For many people, one of the most rewarding experiences of travel is seeing creatures you wouldn't encounter back home. Whether you set out to see them on safari or spot them by sheer luck, there's a thrill and a beauty in watching a wild animal in its natural habitat.

That's why we created Lonely Planet's A-Z of Wildlife Watching. It's packed with stunning photos, details of each creature's habits and characteristics, and tips on how to increase the chances of an encounter.

Inside, you'll find all the most iconic animals like lions, tigers, elephants and sharks, but we've gone even further than these headline acts to showcase the mind-blowing diversity of the natural world, with other animals including: snow leopards, mountain goats, antelopes, fennec foxes, giant albatrosses, hog-nosed bats, giant clams, corals, whales, wobbegongs, birdwing butterflies and Hercules beetles.

Created in consultation with biologist and writer Amy-Jane Beer, and with a foreword by nature photographer Mark Carwardine.