North Carolina is home to some pretty amazing wild animal encounters, like a bear safari at Alligator River and the wild herds of elk that roam the Cataloochee Valley. But none compare, really, with the calming sense of freedom inspired when witnessing the self-sustaining wild herd of horses found in the Outer Banks.

The Spanish Mustangs here are direct descendants of horses that arrived via Spanish expeditions in the 1500s. After centuries of surviving on Curritck, the horses have adapted to life on the beaches and in the maritime forest found along this coast.

Testing completed as recently as 2007 determined that the wild horses in Corolla are a rare, near extinct breed of Spanish Mustangs and are eligible to to be registered as Colonial Spanish Mustangs. They've been roaming this area for 400 years.

If you've never witnessed the famed wild horses found in North Carolina's Outer Banks, then you've been missing out.

There's a tour company that will make your wild horse dreams come true.

Wild Horse Adventure Tours of Corolla has a fantastic guided tour.

You'll hop aboard their custom Hummer H1 for an adventure to remember as you scout the island for sightings of North Carolina's most beloved wild creatures.

The tour is approximately two hours in length and will naturally pass the Currituck Lighthouse and the historic Whalehead Club.

Although you won't stop at these sights (because this is a horse tour, afterall), your guide will arm you with info so you can come back to them at a later time and visit those two sights on your own.

From the open-air Hummer, you'll have the opportunity to take endless photos of the wild horses encountered on the tour.

It's illegal to get within 50 feet of or to touch one of the horses, so if your camera has a zoom lens, then you'll want to make sure you pack it along.

Several years ago, efforts were made to move the wild horses into a Wild Horse Sanctuary at the north end of Currituck.

It was thought that paved roads on the lower end of the island were putting the horses at risk. Now, the best place to see them is on the north end of the island, where there is a mixture of public land as well as privately owned land; some of it developed with vacation homes.

The sweet thing about taking this guided tour is that Wild Horse Adventure Tours knows exactly where to go to look for the horses - and the most majestic photo opportunities!

On North Carolina's Currituck Island, wild horses from the 16th century roam freely about the island. If you haven't seem them for yourself, have you always wanted to witness them in person?

Wild Horse Adventure Tours is open year-round with both in-season and out-of-season pricing. In-season tours (May 27 - September 8) are adults: $59, seniors (ages 60+): $57, kids 12 and under: $34. Out-of-season tours (September 9 - May 26) are adults: $44, seniors (ages 60+): $42, kids 12 and under: $29. For more information, or to book your tour online, see their official website. You can also follow their Facebook page here.

Address: 610 Currituck Clubhouse Drive, Corolla, NC 27927

While you're in Corolla, make it a point to visit this historic and beautiful waterfront park!