These resorts provide an ethical way to get up close and personal with Asia’s vibrant wildlife. Source: Shutterstock.
WHETHER you are planning on traversing Asia from Thailand to Vietnam or if your only stop is the lush greens of Borneo, there is nothing more exciting than the prospect of encountering the fascinating wildlife which inhabits the region.
Asia is home to a diverse species of animals, from big cats to iconic great apes, to majestic elephants as well as a plethora of fascinating birds. And while the subject of wildlife tourism is often discussed and debated, there are a handful of cruelty-free places which will allow you to encounter them.
So if this is part of your quest, then look no further than these ethical wildlife resorts you can share with animals.
Located in Chiang Rai, Thailand is the luxurious Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort, which has been tirelessly supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of elephants.
It has over 60 people to care for the 25 elephants which roam the camp and guests can opt for a special arrival experience whereby the elephants will welcome them to the resort.
Here, you can opt to have breakfast with the elephants before accompanying them on foot as they wander through the jungle or simply relax on the private balcony of your room as you watch elephants grazing in the fields below.
By the end of your stay, you would most definitely find yourself having fallen head over heels in love with these gentle giants.
Source: Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort.
For more information, visit the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort’s website.
It has been said that one of the most beautiful areas near the coastal rainforests of Da Nang in Vietnam is the Son Tra Peninsula Nature Reserve where the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is located.
Hidden within the 4,439 hectare Son Tra Peninsula Nature Reserve, also known to locals as the mythical Monkey Mountain, the resort offers the opportunity for guests to encounter more than 1,000 species of plants and 370 species of animals.
Walk around the resort and you may chance upon the critically endangered Red-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus) jumping from tree to tree or the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) loitering around the grounds.
Source: InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.
For more information, visit the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort’s website.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) city of Dubai is known for its skyscraper-filled skyline, luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture, and a lively nightlife scene. But travel away from the city towards the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and a wildlife surprise awaits.
Surrounded by tranquil dunes, the sandy plains of Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa boasts a luxurious collection of Bedouin-inspired tent-style suites which includes a private pool and butler service.
The area is also home to around 300 Arabian oryx, a medium-sized antelope with a distinct shoulder bump, long, straight horns, and a tufted tail.
To observe the animals in their natural habitat, you will simply need to ask the hotel’s trained wildlife expert for tips on when and where to spot them or arrange for a guided tour of the desert by foot.
Source: Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa.
For more information, visit the Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa’s website.