| The warm climate and lush sub-tropical vegetation of | | | | as they sun themselves by the lake, plus there are |
| Indonesia provides an ideal habitat for a diverse | | | | plenty of opportunities to experience their gentle |
| variety of animal and bird species. For visitors to Bali, | | | | intelligence and friendliness. You can take a safari ride |
| holidays are invariably themed with at least some kind | | | | through the park high on the back of your own |
| of brush with the wildlife. Despite Bali's popularity as | | | | personal elephant; or you can view the incredible |
| one of the world's favourite tourist destinations, | | | | spectacle of these wonderful animals painting pictures |
| there are still many species of native fauna that live | | | | with their trunks. |
| within the in the island's eco-system. There are also a | | | | On the Wild Side |
| surprising number of sanctuaries and wildlife parks | | | | Years ago in Bali, animals such as tigers, panthers and |
| open to the public which are dedicated to the | | | | leopards lived abundantly in theforests and jungles of |
| preservation of some of Bali's more high profile | | | | the island. Today, although they are still around, you |
| natives. Depending on how up close and personal you | | | | are unlikely to come face to face with any of these |
| want your brush with nature to be, on Bali holidays | | | | creatures except in a zoo. |
| you will have the opportunity to encounter all | | | | The Ubud Monkey Forest is one of the must see |
| creatures great and small. | | | | places on your Bali holidays. It is a unique way to see |
| On the Mild Side | | | | these very lively, excitable creatures interacting in a |
| Like the smiling Balinese people themselves, much of | | | | natural habitat. The macaques (the Balinese monkey) |
| the animal life on the island is laid back and gentle. | | | | can be extremely unpredictable, so visitors are not |
| From delightfully coloured finches and sparrows, to | | | | allowed to pet them. You can however get quite |
| lazily swimming giant sea turtles, it seems that the | | | | close to them because although they live in the wild, |
| phrase 'being on island time' refers to the animal | | | | the macaques are well accustomed to human |
| population as well as humans. | | | | presence. The cheekiest amongst them are brave |
| For a magical wildlife experience with one of nature's | | | | enough to sneak up close to steal your lunch and |
| most delicate creations, you can visit the Taman | | | | once it's gone it's gone! From a safe distance they |
| Kupu Kupu Butterfly Park on your Bali holidays. You | | | | are extremely entertaining and their mischievous |
| will be able to see many rare species of butterflies | | | | faces can be most endearing. |
| endemic to Bali, as well as watch the birth of baby | | | | If a visit to Komodo Island is not on your agenda, |
| butterflies and hold them in your hand. As you walk | | | | you can still see the famed and dangerous Komodo |
| through a netted enclosure, thousands of intricately | | | | dragons on your Bali holidays. The Bali Zoo, just |
| decorated butterflies hover around your head and | | | | fifteen minutes out of Ubud, houses a number of |
| shoulders. | | | | these fascinating prehistoric animals and you can view |
| On the other end of the scale, but nevertheless | | | | them safely from outside their enclosure. The |
| almost as gentle, are the wonderful elephants of Bali. | | | | dragons are actually the world's largest lizards and |
| A visit to the Elephant Safari Park in Taro is a totally | | | | can grow up to a terrifying ten metres. For a truly |
| interactive encounter and it claims to be the only | | | | exotic experience, the Bali Zoo is also home to |
| place in the world to give visitors a 'complete | | | | reptiles, primates, tigers, lions and crocodiles; |
| elephant experience.' Guests are encouraged to | | | | everything you could ever want to experience the |
| wander amongst the elephants and hand feed them | | | | wild side of this most gentle of Indonesian islands. |