Best Wildlife in Asia - in the footsteps of Attenborough
Inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s recent landmark BBC series exploring the wildlife and natural wonders of Asia, we have picked out some of the remarkable places and species that can be experienced on our tours. Filmed over the course of nearly four years, the series covers the high peaks of the Himalayas, rainforests and caves of Southeast Asia and the rich oceans of the east. If you missed the series or would like to catch up on any of the seven episodes, please visit BBC iPlayer where this inspiring documentary is available until the end of the year.
Borneo's rich flora and fauna
A wide variety of Borneo’s diverse wildlife was showcased on the BBC Asia wildlife series.
Episode 7 – Saving Asia - highlighted the plight of the Bornean sun bear. The smallest member of the bear family was once prevalent across swathes of Southeast Asia’s lowland forests, but in recent years numbers have decreased by up to 30%. The BBC team visited the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which is doing good work in the rescue and rehabilitation of sun bears. Situated in Sepilok a visit here combines well with the orangutan centre to meet that other iconic resident of Borneo, the orangutan. Also covered was the Kinabalu National Park which has deservedly been recognised by UNESCO for the diversity of habitats around the slopes of Mount Kinabalu, attracting many bird species. With a staggering variety of pitcher plants and more than 2,000 flowering plants including orchids, rhododendron, and the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia, it’s a must for any birders or aspiring botanists. Our Grand Tour of Borneo itinerary includes all of Borneo’s main wildlife experiences and is recommended for those wishing to follow the footsteps of Sir David Attenborough.
The Wilds of China
Episode 2 – Above The Clouds – focussed on high altitudes, and for this the crew headed to the Baima Mountain Reserve in the Hengduan Mountains of China’s southwestern Yunnan province to film black and white snub-nosed monkeys. Yunnan is the only place in the world where these rare primates can be found in the wild. They are uniquely adapted to extreme altitudes and freezing temperatures, and mainly feed on lichens found on trees. We have created a number of suggested itineraries such as Yunnan’s Passage to Shangri-La, that can be modified to take in a visit to spot this elusive primate.
Forests and landscapes were the focus of episode four, and in this China’s spectacular Zhangjiajie was featured. The mesmerizingly beautiful area of giant sandstone columns that were said to inspire the movie Avatar can be experienced on The Natural Wonders of China tour. Giant and red pandas also featured in this episode, and there are various nature reserves and breeding centres in China that do an excellent job in preserving the species and increasing their numbers. We’d highly recommend visiting Wolong National Nature Reserve, which can be visited on our A Taste of Sichuan tour, where you’ll have the chance to get hands-on volunteering at Dujiangyan Panda Base.
Indonesia in depth
Episode 1 – Beneath The Waves – takes a fascinating look at Indonesia, a nation of over 17,000 islands, home to extraordinary marine life, including the majestic manta rays. The episode captures the awe-inspiring grace of these gentle giants as they glide effortlessly through the turbulent currents surging between the Komodo Islands.
Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, is another nature and wildlife hotspot, known for its lush rainforests and rich biodiversity, including the endangered Bornean orangutans. A visit to the Tanjung Puting National Park provides the opportunity to explore pristine jungles, spot orangutans in their natural habitat, and learn about vital conservation efforts. Attenborough highlighted the critical role Kalimantan’s rainforests play in global ecology, and singled out the orangutans as a symbol of the urgent need for conservation. The series serves as a compelling reminder of the planet’s wonders and the role we play in protecting them.
Our Treasures of Indonesia tour combines both the Komodo Islands and jungles of Kalimantan and offers an exciting blend of wildlife, landscapes and culture for you to experience the diversity of Indonesia first hand. Whether you’re a diver seeking underwater marvels or a traveller longing for tranquil beaches and cultural immersion, Indonesia offers a magical holiday experience that blends natural beauty with a profound sense of adventure.
National Parks in Nepal
Episode 4 includes the conservation success stories from Nepal in recent years. Thanks to a concerted conservation effort over the past few decades, the rare greater one-horned rhino has been brought back from the brink of extinction, and numbers continue to rise today. At the most recent rhino census, the population of rhinos in the wild was found to be over 750, up from less than 100 in the late 60s. The vast majority of the wild rhino population lives in Chitwan National Park.
Nepal has also made the remarkable achievement of almost tripling its population of wild tigers in just over a decade. Tiger sightings for tourists are still rare, but the tiger population continues to grow and in recent years we have had increasing reports from our clients of wild tiger sightings in Chitwan and Bardia National Parks.
Wildlife lodges in Chitwan offer multi-night stays, where guests can set out on safaris into the forest and spot the rhinos in their natural habitat, and also search for the more elusive tiger. We include a visit to Chitwan National Park on our popular Classic Nepal tour. Conservation work continues in Nepal, to protect the natural forest territory of these precious animals, and working with local communities to combat poaching. We help to support this effort by working only with responsible lodges and suppliers in Nepal.
Another side of Japan
In episode 5 – Crowded Continent – the series travels to Nara, a city where over a thousand semi-wild deer roam freely. These deer, considered sacred, have adapted to urban life, interacting harmoniously with residents and visitors alike, and which are a big draw for many people visiting Japan. Nara can be visited on our Classic Japan tour and is easily reached from Kyoto. The series also showcases Kamikochi, a serene, car-free town nestled in the Japanese Alps. Renowned for its cool mountain air and scenic hiking trails, Kamikochi is a haven for nature enthusiasts and home to Japan’s famous snow monkeys which can also be seen in the onsen towns of Yudanaka and Shibu. Another featured location is Ozu, often referred to as "Little Kyoto". This charming town offers experiences like traditional cormorant fishing on the Hiji River during summer, and vibrant autumn foliage at Shirataki Park during the autumn months. Wildlife enthusiasts will also be interested in the island of Hokkaido which is famous for its eagles, brown bear sightings and the red-crowned crane which has long played a special part in Japanese mythology.
Wild cats in India
The elusive snow leopards that feature on Episode 2 were filmed in the Kibber region of Himachal Pradesh, high in the Indian Himalaya. These cats are notoriously hard to spot as they live over 3,000m and roam vast areas of inaccessible mountain terrain. There are however other big cat species that reside in more accessible parts of India, so if you are an ailurophile, there is a great choice of safaris for you. The Indian leopard can be found throughout central and northern India in a variety of habitats, but one of the best places to spot them is Jawai in Rajasthan. Leopard conservation was pioneered here by Shatrunjay Singh who fought a two year campaign against 140 mining leases. Media support fuelled nationwide awareness, leading to the state’s decision to terminate mining and secure the future of leopards in the area and numbers are now thriving. Having worked on numerous wildlife documentaries to support the cause, Shatrunjay was persuaded to set up the Bera Safari Lodge, which is now one of India’s best places to see leopards with the magnificent backdrop of Jawai's granite outcrops. Experience a stay at Shatrunjay’s charming lodge on our Beyond the Golden Triangle tour. Last, but not least, there are many National Parks all over India offering the chance to get face to face with a Bengal tiger. Our specialist tour On the Tiger's Trail takes you to three of the lesser visited National Parks to give you the optimum chance of a sighting.
Sri Lanka’s most popular tax collector
Episode 5 - Crowded Continent - sheds a light on how animals in Asia are adapting their behaviour to exist side-by-side with humans in one of world’s most densely populated regions. Sri Lanka features prominently in this episode, as it is the country with the highest density of Asian elephants in the world, with numbers very much on the rise. Quite a few of the Bamboo Travel team have travelled along the road between Buttala and Kataragama, near the Yala National Park, where elephants approach vehicles regularly, trying to persuade humans to hand over food. This modern-day skill is becoming a valuable one for young elephants to learn. One male elephant, called ‘Raja’, is featured closely and has become known as ‘Sri Lanka’s most popular tax collector’, blocking vehicles from passing until they pay the toll he desires, currency – bananas! Yala National Park features in many of the tours we offer in Sri Lanka and we work with a number of great camps in the Kataragama area, including Leopard Trails, Ceylon Wild Safaris. With so many national parks dotted all over the island, Sri Lanka is a fabulous destination for wildlife fans to visit and if you are trying to plan an itinerary with a strong wildlife focus, then our ‘Birds & Wildlife of Sri Lanka’ is a great starting point.