Kui Buri National Park Thailand
Experience a true safari in Thailand's Kui Buri National Park, home to wild elephants and diverse wildlife.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best chance for elephant sightings
Kui Buri National Park Thailand
Best Time
Best chance for elephant sightings
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience a true safari in Thailand's Kui Buri National Park, home to wild elephants and diverse wildlife.
"An excellent experience and a highlight of our Thailand trip, offering incredible wild elephant encounters."
🎯 Hire a Car for Flexibility
Having your own vehicle makes getting to Kui Buri easier and cheaper than organized tours.
💰 Share Costs for Safari Jeep
Split the 850 THB jeep and guide fee with friends to make the safari more affordable.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Wild Elephant Encounters
Throughout the park
Witness majestic Asian elephants in their natural habitat. A truly unforgettable safari experience.
Gaur and Other Wildlife
Open grasslands
Spot herds of gaur (Indian bison) and diverse birdlife, including hornbills.
Scenic Forest Drives
Park roads
Enjoy breathtaking views of lush forests and rolling hills from your safari jeep.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Key for Elephant Sightings
Smart Ways to Visit Kui Buri
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Hire a Car for Flexibility
Having your own vehicle makes getting to Kui Buri easier and cheaper than organized tours. +1
💰 Share Costs for Safari Jeep
Split the 850 THB jeep and guide fee with friends to make the safari more affordable.
🐘 Patience is a Virtue
Guides are skilled at finding elephants, but sometimes you need to wait. It's worth it!
📸 Bring Binoculars
Elephants can sometimes be spotted at a distance, so binoculars enhance the viewing experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Hire a Car for Flexibility
Having your own vehicle makes getting to Kui Buri easier and cheaper than organized tours. +1
💰 Share Costs for Safari Jeep
Split the 850 THB jeep and guide fee with friends to make the safari more affordable.
🐘 Patience is a Virtue
Guides are skilled at finding elephants, but sometimes you need to wait. It's worth it!
📸 Bring Binoculars
Elephants can sometimes be spotted at a distance, so binoculars enhance the viewing experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Kui Buri National Park as an excellent and unforgettable experience, often calling it a highlight of their Thailand trips. The opportunity to see wild elephants and other animals in their natural habitat is a major draw, with many appreciating the knowledgeable guides and the scenic drives. Some visitors found it a bit far from Hua Hin, and a few had unlucky days with no elephant sightings, but the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
"Excellent experience and a highlight of our Thailand trip. We had our own car which made getting to the park much easier and cheaper than a private tour. We arrived at 2pm and set off into the park straight away. After a short trip we were guided to a group of 25+ Elephants. Couldn't recommend this highly enough."
Mark Cunningham
"We did the wild elephant watching in Kui Buri National Park and it was incredible! We came here to the enterace first for information then headed to the elephant watching area to buy tickets. Don't fall for the tours if you're staying in Hua Hin, they're over priced. We hired a car between 3 of us which was 1500 baht, then 200 baht per person for park enterance, and 850 baht for the truck, driver and guide between us. Our guide and driver were great and we were lucky enough to see about 20 wild elephant as well as other animals!"
Megan Danielle
"A must-visit for wildlife lovers! Driving through scenic forest trails, you’ll have the chance to spot majestic wild elephants grazing peacefully and herds of gaur roaming the open grasslands. The park is home to hornbills, deer, and many other species, making every visit a true safari experience in Thailand. The peaceful atmosphere, stunning mountain views, and close encounters with nature make Kui Buri an unforgettable adventure."
Lee Hasalem
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Kui Buri National Park is about a 2-hour drive from Hua Hin. While organized tours are available, many visitors opt to hire a car or share a taxi to save money and gain flexibility. Having your own transport allows you to arrive at your own pace and potentially explore more of the Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
The park is located in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. While not as close as some other attractions to Hua Hin, signage is generally good. It's recommended to use GPS or ask locals for directions if you're driving yourself.
Yes, you can visit without a car by booking a tour from Hua Hin. However, these tours can be more expensive. Alternatively, you can arrange a taxi or shared ride with other travelers to reach the park entrance.
Once you arrive at the park entrance, you'll need to hire a safari jeep with a driver and guide to explore the wildlife viewing areas. This is the standard and most effective way to see the animals. +1
Direct public transport to the park entrance is limited. Most visitors rely on private car hire, taxis, or organized tours from nearby towns like Hua Hin.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The park entrance fee is typically 200 Thai Baht per person. This fee grants you access to the park's general areas.
A safari jeep with a driver and guide usually costs around 850 Thai Baht. This fee is for the vehicle and guide, and it's often shared among the passengers.
It's best to head to the park entrance first for information and then proceed to the elephant watching area to purchase your tickets and arrange for a jeep and guide. Arriving around 2 PM is recommended.
Information on specific discounts for children or groups is not widely publicized. It's advisable to inquire directly at the park entrance upon arrival for the most current pricing.
The park is generally open in the afternoon, with the best viewing times for elephants being from around 2 PM until closing at 6 PM.
🎫 🐘 Wildlife Viewing
The main attraction is spotting wild Asian elephants. You also have a good chance of seeing herds of gaur (Indian bison), deer, various bird species including hornbills, and junglefowl.
While sightings are frequent, it's not guaranteed. Many visitors report seeing elephants, sometimes in large groups, but some have had unlucky days. Patience and arriving in the afternoon increase your chances.
Late afternoon, typically from 2 PM onwards, is considered the prime time for elephant sightings as they often come out to graze and drink.
Yes, a guide is essential for wildlife viewing within the park. They are experienced in tracking animals and know the best spots to increase your chances of sightings. The safari jeep comes with a driver and guide. +1
No, for safety and to effectively track wildlife, you must be in a designated safari jeep with a guide. Walking is generally not permitted in the wildlife viewing areas.
📸 📸 Photography
The open grasslands and forest edges are prime locations for photographing elephants and gaur. Keep your camera ready as sightings can happen quickly.
While guides aim to get you good views, safety is paramount. You'll likely see elephants from a respectful distance within the jeep. Telephoto lenses are recommended for capturing detailed shots.
A camera with a good zoom lens (telephoto) is highly recommended to capture wildlife from a distance. A wide-angle lens can be useful for landscape shots of the park.
Drone usage in national parks is often restricted or prohibited to protect wildlife and maintain a peaceful environment. It's best to check park regulations upon arrival.
Absolutely! Keep an eye out for hornbills, deer, and gaur. The diverse birdlife also offers great photographic opportunities for birdwatchers.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's advisable to bring snacks and drinks, as options within the park are limited. The late afternoon timing means you'll be returning after sunset, so consider this if your children have early bedtimes. Binoculars can add an extra layer of fun for kids, allowing them to get a closer look at the animals from the safety of the jeep.
💰 Budget Travelers
Packing your own food and water will also help save money. The park is best experienced in the afternoon, so you can potentially combine a visit with other activities in the Prachuap Khiri Khan province during the morning.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Thrill of the Wild Elephant Safari
Visitors often describe the experience as a true safari, with guides patiently waiting and maneuvering the jeeps to provide the best possible viewing opportunities. While sightings are common, the exact location and number of elephants can vary daily. The late afternoon is generally considered the most active time for elephants, as they emerge to graze and drink.
Beyond elephants, the park also boasts a diverse ecosystem supporting herds of gaur, deer, various bird species including the striking hornbill, and other smaller mammals. The drive itself through the lush forests and open grasslands offers a beautiful backdrop, making the entire excursion a memorable adventure.
Planning Your Visit: Costs and Logistics
Many travelers recommend arriving around 2 PM to allow ample time for the safari. While tours from Hua Hin are available, they can be significantly more expensive. Hiring a car and driving yourself, or sharing a taxi with fellow travelers, is often a more budget-friendly approach. This also provides more flexibility in your schedule.
It's important to note that the park is primarily an afternoon destination, with the safari tours concluding around 6 PM. The guides are crucial to the experience, as they possess the knowledge and skills to locate the wildlife, ensuring a rewarding visit for all.
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