Penguins, Monkeys, and Alpacas, Oh My! 8 Unique Airbnbs for Animal Enthusiasts

While many epic journeys revolve around spotting lions on an African sMytouri, observing bison herds in Yellowstone National Park, or swimming with whale sharks, you don’t need to venture to these far-off places for an animal encounter. There are numerous Airbnbs where you can engage closely with wildlife or farm animals right from your temporary home. We’ve curated eight properties for animal lovers, all certified as part of the site’s Guest Favorites designation, offering experiences ranging from watching penguins in your backyard to spending time with adorable alpacas or Highland cows.

Keep in mind that Airbnb enforces strict guidelines for ethical interaction with animals, ensuring that the animals you meet during your stay are treated well and not exploited for tourism.

Three-bedroom barn loft at an Upstate New York alpaca farm

City dwellers from New York looking for a taste of nature will adore this expansive alpaca farm, perched on one of the highest peaks in the Sullivan County Catskills, just two hours north of Manhattan. The family-run Buck Brook Alpacas offers a three-bedroom loft above a barn that shelters alpacas, llamas, Angora rabbits, chickens, and a lovable potbellied pig named Daisy. Your visit includes a complimentary farm tour, with options to add walks and yoga sessions featuring these irresistibly cute South American animals. Plus, if you're inspired to purchase some wool products, your stay includes a 10 percent discount at the farm store, where you can find blankets, gloves, sweaters, yarn, and even crocheted alpacas.

Reindeer Cabin in the Arctic, Swedish Lapland

There’s perhaps no better way to experience Lapland than at this inviting cabin, owned by a Sámi family, situated in the village of Poikkijärvi, just a 20-minute walk from the renowned Icehotel. During winter (until around April 1), three reindeer inhabit the property, and an overnight stay includes an interactive feeding session with them. The accommodation is rustic yet cozy: you’ll have a cottage featuring a wood-burning fireplace, and just outside, a separate structure with a sauna, a compost toilet, and a shower shared with another rental unit, the Glass Cone. With minimal light pollution, it’s an excellent spot for viewing the aurora borealis, and snowshoes are available for exploring the snowy wilderness.

A luxurious villa near Cape Town featuring penguins in the garden

Situated about a 45-minute drive south of Cape Town, Simon’s Town is a popular destination thanks to its colony of African penguins at nearby Boulders Beach. For those wishing to spend extended time with these charming waddlers—who favor sandy shores over icy ones—this four-bedroom villa is ideal. It boasts decor featuring artwork by the former resident and includes amenities such as bikes, snorkeling equipment, and an inflatable boat for local adventures. The garden, planted three decades ago by landscapers from South Africa’s renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, now serves as a habitat for around 40 resident penguins, who make their homes among the lush vegetation. The only minor drawback—if it can be considered one—might be the lively calls of the penguins, which can be heard at night or early in the morning, resembling a donkey's bray.

A-frame treehouse in British Columbia featuring Highland cows

Recognized for their fluffy coats, long horns, and sociable nature, Highland 'coos' are a photogenic breed of Scottish cattle. However, you don’t need to venture to the British Isles to encounter them on your next getaway. A small herd resides on the property of this charming one-bedroom A-frame treehouse, nestled among forests and fields approximately 60 miles east of Vancouver in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. When you’re not enjoying the company of the cows by feeding them grains or sliced apples, you can engage in bocce ball, relax by the fire pit, or unwind in the outdoor wooden hot tub. The elegantly designed interiors feature a green-tiled rainfall shower stocked with homemade soaps and a lofted bedroom (accessible via a ladder) adorned with bamboo sheets and skylights ideal for stargazing.

Cabin with mountain views located in a New South Wales wildlife sanctuary

Located in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, approximately 110 miles from Sydney, the Conmurra Wildlife Sanctuary serves as both a refuge for endangered species and a natural habitat for various Australian wildlife. Over its 167-acre woodland property, the owners have dismantled old farm fences, eliminated invasive predators (such as cats and foxes), planted native seedlings, and set up nesting boxes. The transformation has been remarkable: the sanctuary now draws in wild kangaroos, wallabies, possums, wombats, kookaburras, owls, and sugar gliders, while enclosures are home to endangered species like bettongs and bandicoots. You can stay in either the studio-style mountain-view cabin accommodating three guests or the homestead guesthouse, which sleeps seven across two bedrooms. Your visit includes guided sunset walks and an opportunity to meet the resident dingoes, Kimba and Kela.

Treehouse situated in a private aviary in Bangkok

Although Bangkok is a thriving metropolis, it boasts hidden green spaces throughout. One of the most unexpected is this exclusive aviary, brimming with tropical flora and fauna, where you can stay in a treehouse-style cabin. The space features a garden swing over a fishpond and a fern-covered tower with a staircase leading to an observation deck that overlooks the aviary and the city skyline. A treetop bridge connects an en suite bedroom (equipped with a queen-size bed and a sofa bed) to the living and dining area. The aviary is home to a variety of birds, including a hawk, pheasants, chickens, and parrots.

Eco-friendly off-grid bungalow featuring four monkey species in Costa Rica

Nestled in a biological corridor in one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions, this solar-powered eco-lodge offers an unforgettable wildlife experience. Here, you can spot four species of monkeys—squirrel, spider, white-faced capuchin, and howler—as they frolic, nurse their young, and swing through the trees. The property includes a semi-private beach ideal for shallow water fun and surfing for all ages, and during peak seasons (July–August, October–November), you might even witness whales breaching just offshore. The hosts also organize various activities, such as bird-watching, horseback riding, and kayaking amidst glowing bioluminescent plankton. In addition to this one-bedroom glamping option (Spider), superhost Silvina offers two more bungalows (Titi and Howler) along with a two-bedroom private house that accommodates four guests.

Contemporary sheep farm getaway in New Zealand

In New Zealand, it’s a well-known fact that sheep outnumber people by a remarkable five to one—ensuring you'll likely encounter some during your visit. For a guaranteed experience, reserve the one-bedroom Wildberry Cottage, which debuted in 2020 in the scenic countryside near Rotorua, a geothermal hotspot. This modern farmhouse draws inspiration from Scandinavian aesthetics, showcasing decor collected from the owners' adventures in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Feel free to explore the farm, feed the friendly sheep, and enjoy quality time with the farm's heading dog, Ruby, described by the hosts as “obsessed with her tennis ball and likely to appear hoping for a game.”