7 unforgettable wildlife experiences in Southeast Asia
Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are home to some magnificent scenery, including lofty mountains, lush jungles, wide plains, vast lakes and verdant river deltas. This amazingly varied topography has allowed a diverse array of wildlife to flourish – from great elephants to delicate orchids. There are a great variety of ways to get out into the countryside and interact with all this wildlife, but here are a few of our favorites to get you started.
1. Spot dolphins on the Mekong
The Mekong River is one of only a few places in the world to spot the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin in its natural habitat. Heading out from Kratie in Cambodia, you’ll float out on a small boat skippered by a local fisherman to an area 15 kilometers north of the town – one of the best places on the river to catch a glimpse of these elusive mammals.
The Irrawaddy dolphin population once numbered around 1,000 in this area, but after being hunted for their oils during the civil war there are now thought to be only 70 left.
On the way to spot Irrawaddy dolphins in Kratie.
2. See baby turtles hatch in Con Dao
The Con Dao Islands are a tiny pocket of paradise just an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Most of the islands in the archipelago have national park status, and on the main island there is a protected breeding site where visitors can watch as hawksbill and green turtles inch their way up the beach to lay their eggs.
N.B. The nesting season is from April to September.
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A turtle on the beach on Con Dao Island.
3. Go bird-watching on Tonlé Sap Lake
Tonlé Sap is Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, located at the heart of Cambodia. During peak season, the lake swells to an incredible six times its average dry-season size, engulfing the surrounding fields and forests and concealing the teetering supports of the area’s stilt houses.
For those with an ornithological bent, Tonlé Sap is a great place to spot all kinds of bird life, including black-headed ibis, painted storks, milky storks, greater and lesser adjutants, spot-billed pelicans, gray-headed fish eagles, cormorants and snakebirds. Visit the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary for a chance of spotting these fascinating creatures.
Snakebird spotted at Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia.
4. Meet the elephants in Cambodia & Laos
One of the most exciting wildlife experiences to enjoy in Southeast Asia is a meeting with the largest land animal in the world: the elephant. We have three favorite elephant sanctuaries where you can rest assured that the elephants are happy, healthy and well looked-after.
In Cambodia, the Mondulkiri Project exists to provide a home for retired working elephants – as well as to protect the natural habitat of the country’s few remaining wild elephants.
In Laos, meanwhile, animal-lovers can head to Mandalao, a conservation project 30 minutes from Luang Prabang, or the Sayaboury Elephant Conservation Center, which is supported by the non-profit charity ElefantAsia. Feed, wash, and learn about these amazing animals while helping to support conservation efforts.
A resident of the sanctuary in Sayaboury.
5. Visit a bear sanctuary in Phnom Tmao
Run by the charity Free the Bears, this sanctuary 40 kilometers from Phnom Penh in Cambodia rescues bears from restaurants, poachers, hotels, bile farms and the pet trade.
The sanctuary has 21 enclosures built over seven hectares of land, housing a mixture of over 100 sun bears and Asiatic black bears. All of the enclosures are spacious, with climbing frames, toys and vegetation to keep the bears occupied and happy.
6. Diving at Ninh Van Bay or Con Dao
Last but not least, Southeast Asia has an incredible array of underwater life – and you can get up close and personal with it on a scuba diving trip to the magnificent reefs surrounding Vietnam. Our favorite spots for snorkeling and scuba are found at Ninh Van Bay and the Con Dao Islands.
If you’ve been inspired by these wild experiences, you'll love our Wild Cambodia itinerary. Get in touch with our Southeast Asia travel experts to find out more.
