Seven places for animal lovers to visit, from Istanbul to Yamanouchi

From elephant sanctuaries to cities renowned for their caring treatment of strays, here's where to go

In Jigokudani Monkey Park, Japanese macaques bathe in natural hot springs. EPA

For animal lovers who want an animal-centric travel experience, several destinations around the world offer experiences that prioritise the well-being and conservation of wildlife.

From the vibrant streets of Istanbul, where community cats roam freely, to the landscapes of Chengdu, a sanctuary for pandas, these destinations offer unique opportunities to connect with wildlife in a responsible manner.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thailand has a long history of elephant tourism, much of which has faced criticism for unethical practices such as elephant riding and forced performances. However, there are some ethical elephant sanctuaries that are open to travellers, and Chiang Mai in the north has a few to offer. Ethical sanctuaries prioritise the well-being of elephants, allowing them to roam freely, engage in natural behaviours and prohibit direct human interactions such as riding or bathing them. Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai is one such sanctuary, acting as a retirement home for rescued elephants and considered as one of the places that set the benchmark for the proper treatment of elephants in Thailand. Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary, just outside Chiang Mai is another. This small family-run sanctuary prioritises elephant welfare, ensuring visitors do not touch the elephants, but allowing people to instead observe them from a nearby tower. There's also hands-on activities such as planting feed for the elephants.

Istanbul, Turkey

Known as the "City of Cats", Istanbul is a popular place for cat lovers to visit. With thousands of street cats roaming freely and sturdy animal welfare laws in place, the city’s residents have a long history of caring for them, treating them as part of the urban landscape. Cats can be found lounging in cafes, on rooftops and even in historic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia. Felines are cared for by the community, with people often leaving out food and water, and small outdoor shelters for cats to cosy up in. Of course, like in many big cities, there are still some challenges such as cultural beliefs or traditions about certain animals being unclean or unlucky, but on the whole, Istanbul is a must-visit for cat fans.

Yamanouchi, Japan

Yamanouchi is famous for its Jigokudani Monkey Park, where visitors can observe Japanese macaques bathing in natural hot springs during the winter months. The monkeys are not confined but roam freely within the park, and the environment is designed to mimic their natural habitat. The park emphasises the importance of respecting the animals by encouraging visitors to observe from a distance without interfering with their natural behaviours. Feeding or touching the monkeys is strictly prohibited.

Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi has several ethical wildlife experiences, thanks to organisations such as the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (an elephant orphanage) and Giraffe Manor, a luxury boutique hotel which houses endangered Rothschild giraffes and champions ethical practices including offering an expansive natural habitat and giving the animals freedom to roam. Each visit also funds a donation from the hotel to conservation causes. The Kenyan capital is also home to Nairobi National Park, where visitors can see animals in the wild against a backdrop of city skyscrapers and where a portion of the park entry fee goes towards conservation. Be sure to do your research if booking to visit via a tour company, as there are many unethical operators. To guarantee that your actions only have a positive impact on the wildlife and local community, try booking a trip with Natural World or African Adventures, both of whom prioritise animal welfare.

Chengdu, China

Chengdu, in China’s Sichuan province, is home to the giant panda and closely connected with conservation of the black and white bears making it a top destination for animal lovers who want to see pandas ethically and responsibly. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, just outside the city, is one of the top institutions dedicated to the breeding, research and conservation of pandas. Despite its love of pandas, travellers should be aware that the city has several other animal welfare issues, including a dog meat trade and a lack of adequate shelters for strays.

Antarctica

Antarctica offers pristine and awe-inspiring wildlife encounters. It is home to species such as penguins, seals and whales, and the continent's isolation and strict conservation guidelines make it a unique destination for ethical wildlife tourism. Activities on offer include observing penguin colonies and watching seals sunbathing on a sheet of floating ice or whales breaching in the ocean. Of course, environmentalists will argue that the best course of ethical tourism in this destination is for people not to travel there in the first place, especially as the White Continent has no permanent inhabitants that might benefit from tourism-funded community development. Thankfully, given that many people still opt to travel here, tourism activities in the destination are highly regulated.

Borneo

The world’s third-largest island is known for its beaches and biodiverse rainforest. It is also home to a variety of wildlife that includes orangutans and clouded leopards. Several conservation areas and sanctuaries across Borneo, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysia) and Kalimantan (Indonesia), focus on the protection and rehabilitation of endangered wildlife. Visitors that wish to trek through the rainforests and observe orangutans in the wild can do so with reputable companies such as the Orangutan Foundation, a travel organisation dedicated to the conservation of the animals and their habitat. Avoid companies that allow feeding or touching wildlife, practices that can harm the animals. Travellers can also opt to stay at the eco-certified Borneo Rainforest Lodge, where guests can look for orangutans on guided treks and where visitor numbers are strictly limited to ensure human impact doesn't negatively affect these fuzzy orange apes.