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Published: March 19th 2018
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KHAO YAI, (big mountain).
This was the first and longest part of my trip. After some reading back home, I had high expectations for that park, and I wasn't deceived!! This is the main place I wanted to see in Thailand.
First, let's say that within 2-3 hours from Bangkok, you can get there. So it's really accessible.
The park has extensive asphalted roads with many pull-overs, good and long hiking/nature trails, visitor center, observation tower, some restaurants, etc...
Be careful on roads, as some people, (like some park rangers, but more generally locals), run well over the speed limit. So if you stop to photograph animal, be sure to do so in a safe place, if you want to avoid collisions!!
You can easily go there by yourself and go where you want. Because I am experienced with jungle in the tropics and finding animals, I don't use a guide. But you could hire one at the visitor center or at one of the surroundings hotels, if you need to. Prices are good and can be bargained.
Locals also like the park, but normally, it's to take pictures for weddings near the middle lake,
(or young ones with selfies), do pic-nics, and you have the trails for yourself. Only consider the timing: park opens at 6am and is more busy during week-ends, so arrive early. But Ii you distance yourself enough from the visitor center, you can find quiet places at any time. An option I used, was to benefit from south roads pull-overs. I saw a couple of animals there, and because the roads cause clearing in the forest, it's better to actually see animals.
If you are serious with animals sightings, stay a couple of nights nearby. One day is not enough, and you will regret it if you leave too soon!!
What did I see in the park??
Well deers are super easy to see, (sambar deers and barking deers), as many stay near the visitor center, because they can eat some food scraps. But they roam free, nonetheless, (not a zoo).
On my first day, I heard and saw gibbons from the road. Took many pictures and recorded their calls. Super!! It was my part 1 out of 5 of my objective!! (read previous blog to understand).
The 2 following days,
I saw 2 species of hornbills. They are very big birds. It really helps if you know the sound they make. Check on the net. that's what I did, and was able to hear it before seeing it.
Some others, I saw them flying first. They are impressive birds to see flying. But they are more impressive to HEAR them flying, as they make a "train" sound when they fly. Very special.
This was my part 2 of my objective.
I also saw macaques, and they are very easy to see, as many can be found in parkings. Saw scorpions, many many butterflies, lizards, etc.....
THE LONG QUEST:
From the start, I wanted to see wild elephants. On one of the distant roads, we saw tons of elephants poop, at many different places. We saw it day after day. From many of these spots, you can find elephants "trails" in nearby forest. I searched and searched the 4 days. On one occasion, walking on one nature trail, I heard an elephant doing a very low sound , but I didn't see one. A couple of minutes later, people on the trail
were happy about the elephant they saw: sniff, sniff... :-(
The elephants there, live in the forest and not the savannah like in Africa. Their herds are much smaller than ones of African cousins. They generally stay in the jungle all day, and get out at sunset. So because you need to get out of the park at 6pm, your chances are limited.
Will I finally see my wild elephants??? To discover in a couple of blog entries.
Personally, I stayed 4 nights in my hotel, (at 2 minutes from park entrance), and i would have stayed 3 nights more.
NEXT: I move to Lopburi to see ancient ruins, and suffer from the mischievous macaques.....
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