The rainforest of Khao Sok covers an area of 739km² and at 160 million years old is thought to be the oldest rainforest on earth.
Together with the two contiguous wildlife sanctuaries of Klong Saen and Klong Nakkha and the adjacent national park of Kaeng Kung, Khao Sok is one of the largest protected areas in southern Thailand and one of Asia’s last viable habitats for tigers and other large mammals.
Carpeted in lush tropical evergreen forests, Khao Sok straddles the central mountain range of the Thai-Malay peninsula midway between Phuket Island and Koh Samui.
Wake up to the sound of hooting gibbons and the sight of the mist-shrouded limestone crags that dominate the park and reach up to 1000m high.
Choose to explore the rainforest on a number of easy jungle trails, on foot, from atop an elephant or gliding down the Sok River in a canoe; the latter offers the chance to explore the enormous Cheow Lan Lake and its shoreside caves.
Khao Sok is home to more than 48 species of animal and some of Thailand’s most en-dangered species, including the clouded leopard, the tiger, marbled cat, Rusa’s barking deer and banded civet.
Look out for elephant, gaur and banteng (two species of wild cattle), Malay tapir, sambar deer, the Asiatic black bear and Malay sun bear, otter, gibbon and langur.
The great Argus pheasant and five species of hornbill are among the 184 bird species recorded here.
Spot the Bua Phut (Rafflesis kerri Meijer), one of the world’s rarest plants, and two new species of palm found only in Khao Sok, as well as fig, banana and coconut palm trees.
Try elephant trekking, hiking, kayaking or take a jeep safari through the park.
Choose from well-appointed guesthouse bungalows situated on the edge of Cheow Lan Lake, in the trees or floating lakeside.
Some of the bungalows available include Art's Riverview Jungle Lodge, Khao Sok Rainforest Resort, Morning Mist Resort, Our Jungle House, Saichol Resort (photo) and Treetops River Huts.
The best time to visit is during the dry season from late December to early February, with an average temperature of 30°C (86°F).
From June to November, Khao Sok becomes the wettest place in Thailand.
Khao Sok is situated in southern Thailand in Surat Thani province, and is easily accessible from Khao Lak, Phuket and Surat Thani.
Nearby Phuket is perfect for sunbathing, game fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving, as well as a spot of nightlife.
Phuket – the top beach resort island in Thailand – is renowned for numerous stunning beaches, snorkelling and off-shore scuba diving.
Phuket also offers an amazing variety of day and nighttime activities for everyone: sea kayak around Phang Nga Bay,relax on a junk, charter a boat and fish for barracuda and dorado, take in a colourful Thai dance show and later relax over suburb Thai cuisine at one of the many beach restaurants or hit a go-go bar or disco at Patong Beach and dance the night away.
Nearby Krabi is the perfect spot to go rock-climbing.
Latest update: Eco adventures – Khao Sok National Park: 6 May, 2025
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