22/10/2026
DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT: ELEPHANT HILLS & THE BUSH CAMP, THAILAND🌴
If you're looking for a Thailand experience that goes beyond the beautiful beaches, this is one to add to your bucket list! 🐘
Imagine waking up surrounded by tropical rainforest, staying in luxury safari-style tents, cruising past dramatic limestone cliffs and spending time discovering Thailand's incredible wildlife. Elephant Hills and The Bush Camp offer a wonderful combination of adventure, nature, culture and responsible tourism.
🐘 ELEPHANT HILLS – KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK
Set amongst the spectacular rainforest of southern Thailand, Elephant Hills is home to two unique camps, offering a choice of jungle adventure or an unforgettable overnight stay on a lake.
✨The Elephant Camp✨
Stay in spacious luxury safari tents with comfortable beds, a private en-suite bathroom, hot showers, fans, electricity and even Wi-Fi. It’s glamping with a real touch of luxury, right in the heart of nature!
Experiences can include:
🌿 An ethical elephant experience, learning about their care and observing them in their natural surroundings
🛶 A guided canoe trip along the Sok River, passing lush jungle and towering limestone cliffs
🥾 Guided rainforest treks to discover the incredible flora and fauna of Khao Sok National Park
🚤 Exploring the breathtaking Cheow Lan Lake by traditional longtail boat
🌳 Wildlife spotting and learning about the rainforest ecosystem
🍜 Delicious Thai food, cultural experiences and time to relax amongst the incredible scenery
✨The Lake Camp – a truly special stay✨
The floating tents have comfortable beds, an en-suite bathroom and hot showers, with solar-powered electricity and Wi-Fi. The camp is designed to work in harmony with its surroundings, so facilities are a little more limited than at the main camp.
During your stay, you can enjoy kayaking on the lake, swimming where conditions permit, boat trips, wildlife watching and simply soaking up the peace and extraordinary views. There is something magical about waking up on the water with the rainforest all around you!
👨👩👧👦 Good to know for families: Children must be at least 4 years old for Elephant Hills, and 7 years old for an overnight stay at the Lake Camp.
🐘 THE BUSH CAMP – CHIANG MAI
For those exploring northern Thailand, The Bush Camp offers a different but equally special elephant and nature experience, set beside the Ping River with beautiful mountain and jungle views.
You'll stay in luxurious African-style tents with air conditioning, comfortable beds, en-suite facilities and Wi-Fi. There's also an infinity pool overlooking the scenery, plus an open-air restaurant serving Thai and Western dishes.
Experiences include:
🌿 A respectful, hands-off elephant experience, observing the elephants as they roam and behave naturally
🍃 Learning about elephant care and the work of their mahouts
☕ Discovering local Karen culture and traditions
🌳 Exploring the surrounding natural environment and birdlife
🏊 Relaxing by the infinity pool after a day of adventures
🍽️ Enjoying delicious meals and the peaceful surroundings
The Bush Camp is approximately two hours from Chiang Mai Airport, with transfers included in its tour packages. Children must be at least 4 years old.
💚 RESPONSIBLE TOURISM THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
What makes these experiences even more special is the work behind the scenes.
Elephant Hills and The Bush Camp support a range of conservation and community projects, including:
Elephant conservation: supporting elephant hospitals and initiatives to improve elephant welfare.
Children's projects: helping rural children access education and supporting local schools.
Wildlife monitoring: using camera traps to learn more about wildlife living in the surrounding rainforest.
Sustainability: reducing plastic waste, using renewable energy at camp and planting trees to help offset emissions.
Elephant Hills has received international recognition for its responsible tourism and animal welfare work, including the Responsible Thailand Award for Animal Welfare in 2024 and 2025, and a 100% rating in an independent animal welfare audit. The Bush Camp was also named Asia's Leading Luxury Camping Company at the 2024 World Travel Awards.
And importantly, elephant riding is not offered. The focus is on observing these magnificent animals and respecting their welfare.
✨ My thoughts? These are the kinds of experiences that can turn a Thailand holiday into something truly unforgettable. Whether you're travelling as a family, a couple or an adventure-loving traveller, combining jungle exploration, luxury camping and meaningful wildlife encounters could be an incredible addition to your itinerary.
You can even combine these experiences with Thailand's beautiful beaches for the best of both worlds!
Thinking about Thailand? Get in touch and let's create your perfect journey.
