Elephant Sanctuary and Jungle Adventure with Lunch Koh Samui

The elephant sanctuary

The highlight of the day is the visit to an elephant sanctuary in the forested interior of Koh Samui. Elephants have been part of life in Thailand for centuries, once working in the forests and fields, and today sanctuaries give visitors a calmer way to meet them. Your guide introduces the elephants, explains their daily routine and diet, and shares how the keepers care for them.

Then comes feeding time: with the bananas, sugarcane and fruit we provide, you hand-feed the elephants and watch them use their trunks with remarkable skill. It is a gentle, unforgettable moment for adults and children alike. Many travellers searching for a Koh Samui elephant sanctuary want an experience close to nature, and this visit combines it with the jungle and the waterfall in one easy outing. Follow the keepers' instructions at all times.

The jungle drive into Samui's hills

Most visitors only see Koh Samui's coast, but the centre of the island is a different world of steep hills, coconut plantations, durian orchards and thick tropical forest. Our open 4x4 truck climbs narrow roads into this interior, with your guide pointing out local farms, rubber trees and the plants and fruits that grow in the island's rich soil.

The ride is part of the adventure, with fresh air, bumpy tracks and views that open up over the treetops as you gain height. It is the best way to understand how islanders have lived from the land for generations. Wear comfortable clothes and hold on tight on the steeper sections. Children love the open truck, and the shade of the forest keeps the air cooler than on the beaches below.

Namuang Waterfall

Namuang Waterfall is the best-known waterfall on Koh Samui, set in the forest in the south-west of the island. The main fall drops about 18 metres over unusual purple and golden rock into a wide natural pool, which is perfect for a refreshing swim. A second, taller fall lies further up the hill in the jungle.

The tour stops here so you can swim, take photos and relax on the rocks. The water is strongest in the rainy season, from about October to December, while in the dry months the pool is calm and clear. Is Namuang Waterfall worth visiting? It is one of the most beautiful natural sights on the island and an easy stop on this tour. Bring swimwear and a towel, and wear sandals with good grip, as the rocks can be slippery.

Lunch with a view on Samui's mountain

The tour ends with a Thai lunch at a restaurant high on the mountain at the heart of Koh Samui, where a terrace looks out over the forested slopes to the coast and the sea beyond. It is one of the best viewpoints on the island, and on clear days you can see neighbouring islands on the horizon.

Lunch includes local dishes, and drinking water is provided throughout the tour; let us know about dietary needs when booking. After lunch, our driver takes you back to your hotel, around six hours after pickup. The best time to visit Koh Samui for this tour is from January to August, when rain is less frequent, but the jungle and the waterfall are at their greenest after the rainy months of the end of the year.