Vietnam Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is world famous for some of the most beautiful and expansive caves in the world. But while most visitors come for the caves, many overlook the park’s other important component: one of the richest and most important wildlife ecosystems in Southeast Asia. In particular, it is known for its fantastic population of primates, many of which … [Read more...]
GUNUNG LEUSER NATIONAL PARK
Indonesia Gunung Leuser National Park is one of the best known and popular parks in the Indonesian archipelago. Located in the tropical rainforest of Northern Sumatra, it is close to some of the most highly trafficked places in Indonesia, and because of this the ecosystem has suffered badly over the centuries. However, it yet remains home to a number of important species. … [Read more...]
BORNEO ISLAND
Malaysia Borneo is one of the largest islands in the world and home to the world’s largest independent rainforests. Because of its relativel isolation, at least until the 20th century, Borneo boasted one of the best preserved natural environments anywhere. Sadly, this has changed dramatically over the last few decades, and development and industry are deforesting the island … [Read more...]
KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK
Thailand Khao Yain National Park was the first national park to be established in Thailand and possibly in all of Southeast Asia. The area has a fairly colorful history, and the fact that it has been successfully maintained so far is a tribute to those commited to protecting it. Kaho Yain is home to an excellent animal population, including one of the few remaining herd of … [Read more...]
THE SUNDURBANS
Bangladesh The Sundurbans is a wide swath of coastal area located near the delta of the Ganges River. The bulk of this region is a protected area in Bangladesh, though the western part is in India where it is incorporated into a national park. The Sundurbans is the site of the world’s largest tidal mangrove forest and incredibly important ecosystem. Among other things it is … [Read more...]
CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
Nepal Chitwan National Park is a wildlife reserve covering an important region of Nepal’s rare lowlands. Just south of the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, this area boasts fauna common to Northern India as well as to the mountains. Located on the route to Kathmandu, this area was once a popular travel and hunting destination, and was heavily devastated before becoming a … [Read more...]
YALA NATIONAL PARK
Sri Lanka Yala National Park is the premier wildlife reserve of Sri Lanka, and home to almost all of the species of the island, including the Sri Lankan Elephant. Not quite as historically isolated as Madagascar, Sri Lanka has both its own fauna as well as species related to those of nearby India. Yala is famous for being home to one of the world’s largest populations of … [Read more...]
KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK
India Keoladeo National Park is a small but important bird sanctuary in Northern India and one of the most important such sites in the Subcontinent. Originally established as a royal reserve for duck-hunting, Keoladeo has been expanded over the years and now draws migrating birds, especiall waterfowl, from all over Eurasia. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Keoladeo … [Read more...]
KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK
India Kazaringa National Park is one of the definitive nature reserves of Southeast Asia. Located deep in the subtropical region where India, China and Burma meet, Kazaringa has one of the densest and most varied animal populations in Asia. All of the region’s large mammal species are present, but the main draw here is the Great One-Horned Rhinoceros. More than half of … [Read more...]
RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK
India Ranthambore National Park is one of the largest game reserves in India and one of the most important in the Far East. Home to a wide variety of fauna, it is undoubtedly most famous for its small but highy visible population of tigers. One of India’s Project Tiger reserves, the government has spent significant resources on preserving the local habit to protect the ever … [Read more...]