When most people imagine a safari, their minds drift to Africa: vast savannahs, golden sunsets and big cats stalking the plains. Yet across Asia lies another wild frontier, a continent of hidden sanctuaries where wildlife thrives in mountain plateaus, lush jungles and coral-rich seas.
The word safari originates from the Swahili word for “journey”. In modern travel, it has come to describe any guided wildlife expedition; an exploration of nature, wherever it unfolds.
From tracking snow leopards in Ladakh to spotting tigers in Rajasthan, these are the best safari experiences in Asia for travellers seeking adventure with purpose.
India Safaris: Ladakh and Rajasthan
High in the Trans-Himalayan range, Lungmar Camp in Ladakh offers one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters on Earth – the snow leopard expedition. As Behzad J Larry from the High Asia Habitat Fund describes it, spotting a snow leopard is “equally exciting, tearful and joyous… a pivotal moment… sheer indescribable magic.” His words capture not only the rare thrill of seeing the cat itself, but the profound sense of connection to the landscape it calls home.
This high-altitude expedition combines wildlife tracking, community engagement and conservation learning in one of Earth’s most fragile ecosystems. Through Journeys With Purpose, travellers can join expert trackers and conservationists from the High Asia Habitat Fund to explore the roof of the world, where elusive cats roam freely.
This approach to an India safari is rooted in human-wildlife coexistence, partnering closely with local communities to protect both people and predators. Unlike jeep-based safaris in the savannahs, these are trekking- and observation-based low-impact journeys.
Every step of the snow leopard trek is guided by a deep respect for the landscape and its rhythms, ensuring that encounters unfold naturally, without disturbing the harmony of life in the high Himalayas. In the process, travellers gain a rare perspective on mountain life, an appreciation for the resilience, cooperation and coexistence that sustain both the snow leopard and the communities who share its home.
However, thousands of kilometres south, another side of India’s wilderness comes to life among the granite hills and acacia scrublands of Rajasthan. Here, Suján Jawai has redefined the concept of safari in India. This luxury tented camp pioneered conservation-led tourism in the region, transforming it into one of the country’s most successful leopard habitats.
With the support of local communities, leopard sightings have risen from fewer than 20 in 2013 to over 1,000 today. Guests contribute directly to ongoing research, noting their sightings in field journals and learning how careful land management encourages coexistence between people, wildlife and livestock. A stay at Suján Jawai is as much about connection and purpose as it is about wildlife.
Nepal Safari: The Wild Heart of the Khata Corridor
From Rajasthan’s arid hills to the lush riverine forests of southern Nepal, Asia’s wilderness reveals its remarkable diversity. In the lowlands bordering India’s Terai region, Burhan Wilderness Camps offer one of the most inspiring and sustainable safari experiences on the continent.
Featured in TIME’s World’s Greatest Places 2024, Burhan Wilderness Camp is a truly remarkable retreat in Nepal. Set within the Khata Wildlife Corridor, a critical link between Bardia National Park and India’s Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, it offers travellers an exceptional window into one of South Asia’s richest ecosystems. Guests may encounter Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinos and Asian elephants, alongside more than 400 bird species, including the graceful black ibis and the elusive fishing owl, on a Nepal safari.
Built on a strict “leave no footprint” philosophy, Burhan’s tents and treehouses blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Every stay directly supports local conservation and community-led initiatives, helping to protect the delicate balance between people and wildlife. A stay here is more than a safari, it’s a chance to understand and contribute responsibly to the future of Nepal’s wild places.
Sri Lanka Safari: Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Yala
Set where dense jungle meets the Indian Ocean, Wild Coast Tented Lodge is an idyllic safari escape just outside Yala National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s richest wildlife reserves. With just 28 canvas-clad “Cocoons” tucked into the wilderness, this escape blends indulgence with nature.
Guests embark on guided drives and jungle walks in search of leopards, elephants and sloth bears, returning to ocean-side dining and barefoot evenings beneath the stars. The lodge’s design respects its environment while immersing you in the wild rhythms of a Sri Lanka adventure. It’s a safari that combines wildlife, comfort and coastal serenity.
Ocean Safaris: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
The best safaris in Asia aren’t limited to the land. Across Indonesia’s Southwest Papua province, a different kind of expedition unfolds beneath the waves. In the remote archipelago of Raja Ampat, intrepid travellers embark on marine safaris that reveal one of the most biodiverse travel experiences on Earth.
Here, coral reefs burst with colour, manta rays glide through crystal-clear waters and tiny islands rise like emeralds from the sea. Aboard luxury expedition yachts such as Rascal, guests explore these protected waters at an unhurried pace, diving or snorkelling among kaleidoscopic marine life and learning from local conservation teams working to preserve this fragile paradise.
Like the terrestrial safaris of Ladakh, Rajasthan or Sri Lanka, a journey through Raja Ampat is guided by curiosity, respect and purpose. Each dive and island landing deepens appreciation for the interconnectedness of Asia’s wild places and reminds travellers that the true spirit of safari lies in discovery, wherever nature leads.
Where Exploration Meets Purpose
From the snow-dusted plateaus of Ladakh to the coral gardens of Raja Ampat, the best safaris in Asia redefine what it means to explore the wild. They go beyond observation, offering connection, understanding and contribution.
Whether tracking big cats in India, listening for elephants in Nepal, or drifting above reefs alive with movement in Indonesia, each journey reminds us that true adventure is not just about where we go, but how we engage with the world around us.
Ready to book your Asia safari?
At Journeys With Purpose, we curate transformative travel experiences that protect and celebrate the planet’s wildest places. If you’re ready to journey deeper, to travel consciously, connect meaningfully and help shape a wilder, more balanced world, get in touch at connect@journeyswithpurpose.org today to begin planning your Asia safari.
