5 Safari Parks for Wildlife Adventures in SEA

5 Safari Parks for Wildlife Adventures in SEA

It's more than just about the travel, it's about discovery and adventure!
by Pauline Zamora | May 17, 2016

For true animal lovers, Africa is the place-to-be to see the wildlife. Those majestic tigers, the noble lions, elegant giraffes—seeing them up close and personal is a safari paradise.

Thankfully, there are places close by that offer safari tours so that you don’t need to go too far for a ‘wild’ time!

1. Zoobic Safari, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines

Featuring 25 hectares of terrain, with its own streams and grasslands, this safari park found in Subic Bay Freeport’s Forest Adventure is home to various exotic animals roaming and frolicking in their simulated natural habitat.

The only tiger safari in the Philippines, Zoobic Safari offers visitors the unique experience of riding a customized Safari Jeep and seeing full-grown tigers up close and on the loose. Zoobic Safari also showcases other attractions such as Zoobic Park, a two-hectare forest where visitors can pet and feed parakeets, bearcats, camels, etc; Savannah, an abode of free-roaming animals like ostriches, potbellies, wild boards and guinea fowls; Serpentium where different species of reptiles such as snakes, lizards and turtles can be found; the Rodent World that showcases rodents like the Palawan Spiny Rat, guinea pigs and porcupines; Animal MuZOOem, a collection of real stuffed animals, bone collections and preserved animal skins; Close Encounter where guests can take a close look at Siberian-Bengal Tigers; the Bird Walk where various types of birds may be fed; Aeta’s Trail that showcases the rich culture of Aetas; and the Croco Loco where over 200 crocodiles may be fed.

A photo posted by Diana de los Angeles Virtusio (@chemicallyana) on May 13, 2016 at 1:44am PDT

2. Taman Safari I (Bogor), West Java, Indonesia

The first and most popular of the Taman Safari Indonesia parks, the Taman Safari I is nestled in Puncak Bogor, West Java. It is a wildlife park, conservation and modern zoological garden that houses a diverse collection of flora and fauna as well as hundreds of animal species from all over the world. Visitors get to observe and interact with the animals as they wander around freely in the 170-hectare safari park.

Housing over 2500 animals, the safari park also has conservation projects that protects endangered animals like the Bali myna. As a conservation, recreation and education park, Taman Safari I has various wildlife shows such as the Wild West Show, Elephant Show and Dolphin Show; Animal Exhibits that feature the Humboldt penguin exhibits, Indonesian and Indian nocturnal animals, wallabies, kangaroos and crocodiles; animal performances by orangutans, dogs and goats; a petting zoo from which visitors can take photographs with lion and tiger cubs, orangutans and leopards; Night Safari and Safari Trek; and amusement park rides.

A photo posted by Cecilia Samsudin (@cecilia.samsudin) on Apr 17, 2016 at 11:34pm PDT

3. Safari Park Open Zoo, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Located in Kanchanaburi, Thailand is the Safari Park Open Zoo, a nature theme park and animal conservation and breeding center home to a diverse collection of animal and plant species. It is also a learning center which lets volunteers help care for the animals and facilitate other park activities.

Safari Park Open Zoo keeps the animals in their respective “zones.” Visitors can board the safari bus or drive around this 80-hectare diverse wildlife sanctuary. Some of the animals found in the zones are black bears, Bengal tigers, African lions, leopards, deer, giraffes, zebras, llamas, camels, ostriches, and many more. There are also animal shows featuring elephants, crocodiles and macaws.

A photo posted by @ayatiger on Jan 18, 2016 at 11:38pm PST

4. Vinpearl Safari, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

Boasting of 500 hectares of land, Vinpearl Safari is the largest open-range safari park in Vietnam. It is home to 400 species of plants and 3000 wild animals of 150 different species, many of which are already endangered. This sanctuary also has a wildlife care and conservation program that focuses on wildlife research, education and awareness campaign.

Vinpearl Safari showcases two different park attractions: the Wildlife Conservation Park where visitors can roam on foot and interact with 45 different animal species in open and nature-friendly exhibits, and the Open-range Safari Park where visitors ride a protected bus and observe 1,500 animals from 100 different species roam around in their natural habitat.