Elephant Hills

Phuket, Thailand

Star rating

The Elephant Camp
The Elephant Camp
The Elephant Camp
The Elephant Camp
The Elephant Camp
The Elephant Camp
The Elephant Camp
The Lake Camp
The Lake Camp
Cooking class
Nature Safari Tour
Jungle Trekking
The Lake Camp
The Lake Camp
A video preview image
The Elephant Camp
The Elephant Camp
The Elephant Camp
The Elephant Camp
The Elephant Camp
The Elephant Camp
The Elephant Camp
The Lake Camp
The Lake Camp
Cooking class
Nature Safari Tour
Jungle Trekking
The Lake Camp
The Lake 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. With a strong focus on elephant welfare and environmental conservation, Elephant Hills offers responsible and interactive experiences that are 100% chain-free, hook-free, and riding-free, allowing elephants to live peacefully in their natural environment.

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.

Because of their remote (and rather fabulous) location, the luxury tented camps can only accept cash payments on-site. That includes any drinks you fancy or souvenirs you fall in love with. So, be sure to bring enough Thai Baht (THB) to keep the good times flowing.

Hotel information

The Elephant Camp is the main camp with 66 spacious tents with 1 king-size or 2 double beds sleeping a family of 4 people, with 2 adults and 2 children. 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 Lake 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 responsible and interactive elephant encounters that are 100% chain-free, hook-free, and riding-free, canoe trips on the Sok River and jungle treks. 

Complimentary WiFi at the Elephant Hills Camp (main camp).

Elephant Hills is proud to announce that they have once again passed Global Spirit’s independent animal welfare audit for 2024–2026. 

Since their first audit in 2017, Elephant Hills have remained a leader in elephant welfare. They were the first elephant camp to achieve 100% compliance with the minimum requirements, now known as Core Criteria. 

In 2019, they took a further step by undergoing the Exceeds Requirements assessment. By 2024, they had surpassed all key criteria, reaching Level 5 completion—the highest score across all assessed areas.

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

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 Lake Camp before a guided walk to explore the ecology of one of the world’s oldest rainforests. Overnight at The Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake 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

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Traveller rating

  • Excellent (2673)
  • Very good (273)
  • Average (78)
  • Poor (25)
  • Terrible (12)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Awesome elephant sanctuary

Jul 11, 2025 Trip02961410547

Elephant Hills is Awesome, one of the best things I have ever done! They look after you so well great experiences, great tents, great food and even better service. I couldn’t recommend this higher!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Outstanding experience

Jul 7, 2025 D5233TSmichellef Dublin, Ireland

well what can i say about this experience ❤️ it was absolutely fantastic and would highly recommend this if coming to thai land. we done two nights and 3 days and every single part of this trip was outstanding. we couldn’t thank our tour guide Sam enough. he was absolutely brilliant and so helpful, always smiling and working around the clock. The… Read more
well what can i say about this experience ❤️ it was absolutely fantastic and would highly recommend this if coming to thai land. we done two nights and 3 days and every single part of this trip was outstanding. we couldn’t thank our tour guide Sam enough. he was absolutely brilliant and so helpful, always smiling and working around the clock. The elephant day was undoubtedly an amazing experience that we will never forgot and this trip is worth every penny ❤️🤍🖤 thank you again x Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Happy times @ elephant hills

Jul 6, 2025 Michael S Wakefield, United Kingdom

From getting picked up from our hotel in Phuket to leaving and taken to airport for our return home, the whole experience was amazing. All the amenities and trips were immaculately planned, how 3 day guide Deem, tools us in all our trips from feeding and playing with the elephants kayaking in the massive lake was like something from Jurassic park… Read more
From getting picked up from our hotel in Phuket to leaving and taken to airport for our return home, the whole experience was amazing. All the amenities and trips were immaculately planned, how 3 day guide Deem, tools us in all our trips from feeding and playing with the elephants kayaking in the massive lake was like something from Jurassic park paddle boarding or just swimming then last day a hike through the jungle was amazing tough but well worth it, the tents were great beds really comfy . Can’t speak highly enough, and a shout out to Deems assistant for 2 weeks always making sure everyone is ok and enjoying themselves Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Spectacular elephant experience—no riding or bathing, but stray-dog care still missing

Jul 6, 2025 Julia T

My 30 Jun–3 Jul stay at Elephant Hills was unforgettable in many ways. The tents are comfortable, guides are knowledgeable and, most important, the elephants are treated with genuine respect: no riding, no bathing, no chains —exactly what an ethical camp should do. My six-year-old son was thrilled. What spoiled the picture Several stray dogs with… Read more
My 30 Jun–3 Jul stay at Elephant Hills was unforgettable in many ways. The tents are comfortable, guides are knowledgeable and, most important, the elephants are treated with genuine respect: no riding, no bathing, no chains —exactly what an ethical camp should do. My six-year-old son was thrilled. What spoiled the picture Several stray dogs with obvious mange were simply shooed away: one appears almost every evening around 19:00-21:00 in the restaurant/pool area; another (“Ampere”) was at the mangrove-tour pier; more itchy dogs roamed the Cheow Lan parking lot. Watching visibly sick animals ignored clashes with the camp’s holistic conservation claim. Actions I took • Soi Dog Foundation told me they plan a mobile CNVR (catch-neuter-vaccinate-return) mission in Khao Sok later this year and would include the camp if they are willing to. • Dr Sam (Khao Lak Pet Centre) is open to support as well. • I forwarded both contacts to management. The operations manager replied, acknowledging the issue and stating they will explore solutions with Soi Dog and Dr Sam. Other sustainability gaps Rodent poison boxes were visible near the tents; humane alternatives would fit the eco-image better. A vegetarian—or ideally plant-based—buffet would also align with wildlife protection. Bottom line Elephant Hills offers fantastic elephant encounters, but credibility will suffer until the stray dogs get basic treatment. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing

Jul 5, 2025 Tina J

Absolutely loved it here. It's our third visit. Great to see you KONG. Made life long memories. Food lovely. Organised to the very minute. Staff so so welcoming. Hope to return. Made my 60th Birthday very special.