One of Thailand's most beloved destinations for many reasons, Elephant Hills in southern Thailand's largest stretch of primary rainforest, is a luxury tented experience offering fully immersive and inclusive tours. From the elevated tented accommodation that takes inspiration from a luxury safari to the immersive animal encounters and nature-filled experiences, each and every detail is carefully considered. Now expanding across three unique camps to provide three distinctly differing experiences, no matter the tour you select or camp you visit, your stay at Elephant Hills will always go beyond expectations.
Elephant Hills was the original camp and has now welcomed guests for over 20 years. A much-loved Thailand experience, this luxury tented destination lies deep within Khao Sok National Park. You may arrive and feel your accommodation is reminiscent of an African Safari, but your surroundings are unlike anything you have experienced before. The towering ancient rainforest creates an atmosphere all of its own. The wilderness is older than the Amazon and its amazingly biodiverse ecosystem showcases just how extraordinary this corner of Thailand really is.
Not only will you be left in awe of the surroundings, but the high standard of accommodation is as equally impressive. Each tent is equipped with everything you may need, including a comfortable bed, wooden floor, electricity and an en-suite bathroom, making this feel like anything but typical camping. Detailed with the most incredible touches, including furniture crafted by the camp’s skilled craftsmen and complete with modern comforts such as Wi-Fi, this really is camping at its finest.
While the camp offers various tour lengths that take you across different camps, any visit to Elephant Hills includes time spent learning about its award-winning elephant welfare and conservation work. Completely respectful of these creatures, each experience feels natural and genuinely unforgettable. Help the team prepare the elephants’ daily food, which they can then enjoy at their own pace within their free-roaming habitat. Watch them bathe and play in their mud pool or simply observe as they roam, graze and interact with one another amidst the expansive natural habitat.
For those who seek further exploration, Lake Camp is the destinations second camp, set even deeper within the landscapes of Khao Sok National Park. Towering limestone cliffs, dense vegetation and calm waters create an ever-changing backdrop, while this floating retreat feels completely surrounded by one of the world’s oldest rainforests. Here, exploration unfolds at a gentler pace, whether it be discovering hidden corners on foot or gliding across the still waters. Lake Camp is offered in combination with a Jungle Safari, bringing together the different sides of Khao Sok for a fully immersive experience.
Lake Camp floats on top of the emerald-green waters of Cheow-Larn-Lake. Your luxury tent comes with all the conveniences of a modern hotel, yet the view from the front door is nothing like a typical stay. Totally unspoilt nature lies right on your doorstep, and the porch out front is the perfect place to stop, sit back and take in the views. From morning to night, watch the ever-changing landscape unfold, listen to the sounds of wildlife and soak up those nature-filled moments that leave you feeling immersed in the rainforest.
The Cheo-Larn-Lake is a wonder of southern Thailand and provides a remarkable habitat for wild elephants, the rare Asian ox, hornbills and hundreds of other tropical birds, various monkey species, amphibians, reptiles and even tigers and leopards, and you will get the chance to explore this wildlife rich environment on foot. On a walk to remember deep into the jungle, a trek is best taken slowly and with consideration, looking, learning and listening for the rainforest’s secrets as you go. A guided canoe safari in this area is simply something that needs to be experienced to be fully understood. The glassy lake surface, the treetop creatures and majestic mountains rising from the water create a setting that is almost impossible to describe.
Introducing the latest addition, Bush Camp. Framed by lush vegetation and misty mountain views and tucked away from the city, a visit here is a more secluded perspective of Northern Thailand. Nature-led experiences and visit to the Elephant Park take centre stage, with each day presenting something new. Whether it be a close-up visit, insights into the local culture or the chance to discover more of the diverse ecosystem, this tranquil retreat provides a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
Another tailor-made experience of luxury tents, again, you won’t find any of your usual comforts missing. And it’s not just the African safari-style accommodation that impresses, the rest of the camp’s indulgent features offer the best of both worlds. The infinity pool is the perfect place for an afternoon cool-off and refreshing drink. From here, you can admire the views over the magnificent Ping River and the Chedi’s nestled amongst the lush green mountains. Adjacent to the pool is the delicious open-air restaurant that provides a choice of both local and Western cuisine.
The camp has a host of unique opportunities that allow you to experience everyday local life close to nature. An amazing elephant and mahout experience is, of course, not to be missed. An opportunity to experience Thailand’s majestic giants in their natural home, spend time in the Elephant Café where the creatures roam peacefully right in front of you, before discovering more about the lives of the mahouts and how they live alongside nature and their elephants. The following day, don’t forget to visit the Free Roaming Forest to sample traditional coffee and breakfast snacks as you learn more about and observe how the Elephants are cared for.
From the ancient rainforest of Khao Sok and the emerald waters of Cheow-Larn-Lake and the secluded landscapes of Northern Thailand, Elephant Hills brings you closer to some of the country’s most extraordinary surroundings. Each of its three camps offer something a little different, yet the same sense of adventure and thoughtful luxury. Whether its observing elephants roaming within their natural habitat, waking to the sounds of rainforest or simply taking a moment to admire the scenery from your tent, these are the experiences that stay long after returning home.