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A unique nature and animal experience in the Thai rainforest
Elephant Hills includes two camps, the Elephant Camp and the Lake Camp. Located in Khao Sok National Park, one of Thailand’s most beautiful and lush rainforests, they represent an utterly unique travel destination. Blending the concept of safari camps in African national parks with the tropical nature experience in southern Thailand’s Khao Sok National Park, Elephant Hills allows you to explore the fascinating beauty of the Thai rainforest while getting up close with Asian elephants. They offer award-winning 2–4-day all-inclusive nature experience tours in and around Khao Sok National Park, with luxurious accommodation in tents.
The Elephant Camp is situated at the edge of the national park, while the Lake Camp is nestled in the midst of Cheow Larn Lake, a 165 km² lake in the heart of Khao Sok. All Elephant Hills tours start at the Elephant Camp, where the first night is spent. The Lake Camp can be visited for a day trip or an overnight stay.
NATURE SAFARI (The Best of Southern Thailand)
(4 days / 3 nights)
Day 1: The Amazing Elephant Experience
- Transfer from the airport or hotel to Elephant Hills Camp in Khao Sok
- Elephant Hills Elephant Experience: Feed and interact with Asia’s largest land animal. A truly touching experience in an almost untouched environment
- Canoe safari on the Sok River. Sit back and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Khao Sok
- Evening activities: Movie screening, dance performances, and cooking demonstrations
Day 2: Marvelous Mangrove Swamps
- Explore the phenomenal Fig Tree Channel by speedboat
- Paddle through one of the many mangrove channels by canoe
- Relax on board our classic Burmese junk with lunch on board
- Evening activities: Movie screening, dance performances, and cooking demonstrations
Day 3: Spectacular Cheow Larn Lake
- Boat trip. Sightseeing in a traditional longtail boat on Cheow Larn Lake
- Lunch and free time at the Lake Camp. Canoes are available to explore the spectacular surroundings
- Return to Elephant Hills in the late afternoon
- Evening activities: Movie screening, dance performance, and cooking demonstration
Day 4: Legendary Rainforest
- Jungle trekking on foot through Southern Thailand’s unique rainforest
- Lunch in the jungle or return to Elephant Hills, where a delicious lunch buffet is served before being transported to your next hotel or the airport
Elephant Camp
The swimming pool with terrace and marvellous jungle views is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Luxurious Glamping Tents
The luxurious tents, made of waterproof canvas, blend harmoniously with the surroundings, offering a comfortable retreat after a day of adventure.
In addition to a warm welcome, the tents offer all the amenities you would find in a regular 4-star hotel room. A cozy bed, a fan, kettle, hairdryer, shower, and toilet ensure a pleasant stay in the middle of the jungle. The furniture is handcrafted by the camp’s own craftsmen.
Elephant Safari
From the first day, there is an opportunity to interact with the majestic animals in a responsible environment. You can feed them, watch them bathing, and learn more about their lifestyle – all under the guidance of experienced caretakers.
Helping to feed the elephants is a wonderful way to spend some time with them and learn more about them.
Elephant riding is deliberately avoided.
Activities
Apart from elephants, Elephant Hills offers a variety of other activities, including boat trips on Cheow Lan Lake, jungle hikes, and encounters with local communities. You can immerse yourself in the local culture and experience the diversity of Thai nature up close.
Canoe Safari on Sok River
This canoe safari, despite the rain, was a truly special experience. Experiencing the tranquillity and beauty of nature is genuinely unique. With a bit of luck, you might even spot some wild animals.
It is Raining in the Rainforest
Khao Sok is one of the wettest places in Thailand, so rain can occur at any time. However, the sun can also shine at any time of the year! Normally, rain occurs in heavy showers for one or two hours, and thanks to temperatures above 25°C, it is a pleasant experience. Elephant Hills activities are specially designed for rainy days, making these adventure tours possible all year round.
Jungle Restaurant
In the open-air restaurant in the heart of the jungle, delicious buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes are served, with cooking stations. Everything was mouthwatering.
Before dinner you can enjoy nature films, dance, or cooking demonstrations.
The young dancers come from the surrounding schools, allowing you to learn about the local culture, and students have the opportunity to meet guests from other countries and practice English. Elephant Hills Camp is one of the largest employers in the Khao Sok region.
Cooking Classes
A special highlight is the cooking classes in the evenings. Try and learn to cook delicious Thai food.
Lake/Rainforest Camp – Floating Bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake
After a visit to a famous dam and a boat trip on Cheow Lan Lake, you reach Elephant Hills’ floating bungalows.
After a tasty lunch, you can swim in the lake, go for a jungle hike, or take a canoe tour.
Mangrove Tour and Lunch on a Burmese Junk
Jungle-Safari
You can go on a tour through the jungle directly from the camp. At the end of the tour, a delicious lunch prepared over an open fire in the heart of the jungle awaits.
Social Engagement & Animal Welfare
Conclusion
The Elephant Hills Camps are more than just accommodation; they offer the opportunity to discover the treasures of Thailand’s nature while simultaneously contributing to the protection and preservation of wildlife. A visit here promises an unforgettable experience that enriches the spirit and touches the heart. We can only recommend it to a limited extent for honeymooners, as you may be unlucky, ending up in a group with noisy children (as we did). But it is still a wonderful adventure for those seeking a unique and wild nature experience away from mass tourism. Experiencing the gentle giants up close is, of course, the special highlight.
Rooms: 35 luxurious tents
Flight Duration: Approximately 11 hours from Germany to Bangkok and about 1 hour to Phuket
Transfer: Approximately 3 hours from Phuket Airport, about 3.5 hours from Krabi, other transfer options are available, for example, from/to Ko Phangan at an additional cost
Air Temperature: 23 – 32 degrees Celsius
Time Difference: GMT +6 hours
Best Travel Time: All year-round, as the adventure tours are designed for rainy days. It has a tropical monsoon climate, with rainfall ranging from a minimum of 64mm in February to a maximum of 409mm in July.
Price: NATURE SAFARI – 4 Days & 3 Nights (daily departures year-round) from 25,765.00 THB (approx. 723 USD) per person, including full board, extensive travel program, English-speaking Thai guides, and shared transfers to and from Elephant Hills.
Activities: Elephant feeding, boat trips, jungle tours, canoeing, swimming, excursions, cooking classes
Highlights: Beautiful location in breathtaking nature, extraordinary experiences with elephants, delicious food, incredibly friendly staff, beautiful tents in the middle of the tropical jungle
Perfect for: Nature lovers, animal lovers, couples and families
Elephant Hills
Khao Sok, Thailand
T +66 5200 1186
booking@elephanthills.com
www.elephanthills.com
World LUXURY Travel Awards Winner 2023 – Best Sustainable Tourism Destination Asia!
World LUXURY Travel Awards Winner 2023 – Best Luxury Camping Company!
World LUXURY Travel Awards Winner 2022 – Best Glamping Retreat!
World Luxury Awards 2021 – Nature Destination for Asia
Lux Life magazine awards 2020 – Thailand’s best luxury glamping holiday
World Travel Awards Winner 2020 – Asia’s leading luxury camping company
Responsible Thailand Awards 2018 – Eco Lodge
Elephant Hills wins PATA Grand Award 2018 – Environment
and many more
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Note: Elephant Hills sponsored our stay. Thank you so much! Nevertheless, the opinions expressed in this article are 100% unbiased!
Monique De Caro
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