Best Animal & Monkey Experiences in Bali (Safe Options for Families)
Bali is packed with animal parks, monkey forests, turtle releases, and “once-in-a-lifetime” encounters. Some are genuinely magical and ethical. Others are chaotic, stressful, or quietly harmful to the animals. This guide filters everything through one lens: is it safe and calm for your kids, and kind to the animals?
Below, you’ll find the most family-friendly animal and monkey experiences in Bali, how to keep tiny hands safe, what to skip, and how to book trusted tours, stays, and insurance without getting overwhelmed.
Best bases for animal days: Ubud, Gianyar corridor, Sanur, Kuta/Legian.
Best ages: 3–12 years for most parks; teens love night safaris and sea turtle work.
Top tip: Always visit animal sites in the morning before heat + crowds + monkey energy peak.
Quick Links for Animal & Monkey Days
Open these in new tabs, then come back and finish the guide. Think of this as your “parent control panel.”
How to Choose Animal & Monkey Experiences in Bali (Parent Lens)
Bali has everything from conservation-driven projects to old-school animal shows. Online photos rarely tell you which is which, and kids see “cute monkey” or “baby turtle” and want to say yes to everything.
The simplest way to think about it:
- Priority 1: Safety for your kids – clear paths, crowd flow, weather, and staff presence.
- Priority 2: Welfare for the animals – space, natural behavior, no tricks, no riding.
- Priority 3: Logistics – how long you’ll be walking, how far from your base, nap windows.
In this guide we highlight organizations and parks that tend to be better choices based on layout, mission, and the way families typically experience them. Always re-check current conditions before you go, as policies, weather, and safety practices do change.
You’ll also see internal links out to your core Bali planning hubs: Ultimate Bali Neighborhood Guide, Ultimate Bali Attractions Guide, Logistics & Planning Guide, and the Ultimate Bali Family Travel Guide.
Ubud Monkey Forest: Magical or Mayhem? (How to Make It Safe)
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud is one of Bali’s most famous attractions, with over a thousand long-tailed macaques roaming temple ruins and forest paths. It can feel like a jungle movie for kids – or turn stressful fast if you don’t know the rules.
Best ages: 5+ (who can follow instructions). Toddlers in carriers are usually fine. Visit time: 60–90 minutes. Best time: Opening hour in the morning, before heat and crowds, and avoid stormy/windy days.
Non-negotiable monkey rules to brief your kids on
- No food, gum, or rustling snack bags in your hands or pockets.
- No grabbing, chasing, or trying to touch monkeys.
- No loose items: sunglasses on your face, not your head; phones on a strap if possible.
- Stand still and call a guard if a monkey jumps on you – don’t yank or swat.
Guided visits can help keep the energy calmer and give you another adult watching the group. You can filter for small-group, family-focused experiences here: family Monkey Forest tours.
When to consider skipping Monkey Forest
If anyone in your group is high-anxiety around animals, severely immunocompromised, or not yet able to follow “no touching, no snacks” rules, it may be better to skip Monkey Forest and focus on calmer wildlife options like Bali Bird Park or sea turtle projects instead.
Bali also has a rainy, windy season when falling branches and trees are more of a risk in forested areas, and there have been rare but serious weather-related accidents. If the weather looks wild, there is absolutely no shame in replacing Monkey Forest with something indoors.
Staying in Ubud for this part of your trip? Layer this stop into your Ubud Family Travel Guide.
Zoos & Safari Parks: Bali Zoo vs Bali Safari (What Parents Need to Know)
Bali Zoo (Bali Zoo / Bali Animal Park)
Bali Zoo is Bali’s first zoological park, home to hundreds of animals in a lush tropical setting. Families like it because the grounds feel manageable with kids and visits generally take 2–3 hours.
- Shorter walking distances than a full safari park.
- Clear paths and facilities (toilets, cafés, shaded breaks).
- Animal encounters and shows – always double-check you’re comfortable with the format.
If you book through a tour partner, look for options that focus on observation and learning rather than tricks or forced photos. You can scan current packages here: Bali Zoo family experiences.
Bali Safari & Marine Park (Taman Safari Bali)
Bali Safari & Marine Park combines safari-style viewing, shows, and themed zones, with over 1,000 animals across 40+ hectares. Expect a full day with plenty of walking and stimulation.
- Safari buses and trams let kids see animals without long hikes.
- Some packages include night safaris and dinner shows.
- It can be overwhelming for very small children – plan breaks.
Families who want to immerse fully sometimes stay at Mara River Safari Lodge , a themed resort inside the park that looks directly onto animal enclosures.
When browsing Bali Safari tours, prioritize options with clear timing, meal breaks, and realistic durations for your kids’ energy levels.
Animal welfare standards in Bali vary. Investigations and animal-welfare groups regularly call out elephant rides, staged tricks, and cramped conditions as harmful, even at parks that market themselves as “sanctuaries.” As a rule of thumb:
- Avoid riding, hugging, or bathing elephants.
- Avoid venues that encourage selfies while holding wild animals.
- Look for organizations talking clearly about welfare, space, and enrichment – not just photo ops.
Travel insurance like SafetyWing is also wise for these days – you’re riding shuttles, walking around enclosures, sometimes in wet weather, and clinics are often a drive away.
Calmer Animal Days: Birds, Butterflies & Gentle Encounters
If your kids love animals but you’re not ready for monkeys climbing on backpacks or full safari days, Bali’s bird and butterfly parks can be a gentler alternative.
Bali Bird Park
Bali Bird Park is a two-hectare sanctuary home to over 1,300 birds from 250+ species, with landscaped grounds, aviaries, and educational shows.
- Great for stroller-aged kids and grandparents.
- Shows tend to focus on education rather than gimmicky tricks.
- Cafés and shaded seating give everyone a chance to reset.
Many families pair the park with a relaxed afternoon in Ubud – see the Ubud guide for ideas.
Butterfly Parks
Bali’s butterfly parks, such as Bali Butterfly Park in Tabanan and Kemenuh Butterfly Park near Gianyar, offer enclosed gardens where kids can see butterflies, cocoons, and other insects up close without the chaos of monkeys or big predators.
- Ideal for sensitive kids or first-day outings.
- Visits are usually 60–90 minutes – easy to plug into any itinerary.
- Paths are short and mostly flat; strollers are manageable.
You’ll often see combo tours that connect bird or butterfly parks with nearby temples or rice terraces. If your kids love animals and scenery, combine this guide with: Best Rice Terraces With Kids and Best Bali Temples for Kids.
Sea Turtles: Gentle Conservation Experiences for Older Kids
For many families, the most meaningful animal memory from Bali isn’t a zoo at all – it’s seeing a tiny sea turtle wobble toward the water at sunset.
Two names to know:
- Bali Sea Turtle Society (BSTS) – a non-profit based around Kuta that protects nesting sites, runs educational programs, and organizes public hatchling releases during the season.
- Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) – Serangan Island, focused on education, rehabilitation, and offering visitors a chance to see rescued turtles and learn about the threats they face.
- Always follow the instructions of the conservation staff – especially around handling turtles.
- Be wary of beach vendors offering “unofficial” releases or paid photos with turtles.
- Use red or dimmed light if you’re on nesting beaches at night and follow local rules.
For structured visits, you can watch for conservation-leaning turtle activities via: sea turtle experiences.
If you’re building a sea-turtle-focused day, consider basing in: Sanur / Serangan (for TCEC) or Kuta (for BSTS releases). Both areas are covered in your neighborhood hub posts: Sanur with Kids and Kuta with Kids.
Where to Stay for Easy, Animal-Focused Days
Choosing the right base does half the work for you. Here are stays that put you near major animal attractions, using your Booking.com partner access.
Jungle-Side Stays Near Monkey Forest
Want to roll from breakfast straight into a forest or bird day? Look at Ubud stays within a short drive of Monkey Forest, bird and butterfly parks, and rice terrace routes.
- Maya Ubud Resort & Spa – a jungle retreat near Ubud with river views, pools, and family-friendly facilities.
- The Sankara Suites & Villas – suites and villas that work well as a calm base between Monkey Forest and countryside days.
Build your wider Ubud plan using the Ubud Family Guide and the Rice Terraces guide.
Sleep Next to the Safari
If your kids dream of waking up to zebras or hearing lions at night, consider a night inside the safari zone:
- Mara River Safari Lodge – African-themed lodges inside Bali Safari & Marine Park, with terraces overlooking animal areas.
Use the attractions pillar, Ultimate Bali Attractions Guide, to weave safari days in between calmer beach or temple days.
Beach Bases for Turtle Releases
If you want a classic pool-plus-beach stay with the chance to join sea turtle activities, look toward Kuta:
- Hard Rock Hotel Bali – a resort-style stay with a huge pool complex right near Kuta Beach.
These bases work well with visits to Bali Sea Turtle Society and beach-based conservation activities, especially in season.
What to Skip: Red Flags in Animal Tourism
Bali’s tourism industry is evolving, and not every animal experience has caught up with modern welfare standards. To keep both your kids and the animals safe, it helps to know what to quietly walk away from.
🚫 Hard no
- Elephant riding, “tricks,” or forced bathing experiences.
- Photo ops that involve holding wild animals (baby monkeys, birds of prey, reptiles).
- Roadside animal shows in tiny cages or on chains.
- Any venue where animals look distressed, underweight, or kept in cramped concrete pens.
✅ Better alternatives
- Observation-only safaris with clear welfare messaging.
- Conservation projects like BSTS or TCEC, where education is the focus.
- Bird and butterfly parks with space, shade, and natural behavior.
- Guided forest walks with clear rules and staff presence.
Animal welfare groups have raised concerns about some elephant parks and “sanctuaries” in Bali that still rely on control practices and performances behind the scenes. If a venue’s marketing sounds too perfect but avoids talking about how the animals are cared for, it’s okay to say no and choose somewhere else.
When in doubt, your kids will remember that one baby turtle they released or the monkey that watched them from a tree far more than any forced photo with an unhappy animal.
Sample Animal-Focused Days by Age Group
Use these as plug-and-play templates and connect them with your bigger Bali plan in the Logistics & Planning Guide.
Day idea for little kids (ages 3–6)
- Morning: Bali Bird Park or a butterfly park (short, shaded, stroller-friendly).
- Lunch: On-site café or nearby Ubud café with AC and space for naps.
- Afternoon: Pool time back at your stay; early dinner, early bed.
Day idea for mixed ages (5–11)
- Morning: Bali Zoo, with pre-booked tickets to avoid long entry lines.
- Lunch: At the zoo or a nearby restaurant in Gianyar.
- Afternoon: Short temple stop or rice terrace viewpoint, then home.
- Evening: Calm dinner, early night – tomorrow can be a beach or waterfall day.
Day idea for older kids and teens (10+)
- Morning: Sea turtle conservation activity or beach release (in season).
- Midday: Long lunch and downtime – these mornings can be emotional and hot.
- Evening: Bali Safari night experience, booked with clear timing and transfers.
Before locking anything in, cross-check days with: Best Waterfalls With Kids, Best Bali Beaches for Families, and the neighborhood posts for Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Jimbaran.
Help Another Family Choose Safer Animal Experiences
If this guide helped you avoid a chaotic or unethical stop – or nudged you toward a calmer, kinder option – it will do the same for another parent who’s doom-scrolling Bali content at midnight.
