There is something intrinsically romantic about the notion of a safari – a great adventure through wild landscapes encountering untamed animals and extraordinary people. Generally, these lands happen to fall somewhere on the African continent and the untamed animals tend to be the Big Five.

And yet there are another six continents. Great tracts of land, diverse ecosystems and enigmatic creatures await the traveller who is willing to venture beyond the African safari.

Tiger, tiger...

India is a land of spices, bright colours, jewels and Deepak Chopra. It is also home to the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger and the African elephant’s slightly smaller and more domesticated relative. A safari on elephant back through one of India’s national parks gives you the opportunity of encountering these massive cats in their natural environment.

Kanha National Park, which embodies the spirit of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’ with its dense Sal forests and bamboo thickets, is one of India’s largest parks. Although this is one of the best places to see tigers, they are not the park’s only attraction. The reserve is also home to 175 bird species, Indian Bison (Gaur) and a variety of deer.

Bandhavgarh, which was once the hunting ground of the royal family of Rewa, is home to the famous white tiger. On a safari through this hilly land you will also encounter a towering fourteenth century fort and caves which date from the pre-historic period.

Both parks are closed from June to November because of the monsoon season. For those who are uncomfortable with the practice of elephant back safaris there is also the option of a jeep safari. Visit http://indianwildlifeportal.com to find out more...

Click, click click...

Traditionally a safari was a journey across a stretch of land, but then again they also usually also involved rifles, khaki outfits and those funny little hats. There is nothing khaki about Auckland’s beautiful Hauraki Gulf though, which is considered to be one of the most biologically and geographically diverse marine reserves in the world.

Swap that jeep for a luxury high-speed boat and you’ll find yourself frolicking with the dolphins in no time. The gulf is home to 22 species of dolphins and whales, of which Common dolphins, Bryde’s whales and Orca are seen most frequently. Occasionally Hammerhead, Bronze Whaler and Maco sharks are also encountered.

Although it is doesn’t happen every day, if the conditions are right you might also get the chance to swim with the dolphins. Go to www.dolphinsafari.co.nz for more.

In the jungle, the mighty jungle

Speaking of dolphins, they usually come in blue and grey and… um… pink! Yip, if you take a trip down the Amazon River you may come across the endangered Pink Dolphin. This piece of the planet comes out tops on the diversity list, with the rainforest purportedly home to more than half the species of life on earth.

Venture into the rainforest where you can explore the stunning array of orchids and bromeliads or walk along the 30-metre high Treetop Canopy Walkway and experience the forest in its awe-inspiring entirety. The Amazon is a veritable paradise for bird lovers with over 500 species, including the famous brightly-coloured parrots and macaws, on offer.

A safari through the Amazon jungle takes you not only into the rainforest, but also along the tributaries of the Amazon River. While you probably shouldn’t try swimming with these dolphins, you could try your hand at catching a piranha…apparently they taste delicious. Find out more at www.explorationsinc.com/explorperu.html

Not quite Paddington...

If you visit the remote town of Churchill in Canada during the months of October and November, you will witness the largest gathering of polar bears in the world. Every year, up to 1200 bears congregate here to wait for the sea to freeze over Hudson Bay so that they can hunt for seals on the ice floes.

Tundra ‘buggies’ take you across the tundra to observe these gargantuan creatures as they spar and interact with one another. While the polar bears are undoubtedly the reason for the trip, you’ll also encounter a number of smaller fluffy white animals, including the Arctic Fox, the Arctic Hare and the Snowy Owl.

The safari presents fantastic photographic opportunities and for those a little more dedicated or intrigued, there is the possibility of staying overnight in one of the (rather basic) tundra trailers. Visit www.beartrails.co.uk/manitoba.html.

The notion of safari is constantly evolving — cameras have replaced guns and wetsuits can substitute for khakis. Next time you're looking for some woolly wildlife, forget the Serengeti or Masai Mara and head for the snowy north or humid Amazon. Expand your mind just a little and you could be having piranha for dinner…or it could be having you!