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Khao Sok National Park [Bird watching & Wildlife Observation] |
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We see Great Hornbills, Bushy-crested Hornbills, Wreathed Hornbills, and Helmeted Hornbills on almost every trip. If you’ve never seen a hornbill, this will be a very special treat! Dave has sighted and is familiar with most of birds in southern Thailand. You don’t have to be a seasoned birder to enjoy the pleasures of birding in this tropical wonderland. Dave’s enthusiasm will make your birding time both educational and fun. Long-tailed macaques, pig-tail macaques, dusky langurs, and even gibbons are seen on most trips. One thing is inevitable, you’ll see and/or hear monkeys! We’ve had numerous wild pig sightings. Tigers and elephants can still be found in the park, but they are uncommon. It's not uncommon to see elephant tracks however.
The bungalows have fairly thin sleeping pads, so you may want to bring your own additional pad or inflatable mattress along. The floating walkways to the bungalows and toilets are not well maintained, and require attention to foot placement. These accommodations are not up to normal PaddleAsia standards. However, the jungle solitude and the joy of kayaking amidst the profusion of birds and wildlife bring us back here time after time. Click here to see a list of common birds found in Khao Sok National Park. Click here to go to the main Khao Sok page.
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We
stay in unique floating bamboo bungalows in a remote area of
the massive reservoir. These bungalows are very basic. They are made
out of low impact material. Bamboo and thatched roofs provide a very
simple, environmentally friendly shelter which fits well with the
jungle surroundings. There is no electricity in the bungalows, but
there is electricity in the restaurant and toilets. The shared toilets
are clean and adequate.
Journeys from the comfort
of one island to
the adventure of the next. Another multi-day destination is south
of Krabi province. Most of these islands are visited by very few Westerners.
It’s an undeveloped tourist destination which suits us just fine.
Due to the beauty of the islands, especially the cliffs and headlands,
and their near proximity to one another, these crossings are appropriate
for active novices. As each crossing is no more than six nautical miles,
they are appropriate for daytime paddling.
The
Bay is a large, lovely area that seems different in every change
in weather and light. There are many fine secluded islands that can
be explored at our leisure in comfortable touring kayaks. In these areas,
where only the occasional fisherman is seen, wildlife is plentiful.
We often encounter sea turtles also. Tarutao is a rather large Island.
It’s approximately 30 nautical miles around. There are a lot
of small beaches and rocky points. A couple of nice tidal rivers offer
a unique paddling experience. These tend to be great places to spot
wildlife. We usually do some night paddles into these rivers. You’ll
have lots of eyes in the beam of your flashlight!
