The Award-Winning Tour Specialist
Discover the delights of Asia's wildlife
The BBC's recent Asia extravaganza is throwing a spotlight on to what we at Wendy Wu Tours have known for a long time, Asia is heaven for wildlife enthusiasts.
The continent’s vast landscapes are home to some of the planet’s most diverse and fascinating fauna - an incredible array of mammals, birds and marine life. From the dense rainforests of Borneo and the towering Himalayan mountains to the expansive Gobi Desert that connects northern China and southern Mongolia, Asia’s incredibly varied habitats offer some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the world.
China’s adorable giant pandas, Thailand’s majestic elephants and India’s prowling tigers are just a few of the most iconic Asian species. Beyond Asia's most famous faces, you can also find countless lesser-known animals from tiny primates and rare birds to fascinating marine life.
Discover what wildlife you can hope to encounter in your favourite destination, and which of our tours will give you the best chance of a sighting with our Wildlife in Asia guide below.
India offers some of the richest wildlife experiences in Asia - home to majestic animals and stunning natural landscapes. Explore India’s renowned national parks, including Kanha National Park, the inspiration behind The Jungle Book, and Bandhavgarh National Park, known for its thriving tiger population. Panna Wildlife Reserve and Ranthambore are also prime destinations for spotting elusive tigers, as well as sloth bears, agile chinkara (Indian gazelles), leopards and an array of other species.
As an island, Sri Lanka is home to a number of endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. No Sri Lanka wildlife holiday is complete without a visit the most famous national park in Sri Lanka - Yala National Park. Forests, lush plains and lagoons make up Yala National Park, which is home to sloth bears, macaques, spotted deer and elephants.
The park also has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. While just two of the five park zones are open to the public, leaving much of the land to remain a natural habitat for the wildlife without intrusion, your chance of spotting these beautiful creatures is high, with animal sightings happening all year round.
Southeast Asia is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, and home to iconic species including tigers, Asian elephants, gibbons, orangutans, vultures and ibises. As a region consisting of mountains, rainforests, mangrove forests, lush marine environments and national parks – it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that this is a wildlife hotspot!
Witness the tiny, wide-eyed tarsiers at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary - a rare opportunity to observe one of world’s smallest primates. In Thailand, spend time with majestic elephants at a dedicated sanctuary, where these gentle giants are cared for and protected.
Borneo’s unique wildlife is another highlight, where the Semenggoh Nature Reserve provides an up-close experience with the endangered orangutans in their natural habitat. At the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, you can also observe the rare sun bears, known for their small size and distinctive chest patch. On a cruise along the Kinabatangan River - you might spot proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants and hornbills, creating unforgettable wildlife encounters. Southeast Asia is a wildlife enthusiast’s dream!
Shaped by millions of years of volcanic and seismic activity, the islands of the Japan archipelago are impressively diverse in their climates and ecosystems. The result is a very diverse range of flora and fauna that you would rarely find in such close quarers. Many of Japan’s animals are endemic, including the Japanese macaque, serow, giant flying squirrel and Amani rabbit.
Japanese macaques – also known as snow monkeys - are a must-see for visitors, especially in the colder months when they’re known for soaking in hot springs in the mountains. In Nara, the sacred sika deer roam freely, often bowing to visitors in exchange for treats. This close interaction, set against historic temples, offers a rare connection between people and wildlife that reflects Japan’s deep respect for nature.
Beyond these beloved animals, Japan is also home to the majestic red-crowned crane, which graces Hokkaido’s wetlands with its elegant courtship dances. Coastal areas reveal abundant marine life, including sea turtles, giant salamanders and dolphins, while Japan’s forests provide sanctuary for elusive wildlife like the Asiatic black bear.
China’s diverse landscapes, from lush bamboo forests to rugged mountain ranges, are home to a remarkable array of wildlife. The country is one of just 17 mega-biodoversity countries worldwide, with fourteen percent of the world's animal species found here. Among its most beloved residents are of course, the famous giant pandas. Giant pandas are not only an adorable, but are also a cherished national symbol of friendship and peace. On many of our China tours, you’ll have the chance to observe these gentle creatures up close at the world-renowned Giant Panda Research Base in Chengdu or the Chongqing Panda House, where dedicated efforts protect and study these endangered animals.
Beyond the pandas, China is home many rare and endangered animals including the golden snub-nosed monkey, known for its expressive face and vibrant colouring, the elusive snow leopard - solitary predator navigating remote mountain slopes and the forest-dwelling red panda. Bird enthusiasts might spot the graceful red-crowned crane in the wetlands, colourful pheasants in forested regions or many other amazing species.
