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 Surat Thani 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 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 features 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 (2702)
  • Very good (277)
  • Average (77)
  • Poor (26)
  • Terrible (13)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating 10/10 would highly recommend. Action packed couple of days, great facility, the food is fantastic, great selection!

Sep 19, 2025 Travel39189900519 Birr, Ireland

Perfect end to a two week honeymoon in Thailand! Staff are out of this world, informative, helpful and caring! Would definitely recommend!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating You need to book this trip!

Sep 17, 2025 lauracU7003JL

Elephant hills was an incredible experience! So much packed into 3 days. Canoeing down the river spotting wildlife, feeding elephants, a day at the lake swimming and kayaking and a trek through the jungle. The tents are very well equipped and comfortable (take mosquito spray though! You are in the jungle!) the views are beautiful, surrounded by… Read more
Elephant hills was an incredible experience! So much packed into 3 days. Canoeing down the river spotting wildlife, feeding elephants, a day at the lake swimming and kayaking and a trek through the jungle. The tents are very well equipped and comfortable (take mosquito spray though! You are in the jungle!) the views are beautiful, surrounded by greenery and mountains and so many wild animals and bugs right outside your door. The place was spotlessly clean and tidy. The only noise we heard was the sound of crickets and gibbons which was lovely to hear. Big choice of food available and for someone who’s fussy eating like me they catered for that with my own separate meals. This trip is definitely great value and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Thailand. We absolutely loved it. Special thanks to Sam, our tour guide who was very kind, knowledgeable and made us feel so welcome. Also huge thanks to Bon who helped me manage to complete all activities in a moon boot recovering from a broken leg! He was by my side every bit so I didn’t fall! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A lovely experience

Sep 13, 2025 joancollins69 Melbourne, Australia

Communication was outstanding and very well informed before arriving from Patong Transfer vehicles on time and very clean safe vehicle The jungle lodge is spacious lush and the mountains make a beautiful background to pool dinning bar entertainment area Not quite glamping but close Spacious tent and lovely bed Just everything smells damp and my… Read more
Communication was outstanding and very well informed before arriving from Patong Transfer vehicles on time and very clean safe vehicle The jungle lodge is spacious lush and the mountains make a beautiful background to pool dinning bar entertainment area Not quite glamping but close Spacious tent and lovely bed Just everything smells damp and my novel after two days there curled It had been very wet Food delicious and sooooo much Elephants...lovely and ive done various ethical stuff before and done better This wasn't amazing for me as it just was very formulaic and meh But tourists loved and pachyderm seemed well cared for River Cruise fine with somewildlife spotted near lodge Floating camp was just lovely and so peaceful with gibbons right behind and horn bills directly above These digs much more glamping No wifi or signal here Again excellent food if anything to much Staff made my birthday very special here Nature hike a challenge so be prepared for steep conditions and bring real hiking shoes esp if rain about Saw some beasts Id say not a true wildlife experience in that if the animals turn up its a bonus , not the lodges fault nor guide as its not the USP I thoroughly enjoyed my time and khao sok is simply stunning Big thanks to my guide Pearl who really is an asset to the company Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating What a fantastic experience !!!!

Sep 9, 2025 22kirstym Glasgow, United Kingdom

What a fantastic experience !!! Beautiful setting within the National park promoting sustainability and conservation . We were treated to a first class friendly welcome from staff as soon as we arrived at the resort . Clean tidy , well kept grounds and utilities . Tents were great though no air-con but a large fan in room which we had to turn off… Read more
What a fantastic experience !!! Beautiful setting within the National park promoting sustainability and conservation . We were treated to a first class friendly welcome from staff as soon as we arrived at the resort . Clean tidy , well kept grounds and utilities . Tents were great though no air-con but a large fan in room which we had to turn off at times , too cold . Everything you would need in a hotel provided . We started our experience with a guided canoe tour down the river with guides pointing out various wild life . Then on to visit the elephants WOW what great work they do with rescued domesticated elephants who couldn't last if set freed . They are happy , well fed and well looked after which was great to see . You don't get a lot of time with the Elephants but learning about each one and their stories chopping their food and feeding them from behind the barrier was best for them . 2nd day we went to the lake via the Dam stunning views before getting the boat over to the lake camp 😍 beautiful , we paddle boarded canoed fed the fish had a great time . 3rd day jungle trek before leaving 😔 every meal was outstanding and special . For people looking for exciting night life be mindful you are in the jungle best find that elsewhere . We were in bed early as up for the next days adventure . Shout out to our guides Tam , Pond and Peet who were fantastic . Thanks Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Extremely deceiving advertising

Sep 8, 2025 Susan C

Please dont book elephant hills tent camp expecting elephants to be there as they are not there. They are 15 mins drive away. U only get taken there once in 4 days and feed them behind a fence. That's it. You then get taken back to the tents and they are horrible dark dingy and dirty. There's nothing to do in the evening and you're miles away… Read more
Please dont book elephant hills tent camp expecting elephants to be there as they are not there. They are 15 mins drive away. U only get taken there once in 4 days and feed them behind a fence. That's it. You then get taken back to the tents and they are horrible dark dingy and dirty. There's nothing to do in the evening and you're miles away from any shops bars restaurants. If you want a holiday surrounded by elephants and luxury, don't go there. I've just got back. Extremely sad and having paid a fortune. The adverts are very deceiving.they even use statues in their photos to make u think elephants are there at the camp Read less