Southeast Asia is home to a plethora of national parks where nature enthusiasts can indulge in breathtaking experiences. Explore pristine jungles in Malaysia, take a boat ride through a unique archipelago with rugged landscapes in Indonesia, or discover the world’s largest caves in Vietnam. The diversity of nature in Southeast Asia offers unique adventures. Feeling excited? Below, we’ve listed our 6 favorite national parks!
Khao Sok National Park in Thailand
Khao Sok National Park is an immense natural reserve featuring pristine jungles, impressive rock formations, valleys, and green lakes. This area, over 160 million years old, is one of the world’s oldest national parks. Khao Sok is unique due to its vast diversity of flora and fauna, with over 200 plant species and 300 bird species. It’s also home to tigers, elephants, bears, and monkeys, though spotting larger animals is rare.
Visiting Khao Sok: The park consists of two parts: one around Khao Sok village and the other around the stunning Cheow Lan Lake. You can stay in floating bungalows on the lake for a phenomenal view and serene sunset experiences amidst the jungle sounds. An unforgettable moment! Read all about it in our Khao Sok National Park guide.
Komodo National Park in Indonesia
Komodo National Park is a group of islands famous for the Komodo dragons, the world’s largest reptiles, seen in documentaries like Planet Earth II. These giants can grow up to 3 meters long and weigh 100 kilograms. Beyond the dragons, the Komodo Islands boast tropical white and pink beaches, stunning landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and a rich underwater world. According to CNN Travel, the Komodo Islands rank #2 on the list of the world’s best snorkeling spots!
Exploring Komodo National Park: The best way to visit is on a multi-day boat trip. Numerous tour operators offer trips ranging from budget-friendly packed boats to luxury sailboats. We opted for a four-day adventure with Le Pirate Explorer, exploring all the highlights and enjoying a fantastic boat stay. Discover more about our Komodo Island hopping experience.
Halong Bay in Vietnam
Halong Bay is undeniably one of Vietnam’s most stunning destinations. This rugged area features thousands of towering limestone karsts emerging straight from the sea. With around 2,000 islands, most uninhabited, Halong Bay is rich in jungles, impressive caves, and diverse wildlife. Originally a coral reef estimated to be 500 million years old.
Visiting Halong Bay: A cruise is the best way to explore the magnificent landscape of Halong Bay. Many cruise operators visit the same spots, making them crowded. For a unique experience with fewer tourists, book your cruise through this provider. You’ll explore less-visited areas, making your experience truly exceptional. Check out all our tips for Halong Bay to discover more activities.
Taman Negara National Park in Malaysia
Taman Negara National Park is the world’s oldest rainforest, spanning over 4,000 square kilometers and dating back 150 million years. Home to lush jungle teeming with tigers, bears, elephants, monkeys, deer, and numerous bird species like hornbills and kingfishers. While spotting wildlife is challenging, the primary draw is the rich jungle experience.
Exploring Taman Negara: The gateway to Taman Negara is Kuala Tahan village. From here, you can venture into the park on various hiking trails, including the popular 500-meter-long Canopy Walk at 40 meters high. Want to know more? Read all our tips for Taman Negara.
Erawan National Park in Thailand
Erawan National Park is a stunning natural gem, highlighted by the majestic Erawan Waterfalls. The waterfalls consist of seven tiers, each with crystal-clear pools surrounded by lush jungle. Early mornings offer the best opportunity to spot birds and monkeys in this serene setting. It’s delightful to take a refreshing dip here and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Don’t be surprised if tiny fish start nibbling at your toes!
How to Visit Erawan National Park: Erawan National Park is located about an hour’s drive from Kanchanaburi. It’s best to arrive early as it gets crowded during the day. Visiting the Erawan Waterfalls is much more impressive when you have the place almost to yourself. Also, try to avoid weekends when it gets extra busy with locals visiting.
Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a must-visit on your Vietnam itinerary. The park is renowned for its fascinating cave systems, including one of the world’s largest caves, although access comes with a high price tag of about $3000 per person and a waiting list. Fortunately, there are many other beautiful caves in the national park, such as Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave. Inside these impressive caves, you’ll see enormous stalactites and stalagmites.
How to Visit Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park: You can rent a scooter to explore the caves on your own or book a combination tour to visit both caves. It’s also fun to stay uniquely at Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. At Karst Villas Phong Nha, you can enjoy breathtaking views from the pool over the stunning landscape.
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