Animal Encounter – 5 Incredible Places to See Animals in Asia
Leopards, elephants and monkeys – oh my!
Have an animal lover in your family? Take them on a journey they’ll never forget while getting up close and personal with Asia’s wildlife.
Orangutans in Kalimantan, Indonesia
Available only as a private charter, the one-cabin Ruhui Rayahu offers guests an experience like no other river cruise. After departing from Palangkaraya harbour early in the morning, the Ruhui Rayahu heads upstream along the forest-lined Rungan River, past stilted houses and tiny remote villages. While slowly cruising through Borneo’s jungle, guests will have the chance to spot rare wildlife such as the proboscis monkeys, hornbills and sun bears. The highlight is Bapallas Island where visitors will see orangutans up close and learn about what the Borneo Orangutan Survival Centre is doing to help them live on their own in the wild.
Monkeys in Bali, Indonesia
In the middle of verdant rice paddies and lush greenery, Mathis Retreat offers 21 airy rooms appointed with beautiful local artwork and handicrafts. Located close to the city of Ubud, this retreat is the ideal place to stay for those wanting to explore the Monkey Forest, tropical woods surrounding the city. Guests can book private guides to lead them through this pristine environment to find spots where many local monkey species make their home in unspoilt nature.
Elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Although this boutique hotel is in the heart of the city, Amata Lanna is close to nature in its own way. While staying at this charming place, guests can explore Chiang Mai’s surrounding jungle, climb Thailand’s highest mountain and get close and personal with elephants at the local Elephant Nature Park. There, these gentle giants are well cared for and visitors can see first-hand how they live so close to their natural habitat.
Leopards and Wildlife at Yala and Wilpattu National Parks, Sri Lanka
Despite Sri Lanka being a small island, it is home to 26 national parks, making it the perfect place for wildlife spotting. Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safari offers guests exactly that on their Leopard Safari. Visitors are taken around the Yala and Wilpattu National Parks to see majestic leopards, languid sloths and peaceful elephants, all living in their natural habitat uninterrupted by humans.
To make sure it has as little impact on the local environment as possible, this tour uses mostly renewable energy and makes sure it never leaves anything behind when breaking down a camp and moving on. They are also strongly involved in the local community and support conservation efforts by donating a portion of every guest’s payment and supporting schools in the area.
Underwater Sea Life in Komodo, Ambon and Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Snorkelling in clear blue waters, watching dolphins swim alongside the boat and enjoying freshly prepared local seafood on the deck of a privately chartered yacht are the key experiences that await the passengers aboard Salila Expeditions. While the cabins on board offer guests all luxuries they would find in a five-star hotel, the views of sparkling blue seas and countless small islands are unique to this expedition. The Salila will take travellers to little-known spots around Eastern Indonesia where they can experience nature in a way that few others have. Seeing the rich marine life in this area and learning about the many local spices this part of Indonesia is known for is only the very beginning of this expedition.
