When friends asked me about seeing elephants in Thailand, I suggested skipping the usual tourist spots. Instead, we booked a day trip to Kui Buri National Park with Siri Safari, a local tour operator from Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.
The promise was simple: a chance to see elephants living freely in their natural habitat. What we got was a full day of Thai culture, home-cooked food, and yes – wild elephants being exactly that: wild.
Siri Safari stands out because it’s genuinely local. The owner Siri grew up in Kuiburi and runs these small group tours that support her community while showing visitors a side of Thailand that larger tours miss.
How the Day Unfolds
Paul, our English-speaking guide, collected us from our Hua Hin hotel just before 11am. Our small group – five friends plus two other guests – settled into the air-conditioned minivan for the journey to Kuiburi.
Rather than just driving straight to the elephants, Paul used the journey to teach us proper Thai greetings. We practised our wai (traditional Thai greeting) and learned essential phrases we’d use throughout the day. When Siri joined us later, their combined enthusiasm for sharing local knowledge made it clear this wouldn’t be a typical tourist experience.
Local Life at Mr Dam’s
Our first stop wasn’t about elephants at all – it was coffee at Mr Dam 130, a local café in Kui Buri. The walls were covered in old photos and memorabilia, and the menu offered proper Thai coffee which we enjoyed alongside home made fresh mango with sticky rice.
Sitting there, watching local life unfold around us while sipping traditional Thai tea, I realized why Siri planned the day this way. We weren’t just here to spot elephants; we were getting a glimpse of daily life in Kuiburi.
Understanding Thai Buddhism at Wat Kuiburi
“Before we meet the elephants, we should pay our respects,” Siri explained as we pulled up to Wat Kuiburi.
I’ve visited many Thai temples, but this visit felt different.
Instead of rushing through the usual tourist photos, Paul and Siri showed us how to participate in local temple life. We made flower offerings, lit candles, and carefully applied gold leaf to a Buddha statue. Each action came with context – not just what to do, but why Thai people do it.
They even helped us calculate our Buddha days based on our birth dates (mine is Tuesday), complete with its lucky colours and numbers.
What set this temple visit apart was how Paul and Siri bridged cultural understanding, drawing thoughtful parallels between Buddhist practices and other major religions like Christianity and Islam. Even as someone familiar with Thai temples, I found myself discovering entirely new aspects of Buddhist practices through their guidance.
Lunch with Siri’s Family
After the temple, we arrived at a simple outdoor dining area where lunch awaited us. Instead of heading to a tourist restaurant, we found ourselves at wooden tables with dishes served family-style: pork soup, Thai omelette, stir-fried vegetables, prawns in coconut curry, and perfectly steamed rice.
Halfway through the meal, Siri mentioned that her mother had prepared everything and her sisters were helping serve. Suddenly, the meal felt even more special – this wasn’t just tour food, but dishes cooked with care by a Thai family.
The setting was modest but comfortable, and while the food wasn’t fancy, it was delicious home cooking – exactly what you hope to find when you’re away from tourist areas.
For dessert, we tried fresh finger bananas and local oranges. The surprise was a fruit I’d never encountered before – Paul called it ‘sour fruit’ in English. It lived up to its name, but its tangy burst of flavour was oddly addictive. (Mental note: must try this with gin sometime).
As we finished our leisurely lunch, I appreciated how Siri Safari does things differently. Instead of taking tourists to big restaurants, they keep the money in their community – supporting local families like Siri’s while giving visitors like us a more authentic experience.
With full bellies and the afternoon sun high in the sky, it was time to head off in search of elephants.
About Kui buri National Park
Home to around 330 wild elephants, Kui Buri National Park sits at an fascinating boundary. Pineapple and palm plantations border the park’s edges. Unlike elephant camps or sanctuaries, here the elephants roam completely free.
This freedom is precisely what makes Kuiburi special. The park represents a different approach to elephant tourism in Thailand – one where visitors adapt to the elephants’ natural behavior rather than the other way around.
Thailand’s deep respect for elephants shows in how they manage the park. These animals aren’t just tourists attractions; they’re considered national symbols. Every March 13th, Thailand celebrates National Elephant Day (Chang Thai Day), with parks like Kuiburi showcasing why protecting wild elephant habitat matters.
To protect these wild elephants, the park has strict rules. We could only visit during afternoon feeding times (3pm-6pm), and every group needs a registered guide. As Paul explained, these rules aren’t about limiting visitors – they’re about respecting the elephants’ natural patterns.
Searching for Wild Elephants
At 3pm, we climbed into a converted pickup truck with basic bench seats in the back. The park ranger handed out binoculars and kept her radio close – other rangers would alert us if they spotted elephants.
Siri and Paul used the waiting time to point out other wildlife. Hornbills flew overhead, and herons picked through grass where elephants had recently passed. These birds, she explained, often follow elephant herds.
“No guaranteed sightings,” Paul reminded us. “This isn’t a tourist show – it’s real wildlife.” But that’s exactly what made the anticipation more exciting. We might see nothing, or, if lucky, several herds with babies. Today, fortune was on our side.
Our patience was rewarded when we spotted our first elephants – a small herd moving along a distant ridge, their shapes clear against the afternoon sky.
While we were still watching them, a ranger’s radio crackled with news. Just down the path, a mother and baby had been spotted crossing a clearing.
We returned back to the main viewpoint, we got our best sighting of the day so far. A new family group appeared on the ridge, fresh from their afternoon bath at the waterhole. Through our binoculars, we could see water still glistening on their backs as they moved together, about 400 meters from where we stood.
While watching from the truck word came of another group just across the path. We hurried over to find a family group moving together, silhouetted against the setting sun about 200 metres away. Cameras clicked as we watched in amazement.
At that moment one of the babies stumbled slightly, and its mother’s warning trumpet echoed through the valley. Our group quickly backed away – a powerful reminder that we were guests in their territory (ok some backed away but a few of us might have ran!)
By day’s end, we had witnessed around 20 elephants across three different family groups. Paul joked that the morning’s temple blessings had brought us luck, but really it was their expert knowledge of the park that had given us such amazing sightings.
As we drove home through the setting sun, white birds lined the roadside, their calls a farewell to our extraordinary day in the wild. Siri had one final treat for us – her mother’s pad thai, wrapped in banana leaves. We ate in the van, already sharing our favorite moments from the day.
This was more than just seeing elephants – it was a day we won’t forget.
What You Need to Know
Our close encounter with the protective mother elephant showed why Kuiburi’s safety rules matter. These are wild animals in their natural habitat – not trained performers. While the park’s viewing program is well-organized, wild elephants deserve serious respect. They can run faster than you (up to 40 km/h), and their protective instincts are strong, especially around their young.
This is exactly why the park requires expert guides who know elephant behavior and warning signs. You’ll always view from safe distances, and guides will tell you when to move back – listen to them!
Planning Your Visit
Tour Basics: Your 8-hour tour starts at 11am and has you back in Hua Hin by 7pm. Pickups can be arragned from Hua Hin hotels. Group size is a maximum of 8 and its an easy day with walking mostly on flat ground. You do need to climb in and out of the truck but staff will help you if needed.
What’s Included: Transport, meals and water, temple offerings, Park entrance fees and binoculars for everyone.
Bring With You: Camera, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes or sandals
Best Time: Tours run all year but the best views are between December and April, The elephants are most active 3-6pm hence the parks opening hours. I suggest you book ahead as these small groups fill quickly.
Meet Siri
Siri is as much a part of these tours as the elephants and getting to know her and see how much she loves her home and these creatures was very special.
“Being able to run my tour company combines two things I love with all my heart, my home town and the wildlife of our region. I feel good doing this job and showing people how beautiful this part of Thailand is”.
Final Thoughts
This tour perfectly balances wildlife viewing with cultural experiences. While elephant sightings aren’t guaranteed, Siri Safari’s approach offers something special: a chance to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat while supporting local communities and ethical tourism practices.
Book Your Visit
I typically recommend booking at least a few days ahead, especially in peak season (December-February). You can reach Siri Safari through:
Website – Siri Safari or Facebook page: Siri Safari Kui Buri
The tour currently costs 3000 baht per person if you are a group of 4. Prices go down with larger groups. We paid 2000 baht each for our group of 6 but 2 others joined us so we were a group of 8. Private tours are also available from solos or couples. I felt this was fair for an intimate, 8 hour experience that supports both wildlife conservation and the local community.
Note: I joined this tour as a regular paying customer and wrote this review based on my personal experience. All opinions are my own.
Ready to start planning your Thailand trip? Our Facebook community Thailand Awaits Trip Planning for Beginners is here to help. Join thousands of fellow travellers, get your questions answered by Thailand experts, and access free planning resources to make your Thai adventure unforgettable.