Any must see (or must miss) things in SE Aisa?

Any must see (or must miss) things in SE Aisa?
15-03-2008

I am doing a bit of backpacking over the summer - starting in Singapore, then Sumatra, Java and malaysian Borneo.

Will no doubt visit Singapore Zoo and the night Safari (not really a bird person so will skip the bird park)

Primates are my passion so will obviously be visiting some of the national parks and rehabilitation centres on the islands.

Just wondered if anyone had any particular ideas for places that really should be visited and likewise anywhere that may not be as good as expected (particularly keen to avoid giving money to anywhere that may not have the animals interests at heart)

Thanks in advance for any feedback

15-03-2008

would be good to know any info- as im doing all this in sept-december

You're NOT planning to visit Jurong bird Park ?!?
18-03-2008

Hey , I wouldnt be considered to be a bird fan either , but I have visited Jurong Bird Park twice , and have enjoyed every minute of both visits !

I spent about 6 hours there both times . That is a good time to spend there if you are not particularly keen on birds . As for Mr Hornybill , he will probably apply for citizenship in Singapore just so that he can visit on every spare day he can get ! OK , that might be slightly exxagerated , but I cant recommend that you miss the place just because you are "not really" a bird person ( your own words describing yourself )

It really IS worth a visit , even if you dont spend all day there ....

18-03-2008

I agree with Nigel - I was quite surprised at how good it was when I visited.

If you can find the time - I would make the effort.

18-03-2008

3 zoos is i agree a bit much, even for a zoogroupie such as myself - so i actually chose to skip the night safari and did the zoo and birdpark. which were both largely great.

18-03-2008

Go to all 3, you wont regret it.

19-03-2008

Don't forget to visit Schmutzer Primate center which is located in Jakarta, in Ragunan zoo. Some great species and enclosures to see.
Ragunan zoo itself has a huge primate collection but kept in really bad conditions (but check them out cos they have some rarities like Mentawai macaque).
Also, Surabaya zoo is interesting for primates with nice langur, macaques, gibbons species and a big group of proboscis....
In Malaysia, Zoo Negara hosts a nice collection as well and Zoo melaka has a very rare subspecie of bear macaque.

19-03-2008

You can get a discounted ticket for Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong BirdPark (called a park hopper), will save you some money.

19-03-2008

It's not maleisia or singapore buth in Kathmandu (Nepal) they have also a zoo.
It's quiet small and the habitats are pretty bad.
But they have a lot of rare animals, if you want I post some pictures in a new threat.

19-03-2008

Please do post pictures, can you add some info if you can and maybe the dates

19-03-2008

i will try to give some random info, but my english is not so good

19-03-2008

Thanks for your comments, will reconsider the bird park although we have only a few days in Singapoe at the start and end of our trip so will have to see how it goes.

Thanks for your suggestions Pedro, will take a closer look at all the zoo's you have mentioned - we will be travelling through Jakarta and were at a bit of a loss as to what to do there so might be just the thing. As I said my only concern is that I do not want to support zoo's that do not treat animal welfare as a priority - regardless of the species they keep.

25-03-2008

Ragunan zoo is not good concerning animal welfare but Schmutzer primate center (inside ragunan zoo) is definitely concerned about that and their collection is huge! I think if you like monkeys, it's a must do!