Luxury Thailand Wildlife Tours & Private Safaris made for you
Start PlanningImmersive wildlife experiences and jungle lodges in Thailand’s national parks
Thailand‘s wildlife is as diverse and beguiling as its landscapes. Delve into both on our bespoke luxury wildlife tours, heading deep into national parks where elephants, tigers and clouded leopards roam. Stay in intimate lodges surrounded by rainforest or set just outside protected areas. With naturalists and conservationists leading the way, you’ll have the best chances of sightings.
In the UNESCO-protected forest of Khao Yai, Thailand’s oldest national park, we recommend after-dusk safaris to look for nocturnal small Indian civets and Javan porcupines. Meet conservationists working to protect the park’s small population of endangered Indochinese tigers.
Asian elephant sightings are frequent in Kui Buri National Park, with more than 300 living within the mountainous, forested landscapes. And Khao Sok National Park, north of Phuket, is one of our favourite destinations for water-based safaris. Raft down the Sok River and on Cheow Larn Lake, pierced by karst formations, watching for elephants and gaurs (Indian bison). On a guided jungle trek, you may also spot macaques, gibbons and spectacled langurs moving through the canopy.
Kingfishers and sea eagles hunt in the waters, while sunbirds and bee-eaters reside in the surrounding rainforest. For some of Thailand’s best birdwatching, visit coastal Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park between November and February, when migratory waterbirds and raptors join resident species. Combine with nearby Kui Buri, exploring with an ornithologist to find brown fish owls and spectacled spiderhunters.
Get in touch with our travel designers to start planning your bespoke Thailand safari. Our specialists will curate an itinerary with unforgettable wildlife experiences and luxury accommodation.
Experiences picked by our Thailand safari specialists
Take a private night safari
Many animals in Khao Yai National Park become more active at dusk, while others emerge after dark. Join a ranger-led night tour and use a spotlight to look for elephants, Asian black bears and other nocturnal wildlife.
Stay at beachfront V Villas Hua Hin
Stay at V Villas Hua Hin and unwind in your private pool villa. Spend the day exploring nearby Kui Buri National Park and look for wild Asian elephants, gaurs and more than 250 species of birds.
Visit a hillside elephant sanctuary
ChangChill Hillside, in Chiang Mai, is home to resident female elephants that roam freely through the forest and mud pools. Observe these majestic creatures and help prepare their snacks.
Go on a bat walk
As darkness falls over Khao Sok National Park, head out with your guide in search of more than 30 species of bats. Keep watch for tree frogs, atlas moths and flying squirrels too.
Explore the Similan Islands
The remote Similan Islands form part of Mu Ko Similan National Park, off Thailand’s western coast. Snorkel and go scuba diving around coral reefs frequented by sharks, rays, sea turtles and colourful fish.
Hike to see wild elephants
Trek through the forest in Khao Yai National Park to reach Nong Phak Chi Observation Tower. From here, you can look out over a pond where Asian elephants are often seen stopping to drink.
Luxury Thailand acommodation
There are many incredible places to stay on a Thailand wildlife tour. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our safari experts:
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Thailand safari trip inspiration
Get inspired with our Thailand safari example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
Explore more of Thailand
Bangkok
Bangkok is filled with golden temples, bustling markets, rooftop bars and some of Thailand’s best food. Spend a few days exploring at street level and along the Chao Phraya River before travelling on.
Chiang Mai
In Chiang Mai, visit historic temples and lively markets, and sample excellent northern Thai food. Head into the surrounding countryside to experience local culture beyond the city.
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta has long sandy beaches, warm seas and a relaxed island atmosphere. Spend your days swimming, snorkelling and exploring quiet stretches of coastline.
Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Noi is known for peaceful beaches, small villages and beautiful views across Phang Nga Bay. It’s the perfect place to slow down and explore the island by bike or boat, passing rubber plantations and rice paddies along the way.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui pairs palm-fringed beaches and warm tropical waters with jungle-covered hills, waterfalls and laid-back island life. It’s a lovely place to unwind at the end of a wider Thailand journey.
Phuket
Nearby Phuket has sandy beaches, lively towns and the dramatic limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay. Spend a few days swimming, boating or simply slowing down by the sea.
Meet your Asia team
The best time to visit Thailand for wildlife viewing
The dry season, from November to February, is generally the best time to visit Thailand’s national parks, with more accessible trails and reliable opening times. Some trails, viewpoints and attractions close during the green or rainy season, from May to October – when the Similan Islands are also inaccessible.
Wildlife observation also tends to be more richly rewarding in the cooler dry season, when mammals are drawn to water holes. There are opportunities for birdwatching all year round, with an influx of migratory birds to the marine national park, Khao Sam Roi Yot, between December and January. And peak spotting inland during the transitional months of March and October.
Coastal birdwatching
December–January
Elephant observation
December–March
Similan Islands snorkelling
December–April
Rainforest birdwatching
March and October
Plan your custom Thailand wildlife journey
Whatever you want from your trip to Thailand, our team of expert travel designers is ready to help.
Don't take our word for it
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
