The country's largest national park, and regarded as one of Thailand's most important remaining wildlife habitats, Kaeng Krachan is truly a birdwatching must. Located only 4 hours drive from Bangkok, Kaeng Krachan boasts some of the best birding and wildlife viewing opportunities in the country. With over 400 bird species, the park is home to five species of hornbill: the great, pied, brown, wreathed and plain-poached. At the higher elevations of the park other delights include the long-tailed broadbill and the rachet-tailed treepie (in Thailand, can only be found in Kaeng Krachan).

A mere 2 hours travel from Kaeng Krachan is Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, home to some of the best shoreline/wetland bird habitat in Thailand. Listed as a site of global conservation importance in the Asian Wetlands Directory of the IUCN, the marshlands support wintering populations of at least 28 larger wetland species and some 275 species in total.

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart Bangkok at 0600 (breakfast enroute) for the one-hour drive to Samut Sakhorn, a coastal area which supports a wide variety of shorebirds. Next, continue on to Kaeng Krachan National Park. Have a relaxing lunch overlooking Kaeng Krachan lake before heading into the park for an afternoon of birding. As the day draws in, settle down at a stunning view point in the heart of the forest for a Thai dinner prepared by your support team. Exit the park after dusk on the lookout for nocturnal birds such as the Indian nightjar and mammals such as porcupine, civet, elephant and more. Overnight: Kaeng Krachan Country Club.Meals: [B,L,D]

Day 2: Depart the resort at 0500 for the drive back in to Kaeng Krachan National Park. Spend much of the day birding along the track that leads some 30kms in to some of Thailand's best birdwatching territory. A relaxing lunch, prepared for you by the support team give you a chance to reflect on the wide range of bird species you have recorded. Mid-afternoon, exit the forest for the 2 hour drive to the coastal birding jewel of Khao Sam Roi Yot. Arrive at your beach-front resort in time for a refreshing swim in the sea before dinner. Overnight: Dolphin Bay Resort. Meals: [B,L,D]

Day 3: Up early for birding in Khao Sam Roi Yot. In addition to a wealth of shorebirds and waterbirds, wildlife sightings at Khao Sam Roi Yot often include monkeys such as dusky langur and long-tailed macaque, and reptiles such as the giant water monitor lizard. After a memorable morning of birding and a delicious lunch by the water, transfer back to your Bangkok hotel in time for dinner. End of service. Meals: [B,L]