Butterfly Parks, Zoo, Elephant Safaris, Monkey Forest

As you'd expect from a holiday destination that's on a tropical island that's so lush and green, Bali has a wonderful variety of wildlife and animal parks and attractions that allow you to get to see Bali's wildlife up close.

Butterfly Park

The Bali Butterfly Park in Tabanan is the island's sole butterfly enclosure. Acres of charming grounds and intricately landscaped gardens, make it a lovely home to these beautiful creatures. Definitely worth a visit. The Bali Bird Park in Batubulan, has over a thousand birds including rare Indonesian species in beautifully landscaped grounds.

Elephant Safaris

Lumbering around... Bali's majestic elephants can be found in the Bali Elephant Safari Park of Desa Taro, north of Ubud. This park offers visitors a chance to get up close and personal with the peaceful giants and also go for a sight-seeing expedition on the backs of these towering peaceful creatures.

Sangeh Monkey Forest

The Sangeh Monkey Forest near the village of Sangeh, in south western Bali, has six hectares of forest land with giant nutmeg trees. Home to hordes of sacred monkeys in the forest. The monkeys here inhabit both the trees and the Pura Bukit Sari, a temple deep within the fragrant greens.

Ubud Monkey Forest

The Ubud Monkey Forest is a natural forest reserve popular with both locals and tourists. Inhabited by wild monkeys (don't even think about petting them) but tame enough to steal your bananas, handbags, toupes, etc., These mischievous monkeys provide lots of entertainment in their own habitat. Pleasantly laid out along two roads its smaller than the Sangeh Monkey Forest, with interesting meandering paths leading to charming bathing temple surrounded by lush remnants of dipterocarp forest.

Just off the main square is a lovely arched stone bridge leading to the forest's most alluring feature - the Hindu elephant-headed Lord Ganesh sitting comfortably overlooking a small, square, moss-covered pool where several Koi swim at his feet.

Bird Park

Bali's Bird Park (Taman Burung Bali) in Singapadu, near Batubulan, houses over 1000 birds, with rare and beautiful varieties from all over Indonesia. One of the goals of the park is to breed endangered species in captivity in the quest of preservation. This includes the indigenous Bali Mynah.

Even those who do not have any particular interest in ornithology will be impressed by the two hectares of lush tropical gardens.

Bullock Races

Negara is Western Bali's major town and transport terminal. It is calm, silent and relaxing all year through, except for the months of July through October, when it is time for Bali's unique bullock races!