One of the greatest things about Asia is the amazing landscape of nature and exotic endemic wildlife. As for the Southeast region itself, there are a great many national parks covering a diverse range of landscape and wildlife. Some of the world’s most fascinating endemic wildlife of Southeast Asia are ranging from orangutans and elephants to ‘dragons’.
As the National Parks in Southeast Asia have it all for nature-lovers, it’s only natural that there are a lot of interesting places to choose from. To help with the decision making, here are the must-see hotspots for Southeast Asian wildlife!
1. Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
Located in Surat Thani, this national park is Thailand’s largest and the world’s oldest (some 160 million years) evergreen forest. The park safeguards a vast number of wildlife species such as the Asian Elephant, Tiger,, Gibbon, and over 300 bird species like Kingfisher and Woodpecker.
Another highlight in Khao Sok discovery is the 165 square kilometres Cheow Lan Lake. There, you can spend more than a day to visit the breath-taking grottos, trek towards the lakeside uncharted parts, watch Thai locals fishing or float along the scenic tropical views.
2. Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia
Sprawling across 4,343 square kilometres, the world’s oldest rainforest Taman Negara encompasses each of Malaysia’s forest habitats. From lowland rainforest to highland cloud forest, and is also the setting for one of the world’s longest canopy walkways.
Taman Negara National Park is one of the places where the country’s conservation efforts began. It can be tricky to spot local residents, such as the Asian elephant, rhinoceros, clouded leopard and tiger. But to come to Taman Negara is a chance to experience wildlife in one of the world’s most untouched primary rainforests. You’ll have a better chance of seeing primates, lizards, snakes, deer, Asian tapir, as well as over 50 species of birds like the great hornbill.
3. Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Source: thejakartapost.com
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is the only place in the world to see the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard. Also known as the Komodo Monitor, the giant lizards are found on the Indonesian islands including Komodo, Flores, Rinca and Padar. The scaly giants can grow up to three metres in length, weigh in at up to as much as 70 kilograms.
While the dragons are the main attraction, this region also offers some of the world’s best diving, with a chance to see manta rays, tropical fish, sharks, turtles, Pygmy sea horses, dolphins and more among the vibrant underwater worlds.
4. Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia
Source: wildlifealliance.org
The Cardamom mountains are home to some of the thickest, wildlife-filled rainforests in Southeast Asia. This is one of the last remaining habitats for wild Asian elephants, Indochinese tigers, clouded leopards, Asiatic black bears, Malayan sun bears, Irrawaddy dolphins, humpback dolphins, Siamese croc and more.
The area was previously one of the last refuges of the Khmer Rouge and an off-limits war zone, with the landmines still being cleared. Today, Wildlife Alliance, Rainforest Trust and local organisations have worked to protect the bio-diverse region from logging, mining and industrial development, while locals have found jobs in the park, including poachers now employed as expert guides and rangers to protect the animals they previously hunted.
5. Ba Be National Park, Vietnam
Source: ilovevietnamtour.com
This national park in remote northeast Vietnam, with 100 square kilometres of land, is populated by limestone karsts, mountains in height, glistening lakes and lush green forests. It’s home to an array of wildlife species, including the unique and endangered creatures such as the pangolin, the Vietnamese Salamander and Tonkin snub-nosed langur monkeys.
Slow loris, leopards, tigers, black bears, gibbons and crocodiles live here, with common macaque monkeys one of the most frequently sighted critters.
There are more than 550 known plant species in this rainforest region, and more than 220 bird species. More than 350 butterflies, more than 100 species of fish and four different kinds of turtle add even more colour and life to the park.