The Best Organized Tours for Animal Lovers in New Zealand

New Zealand

Get ready to embark on an unparalleled journey with one these exceptional tours for animial lovers in New Zealand. We've invested our time and effort to scrutinize a wide selection of holiday packages and organized guided tours from top-rated companies, ensuring that we bring you the very best travel experiences. Our analysis covers crucial factors such as pricing, guest ratings, service excellence, sought-after destinations, and thrilling activities. Whether you're an intrepid wanderer or a novice traveler, these handpicked tours for animial lovers will provide an unforgettable adventure in New Zealand.


The Top 3 Tours:

  • 16 Days, $2475.00

  • 16 Days, $2475.00

  • 12 Days, $2375.00
New Zealand
The Best Tours for Animal Lovers through New Zealand

Including guided tours, organized tours, holiday packages, all-inclusive vacations, and guided itineraries.

All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically. While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with TourRadar or the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and may change at any time.

Organized by Contiki 16 Days Auckland to Queenstown 14 Destinations
  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for tours for animial lovers in New Zealand.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.

Great for:
  • Nature Lovers
  • Animal Lovers
  • Undersea Explorers
  • Adventure Travelers
  • Hiking Enthusiasts

starstarstarstarstar 4.7 rating

Age Range: 18 to 35
Maximum Group Size: 45
Price per Day: $124

This tour visits Auckland, Waikato, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Kaikoura, Picton, Christchurch, Arthur's Pass National Park, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Haast, Wanaka, and Queenstown.

  • Whale watching
  • White water rafting
  • Sightseeing
  • Attraction-Based Hikes
  • Partially Guided

By Contiki
Contiki specializes in group tours for young travelers (ages 18-35). Their trips emphasize social experiences, adventure, and vibrant nightlife while covering top destinations worldwide. They offer different styles, from fast-paced itineraries to more laid-back explorations, catering to solo travelers and groups alike.



$1,980
on TourRadar

Organized by Contiki 16 Days Queenstown to Auckland 12 Destinations
  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for tours for animial lovers in New Zealand.

Great for:
  • Nature Lovers
  • Animal Lovers
  • Undersea Explorers

starstarstarstarstar 4.7 rating

Age Range: 18 to 35
Maximum Group Size: 45
Price per Day: $124

This tour visits Queenstown, Wanaka, Haast, Franz Josef, Hokitika, Arthur's Pass National Park, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Wellington, Taupo, Rotorua, and Auckland.

  • Whale watching
  • Sightseeing
  • Partially Guided

By Contiki
Contiki specializes in group tours for young travelers (ages 18-35). Their trips emphasize social experiences, adventure, and vibrant nightlife while covering top destinations worldwide. They offer different styles, from fast-paced itineraries to more laid-back explorations, catering to solo travelers and groups alike.



$1,980
on TourRadar

Organized by Contiki 12 Days Christchurch to Auckland 10 Destinations
  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for tours for animial lovers in New Zealand.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.

Great for:
  • Nature Lovers
  • Animal Lovers
  • Undersea Explorers

starstarstarstarstar 4.7 rating

Age Range: 18 to 35
Maximum Group Size: 45
Price per Day: $158

This tour visits Christchurch, Kaikoura, Wellington, Ohakune, Taupo, Rotorua, Whangarei, Paihia, Bay of Islands, and Auckland.

  • Whale watching
  • Sightseeing
  • Partially Guided

By Contiki
Contiki specializes in group tours for young travelers (ages 18-35). Their trips emphasize social experiences, adventure, and vibrant nightlife while covering top destinations worldwide. They offer different styles, from fast-paced itineraries to more laid-back explorations, catering to solo travelers and groups alike.



$1,900
on TourRadar

Organized by Collette 14 Days Christchurch to Sydney 6 Destinations
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.

Great for:
  • History Enthusiasts
  • Animal Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.7 rating

Age Range: 5 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 44
Price per Day: $386

This tour visits Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, and Sydney.

  • Sightseeing
  • Historical
  • Zoo
  • Boat
  • Walking Tour
  • Fully Guided

By Collette
Collette is a long-established tour operator offering guided tours with a balance of structured sightseeing and free time. Their trips range from classic group tours to small-group explorations, faith-based travel, and luxury options. They emphasize comfort, cultural immersion, and local experiences, often including unique dining and hands-on activities.



$4,699
on TourRadar

Why does New Zealand appeal to animal lovers?

New Zealand's varied ecosystems and wildlife encounters attract plenty of nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Fiordland National Park, Queenstown, and Nelson are world-renowned for hiking, with gorgeous trails and stunning natural landscapes. Portugal provides unique wildlife experiences both on land and sea.

New Zealand


How much do tours for animial lovers in New Zealand cost?

The average daily price of Tours for Animal Lovers in New Zealand is $198 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors. If you want more information about prices, we have put together a complete analysis of the costs of Tours for Animal Lovers in New Zealand here.


We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.




$198
Average Price Per Day
4
Tours Analyzed
4.7
Average Rating
2
Tour Companies
45
Average Group Size

Which Tour Companies Offer Tours for Animal Lovers?

A number of fantastic tour companies offer tours for animial lovers in New Zealand. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.

Contiki

Contiki logo Contiki is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Great Britain, Italy, France, and Germany. Younger travelers looking for adventures love this company. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as island hopping, snorkelling, wine tasting, surfing, camping, whale watching, diving, rock climbing, white water rafting, and jet boat rides.

See All Tours from Contiki

Collette

Collette logo Collette is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Italy, Great Britain, and France. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, and camping.

See All Tours from Collette


Animal Lovers Destinations in New Zealand

Wondering where animal lovers tours visit in New Zealand? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.

Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island. It's a nice city with amazing hikes and biking trails. There are beautiful outdoor spaces, parks, and gardens. Many visitors enjoy the city's rich English heritage, and punting along the Avon River is a favorite activity.

Wellington

Wellington is the small and vibrant capital city of New Zealand. It's located on the southern end of the North Island, and many visitors pass through it on their way from one island to the other. The city is surrounded by rolling hills and there are many beaches in the area.

Auckland

Auckland is a waterfront city that is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand. It's spread out between the Manukau Harbour and the Waitemata Harbour, and there's a compact city centre with a number of landmarks and attractions. For many visitors, it's the point of arrival or departure to the country.

Queenstown

Queenstown is located on the banks of Lake Wakatipu near the Southern Alps in New Zealand. It is a high adventure destination with many activities for thrill seekers. There are also vineyards in the area, bungee jumping, and world class hikes. Whether you want to enjoy skiing in the winter or boating in the summer, there is no shortage of activities here.

More

Other popular destinations for animal lovers tours through New Zealand include Franz Josef, Wanaka, Hokitika, Haast, and Whangarei.


Tours for Animal Lovers vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons

If you're unsure whether to go with an organized tour or plan everything independently, think about the factors that set each experience apart.

Pros
  • Expert guides increase chances of sightings.
  • Guides share knowledge about the animals and environment.
  • Tours follow ethical and sustainable viewing practices.
  • Access to restricted or prime viewing areas.
  • Equipment like binoculars may be provided.
  • Safe navigation in wildlife-rich but potentially dangerous areas.
  • Group setting offers a shared experience.
  • No need to worry about permits or logistics.
Cons
  • Larger groups might scare off wildlife.
  • Fixed schedules limit flexibility.
  • Sharing with strangers may feel less personal.


Pros
  • Freedom to choose where and when to go.
  • Can focus on your favorite animals or habitats.
  • Tailor your experience to suit your interests.
  • Flexible schedule allows for spontaneous changes.
  • Opportunity to explore lesser-known spots.
  • Bond more deeply with nature on your own terms.
Cons
  • Requires research on habitats and animal behavior.
  • Risk of missing prime viewing times or spots.
  • Permits or access can be difficult to arrange.
  • Safety concerns in unfamiliar or remote areas.
  • Navigating roads or trails can be stressful.
  • You might need to invest in expensive gear.
  • Lack of expert knowledge may limit sightings.
  • Greater environmental responsibility rests on you.


Which is cheaper?

Are guided tours for animial lovers more expensive than independent travel? It depends. Tours typically bundle accommodations, transportation, meals, tickets, guides, and activities into one price, while independent travel requires paying for these elements separately. To understand the cost difference, compare the total price of a tour with the estimated cost of handling all arrangements yourself. Personal preferences, like staying in budget accommodations or dining at upscale restaurants, could tip the balance either way. Always check what's covered in the tour to make an informed comparison.

Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.

More Tour Options

See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Historical Tours in New Zealand, The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, The Best 3-Day Tours in New Zealand, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best 3-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in New Zealand, The Best Coach Bus Tours in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in New Zealand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in New Zealand, The Best Cultural Tours in New Zealand, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in New Zealand, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in New Zealand, The Best Photography Tours in New Zealand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, The Best Self Drive Tours in New Zealand, The Best Walking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, or The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.

Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Auckland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Christchurch, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Wellington, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Queenstown, The Best 10-Day Tours from Christchurch, The Best 10-Day Tours from Auckland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Wellington, The Best 2-Week Tours from Auckland, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Christchurch for more package tour options.

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