Elephant Hills

Phuket, Thailand

Virgin rating

The Elephant Camp Luxury Tent
Bathroom, Cheow Larn Lake, Elephant Hills Luxury Floating Camp
The Elephant Camp pool area
Nature Safari Tour
Rainforest Camp
Floating Rainforest Camp
The Elephant Camp
Cheow Larn Lake
Rainforest Camp
A video preview image
The Elephant Camp Luxury Tent
Bathroom, Cheow Larn Lake, Elephant Hills Luxury Floating Camp
The Elephant Camp pool area
Nature Safari Tour
Rainforest Camp
Floating Rainforest Camp
The Elephant Camp
Cheow Larn Lake
Rainforest Camp

The hotel

Thailand’s first luxury tented jungle camp, Elephant Hills, combines the camp aspect of an East African safari with the Thai tropical rainforest. Located in Khao Sok National Park, Elephant Hills is just a couple of hours north of Phuket or Krabi and with complimentary transfers from most beach hotels in the region, it’s an easy combination and an unmissable experience. We are proud to support the unique elephant experience where you can feed and interact with these magnificent creatures, an award-winning programme that puts elephant welfare, education and conservation at the heart of what they do.

Amenities

  • Safari
  • Bar
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Swimming Pool
  • Near National Park

Where is it

Elephant Hills is located in Khao Sok National Park in Thailand's Phang Nga Province. The Tented Camp is set in Thailand's tropical jungle environment and The Rainforest Camp floats on Cheow Larn Lake. Transfers available from Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak and even Koh Samui.

Hotel information

The Elephant Camp is the main camp with 66 spacious tents with 1 king-size or 2 double beds sleeping 2 adults and 1 child. All tents are bugproof and have electricity, en-suite bathroom with toilet, shower and hot/cold water and a fan. Set amongst the rainforest, the camp has a swimming pool with superb view of the spectacular limestone cliffs, an open-air restaurant and bar with campfire creating a romantic and warm atmosphere to share your traveller’s tales. Dinners include movie presentations, dance and cooking demonstrations to keep you entertained and there is even WiFi to show all those at home what they’re missing.

The Rainforest Camp is the newest addition to Elephant Hills. There are 20 rainforest tents each with 1 queen-size bed, or twin beds, sleeping 2 adults and 1 child. They are located over the Cheow Larn Lake, making it one of the only floating tented camps in the world. The spectacular lakes are surrounded by rainforest and towering limestone cliffs. Designed to be at one with nature, the camp is powered by wind and solar energy and uses responsible waste management, so no WiFi here, just total peace and relaxation.

Full Board includes: breakfast, lunch and dinner. All the activities in the itinerary. Soft drinks and alcohol are available at extra charge.

Restaurant and bar. Swimming pool. Evening entertainment includes traditional Thai dances from local school children, film documentaries and Thai cooking demonstrations. Fantastic range of activities including elephant interaction, canoe trips on the Sok River and jungle treks. Complimentary WiFi in all tents.

Jungle Safari

Elephant Experience • Canoe Safari • Jungle Trekking

See the highlights of Southern Thailand’s natural beauty with this short 2-night itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive in time for lunch, then depart on a jungle river canoe trip down the Sok River passing the Limestone Mountains and tropical vegetation to the elephant sanctuary. Here you can see, feed and learn about the elephants and the conservation project as well as meet and learn the secrets of the mahout. Overnight at The Elephant Camp. 

Day 2: Leisurely breakfast before exploring the secluded Cheow Lan Lake by long-tail boat, the 60 km lake has more than 100 islands. Enjoy the spectacular scenery with time to dip into the lake’s emerald water and lunch at the local raft house. Overnight at The Elephant Camp. 

Day 3: Guided walk to explore the ecology of one of the world’s oldest rainforests with lunch served in the rainforest, cooked in bamboo, an old tradition of jungle explorers. Afternoon transfer.

Rainforest Nature Safari

Elephant Experience • Traditional Junk trip • Market visit

Day 1: As per Day 1 of the Jungle Safari itinerary.

Day 2: Enjoy the mangroves by speed boat looking out for local wildlife along the way. Board a traditional Burmese Junk for lunch and explore the mangroves by canoe. Overnight at The Elephant Camp.

Day 3: Leisurely breakfast before exploring the secluded Cheow Lan Lake by long-tail boat, the 60 km lake has more than 100 islands. Enjoy the spectacular scenery with time to dip into the lake’s emerald water and lunch at the local raft house. Overnight at The Elephant Camp.

Day 4: Guided walk to explore the ecology of one of the world’s oldest rainforests with lunch served in the rainforest, cooked in bamboo, an old tradition of jungle explorers. Afternoon transfer.

Jungle Lake Safari

Elephant Experience • Overnight at floating Rainforest Camp • Market visit

Day 1: As per Day 1 of the Jungle Safari itinerary. Overnight at The Elephant Camp.

Day 2: Leisurely breakfast before exploring the secluded Cheow Lan Lake by long-tail boat, the 60 km lake has more than 100 islands and is home to wild elephants, the rare Asian Ox, tropical birds, monkeys and amphibians and reptiles. Lunch at Rainforest Camp before a guided walk to explore the ecology of one of the world’s oldest rainforests. Overnight at The Rainforest Camp.

Day 3: Take a canoe safari around the small channels of the Cheow Lan Lake, a silent adventure in the heart of the rainforest. Lunch served at the Rainforest Camp and afternoon transfer to your onward destination.

Please note: child ages are 4 years and over for Elephant Camp and 7 years and over for Rainforest Camp.

Please note: due to the nature of the tours pregnant ladies are unable to participate.

Accessibility: due to the nature of the tours it is not suitable for wheelchair users or customers with mobility restrictions. Please also note, there are no on site refrigeration facilities to store medication.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
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Traveller rating

  • Excellent (2369)
  • Very good (246)
  • Average (70)
  • Poor (25)
  • Terrible (11)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Honeymoon highlight!

Dec 9, 2023 zoemA4771VF

This was by far the highlight of our 2 week honeymoon in Thailand. From beginning to end it was just the most fantastic experience. We are not seasoned campers so were a little nervous about the accommodation but it was spotless and had everything you could possibly want. The elephants are clearly extremely well cared for and it was amazing to… Read more
This was by far the highlight of our 2 week honeymoon in Thailand. From beginning to end it was just the most fantastic experience. We are not seasoned campers so were a little nervous about the accommodation but it was spotless and had everything you could possibly want. The elephants are clearly extremely well cared for and it was amazing to have an up close experience with these beautiful creatures. The floating camp was absolutely amazing, I can't even explain how surreal it is to look out at the jungle from a floating tent, just breathtaking. We loved the hike and kayaking, got to see monkeys and bats. It was just incredible we didn't want to leave! We have always been a bit sceptical of planned your groups after having so many bad experiences but groups were kept small and it was all organised so well. Big shout out to our tour guide Tor, he was hilarious, very upbeat and informative. Could not recommend this place enough, we will remember it forever. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Elephant hills - very enjoyable

Dec 7, 2023 M8070SIdeborahm Greater London, United Kingdom

Really enjoyed our time at elephant hills however it is more of a jungle experience than an elephant experience. You only see the elephants on a one off afternoon visit. You feed them and touch them which is amazing. The accommodation is great, eco friendly but comfortable - a bit like a glamping experience. There is an afternoon hike which is… Read more
Really enjoyed our time at elephant hills however it is more of a jungle experience than an elephant experience. You only see the elephants on a one off afternoon visit. You feed them and touch them which is amazing. The accommodation is great, eco friendly but comfortable - a bit like a glamping experience. There is an afternoon hike which is challenging but worth it if you are able to do it and a canoe trip. You see another side of Thailand, and our night on the lake was wonderful. Really loved the whooping sound of the monkeys. The food was not great but ok. Guides are very friendly. Well worth doing. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Simply brilliant, breathtaking experience

Dec 3, 2023 Wint704 Manchester, United Kingdom

We spent one night staying at Chiang Mai Elephant hills and it just simply wasn't long enough. It is such a beautiful, tranquil place in a fantastic location. The staff were brilliant with a special mention to Pong who was a great guide. The activities were good, the food was great and the tents really comfortable. But the outstanding part was of… Read more
We spent one night staying at Chiang Mai Elephant hills and it just simply wasn't long enough. It is such a beautiful, tranquil place in a fantastic location. The staff were brilliant with a special mention to Pong who was a great guide. The activities were good, the food was great and the tents really comfortable. But the outstanding part was of course the elephants. They looked really content and well cared for. Having a chance to get close to them and feed them will be something we will never forget. If you get a chance to go, do it. But book two nights. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating An unforgettable experience that you must not miss

Dec 2, 2023 hannah p

The most amazing experience, our tour guide Ing was incredible, her English was perfect and she was so helpful throughout our trip. We went whilst on our honeymoon and it exceeded our expectations. The food was some of the best food we have had in Thailand. The first night we stayed in our jungle tent which was beautiful, the bed was so comfy. The… Read more
The most amazing experience, our tour guide Ing was incredible, her English was perfect and she was so helpful throughout our trip. We went whilst on our honeymoon and it exceeded our expectations. The food was some of the best food we have had in Thailand. The first night we stayed in our jungle tent which was beautiful, the bed was so comfy. The tour to the elephants was incredible, we loved being able to get to know the elephants and being in such an ethical elephant sanctuary. The next day we headed to our over water bungalow and this was an incredible experience. The rooms were lovely, very clean. The food was once again amazing. The staff were all so friendly and worked so hard. We joined Ing on a hike into the jungle and she was so helpful, she helped us along the way and showed us amazing spiders, snakes and bats. The following day Ing took us on an amazing canoe tour where we saw multiple monkeys. Ing was amazing, she learnt everyone’s names and she really tried to get to know each person. We felt well looked after by all of the staff, we were sad to leave! Thank you for an unforgettable experience and making our honeymoon so special Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Fantastic 3 nights

Nov 29, 2023 Chris H

We had a fantastic 3 nights at Elephant Hills, extremely well organised, with a full programme of Elephant contact and other activities. The tented accommodation was very comfortable and spacious (the pillows were too hard, but housekeeping found softer ones for us), and we slept very well despite the surrounding jungle doing its best to keep… Read more
We had a fantastic 3 nights at Elephant Hills, extremely well organised, with a full programme of Elephant contact and other activities. The tented accommodation was very comfortable and spacious (the pillows were too hard, but housekeeping found softer ones for us), and we slept very well despite the surrounding jungle doing its best to keep us awake. The activities were very well organised, and great fun, especially the canoe ride on the river, the kayaking and speedboat tours on the lake and river. The food was just amazing, and we watched all the live demonstrations, thoroughly enjoying the range on display. The evening videos and local children dancing were excellent, and we're so glad we donated lots of stationery to the local schools. The Elephant contact and feeding on the first day was absolutely superb, with lots of information, and great physical contact with these gentle giants. If there's a grumble, it's that the visit to a local market, the time spent at the lake dam, and the overall time on the river experience could have been shortened or indeed withdrawn. The time saved(many hours) could have resulted in more Elephant time, and perhaps valuable relaxing time at the (virtually unused) pool, as the overall pace is quite high. It's a minor grumble as we enjoyed our stay massively, and would highly recommend it...but don't forget less than 3 nights, you'll miss out on much. Would we stay again...in a heartbeat..but we'd do 4 nights for a lake stay and a little more relaxation. Read less