Best Wildlife Experiences in Asia

From the majestic Bengal Tigers of India to the elusive leopards of Sri Lanka, these two incredible countries are home to some of the best wildlife destinations in the world. In this blog, we’ll explore where to go for the most luxury camps and high-quality safari experiences in India and Sri Lanka. 

Ranthambore National Park, India

Ranthambore National Park was one of the earliest tiger conservation reserves in India and is probably the best place to spot wild Bengal tigers in Rajasthan, with the most reliable viewings taking place in April and May due to the hot weather shrinking watering holes. As well as tigers, there’s plenty of other amazing wildlife to see, including leopards, sloth bears, honey badgers, striped hyenas, sambar deer, jackals, marsh crocodiles, the Indian wild boar and more than 300 species of bird. Ranthambore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site sits at the centre of the park protected by sheer cliffs and surrounded by Jain and Hindu temples.

There are several accommodation types within the park, ranging from rustic camps to opulent lodges, however our favourites are the ultra-luxurious tented camp SUJÁN Sher Bagh and the exclusive Aman-i-Khas.

Stay: SUJÁN Sher Bagh

Nestled on the borders of Ranthambore National Park on the Singh’s private family estate lies the very classy SUJÁN Sher Bagh. Whilst focusing on eco-friendly and sustainable practices, SUJÁN Sher Bagh transports you back to the 1920s, evoking life on safari during the heyday of the British Raj. There are 12 air-conditioned tents (ten luxury tents and two suites), all with beautifully embroidered interiors and a private verandah that overlooks the wild jungle. The cuisine combines Raj style lunches and traditional Indian dinners cooked on outdoor clay ovens using organic homegrown ingredients, whilst the Jungle Spa offers soothing massages to round off a day tracking wildlife in the jungle. Sher Bagh's expert guides and trackers come with over 40 years’ experience. Their incredible knowledge of the park and behaviours of the resident tigers, together with their passionate enthusiasm, make for an unparalleled wildlife experience.

Stay: Aman-i-Khas

For those looking for a genuine Indian wildlife experience, Aman-i-Khas tented camp offers the ultimate levels of understated luxury. Set in rugged countryside on the outskirts of Ranthambore National Park, the camp comprises ten luxurious, Mughal-inspired tents, each with a king-size bed, free-standing bathtub and sun deck. Daily morning group yoga sessions are available to all guests. There are three other tents at the camp; a lounge tent, a spa tent and an intimate dining tent which serves a mix of Indian and Western dishes with fresh vegetables and herbs grown in the camp’s organic kitchen garden. The camp can also offer an outdoor grooming area, where gentlemen can go for a shave and facial massage, and an outdoor traditional step-well swimming pool. The main focal point of the camp is the large outdoor campfire where guests gather every evening to relax and talk about the day's sightings.

Jawai Bandh, India

Jawai Bandh is a dam built across the Jawai River and is located in the most rugged and wild part of the Aravalli hills in Rajasthan. The area is renowned for birdwatching and exclusive wildlife experiences including leopard sightings. In fact, Jawai has one of the highest non-forest leopard concentrations in the world, with between 50-60 leopards living in this arid, rocky landscape. Several wildlife safaris operate in this area, offering visitors a rare opportunity to see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat, as well as other wildlife includes wolf, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, sambar deer, chaisingh (the four-horned antelope), and crocodiles.

Stay: SUJÁN Jawai

Recently voted number 43 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024, SUJÁN Jawai is a stunning tented camp and pioneering conservation tourism model. Located between Jodhpur and Udaipur and surrounded by the Aravalli mountains, it is the only property to lie within this unexplored wilderness, home to the wild leopard. The camp has just 10 luxurious tents (8 luxury tents, one family tented suite and one royal tented suite), which are all spacious, private and beautifully decorated with a Rajasthani twist. The camp also has a dining tent, a lounge tent, a spa offering wellness therapies and treatments and a swimming pool. Private dining experiences can be set up in secluded spots, for example: breakfast in the bush, picnics in the wild, or dinners under the stars. Accompanied by trained trackers and guides, guests have an almost 75% chance of seeing a wild leopard and will also have the opportunity to track animals on foot with the Rabari herdsmen.

Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

For centuries, Yala National Park has been celebrated for being the best spot in Asia to see the famously elusive leopard. In fact, it has been suggested that Yala may have the highest density of leopards in the world, possibly 1 every 2 square metres in the most populated part of the park. However it’s not just leopards that you find in Yala; this wonderfully varied landscape is home to a vast array of other wildlife including sloth bears, Asian elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, pangolins and over 100 species of bird, some of which are endemic to Sri Lanka.

Stay: Leopard Trails

Located on the south border of Yala National Park, Leopard Trails is a luxury tented camp that aims to provide an authentic Sri Lankan safari experience filled with adventure, and a true immersion into the sights and sounds of the wilderness. Guests can choose to stay in a Deluxe Tent, or the Leopard Trails Suites which are ideal for families that require additional space and a little bit of extra luxury. Morning and/or afternoon game drives are available here, as well as the Junior Ranger Programme which offer engaging and educational activities for younger guests to get them excited about wildlife. After an adventurous day in the wild, you can wind down in the evening in the company of the guides, who encourage guests to gather around the roaring campfire to swap stories, before enjoying a delicious dinner under the stars.

For more recommendations, check out our Top Ten Safari Lodges in Asia, or speak to one of our Asia experts via email at info@ampersandtravel.com or phone 020 7819 9770. We look forward to hearing from you!