Elephant Hills Lake Camp
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Elephant Hills Lake Camp is an intimate floating glamping retreat anchored on Cheow Lan Lake in the heart of Khao Sok National Park. Twenty safari-style tents provide an unusual opportunity to sleep directly above the water, surrounded by limestone karsts, dense rainforest and the changing reflections of one of southern Thailand’s most dramatic landscapes.
The camp cannot be reserved as an independent hotel stay. An overnight visit forms part of Elephant Hills’ three- or four-day Jungle & Lake Safari programmes, which combine the floating camp with The Elephant Camp, guided activities, meals and shared transfers. The experience is best suited to couples, adventurous travellers and families with children aged seven or over.
Each tent stands on an individually anchored floating platform connected to the camp’s communal areas by timber walkways. Private decks face the jade-green lake and forested mountains, allowing guests to watch mist gather above the water in the morning or enjoy the stillness of the national park after day visitors have departed.
The design takes inspiration from classic African safari camps while adapting carefully to the sensitive lake environment. Canvas walls, timber furniture and simple natural finishes create a rustic atmosphere, complemented by proper beds, private bathrooms and solar-powered lighting. There is no Wi-Fi or mobile telephone signal, making the stay a genuine digital detox.
The camp offers a single Luxury Safari Tent category, furnished with either one large double bed or two separate twin beds. An additional portable bed can be arranged for a third adult, while selected family arrangements can accommodate two adults and two children through a combination of an extra bed and shared existing bedding.
Every tent includes an en-suite bathroom with a hot and cold shower, electricity, lighting and a private deck overlooking the lake. Power is generated principally from solar and wind energy and must be used carefully, so high-consumption appliances such as hairdryers cannot be operated. Guests are advised to travel to the lake with a small overnight bag rather than full-size luggage.
Meals are served communally within the camp’s floating dining area and are included as part of the selected safari programme. Breakfast, lunch and dinner focus principally on freshly prepared Thai cuisine, with dishes generally moderated in spice to suit international guests and accompanied by fruit, vegetables and familiar alternatives.
Dining schedules follow the day’s guided activities, creating an informal and sociable atmosphere as guests gather after kayaking or rainforest walks. Drinks are available from the camp bar, while dietary requirements should be communicated before arrival so the kitchen can prepare suitable alternatives within the limitations of the remote location.
Kayaks are available for exploring the quiet inlets and forested shoreline directly from the camp. Guided outings provide opportunities to observe hornbills, macaques, gibbons and other wildlife, although sightings can never be guaranteed. Swimming in the lake is also possible at suitable times and under the guidance of the camp team.
Programme activities may include longtail-boat journeys across Cheow Lan Lake, guided rainforest trekking, wildlife observation and time to relax on the private deck. The wider Jungle & Lake Safari also includes a canoe journey on the Sok River and Elephant Hills’ observation-based elephant experience, during which guests learn about the animals and their care without elephant riding.
The camp floats in a remote section of Cheow Lan Lake within Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani Province. It has no conventional road address or direct vehicle access; guests reach it by longtail boat as part of the organised Elephant Hills itinerary, accompanied by trained English-speaking Thai guides.
Shared transfers are incorporated into eligible packages from selected hotels, airports and meeting points in Phuket, Khao Lak, Phang Nga, Krabi, Surat Thani and Koh Samui. Weather, water levels and local conditions can affect schedules and activities, reinforcing the adventurous character of the experience.
Elephant Hills Lake Camp received the Responsible Thailand Award for Eco Lodge in 2018, recognising its approach to low-impact accommodation within the protected lake environment.
The camp uses solar and wind energy, collects and treats wastewater on the mainland, minimises disposable plastic and transports waste away from the lake for sorting. Refillable bottles, recyclable glass containers and consolidated supply journeys further reduce the operational impact of its remote location.