The UAE
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Al Ain Zoo | A large zoo founded by Sheikh Zayed in 1968, with giraffes, tigers and oryx, and safari tours. | Al Ain, at the foot of Jebel Hafeet |
Asia
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Zoo, Night Safari and Bird Paradise | The Mandai wildlife parks, with halal food options. | Singapore, Mandai |
| Safari World | An open zoo you drive through, plus a marine park with shows. | North-east Bangkok |
| Elephant sanctuary | Retired elephants seen in their natural setting, with no riding or shows. | North Phuket; book ahead |
| Bali Safari Park | African and Asian animals, with safari rides and family shows. | Gianyar, Bali |
| Giant Panda Research Base | The world's most famous place to see pandas, young and old, eating and playing among the bamboo. | Chengdu, China; best early in the morning |
Europe
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Schönbrunn Zoo | The oldest zoo in the world still in operation. | Vienna, inside the Schönbrunn gardens |
| Zurich Zoo and the Masoala rainforest | A large zoo with an indoor rainforest, elephants and animals from every continent. | East Zurich |
| Prague Zoo | One of Europe's most beautiful zoos, on the riverbank. | North Prague |
| Artis Zoo | One of Europe's oldest zoos, in the city centre. | Amsterdam |
African safaris
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Masai Mara | Africa's most famous reserve, home to the Great Migration as millions of animals cross the plains and rivers. | Kenya; the migration runs roughly July to October |
| Amboseli | Herds of elephants in front of the snowy summit of Kilimanjaro. | Southern Kenya |
| Nairobi National Park | Lions and giraffes against the city skyline, minutes from the centre. | South Nairobi |
| Giraffe Centre and the elephant orphanage | Feed giraffes from a raised platform, and watch orphaned baby elephants at feeding time. | Nairobi; book ahead |
| Desert safari | Quad bikes and camels in the Eastern Desert at sunset. | Hurghada, Egypt; half a day |
Australia
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Taronga Zoo | Australia's animals with a view of the harbour. | Sydney, by ferry from the city |
Tips before you go
- Go early in the morning or before sunset, when the animals are most active and the weather is milder.
- Singapore's Night Safari and the Kenyan reserves need booking ahead in the high season.
- Choose places that respect the animals: watching them in their habitat, with no riding or harsh shows.
Hotels in Safari and wildlife
- Hotels in Bangkok
- Hotels in Phuket
- Hotels in Bali
- Hotels in Singapore
- Hotels in Vienna
- Hotels in Prague
- Hotels in Al Ain
- Hotels in Hurghada
- Hotels in Nairobi
- Hotels in Zurich
- Hotels in Amsterdam
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Frequently asked questions
What's the nearest safari to Saudi Arabia?
Al Ain Zoo in the UAE, with safari tours, and the desert safari in Hurghada, Egypt.
When is the best time for a Masai Mara safari?
Roughly July to October, the season of the Great Migration.
Where can I see pandas?
At the Giant Panda Research Base in Chengdu, China, best early in the morning.
What is the oldest zoo in the world?
Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna, still in operation.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.