Vivu Journeys’ Best Family-Friendly Experiences for Animal Lovers
With Vivu Journeys, a specialty for animal lovers, you and your family can experience safe, gentle, and educational animal encounters. These experiences focus on hands-on learning, storytelling, and age-appropriate interactions with animals, guided by local experts who understand both nature and family travel needs. Here are the 5 best family-friendly experiences for animal lovers in Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, where you can connect with animals and local communities.
1. Meet Cambodia’s Hero Rats at APOPO Visitor Center
Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia.
At the APOPO Visitor Center in Siem Reap
At the APOPO Visitor Center, Vivu Journeys lets you discover the amazing work of Cambodia’s Hero Rats, specially trained to detect landmines. Through fun guided tours and hands-on activities, this visit is both inspiring and educational, a perfect experience for family and animal lovers alike.
This one-hour guided tour includes transfers, drinking water, a local guide, and entrance fees.
Note: Reservations must be made at least one week in advance.
Read More: Cambodia’s HeroRATs: A Family-Friendly Encounter with Purpose
At APOPO Visitor Center in Siem Reap
2. Birdwatching at Thung Nham Bird Valley
Location: Ninh Binh, Vietnam.
Thung Nham Bird Valley is one of northern Vietnam’s most tranquil nature spots, with many bird species, peaceful waterways, caves, and lush green islands. Families can explore the valley by traditional boat, enjoying the scenery at a slow, relaxing pace.
The experience lasts around 1.5 hours, and the number of birds you’ll see can vary depending on the season.
A quiet boat ride through Thung Nham Valley Bird
3. Rain Forest Trails and Gibbons Tales
Location: Phuket, Thailand.
Join Vivu Journeys for a 5-hour adventure through Phuket’s last remaining rainforest and see nature up close. Walk easy trails to Tonsai and Bang Pae waterfalls, spotting small animals and rare plants like the Thalang Palm along the way.
Visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center to learn how rescued gibbons are cared for before returning to the wild. It’s a gentle, meaningful way to enjoy wildlife while supporting real conservation.
After the walk, enjoy a tasty Thai lunch at a local restaurant before heading back.
This tour includes:
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Lunch
Gibbon Rehabilitation Center
4. Buffalo Farm Experience for Animal Lovers
Location: Luang Phrabang, Laos.
With Vivu Journeys, families enjoy a real-life animal experience designed especially for children with a visit to Kuang Si Falls and a local buffalo dairy farm. At the farm, you’ll learn how buffalo milk supports community health and sustainable farming. Get hands-on as you help wash the friendly buffalo, try milking, and see how daily farm life works. You can also meet and care for other small farm animals.
After the farm visit, head to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls to enjoy the cool turquoise pools and peaceful forest surroundings. On the way, stop by the sun bear sanctuary to see how rescued bears are protected and cared for.
It’s a simple, meaningful trip that combines family bonding, animal interaction, and gentle learning.
Includes:
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance tickets
- Lunch
- Drinking water
Learning to care for buffalo at a local dairy farm
5. Tra Su Cajuput Forest Experience
Location: Chau Doc, An Giang, Vietnam.
Explore Tra Su Cajuput Forest with Vivu Journeys, a quiet bird sanctuary about 30 km from Chau Doc. About 30 km from the town, you travel by sampan along narrow waterways lined with mangroves and green cajuput trees.
The forest covers around 850 hectares and is home to more than 100 bird species, bats, and many types of plants. You can see birds resting in the trees and calm scenes of wetland life all around you.
This simple boat trip is a great way for animal lovers to slow down, enjoy the scenery, and see a peaceful side of the Mekong Delta.
A peaceful moment among the water birds of Tra Su
6. Animal Lovers: Memorable Experiences with Vivu Journeys
Every trip with Vivu Journeys is more than just seeing animals; it’s about creating meaningful moments between families and animals. These trips are great for families, kids, and animal lovers who want to make lasting memories while supporting local communities.
For animal lovers, you’ll also enjoy meeting Channy Chhoeun, an artist who brings Cambodia’s animals to life with every brushstroke.
Want to join an adventure with Vivu Journeys? Send us an enquiry or become our partner today!
Download our Family & Kid-Friendly Tours: Essence of Southeast Asia brochure HERE for ideas, routes, and experiences designed for travelling together.
