CHENGDU, CHINA
JIUZHAI VALLEY
Email: service@intowestchina.cn
WHERE IS IT?
Located 450 km from Chengdu, this scenic natural paradise is accessible by a 45-minute flight from Chengdu Shuanglong international airport to Jiuzhaigou’s Jiuzhai-Huanglong airport.
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
Listed as a UNESCO World Natural Culture Heritage Site in 1992, the Jiuzhai Valley, which is situated between the sub-tropical and temperate zones, features 118 crystal-clear lakes, nestling among forests of pine, willow and cypress, snow-capped mountains and cascading waterfalls.
Among the more famous lakes, the Wuhua Hai (Five Flower Lake) is legendary for the sunken age-old tree trunks at the bottom of the calm lake that shimmers with an array of yellow, emerald green and sapphire blue. Another equally fascinating lake is the Panda Lake Waterfall, where three waterfalls cascade from various heights into the lake known for its sudden drop to a depth of 78 metre in just three steps from the bank. The clear lakes in Jiuzhai are from high concentration of calcium carbonate.
To witness the full splendour of its natural offerings, visit between July and October, where the temperature hovers around 17 degrees celsius and the forest bursts with a kaleidoscope of yellow, orange and red hues.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
The Jiuzhai International Resort and Convention Center (JPIRCC), encased in a large glass dome, boasts 1,100 hotel suites and offers flexible meeting spaces for groups up to 300 people. The Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort (www.sheraton.com) elevated 1,800m above sea level is another ideal choice for meetings and events since its Grand Ballroom accommodates 600 to 1,000 people.
Other rooms such as the Jiuzhai Hall, Birch Room, Snow Room and Tibetan Room provide alternatives for more intimate gatherings.
SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE NIGHT SAFARI
Email: sales@zoo.com.sg
WHERE IS IT?
Located in the north-western part of the island, the Singapore Night Safari is set in 40,000 sqm of secondary forest and is only 25 minutes away from the city centre.
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
Opened in 1994, the world’s first night zoo is a true advocate for wildlife conservation. Visitors can view the 1,040 nocturnal animals from 120 species in a natural habitat divided into eight geographical zones in a non-intrusive manner. Visibility is provided by a blue lighting which resembles moonlight.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
The safari features three walking trails. The Leopard Trail features rare clouded leopards, tarsiers and red and white flying squirrels. In the Fishing Cat Trail look out for barking deer, binturong, Malayan flying fox and Indian Gharial. See the last of Singapore’s primary forest with trees over 70 years old standing 45m high in the Forest Giant Trail.
Alternatively, you can also explore the three trails on the tram that provides live commentary. The Gourmet Safari Express of four-course dining on the tram can be arranged. The Ulu Ulu Safari restaurant seats 600, while the Ulu Court seats 100 people. The Chief’s room provides a cosy and rustic experience for 16 people. Go during the full moon and you might just get to hear the howling of the wolves.
RECENT EVENTS
Wildlife Asia Film Festivals
World Gourmet Summit
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
DUBAI DESERT CONSERVATION RESERVE
Email: annemarieroyalarabian@hotmail.com
WHERE IS IT?
The award-winning Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is a 45-minute car ride away from Dubai and Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa is the only accommodation in the reserve. It is an oasis for visitors to observe wildlife in the pristine desert landscape.
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
The reserve was initiated by Dubai’s crown prince HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to protect the endangered indigenous species, desert habitat and Bedu traditional heritage. The 225 sqkm reserve is divided into four zones-– resort guests are allowed in only zone three and four (for the public only) in order to minimise human intervention amidst the wildlife.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa has 37 individual Bedouin Suites each with a private temperature-controlled pool and offers numerous on-site activities within the resort’s private reserve area such as falconry, camel-trekking, horse-riding, archery, dune safari on a four-wheel drive vehicle and guided nature walks. Other off-site activities include mountain safari (the jagged peaks of the Al Hajar Mountains can be seen from the resort) to the wadis or dry riverbeds. Excursions can also be arranged to the 200-year-old Hatta village at the foot of Al Hajar.
The Al Majlis Boardroom can hold between 40 to 90 people and there are three restaurants: Al Diwaan Restaurant, Al Diwaan Terrace and Al Diwaan II to serve as alternative venues for events. For a quintessential desert safari experience, Royal Arabian Incentives & Conferences, a DMC in UAE, can organize an Arabian Night-themed BBQ Dune Dinner in Al Maha campsite in a Bedouin encampment.
CHITWAN, NEPAL
THE ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
Email: info@ntb.org.np
WHERE IS IT?
The Royal Chitwan National Park, one of the oldest national parks in Nepal, was designated as a UNESCO World Natural Culture Heritage Site in 1984 and attracts more than 50,000 visitors to the park yearly. Situated in South-Central Nepal, the park’s headquarters at Kasara is a 21-km drive from Bharatpur, which is 20 minutes by air or two hours by car from the capital Kathmandu.
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
It’s the home for 600 plant species, 50 mammals, 526 birds, and 49 amphibians and reptiles. Stars of the park are the Asian one-horned rhinoceros (numbering more than 400) and some 100 elusive royal Bengal tigers. It’s an ornithologist’s heaven as the migratory seasons bring in a variety of birds to the local community of cormorants, woodpeckers, hornbills, peacocks, the Indian pitta and parakeets. The rivers boast marsh crocodiles and the endangered Gangetic Crocodile. There are even fresh water dolphins in the Narayani river. September to May are the best times to visit.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
Chitwan means “the heart of the jungle”, and the most exciting way to explore the park is on the elephant’s back where it majestically takes you through the tall elephant grass and wade through the riverbeds. A four-wheel drive is also available and suitable for upclose encounters of any predatory animals.
Elephant Race, canoe ride, and elephant polo can be incorporated as part of the teambuilding activities. Various types of accommodation are available. Gaida Wildlife Camp has Luxury Lodges and outdoor Jungle Camps for up to 120 people. Both the Rhino Residency Resort and Hotel Hermitage provide 4-star accommodation.
NORTH KARELIA, FINLAND
KOLI NATIONAL PARK
Email: sales@kareliaexpert.fr
WHERE IS IT?
The Koli National park, situated in North Karelia in Eastern Finland, first became a tourist attraction in 1896. Well-known for its wilderness and Karelian culture, it is easily accessible by a 50-minute flight from Helsinki to Joensuu city followed by one-hour drive.
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
The park not only has the natural endowment of Finland’s fourth largest lake – Lake Pielinen, it also has a long history since settlers first arrived in the 1600s. The park is 3,000 hectares and is equally as enchanting in summer as in winter.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
Karelia Expert Tourist Service organises a variety of activities and accommodation for visitors. Popular activities in the summer are hiking, canoeing, boating, fishing. In the winter, enjoy snow-shoe walking, skiing, ice fishing, husky safaris and snow mobile safaris. Arrangement of teambuilding activities can be made to cater to your meeting and incentive programme.
A broad range of accommodation can be found outside the park. Choose from: cottages, apartments, farm accommodation, camping and hotels. The Sokos Hotel Koli located at the entrance of the park is ideal for groups.
RECENT EVENTS
7th Baltic Sea conference on computing education research
Forestry science and research body IUFRO’s Working Party workshop in 2008
PAHANG, MALAYSIA
TAMAN NEGARA NATIONAL PARK
Email: www.mutiarahotels.com
WHERE IS IT?
Taman Negara, which means national park in Malay, lies largely in the state of Pahang, but it also spills over to the states of Terengganu and Kelantan; totaling a conservation area of 4343 sqkm. The three-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur to Jerantut is followed by a 40-minute drive to Kuala Tembeling jetty and a 45-minute speedboat ride provided by Mutiara Resort to reach the gateway of the park.
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
Known as a King George V National Park in 1938 during British rule, Taman Negara’s list of fauna includes 200 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 200 species of fishes, 140 species of snakes and 100 species of lizard. The Gunung Tahan, Peninsular Malaysia’s highest mountain, can also be found there standing at 2,187 m.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
Mutiara Taman Negara, the only resort commissioned by Malaysian Government to operate within the park., provides guests with the immediate access to the jungle. The resort organises night jungle walks, morning jungle trekking to the Canopy Walkway and Teresek Hill. Other activities include boat trips, cave exploration, white-water rafting and a visit to the Orang Asli settlement. Teambuilding activities and jungle-themed dinner can also be arranged. The resort offers 103 rooms of various categories. Events are usually held in Seri Mutiara Restaurant, Rimba Bar and Bayan Nuri Multi Purpose Hall.
RECENT EVENTS
Holland Volvo Distributor Retreat
American Insurance Group (AIG-AIA)
Team Building
Petronas Heads of Department Retreat
MPUMALANGA, SOUTH AFRICA
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Email: admin@siyabona.com
WHERE IS IT?
The great scale and size of the famed Kruger park, which lies in the north-eastern end of South Africa, is a wildlife heaven for nature enthusiasts. There are plenty of options to get to the park. Depending on the facilities of the resorts, the best way to reach the park is by a charter flight from Johannesburg to the accommodation. Otherwise, you can take a six-hour bus ride from Johannesburg to the park.
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
The park’s sheer size (79,490 sqkm) makes it seems like a small country rather than a park and it’s South Africa’s most famous wildlife safari destination. The park can be divided into four regions: The Far Northern, Northern, Central and Southern. The Central region makes the best game-viewing region since there are plenty of zebras, giraffes and wildebeests accompanied by their predators such as lion, cheetah and leopard in the grassland plain.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
You may just be inspired to shoot a wildlife documentary or indulge in wildlife photography while you’re on a game-drive or bush-trail walk. An experienced safari guide, is of course, essential. There are many types of accommodation for small or large groups. Choose from tree-top lodges to luxurious tented camps.
RECENT EVENTS
South African Airways corporate event
Vodacom Communications corporate event
MINDORO OCCIDENTAL, PHILIPPINES
Apo Reef Natural Park
Email: rcbueno@tourism.gov.ph
www.tourism.gov.ph / www.pandan.com
WHERE IS IT?
The Apo Reef Natural Park is near Sablayan town on the west coast of the island of Mindoro Occidental. You can take a 90-minute seaplane from Manila Harbour to Pandan Island Resort or take the 10-hour bus ride and boat trip to reach the park.
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
Apo Reef is the second largest adjoining coral reef in the world that spans 34 km. This marine safari has around 500 colourful corals and a rich marine life of fish, turtles, sharks and manta rays. The clear azure water ensures high visibility in the water, making it a mecca for experienced scuba divers and irresistible for amateurs. The surrounding islands is also ideal for bird-watching.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
It’s almost imperative to scuba dive or snorkel while you’re there or learn how to do it. Some sites may be a challenge for inexperienced divers, so it’s best to go with a guide who can bring you to the specific diving sites to spot various marine life – be it the hammerhead sharks or barracudas. Stay at the beach bungalows of Pandan Island Resort. The best time to visit the Philippines is November to June.
RECENT EVENTS
Regatta Boat Festival
Coco Explorer Yacht Sailing
