On safari: Animal trips with a difference around Asia

FOR a chance to travel to less touristy areas in Asia and encounter wildlife, nature and local life, an animal safari is an excellent option. Elephant, camel and horse safari operators exist in places as varied as the Inner Mongolian steppe, Thailand’s northern mountains and India’s desert sands and their itineraries provide the chance to stay with nomads, sleep under the stars and enjoy varied landscapes while also getting to know your sure footed companion. Traveling with animals also slows the pace down, enabling the traveler to  enter into the rhythms of local life.

Elephant bath time in Northern Thailand. Pic: Fergal Barry-Murphy.

Elephant safaris are provided in the northern regions of the country in places like Chiang Mai. Many are simply part of full-day itineraries near Chiang Mai city and are often combined with other adventures such as bamboo rafting. Such adventures are a great way to combine an appreciation of beautiful natural surroundings in northern Thailand’s mountainous landscape under the steam of a sure footed beast. For those wanting an extended experience of the elephant safari there are some operators offering longer, multi-day trips which have a few additional thrills such as swimming and bathing with the elephants and the chance to visit indigenous hill tribes and even stay with them. The pace of an elephant is best described as ambling, and so it’s also the perfect opportunity to look out for bird and other wildlife, plants, fruits and views, besides getting to know one of the world’s most gentle giants.

Another place to consider an elephant safari in Asia is in Nepal’s Chitwan National Park. Elephants are often used in India’s national parks for wildlife spotting.

Elephant safari in Chitwan, Nepal. Pic: Joanne Lane, www.visitedplanet.com

Camel safaris in Rajasthan provide an unforgettable experience of India’s rippling Thar desert and a chance to really experience rural, desert life. They also get you up close and personal with the ship of the desert, the camel, whose smelly and sometimes bad temepered personality is also memorable!

While the Thar is a desert, it is surprisingly populated and is not all rolling sand hills. For the best opportunity to see the latter, you should organise your safari around Jaisalmer, although camel safaris are possible in almost any town in the state.

Safari options and comforts can vary widely so it is wise to check exactly what is included in terms of food, water, blankets and other supplies as cheaper safaris may lack essentials you want. It can be very cold in the desert in winter and hot in summer so choose your seasons wisely: September to March is best. Things move at a slow pace in the desert and the rolling, rocking motion of a camel is not for everyone. If in doubt choose a shorter, rather than longer itinerary, but it is possible to arrange a safari for as long as you wish. Most people choose an overnight or two night option.

Some operators may organise a night time program including dancing or other local entertainment. This is well worth taking in, however make sure you schedule in a night camping in the desert with your camel guides or fellow safari friends under the stars.

Camel safaris are also offered in Ladakh in northern India. Australia is another place to undertake a camel safari, particularly in desert areas such as Alice Springs, and the famed sands of Broome’s Cable Beach.

Camel safari in the Thar desert, Rajasthan, India. Pic: Joanne Lane, www.visitedplanet.com

Asian horses were domesticated by tribes of the Mongolian steppes and today it’s still a fantastic place to explore on horseback. If you have visions of galloping across endless steppe and visiting real nomads, Inner Mongolia is the place to do it. Horses still play an important role in local culture and traveling the way the locals do, is a good way to experience both the landscapes, other animals and the people of the region particularly if you can find an operator that offers homestays.

Most horse riding trips through this region are eco friendly with camping under the stars and they also visit beautiful grasslands, forests, mountains, lakes and rivers. Sichuan and Xinjiang, where there are Tibetan nomadic communities, are also excellent options for horse safaris. Some can be arranged on arrival but many can also be booked online.

Agoda

TRAVELING with children doesn’t have to be difficult in Asia. Not only do the varying cultural delights offer interesting options for kids but there is wildlife, healthy food, affordable accommodation and excellent beach resorts and activities to keep them occupied. In addition to that, Asian cultures are excellent at including and catering for children so…>

CAMELS grace the deserts, grasslands and mountains of Asia-Pacific from places as diverse as India, China, Mongolia, Pakistan and Australia. They are much loved and even celebrated around the region for their contributions as working animals and for providing milk and meat and hair.

Villa Kiara Boutique Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Siem Reap, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Barefoot Sakau Lodge

River Guesthouse

Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 75 per night

The Peninsula

Urban, Luxury

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 185 per night

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit

Urban Luxury Hotel

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Shangri La Bangkok

Urban Luxury

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 175 per night

The Heritage House & Gardens

Boutique Resort

Chiang Mai, , Thailand

Deal USD $ $115 per night

Dream Bangkok

Boutique Hotel

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 84 per night

Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa

Boutique Resorts

Koh Phangan, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 184 per night

Sala Samui

Boutique Resort

Koh Samui, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 225 per night

Panviman Resort

Boutique Resort

Bantai, Koh Phangan, Thailand

Deal USD $ 275 per night

The Racha

Luxury Resort

Racha Island, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 250 per night

Lebua At State Tower

Urban Luxury Hotel

Bangkok, Bangrak, Thailand

Deal USD $ 150 per night

The Sukhothai Bangkok

Boutique Hotel

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 190 per night

Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort & Spa

Luxury Resort

Koh Samui, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Zeavola Resort

Boutique Resort

Ao Nang, Koh Phi Phi , Thailand

Deal USD $ 210 per night

Rachamankha Hotel

Boutique Hotel

Changmai, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 150 per night

LUXX

Boutique Hotel

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 75 per night

The Nam Hai

Luxury Villa

Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam

Deal USD $ 550 per night

Hotel Penaga

Boutique Hotel

Georgetown, , Malaysia

Deal 150 per night

Hibiscus Villa

Luxury Villa

Kudat, Sabah, Borneo

Deal USD $ 750 per night

Sepilok Jungle Resort

Nature Resort

Sandakan, Borneo, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 10 per night

Old Penang Guesthouse

Urban Boutique Guesthouse

Penang, Georgetown, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 10 per night

Marco Polo Hotel

Urban Luxury Hotel

Davao City, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 92 per night

Pearl Farm Resort

Luxury Beach Resort & Spa

Davao, Samal, Philippines

Deal USD $ 119 per night

Bohol Beach Club

Beach Adventure Resort

panglao, Bohol, Philippines

Deal USD $ 111 per night

Eastwood Richmonde Hotel

Urban Hotel

Metro Manila, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 94 per night

Casa Leticia Boutique Hotel

Urban, Boutique

Davao City, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 67 per night

Satrisna Home

Urban Guesthouse

Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Manila Hotel

Urban Hotel

Manila, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 185 per night

Dusit Thani Manila

Urban Hotel

Manila, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 140 per night

Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort

Beach Resort

Kapali, Sipadan Island, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 1000 per night

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Eco River Retreat

Kinabatangan River, Borneo, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 400 per night

Casa Nicaros Hotel

Urban Budget Hotel

Manila, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 50 per night

The Poseidon House

Luxury Villa

Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 363 per night

Abaca Boutique Resort

Spa & Wellness Resort

Lapu Lapu City , Mactan Island, Philippines

Deal USD $ 340 per night

Sangria Langkawi

Luxury Beach Villa

Pantai Tengah, Langkawi, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 530 per night

Eternity Springs Art Farm

Eco Wellness Retreat

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Bali Dynasty Resort

Beach Resort

Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

Deal 132 per night

Club Bali Hawaii

Beach, Adventure

Anyer, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 90 per night

Desa Seni

Boutique Spa Resort

Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Alila Ubud

Boutique Retreat Resort

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 163 per night

Long Life Hotel

Urban Budget Hotel

Hoi An, , Vietnam

Deal USD $ 28 per night

Grace Hotel Beijing

Urban Boutique Hotel

Beijing, 798 Art District, China

Deal USD $ 135 per night

Life Heritage Resort Hoi An

Urban Retreat

Hoi An, , Vietnam

Deal 131 per night

Princess D’Annam Resort & Spa

Boutique Resort

Binh Thuan, , Vietnam

Deal USD $ 250 per night

Evason Ana Mandara Hideaway

Luxury Beach Resort

Nha Trang, , Vietnam

Deal USD $ 200 per night

Victoria Chau Doc Hotel

Boutique Hotel

Chau Doc , , Vietnam

Deal USD $ 125 per night

The Terraces

Boutique Hotel

Kanatal, Uttarkhand, India

Deal USD $ 240 per night

The Orchid

Urban Boutique Hotel

Beijing, Gulou, China

Deal USD $ 110 per night

The Quay

Urban Retreat Hotel

Phnom Penh, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 70 per night

Luang Prabang River Lodge

Urban Budget Hotel

Luang Prabang, , Laos

Deal USD $ 40 per night

Royal Bay Inn Angkor Resort

Urban Hotel

Siem Reap, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 60 per night

Knai Bang Chatt

Beach Resort

Kep, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 115 per night

City Inn

Urban Budget Hotel

Vientiane, , Laos

Deal USD $ $60 per night

Independence Hotel

Luxury Beach Hotel

Sihanoukville, , Southern Cambodia

Deal USD $ 130 per night

Amanjaya Pancam

Urban Retreat Hotel

Phnom Penh, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Sala Luang Prabang

Urban Budget Guesthouse

Luang Prabang, , Laos

Deal USD $ 50 per night

La Residence d’Angkor

Luxury Hotel

Siem Reap, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ USD $285 per night

Settha Palace Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Vientiane, , Laos

Deal USD $ 150 per night

Wanderlust

Urban Boutique Hotel

, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 158 per night

The Mercer

Designer Luxury Hotel

Hong Kong, Sheung Wan, China

Deal USD $ 200 per night

The Club Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

China Town, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 188 per night

L’Hotel Nina at Convention Center

Urban Budget Hotel

Hong Kong, The New Territories, China

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Hotel Fort Canning

Urban Hotel

, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 240 per night

Marina Bay Sands

Urban Hotel

Marina Bay, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 341 per night

Hullet House

Urban Luxury Hotel

Hong Kong, Kowloon, China

Deal USD $ 500 per night

Hotel De Edge

Urban Designer Hotel

Hong Kong, Sheung Wan, China

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa

Luxury Beach Resort

Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam

Deal USD $ 134 per night

Maya Ubud Resort and Spa

Mountain Luxury Retreat

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 295 per night

Batu Karang Lembongan Resort

Luxury Beach Resort

Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia

Deal 230 per night

Bon Ton Resort

Beach Luxury Villa

Pantai Cenang, Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 250 per night

Clove Hall

Urban Boutique Hotel

Georgetown, Pulau Penang, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 180 per night

The Secret Sanctuary Boutique Cottage

Boutique Guesthouse

Kuching, Borneo, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 35 per night

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

Boutique Resort

Canungra, Queensland, Australia

Deal USD $ 200 per night

Argonauta Boracay

Beach Boutique Hotel

Hagdan, Boracay Island, Philippines

Deal USD $ 120 per night

Anggun Boutique Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 75 per night

Soria Moria

Urban Retreat

Siem Reap, Old French Quarter, Cambodia

Deal USD $ 40 per night

La Villa Battambang

Boutique Guesthouse

Battambang, Rattanak Srok, Cambodia

Deal USD $ 55 per night

The Apsara

Urban Boutique Guesthouse

Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Province, Laos

Deal USD $ 75 per night

Salana Boutique Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Vientiane, Wat Chan , Laos

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Villa Santi Hotel

Boutique Hotel

Luang Prabang, Ban Wat Sene, Laos

Deal USD $ 90 per night

TenFace Bangkok

Boutique Hotels

Bangkok, Pathumwan, Thailand

Deal USD $ 87 per night

Villa Lomchoy

Luxury Villa

Chaweng, Koh Samui, Thailand

Deal USD $ 275 per night

Hintok River Camp @ Hellfire Pass

Rivers Glamping

Kanchanaburi, River Kwai, Thailand

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Luang Poj Boutique Hostel

Boutique Guesthouse

Ranong, City Centre, Thailand

Deal USD $ 13 per night

The Chedi, Chiang Mai

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Chiang Mai, Chang Khlan, Thailand

Deal USD $ 250 per night

Villa Blubambu

Luxury Spa Villas

Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 115 per night

Santi Sari

Luxury Guesthouse

Goris, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 200 per night

La Residence Hue

Boutique Hotel

Hue City, Tha Thien-Hue, Vietnam

Deal USD $ 118 per night

Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa

Luxury Resort

Dalat, Lam Dong, Vietnam

Deal USD $ USD $175 per night

Hotel G

Urban Boutique Hotel

Beijing, Sanlitun, China

Deal USD $ 170 per night

Tiger Rock

Luxury Boutique Guesthouse

Pangkor Island, Perak, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 200 per night

The Opposite House

Urban Luxury Boutique Hotel

Beijing, Sanlitun, China

Deal USD $ 330 per night

The T Hotel

Urban Designer Hotel

Hong Kong, Pokfulam, China

Deal USD $ 150 per night

Hotel ICON

Urban Luxury Boutique Hotel

Hong Kong, Kowloon, China

Deal USD $ 335 per night

Hotel 1929

Urban Boutique Hotel

Singapore, Chinatown, Singapore

Deal USD $ 136 per night

The Scarlet Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Singapore, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 200 per night

New Majestic Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Singapore, Chinatown, Singapore

Deal USD $ 196 per night

Rohet Garh

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Rohet Garh, Rajasthan, India

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Padmini Niwas

Luxury Hotel Test

Mussoorie, Uttarkhand, India

Deal USD $ 33 per night

Orange County

Boutique Luxury Resort

Coorg, Karnataka, India

Deal USD $ 380 per night

Old Harbour Hotel

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Fort Kochi, Kerala, India

Deal USD $ USD $185 per night

Nilaya Hermitage

Boutique Luxury Hotel

Arpora, Goa, India

Deal USD $ 397 per night

Maneland Jungle Lodge

Adventure Resort Retreat

Sasan Gir, Gujurat, India

Deal USD $ 65 per night

House of MG

Urban Boutique Hotel

Ahmedabad, Gujurat, India

Deal USD $ 92 per night

Hotel Bougainvillea

Budget Boutique Guesthouse

Anjuna, Goa, India

Deal USD $ 15 per night

Fort Tiracol

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Tiracol, Goa, India

Deal USD $ 172 per night

Fort Chanwa Luni

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Deal USD $ 130 per night

Fernhills Palace

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Ooty, Tamil Nadu , India

Deal USD $ 235 per night

Carlton Plaisance

Luxury Hotel

Mussoorie, Uttaranchal, India

Deal USD $55 per night