You’ll never forget the elephants!

Described as Thailand’s first ‘Luxury Tented Jungle Camps’, Elephant Hills is situated close to the jungle of Khao Sok National Park, in the largest area of rainforest in Southern Thailand. And yes, it is luxurious and very, very comfortable indeed… glamping with all the amenities you’d expect in a 4-Star hotel. It’s also easy to reach from all the major tourist destinations like Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi, which makes it easy to plan a two, three or four-day jungle safari as part of your holiday in Thailand.

Elephant Hills actually comprises two camps, but each is equal to the other in terms of comfort and luxury. The main 'Elephant Camp' is located at the edge of the national park, while the secondary 'The Lake Camp' is in the heart of Khao Sok, situated in the middle of Cheow Larn Lake. Both locations are stunning.

Conservation and protecting the natural environment and wildlife is at the top of many people’s agenda. At Elephant Hills you can see – first hand – just how this conservation project operates and know that your visit will actually support the work being done there. Being able to watch elephants up close in their natural habitat and interact with them is very special indeed, and we could only marvel at their size and character. As part of your visit, you also learn about the elephant handlers and the day-to-day work they do to keep the elephants healthy and happy.

At Elephant Hills you can spot rare wildlife on your jungle treks, and gaze in awe at towering limestone karst formations and the emerald-green water of Cheow Lan Lake. The amazing thing about Elephant Hills is that you don’t only get a snapshot, you really see and experience the scale of what is involved. It’s magical.

You can choose a two, three or four-day safari. All of them include elephant interactions but you’ll learn about the flora and fauna of the forest too. And depending on what you want to do, your trip can also incorporate canoeing on the Sok River, trekking in the jungle, exploring Takuapa’s mangrove swamps or glamping near the Ping River.

With so much to see and do on each of the safari options you’ll also be pleased that after an adventurous day you can head back to camp to unwind in your luxury tent, or have a dip in the swimming pool and marvel at the view of the jungle as you relax. And as for the catering, well there’s a delicious Thai buffet in the open-air restaurant every night as well as the Jungle Explorer’s bar, where you can share tales and experiences with other guests.

I now realise there’s glamping, and there’s Glamping! At Elephant Hills the concept has been taken to a completely different level. Each ‘tent’ has a wooden floor, a proper, comfortable bed, electricity, WiFi, and an en-suite bathroom. Really, the only thing that makes this accommodation feel tent-like is the fact that you are so close to nature you could touch it. Nothing had prepared me for the experience of glamping in the jungle, and I loved waking each morning to the sounds of birds and creatures calling to each other next to my tent.

I spent 3 wonderful days at Elephant Hills and will never forget my time there. It’s one thing to observe and admire creatures in their natural habitat, but to be able to immerse yourself in such an amazing conservation project while enjoying a luxury holiday is very special indeed.

Top Tips

• As you’d expect from such a trailblazing conservation project, Elephant Hills has water stations dotted around the camps, so take a reusable water bottle with you. • February is one of the best times of the year to visit. Plan for some winter sunshine and combine your jungle adventure at Elephant Hills with a relaxing beach escape in Thailand. • Plan to experience rain when you’re visiting Thailand. Rain is what makes the country so beautiful. • Take comfortable, slip-resistant shoes. The jungle can be muddy. • Haggling is the order of the day if you take a taxi to go out and about in Thailand. I found I could halve the price by haggling; but if the taxi is metered, make sure the meter is turned on before the taxi starts!