Before coming to Khao Sok National Park, we didn’t know a night safari was even a thing. However, we really wanted to try it and see how it is.
While we didn’t have high expectations, we were positively surprised by the experience.
So, here is everything you need to know before going on a night safari in Khao Sok National Park.
About the night safari in Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok rainforest is one of the oldest ones in the world. At more than 160 million years old, Khao Sok National Park is home to over 300 species of birds, 48 species of mammals, more than 90 species of reptiles, and a vast array of amphibians.
Going on a Night Safari in Khao Sok National Park is a great way to see some animals you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see during the day, as they’re nocturnal, such as slow lorises.
It’s only possible to do a guided night safari in Khao Sok National Park (which makes sense). You’ll have an expert local with an eye for spotting all these animals for you. Plus, they’ll give you all the fun facts about them.
Our guide, Rango, was excellent and knowledgeable, especially on the topic of spiders. Seriously, we wouldn’t see half of these animals by ourselves!
The Khao Sok night safari tour lasts about 2 hours and involves walking through the rainforest in the dark with only a headtorch. It’s usually on a well-maintained path. And, while the walk is not challenging, it’s probably not the most suitable for very young children.
How to book the Khao Sok Night safari?
We suggest booking the Khao Sok night jungle safari online here.
Otherwise, you can also book it directly at the national park headquarters or your Khao Sok hotel.
Good to know:
You can only go on a night safari with a guide, and you need to pay for a Khao Sok National Park ticket (300 THB – around 8.5 EUR).
Check this private guided tour, which has excellent reviews from other travelers. They loved the guides who tried their best to avoid other bigger groups in the park.
It also covers the entrance ticket price, which will be valid for the lake visit the next day (if you follow our Khao Sok itinerary. Win-win.
What can you see on a night safari in Khao Sok?
What you see on the Khao Sok National Park night safari really depends on your luck that day. However, you’ll definitely see many spiders (like tarantulas), lizards, frogs, snakes, and insects.
Sometimes, you might spot sleeping birds and monkeys, or if you’re really lucky, some cats (we saw a civet cat!) and the fascinating slow loris.
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Are there tigers or leopards in Khao Sok National Park?
Yes, there are tigers and leopards in Khao Sok National Park, but it’s highly unlikely you’ll see one on a night safari or in the national park at all.
A rare clouded leopard was seen in Khao Sok National Park in 2020, but it is far from where the tourists go and was spotted on a camera trap. On the other hand, tigers haven’t been seen in Khao Sok for decades. While a small population of tigers might be left, they’re definitely somewhere deeper, in a more inaccessible part of the jungle.
Animals we saw on a night safari in Khao Sok
Our two favorite sightings during the night safari in Khao Sok National Park were definitely a civet cat and slow loris.
One of the coolest things we learned at the Night Jungle Safari was that tarantulas are essentially blind. So if you don’t come close to them, they don’t see you, which is great because we’re not really fans of spiders.
Also, there was this cool spider called the trapdoor spider. It digs a hole in the side of a hill and builds a door that it uses to grab nearby prey.
And we finally got to see what the famous cicadas look like. Cicadas are the animals that you will definitely hear when you come to Southeast Asia because they are crazy loud and hard to miss.
The story of the cicada’s life is quite sad because they spend about five years (some 17 years) in the ground before they come up. Then, they lay their legs and live for a few more weeks before they die.
We also managed to find a flying lizard and a scorpion. Did you know scorpions glow during the night? 🤔
We also saw a few different snakes, frogs, insects, lizards, and a beautiful, colorful bird.
Tips for Khao Sok Night Safari
- Be quiet! If you’re loud, animals will get scared and disappear, lowering your chance of seeing some cool ones.
- Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes.
- Khao Sok is famous for being the home of many leeches that are especially easy to come by during the rainy season. But don’t worry; they don’t carry any bacteria, viruses, or toxins. Just come prepared.
- We recommend putting on insect repellent before the tour.
- Book a guided Khao Sok night safari tour a night before your trip to Cheow Lan Lake. That way, the national park ticket will be valid for your lake trip the next day as well! Read more in our complete guide to Khao Sok National Park.
- Don’t book a tour for the full moon, as there are fewer animals to see at that time.
- Don’t forget to get travel insurance before the trip! Click here to save 5% on your next travel insurance!
What to Expect on Your Night Safari in Khao Sok
The night safari tour in Khao Sok typically lasts around 2 hours, starting from 6 to 7 PM.
You will walk through the dark, following your guide, who will point out animals hiding in the dark. Seriously, without guides, we wouldn’t see half of these animals. 😁
Unfortunately, yes, there will be a lot of other people on night safari at the same time. That’s why we recommend a private tour like this one, where your guide will try to avoid all the other groups of people. Ours did a great job!
Is Khao Sok’s night safari worth it?
If you’re wondering if going on a night safari in Khao Sok is worth it, we would say absolutely yes.
You can walk through an ancient rainforest in the dark, spotting some fantastic wildlife like slow loris, civet cats, tarantulas, snakes, etc.
While it, of course, can’t compare to an African safari, it still offers a pretty cool experience. And if you’re already visiting Khao Sok National Park, it would be a shame not to experience this, too.
Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with family, a night safari in Khao Sok is a must-do experience for anyone seeking to explore the jungle after dark.
Final thoughts
Thank you for reading our guide on Khao Sok Night Safari. We hope we answered all of your questions. If you still have any left, leave a comment below! 🥰
And if you decide to go on a night safari in Khao Sok, let us know your experience!
Plan your Khao Sok trip
If you still haven’t finished planning your Khao Sok trip, we’re here to help!
- Read our guide on staying in floating bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake
- Next, check our Guide to Khao Sok to find more things to do in the area, the best time to visit, and all other tips for visiting.
- Need help with deciding how many days to spend in Khao Sok? Read our itinerary for Khao Sok.
- Searching for a perfect hotel to stay at? Check out our guide to the best hotels in Khao Sok for all budgets.
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