Where to Go in Malaysia: the 13 Best Zoos

1.Kuala Lumpur: Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 64 reviews · 8 hours · from $57Our pick

Meet rescued elephants at Kuala Gandah, feed deer at Deerland Park, and stop at Batu Caves with an English-speaking driver-guide. The day includes transport, entry tickets, and a simple lunch. Elephant bathing costs extra and depends on river conditions and animal welfare.

“Compared to the elephant sanctuary, Deerland Park is extremely underfunded and needs all the funding it can get to improve, but an enjoyable experience to be so close to these shy creatures. The experience with the elephants was exceptional and well worth it. The guides at the elephant sanctuary are so passionate about the role that they play in rehabilitating these magnificent animals.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Selangor: Zoo Negara E-Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 63 reviews · 1 day · from $11Best value

Visit Zoo Negara in Selangor for a full day of animal exhibits, the Giant Panda Conservation Centre, multi-animal shows, and family activities. Go directly to the zoo, arrive early, and plan around feeding times, show schedules, food costs, and paid tram rides.

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Full Day Elephant Sanctuary Tour with a Free Batu Caves Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $100Top rated

Spend 5 to 8 hours traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves and Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. Drivers such as Faizal, Faisal, Zikri, and Ramzan are praised for smooth communication and local help. Lunch, water, tolls, parking, and fuel are included, but the sanctuary nature guide costs extra.

“The best part of the tour for us were the elephants and being able to feed and interact with them! 😊😊 Batu caves were quite spectacular and worth the climb!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Kuala Lumpur: Elephant Sanctuary Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 53 reviews · from $150

Travel from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Gandah with an English-speaking guide such as Kumar or Siva. Feed rescued elephants, learn their stories, visit a rainforest waterfall, stop at an aboriginal settlement, and enjoy included transport and lunch in a small group.

“We had a fantastic day and our guide was very informative and fun to be with. Overall a very enjoyable day and would highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Batu Caves & Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 36 reviews · from $90

You’ll visit Batu Caves, climb its 272 steps, then ride with an English-speaking driver to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary. Drivers such as Azman, Karthik, Rajen, and Sangaran have been praised for safe driving and useful local information. The base tour does not promise elephant touching.

“We had an amazing day with Karthik. He told us about many things along the way to the caves and the elephants. He also went above and beyond and made sure we had many pictures taken.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Semenggoh Wildlife Centre Tour: Discover Sarawak’s Orangutans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $70

Travel from Kuching to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver such as Eng or Wesley. Spend about two hours at the centre, walk the trails, and watch a scheduled orangutan feeding, with pickup and admission included.

“Seeing these glorious creatures even though they have been attracted by artificial feeding but as the fruiting season had ended in the forest it is the next best thing”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Kuala Lumpur: Bird Park, Butterfly & Garden Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 24 reviews · 4 hours · from $79

Ride in a private air-conditioned vehicle to Kuala Lumpur’s Bird Park, Butterfly Park, and Orchid and Hibiscus Gardens. An English-speaking driver-guide handles transport and admission, while you set the pace. Captain JB, also known as Jayabrakash, has earned especially warm praise, though guiding depth can vary.

“We got picked up on time by our Driver who was very nice and we went to the butterfly park. He never made us feel rushed and we went to the bird park and had a good time. There he offered to take us to the botanical Gardens and orchid Garden, but we had enough walking by then as it was hot and so he dropped us at the aquaria which was very nice of him thanks for the great tour”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Kuala Lumpur: Bird Park Day Ticket & 1-Way Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 15 reviews · from $30

Spend a day at Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, where more than 3,000 birds fly through four planted zones. Admission and one-way pickup from selected Golden Triangle hotels are included. You get English-speaking transport, scheduled feedings and shows, but must arrange your own return.

“Very very good driver. Explain all. Easy park and hop on and hop off available as from park. Only thing is if visiting in group or with kids, consider fully 4hrs!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Penang Round Island Tour With Tropical Spice Garden & Entopia Butterfly Farm

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 15 reviews · from $91

Travel privately around Penang from George Town in an air-conditioned vehicle, stopping at the Esplanade, a batik factory, Tropical Spice Garden, and Entopia butterfly farm. Driver Mr. Ong is praised for his helpful commentary, while the gardens and butterflies make this a strong family outing.

“Was nice drive outside Georgetown. Mr . Ong was informative and helpful. Really enjoyed the butterfly farm.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Semenggoh Wildlife Centre: Orangutan Discovery from Kuching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · from $69

Travel from Kuching to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre for the morning feeding, when rescued and orphaned orangutans may return from the forest. Your English-speaking driver handles transport and entry, while you walk the reserve paths and learn about its rehabilitation work. Sightings depend on season and food in the forest.

“Really great tour, just my partner and I in air conditioned car with our guide Wesley who was wonderful. Picked up on time direct from our hotel and driven straight to the Orangutans, Wesley sorted everything including entry passes and gaRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Bird Park & Butterfly Farm Nature Include All Entrance Tour From Kuala Lumpur

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · from $74

Visit three peaceful Kuala Lumpur nature spots with private air-conditioned transport, hotel pickup, an English-speaking driver, and all admission fees included. Expect free-flying birds, close butterfly encounters, and more than 800 orchid varieties, with about 45 minutes at each stop.

“The birds walk and fly around freely. If you’re afraid of birds be prepared to experience them walking and flying around you calmly. The butterflies were amazing and the fauna was also amazing! It was so much fun watching and chasing them to get good videos and pictures. A must do event if you want to take a break from the city hustle.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Semenggok Wildlife Centre

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 5 reviews · from $68

Travel about 45 minutes from Kuching to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre with an English-speaking guide. See rescued orangutans living in a forest reserve, often returning at feeding time. The three-hour visit includes hotel transfers and admission, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“The local provider turned up on time and was very friendly and helpful. We started off at Kubah National Park which is actually a very physically demanding hiking trip. We had no idea of the physical demands of this tour and unfortunately coRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review