10 Best Destinations for Wildlife Safari in Asia
The outdoors is an exciting avenue to relax, sit back, and delight in nature’s wonders and marvellous wildlife.
Our gargantuan planet has every unique flora and fauna for all adventure seekers and animal lovers. And Asia, being the Earth’s largest and most populous continent, is definitely home to a one-of-a-kind wildlife.
People, along with government efforts, have protected Asia’s most well-known National Parks and Reserves to ensure a natural, uninterrupted habitat for these animals.
If you’re thinking of jumping on the next plane to Asia to experience the best wildlife safari of your life – pick from these top 10 best destinations for wildlife safari in Asia and prepare to be awestricken!
1. Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia
You will be dumbfounded by Indochinese tigers, clouded leopards, black bears, wild Asian elephants, and the roster goes on. The Cardamom Mountains wears one of the thickest rainforests in entire Southeast Asia. There are over 450 species of birds and the most unique one is the yellow-bellied warbler.
With so many flora and fauna species dissipating over time, the government and a number of local organisations have worked hand in hand to conserve the area. Efforts against logging, mining, and industrial development have taken place in recent years.
2. Komodo National Park, Indonesia
A country both rich in different cultures and delectable cuisine also boasts the giant lizards or “Komodo Dragons,” as what they’re otherwise known. These stunning giant lizards are only seen on this part of the island.
Although Indonesia is known to have months of downpour in a year; the Komodo National Park is one of the driest regions in the country. The best time to enjoy the beauty of Komodo Dragons is in the months of July and August.
3. Kanha National Park, India
The famous masterpiece, The Jungle Book, authored by Rudyard Kipling was created after this magnificent park. The author was inspired by its evergreen thick forests, meadows, ravines, and Kanha gorges. It is touted as the most picture-perfect wildlife park in Asia.
It is home to more than 200 species of plants and over 70 species of trees. Some of them are Lendia, Saja, Tendu, Palas, Aonla, and bamboo. Some birds are the pintails, pond herons, teals, peafowls, and egrets. While some of the unique animals are the barasingha and swamp deer.
4. Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia
Dive into a world of untouched rainforests and a roster of different wildlife like the rhinoceros, clouded leopards, tigers, Asian elephants, macaques, Chestnut-breasted malkohas, and thorny porcupines.
This destination is absolutely the place for wildlife watching and among some other outdoor activities are hiking and rock climbing. With a vast jungle of 4,343 square kilometres, it’s undoubtedly the largest park in Malaysia. The park encourages self-guided tours and the best season is from July to September.
5. Ba Be National Park, Vietnam
Nature lovers will be allured in the evergreen, lush forests of Ba Be National Park. This place is the country’s eighth national park with one of the lowest human impact. That means the wildlife here is in their natural habitat. The park is also sitting on a bed of limestone-rich soil.
Feast your eyes on animals you rarely see in your lifetime like the Vietnamese Salamander, Tonkin snub-nosed langur monkeys, Chinese pangolins, and red giant flying squirrels. Bats may also make it worth your while as there are as many as 18 varied species in massive caves!
6. Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
If leopards are your thing, prepare to be mesmerised by a myriad of Sri Lankan leopards as this park is a stomping ground for a large number of these animals. Dubbed as one of the largest and most popular parks in the country, there’s no way you should miss this on your next wildlife adventure.
This area is home to 32 species of mammals, 125 species of birds, and a couple of reptiles. Ride a jeep safari tour and you might get lucky and witness a juvenile bull elephant charge at you. But don’t worry, they’re extremely cute and harmless.
7. Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand
Inhibited by the Karen people who also act as the tour guides, you can be sure your wildlife experience in this UNESCO-protected sanctuary is as raw and one-of-a-kind as it gets. Because it is located in the remote jungle of Thailand, this area is still not very popular to tourists.
But wait till you get to its most prized treasure – the ThiLor Su Waterfall. A breathtaking scenic view of towering limestone cliffs with powerful flows of water is best when visited from August to October.
8. Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, Nepal
Nestled in the southwestern lowlands and blanketed by the Sal Forest; the Shuklaphanta is a vast and open grassland with a lot of waterholes. This setting is perfect if you want to see animals in their natural habitat drinking from the waterholes through safari tours. At the time of writing, there are only a few facilities for visitors as this area is still off the radar for tourists.
However, the extensive wildlife here is something a great adventure-seeker should never miss. Have a close encounter with the great one-horn rhinoceros, hog deer, barking deer, wild boars, royal Bengal tiger, golden jackals, striped hyenas, and more fascinating animals!
Deer spotted in Nepal’s national park
9. Gir National Park, India
Jeep safaris can definitely make your trip here well worth it in the end. Imagine yourself in an open-roof jeep, with the lions meandering in the background doing their business. This is one of the untouched wildlife areas in India. That’s why registering for a jeep safari still needs permission from the Sinh Sadan Forest Lodge Office. But the whole experience is heart-pumping and overwhelming at the same time.
10. Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan
Jigme Dorji National Park with an area of 4,349 square kilometers is the biggest protected area in Bhutan. You can feast your eyes on luscious forests, glaciers, and ice fields! Talk about getting the best of both worlds! The most prominent peaks are Jomolhari, Tsherimgang, and Jichu Drakey.
Different species like the Takin tiger, blue sheep, snow leopard, and red panda will catch you off guard during your wildlife exploration.
If you’re looking to add some fun and adventure in your usual travels, why not try out wildlife safaris instead? The intriguing and beguiling flora and fauna will surely make for an awesome and unforgettable trip!
Author Bio: Sarah Brooks is a passionate travel & outdoor blogger who loves to travel and write about her experience. She spends her free time hiking, swimming, camping and spending time with her family. She also blogs at GearJunior which is a site filled with outdoor tips and guides.