildlife spotting. This is about as wild as Mother Nature gets. Many visitors opt to pair this wildlife experience with a tour through adjacent Madidi National Park, spending four or five days—accommodation and meals included, plus an eagle-eyed guide to help you spot the elusive creatures—to take in the best of the Pampas. Responsible tip: Leave no trash behind, it can pollute the waterways.

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is a restored ecological “island” made up of over 8,000 acres (3,237 hectares) of ancient forests and wetlands filled with birds, lizards, and some of New Zealand’s rarest wildlife. Tour the sanctuary’s Tuatara Wetlands, and you just might spot endangered species like the takahe (a rare flightless bird). Responsible tip: Consider signing up for the educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and more offered at Sanctuary Mountain.

A whopping 1.5 million acres (608,000 hectares), Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the US, a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance. On just a 2-hour tour, you might catch sight of manatees, alligators, dolphins, sea turtles, herons, egrets, storks, and more. Responsible tip: If the wetland you’re visiting is a wetland management area or refuge that requires visitors to sign in, make sure that you do.

A guided tour will take you across this UNESCO World Heritage Site on a “mokoro,” a traditional dugout canoe, exploring one of Botswana's greatest sanctuaries. This massive delta floods seasonally, providing a temporary beacon for wildlife. On your trip, you’ll tent up at a mobile camp, eventually wandering away from the water and onto the savannahs and plains of Moremi Game Reserve. Responsible tip: Keep noise and light to a minimum, especially at night.

If there’s one place that’s synonymous with wildlife, it’s the Galapagos Islands, where Charles Darwin found inspiration for The Origin of Species. These 13 isles are all rife with stunning landscapes and wildlife, but Isabela Island is by far the largest. Expect to find massive wetlands and reefs, five different species of giant tortoises, more Galapagos penguins than anywhere else, and plenty more. Responsible tip: Don’t pick flowers or accidentally bring along invasive plant matter.