Khao Yai National Park
Thailand's first National Park is also its second largest, and certainly one of its best. Khao Yai National Park spreads to four different provinces with the bulk of its 2,100 square kilometers in Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) province.
Khao Yai National Park wildlife: flora and fauna
The park has a variety of terrains from deciduous forest to savannah and houses some 3,000 species of plants. Wildlife in the park is as varied as its flora and it is home to around 200 wild elephants. The park also houses tigers, gibbons, bears, deer, bats, wild pigs, and a major bird population including a wide variety of hornbills.
Khao Yai National Park hiking trails and waterfalls
The park is 400 meters above sea level and as a result reasonably cool all year round. (During the dry season (winter) temperatures can drop to 4 degrees Celsius. Because of its cool conditions Khao Yai's 50 kilometers of trekking and hiking trails are a favorite and the park receives a lot of birdwatchers.
The park also sports some breathtaking waterfalls and the best time to see them is the rainy season from May to October. 80-metre-high Nam Tok Hew Suwat a particular favorite with visitors and featured in the film "The Beach".
Khao Yai National Park hotels and lodging
Overnight stays in the park are permitted and a number of different types of accommodation are available, from lodging houses to 'Youth Camps'. Camping is also permitted.
The admission fee for the park is 200 Baht for adults and 100 Baht for children. Rangers can act as guides for 200 Baht a day, which is a good idea as the trails can be a bit confusing. The park is open during the rainy season, and if you intend to do some hiking then you should take raingear and leech preparations. Booking accommodation in the park can get difficult. It might be best to stay at surrounding hotels and jaunt into Khao Yai on day trips.
How to get to Khao Yai National Park
Khao Yai National Park is located around 200 kilometres from Bangkok and is easily accessible by bus, train, and car. However, with accommodation, etc. there might be a lot to organize. A number of tour companies provide both accommodation and tours of the park and this might be the best approach, especially if you have children