14 of the world’s best hotels and resorts for rare, wild or endangered animal encounters right on your doorstep.
There’s a type of magic that surrounds wild animal encounters. Ask any seasoned traveller with a penchant for adventure, and most will count a safari in Africa, an expedition in Antarctica, jungle trekking in Asia or exploring Alaska as their most treasured memories. Why? Because of the animals. From big cats and bears to orangutans, elephants and penguins, coming face-to-face with wildlife only seen in documentaries or zoos is a life-changing thing. While most wildlife encounters require guests to endure challenging conditions or dangerous terrain, some can be found in the most unexpected (and accessible!) of places, such as five-star hotels and resorts. Read on to discover your next bucket-list stay.
Giraffe Manor, Kenya
Set within four hectares of private land and surrounded by 56 hectares of indigenous forest, Giraffe Manor is a boutique hotel with a unique ‘clientele’. Guests enjoy unforgettable animal encounters with Rothschild’s giraffes who freely roam the property, often poking their heads into the breakfast room or visiting guests on balconies. Owned by The Safari Collection, the manor plays a vital role in a breeding and conservation program dedicated to regenerating the population of this endangered species.
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam
Designed by architect-extraordinaire Bill Bensley, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is an unbelievale property nestled into the mountainside of Son Tra Peninsula Nature Reserve. Within the 39 hectares of protected forest are several families of critically endangered red-shanked douc langurs, leaf-eating primates native to Southeast Asia, known for their vibrant red legs, orange faces, and canopy-dwelling lifestyle. Guests seeking animal encounters with the doucs can find them in the treetops during guided nature walks led by the resort’s conservation team. With a tram traverisng the steep mountainside, rooftop pools, a handful of bars and restaurants, a spa and a gym, the hotel is also home to the first Michelin-starred restaurant in Vietnam, La Maison 1888.
Learn more about InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort -Contact Cassandra Trezise
Gaia Hotel & Nature Reserve, Costa Rica
With studios, suites and villas that boasts plunge pools, Jacuzzis and ocean views, Gaia Hotel & Nature Reserve is a boutique, eco-friendly retreat set on a hilltop near Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park. The 5.7‑hectare private reserve forms part of a biological corridor that links to the national park, providing a protected habitat for sloths, monkeys and the increasingly rare scarlet macaw. Expect animal encounters on guided trails through the reserve, with chances to spot two and three‑toed sloths, monkeys and scarlet macaws, as well as visit the on‑site macaw reintroduction program or join night tours.
andBeyond Mnemba Island, Tanzania
andBeyond Mnemba Island is a private island retreat off the coast of Tanzania comprised of 12 open-air bandas framed by pristine beachfront and forest. Animal encounters here include sightings of the endangered Aders’ duiker antelope and participating in green sea turtle hatchling releases during the nesting season. The resort’s long-running turtle monitoring program is one of the most extensive in the Indian Ocean and reflects its deep commitment to conservation, developed in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society. You can also see dolphins just offshore.
Spicers Hidden Vale, Australia
The award-winning Spicers Hidden Vale in Queensland’s Grandchester region is built within a 5000-hectare nature refuge and partners with the University of Queensland on wildlife research and breeding programs, focusing on endangered species like the rufous bettong and koala. Offering elegant accommodation, a restaurant and sweeping views of the surrounding bushland. Guests can join guided koala safaris and visits to the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre, where they can spot wild koalas and learn about ongoing conservation efforts to protect these iconic marsupials.
Bisate Lodge, Rwanda
If there’s one animal encounter on everyone’s bucket list, it’s gorillas. Bisate Lodge is an award-winning eco-lodge positioned within Rwanda’s dramatic volcanic landscape near Volcanoes National Park. The property plays a key role in restoring indigenous habitats and supporting conservation education as part of Rwanda’s broader efforts to protect endangered species. With just six biophilic forest villas, guests can expect small-group animal encounters on guided treks to see the iconic mountain gorillas of the Virungas.
Rasa Ria Reserve, Malaysia
Rasa Ria Reserve is part of Shangri-La Rasa Ria, a luxurious resort set among 25 hectares of tropical jungle at the foot of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mount Kinabalu in Sabah. Here, guests have the opportunity to experience animal encounters with bearcats, civets, slow lorises, stick insects and various reptiles on guided night walks led by the resident naturalists. With pools, a spa and all the five-star trimmings expected of a luxury resort, Shangri-La Rasa Ria works with the reserve to preserve the region’s diverse flora and fauna.
Saffire Freycinet, Australia
Imagine kicking back and relaxing in a well-appointed suite while taking in views of Tasmania’s famous Wineglass Bay and the Hazards Mountains? Saffire Freycinet is an award-winning, all-inclusive luxury lodge located in the heart of Freycinet National Park. The resort plays an active role in conservation through its Tasmanian Devil Experience, a one-hectare free-range enclosure that supports a breeding program to protect the endangered marsupial. Guests prepared to walk on the wild side can join animal encounters with Tasmanian devils at the centre and learn about the critical efforts being made to save them from extinction.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Malaysia
Night safaris, river tubing and visits to the Danum Valley Canopy Walkway are all on the itinerary for those who stay at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, an award-winning property in Sabah. Having hosted notable guests such as Prince William, Kate Middleton and Dame Judi Dench, the lodge is a respected organisation that supports orangutan conservation by funding research and offering guided jungle treks to observe the primates in their natural canopy habitat. Guests can embark upon guided tours and animal encounters, spotting orangutans, Bornean pygmy elephants, banteng, slow lorises, wild cats, macaques, gibbons, red leaf monkeys, and – if you’re one of the few people favoured by Lady Luck – clouded leopards.
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Thailand
Hidden away in the hills of Chiang Rai, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort takes part in an elephant conservation initiative that has rescued around 30 elephants while supporting therapy and welfare research for the species. The dreamy hideaway (designed by Bill Bensley!) is perched on a mountain ridge in northern Thailand and boasts expansive views over the borders of Myanmar, Laos and 64-hectares of bamboo forest. Guests can enjoy animal encounters with elephants in their natural environment at the award-winning Elephant Camp.
Sujan Jawai Leopard Camp, India
Surrounded by hills, grasslands and winding riverbeds, Sujan Jawai Leopard Camp is a unique Relais & Châteaux tented property in Rajasthan. Comprised of just 10 luxuruous tents, this exclusive experience hosts guests in the heartland of leopards, where every visitor lays eyes upon the big cat in the wild. Beyond wildlife, the camp offers a stunning swimming pool, massages, yoga sessions in scenic locations, and guided walks with shepherds through nearby villages, providing an immersive experience of rural India.
Burhan Wilderness Camps, Nepal
Run by conservationists working with local communities, Burhan Wilderness Camps helps protect endangered species. Located near Bardiya National Park in Nepal’s Khata Wildlife Corridor, the camp is comprised of solar-powered safari tents, and a luxury treehouse nestled between two rivers that boasts a queen-size bed, modern amenities and a balcony bathtub that takes in panoramic views of the rugged landscape. Guests can see Royal Bengal tigers, Greater One-Horned rhinos, Asian elephants, and birds such as the black ibis, ruddy shelduck, nightjars and fishing owls. Activities include jeep safaris, river rafting, guided bushwalks, and anti-poaching ranger tours.
Oberoi Vanyavilas, India
Oberoi Vanyavilas is an opulent ‘tented’ jungle resort is perched on the doorstep of India’s Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and offers guests culinary experiences and indulgent spa treatments with a side of wild animal encounters. Guests can join daily morning and evening safaris led by expert guides and keep their fingers crossed for a sighting of Royal Bengal tigers, as well as other wildlife such as leopards, sloths and deer. Ranthambore’s dedicated conservation efforts under India’s Project Tiger have helped increase tiger populations, making animal encounters a highlight of every stay.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, USA
Nestled in a lush mountain valley, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole offers five-star accommodation near Grand Teton National Park and world-class ski runs. The resort has elegant guest rooms and excellent on-site amenities, however it’s the exclusive one-hour private flight to Yellowstone National Park that we’re interested in. Hosted by Four Seasons, the tour takes guests to observe grey wolves in their natural habitat, one of the few places globally where these elusive animals are seen consistently. Alongside wolves, guests may also encounter other native wildlife such as bison, making for remarkable animal encounters in this stunning wilderness setting.
Seal River Heritage Lodge, Canada
Tucked away on the remote coastline of Hudson Bay, Seal River Heritage Lodge offers a front-row seat to some of Canada’s most iconic wildlife. Accessible only by plane from Churchill, this exclusive lodge is set in prime polar bear territory, where the bears roam the tundra in anticipation of the sea ice. In summer, the nearby Seal River Estuary becomes a gathering place for thousands of beluga whales, creating a rare opportunity to witness both species in one journey. Purpose-built for photography and wildlife viewing, the lodge features elevated platforms and a viewing tower, along with large windows that frame the stunning Arctic landscape, occasionally even the northern lights. After adventurous days on guided treks, guests return to the comfort of the lodge to relax by the fire, swap stories, and soak in the untamed beauty that surrounds them.
