Call us on 646-895-8368
Start Planning
Wild dolphins in the sea off New Zealand's South Island

Luxury New Zealand Wildlife Tours made for you

Immerse yourself in New Zealand's wildlife, on tours crafted just for you

Cinematic beauty and extraordinary wildlife encounters

New Zealand is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean long isolated from other landmasses, where many of its species have evolved uniquely and are found nowhere else on the planet. The country’s wildlife includes several penguin species, the iconic flightless kiwi bird, the distinctive tūī bird and massive gannet colonies. Marine life is equally spectacular, with albatrosses, numerous dolphin species, seals and whales.

New Zealand wildlife tours incorporate Māori cultural concepts, particularly kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the environment) which is displayed within a network of conservation centres and wildlife sanctuaries across the country. With your expert guide, you’ll explore Zealandia in Wellington, a predator-free sanctuary with more than 40 different species of native birds, and visit the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua. Trek to remote protected headlands like Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay and Otago Peninsula near Dunedin, where thousands of seabirds gather during nesting season. You will go whale watching in Kaikoura; kayak to the Tonga Island seal colony in Abel Tasman National Park; and explore a labyrinth of caves with its thousands of glowworms that create a star-like canopy at Ruakuri Cave – a more peaceful experience than at the main Waitomo Cave.

Your travel designer will plan you the perfect luxury New Zealand wildlife tour, featuring epic landscapes and unique wildlife experiences, many of which aim to contribute to the protection and conservation of the magnificent species you’ll learn about.

  • A whale's tail emerging from the water in New Zealand
  • A kiwi bird in New Zealand
  • Kiwi road sign and volcano Mt. Ngauruhoe at sunset, Tongariro National Park
  • A pair of Fiordland penguins on their way back to the nests in New Zealand
  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand
  • A tui bird perching on a branch in New Zealand
  • A beach in Abel Tasman National Park

From our experts

Experiences picked by our specialists

Sleep under dark skies near Aoraki Mount Cook

Stay on the doorstep of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park in a forest wilderness, part of an International Dark Sky Reserve

Spot Hector's dolphins and little penguins at Akaroa

From Christchurch, enjoy a tour of Akaroa village and cruise the harbour to spot the rare Hector’s dolphin as well as the world’s smallest penguin

Meet a newly hatched kiwi chick in Rotorua

Take a guided tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua and you might see a newly hatched kiwi chick

Watch little blue penguins return to nest in Oamaru

Observe the Oamaru blue penguin colony as night falls in Coastal Otago and the little blue penguins waddle home to their nesting sites

Cruise Milford Sound with fur seals and penguins

Cruise the tranquil fiord waters of Milford Sound while watching for local colonies of fur seals, playful dolphins and Fiordland crested penguins

A word from one of our experts

You’ll have some thrilling marine encounters in New Zealand, with Kaikoura delivering a particularly special experience. The nutrient rich waters here are an abundant year-round feeding ground for sperm whales, as well as dusky dolphins (often in super-pods of hundreds), fur seals, albatross and occasionally orcas or other whale species.

Keith Jarman Senior Travel Designer

Luxury New Zealand accommodation

There are many incredible places to stay in New Zealand. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

  • Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

  • Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

  • Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

New Zealand trip inspiration

Get inspired with our New Zealand example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

15 days From $54,586

Ultimate New Zealand

Spend two weeks experiencing the best New Zealand has to offer, from incredible scenery and lush winelands, to astounding stargazing, quaint village life, luxu…

Explore trip

15 days From $28,650

Essential New Zealand

A wonderful introduction to New Zealand, this 15-day luxury trip takes in both New Zealand’s North and South Islands, passing through epic landscapes, friendly…

Explore trip

Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your New Zealand tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start planning

Where to go in New Zealand for wildlife experiences

Meet your Australasia team

When to visit New Zealand for wildlife

New Zealand works well whenever you can visit and you’ll always have great wildlife encounters. Summer (December to February) is great for beaches and hiking, winter (June to August) turns the South Island mountains spectacular, spring (September to November) brings mild weather and everything starts growing again, and autumn (March to May) has crisp, clear days perfect for exploring. Whale watching is year-round but there are seasonal migrations; penguins have distinct breeding and moulting seasons that influence their presence on shore; birdwatching is year-round but different seasons provide unique opportunities to observe different species and behaviour.

Kiwi nesting season

September–March

Whale watching

Year-round

Little blue penguins breeding season

August–March

When Is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand? Read more

New Zealand Travel Guides

Plan your trip to New Zealand

Whatever you want from your adventure in New Zealand, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start planning

Don't take our word for it

“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”

We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

Amy Schulz Trustpilot ★★★★★

“heavenly honeymoon”

My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…

MJ Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Jacada Travel has been outstanding”

We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

Lisa Schrage Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Communication and organization were…”

Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!

Andrew Woodcock Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Iceland 8 Days”

We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.

The Reynolds Trustpilot ★★★★★

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

Find Out More