Sepilok Nature Resort, Sandakan, Malay Borneo
The Sepilok Nature Resort is located in a place of truly outstanding natural beauty. Just a walk away from the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, one of the last remaining homes of wild orang-utans in Borneo, it is not uncommon for these ‘old men of the forest’ to wander right up to the Sepilok chalets when they think no-one is about! Spend the day learning about conservation at the nearby Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre, followed by trekking through the jungle, birdwatching or taking a trip down the river, before returning to the resort just as the day-trippers head home. With fewer people around, you can sit on your terrace in the stillness and listen to the sounds of the forest as its inhabitants prepare for sunset; wildlife experiences simply don’t get better than this.
Mutiara Taman Negara Resort, Malaysia
The rainforest of Taman Negara National Park, is estimated to be over 130 million years old - one of the most ancient on Earth. As you traverse through the canopy on rope bridges, you get an overwhelming sense of the depth and age of the ecosystems that have evolved here, and the importance of protecting them. The Multiara Resort sits lightly in the landscape, with biodegradable materials, low lighting and simple facilities ensuring it leaves as little trace of itself as possible. Sharing your forest surroundings are macaques, slow loris, Malkoha birds and porcupine, while deeper in live critically endangered Malayan tigers. The relaxed, spacious chalets make this a fabulous option for families too, and an unforgettable way to introduce children to the rainforest.
Elephant Hills, Thailand
The pioneering Elephant Hills project, deep in the forested landscape of Khao Sok National Park, is arguably Thailand’s most well-known wildlife venture. Moving rescued elephants into eco-tourism projects such as this steers the ‘elephant economy’ away from entertainment and around to focus on the welfare and wellbeing of the animals. Instead of riding the elephants, you will assist the rangers in feeding and washing them before watching them play together in their natural environment. The glamping luxury of the tented camp is ideal for combining some relaxing downtime along with your elephant interaction and, if you fancy a slower pace and a little more solitude sometimes, opt for a couple of nights in the floating camp on Cheow Larn Lake too.
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