Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary

The basics

The sanctuary can only be experienced with a guide. Day trip tours ferry visitors the two hours each way from Phuket and often bundle nature walks with visits to the swimmable pools of the Ton Pariwat Waterfall, ATV adventures, and river rafting. A popular 3-mile (5-kilometer) rafting route that boasts Class II-IV rapids is accessible from the park, while the 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) footpath is one of the best ways to spot some of the sanctuary’s wildlife.

Things to know before you go

• The sanctuary is a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts.
• Wear sun protection and bring your bug spray: you’ll need both.
• Ton Pariwant Wildlife Sanctuary is not wheelchair accessible.

How to get there

The sanctuary is located just under two hours from Krabi by road, or just over two hours from Phuket. There's also a shuttle from Phang-nga for those relying on public transportation. It's much easier to visit as part of a guided tour that includes transportation from Phuket or Krabi, rather than trying to organize a tour on arrival.

When to get there

Tom Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary is open daily, during normal business hours, though travelers who want to stay after dark can rent a bungalow or even pitch a tent. If you plan to do a lot of hiking, you may want to visit during the drier months (roughly November through April), while if you're a fan of foliage, you may wish to brave potential rains in order to see local plant life in full bloom.

Resident Wildlife

You’ll likely see plenty of wildlife in the park, particularly if you’re visiting on foot. Treeswifts, flycatchers, bulbuls, and parrots all call the sanctuary home. At the end of the rainy season in October, the magnificent blooms of the rare Rafflesia kerrii, the world’s largest flower at nearly 3 feet (1 meter) across. Occasionally, some of the region’s rarer inhabitants—the blue-banded kingfisher and white-handed gibbon—also make appearances.