During our two week stay in Hua Hin we want to explore several beautiful places in the surrounding area. We drive twice to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park and we visit Kui Buri National Park, a place known as the best spot in Thailand to see elephants in the wild. In this article I tell you everything you need to know about this remarkable place in the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Read this article in DutchWhere Kui Buri National Park is located and why it is so special
Kui Buri National Park is located in southern Thailand, in the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, about an hour’s drive south of Hua Hin. The park borders the Tenasserim mountain range, which stretches along the border with Myanmar. Covering almost one thousand square kilometres, Kui Buri is a vast natural area of forests, hills, grasslands and open plains.
What makes Kui Buri so special is the combination of space, tranquillity and a large population of wild animals. Unlike many other national parks in Thailand, this is not a place for walking trails or waterfalls. Everything here revolves around observing wildlife in their natural habitat. Thanks to controlled visitor numbers and the requirement to enter the park with a guide, the area remains quiet and unspoiled, which increases your chances of spotting animals.
The wildlife you can see in Kui Buri
Kui Buri National Park is best known for its large population of wild Asian elephants. Several hundred elephants live in and around the park, which means the chances of seeing them here are quite high. Kui Buri is also one of the best places in Thailand to spot gaur. These large wild cattle, also known as Indian bison, can grow to an impressive size. More than one hundred gaur live in the park, and you can often see them grazing in groups on the open grasslands.
In addition to elephants and gaur, the park is home to deer, wild boar, macaques and various other monkey species. With a bit of luck you might even encounter rarer animals such as a tapir, an Asiatic black bear or even a leopard or tiger, although sightings of these species are extremely rare. Bird lovers will also be happy here. Hundreds of bird species have been recorded in Kui Buri, ranging from colourful kingfishers to large birds of prey.
How to get to Kui Buri
There is no public transport to Kui Buri National Park, but there are several easy ways to get there.
- By rental car: Renting a car in Hua Hin is straightforward and many travellers already arrive with a rental car from Bangkok. Driving in Thailand is manageable, especially if you choose a car with full all risk insurance so you will not face unexpected costs.
- By guided tour: Several tours to Kui Buri National Park are offered from Hua Hin. You can find them on platforms such as Viator or GetYourGuide, which are ideal if you prefer everything to be arranged in advance.
- By Bolt or Grab: You can also travel to the park using Bolt or Grab. Make sure to agree on a pick up time with your driver, as it is not possible to request a new ride from the park via the app.
- By private driver: Most accommodations can arrange a private driver for the day. This is especially convenient if you want to combine Kui Buri with other places in the region.
How to explore Kui Buri National Park
If you drive to Kui Buri with a rental car, you cannot enter the park with your own vehicle. Visitors may only enter in one of the official safari trucks accompanied by a guide. During our visit we could book a safari jeep upon arrival at the reception and pay the park entrance fee at the same time. Shortly after our visit, however, several changes were introduced.
New: book a safari tour in Kui Buri National Park in advance
A daily limit has recently been set for the number of safari vehicles allowed into the park, with a maximum of one hundred per day. The booking system has also changed. To guarantee your visit you can reserve a safari vehicle through this page. You pay a fixed price per vehicle, whether you are travelling with two people or six. It is unclear to me whether it is still possible to book a safari on the spot. Perhaps it is, but you may risk that the daily limit has already been reached, which would be a real disappointment. Keep in mind that this reservation only secures your safari jeep. The park entrance fee is paid separately on site. You can find the current prices and opening hours for Kui Buri here.
Please note: navigate to this specific location in Google Maps; if you simply enter “Kui Buri National Park,” Google Maps will direct you to the park’s headquarters, which is not the correct place to start your safari.
My experience in Kui Buri National Park
Soon after we arrive, our safari jeep with guide is ready. The guide speaks a little English, but with gestures and enthusiastic explanations we understand each other perfectly. We have the entire afternoon to ourselves, as the price for the jeep covers the period from 14.00 to 18.00. The jeep continues driving until closing time unless we indicate that we want to finish earlier.
The sandy tracks lead us through a stunning landscape. We drive through dense forests, across rolling and wide grasslands and past lakes and small rivers, with mountain ranges constantly in the distance. It is an incredibly beautiful area.
Before long we spot several birds and also large groups of gaur. The elephants take a little longer to appear, but at the second of the three viewpoints where we can get out, we see a group of about fifteen elephants grazing in the distance alongside cattle. It is a wonderful sight. Most of the park is inaccessible, as no roads have been built there. This allows the animals to retreat whenever they wish, which adds to the feeling of an honest and respectful safari.
The driver and guide are in no way pushy and never urge us to move on quickly when we stop at a viewpoint. We take our time on several occasions to watch and enjoy the moment, which is truly appreciated.
Combining Kui Buri with Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Kui Buri National Park combines very well with Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, as both parks are located in the same region and are easily accessible from Hua Hin. While Kui Buri focuses on wildlife and safari experiences, Khao Sam Roi Yot is known for its limestone mountains, mangroves, beaches and caves. This contrast makes it enjoyable to visit both parks during one trip. You experience impressive landscapes as well as remarkable wildlife, giving you a complete picture of this part of Thailand.
Where to stay near Kui Buri National Park
We stay in an Airbnb in Hua Hin, about one and a half hours from Kui Buri National Park. If you prefer to stay closer to the park, there are several lovely options in the surrounding area. If you enjoy a touch of luxury, take a look at the beautiful villas of Tolani Resort. The Beach Village Resort is located in Sam Roi Yot near the beach and Tolani Le Bayburi Villas also offers stunning high end accommodation. If you prefer something less upscale, Kalamona Seaview is a comfortable place with good reviews. These four accommodations are all about an hour’s drive from Kui Buri National Park.
