Treking, Birding, and Safaris

Enjoy one of our Andaman safaris

Our Safaris have been designed to create a sense of adventure, optimise your appreciation of the natural world and provide memorable moments of your vacation. No specialist equipment is required, but guests are advised to bring their own binoculars if available and certainly your camera. A hat and sun protection is a must to ensure your enjoyment.

Koh Ra Rainforest Trek (4 hours)

Travel from Golden Buddha by long tail boat to Koh Ra, Koh Phra Thong’s neighbouring island. Koh Ra’s hilly rainforest terrain is in stark contrast to Koh Phra Thong’s flat savanna. Our trek starts by ascending up into Koh Ra’s rainforest. We cross the island protected from the sun under the rainforest canopy. Along the way your guide will point out the local wildlife including butterflies, frogs & spiders. We then descend to a secluded beach where you can relax and cool off in the Andaman Sea. We then walk back across the island to meet our long tail boat for the return journey to Golden Buddha.

En route to Koh Ra we also stop for a brief visit at Lions Village (Pak Chok). This village was developed after the devastating Tsunami of 2004.

The trek is suitable for people at all levels of fitness and can be taken at your pace. Walking boots are not required, however we recommend robust sandals, not flip flops. Swimwear is also worth taking. Water is provided. This trip is usually conducted between breakfast and lunch at the resort, subject to tide times.

3 of Blue Guru’s discounted activity packages include Koh Ra trekking. See full details here.

Island boat trip through mangroves (5 hours)

On this trip you will circumnavigate Koh Phra Thong in a long tail boat. Your guide will share interesting information about the local mangroves and their importance to the local coral reef eco-systems. As we ride through the mangroves, keep an eye out for rare birds.

En route we stop at Tae Pah Yoi, a traditional fishing village. Cashew nut trees can be seen growing by the school. We can also stop in the south of the island for a refreshing dip before heading back up the long pristine beach to Golden Buddha. Swimwear is therefore worth taking. A packed lunch and water are provided. The timing of this trip is subject to tide times.

Orchid farming and savanna trip (4 hours) 

Koh Phra Thong’s savanna interior is a very interesting habitat – more reminiscent of Kenya than Thailand. On this trip we cross the savanna on a tractor. As we head south through the savanna, keep an eye out for deer, birds & carnivorous plants.

Southern Koh Phra Thong is home to the rural village of Thung Dap. There your guide will escort you to two orchid farms, where you can see a range of these beautiful delicate flowers being cultivated. Water is provided. This trip is usually conducted between breakfast and lunch to avoid the afternoon heat.

Orchid farming and savanna trip (4 hours) 

Koh Phra Thong’s savanna interior is a very interesting habitat – more reminiscent of Kenya than Thailand. On this trip we cross the savanna on a tractor. As we head south through the savanna, keep an eye out for deer, birds & carnivorous plants.

Southern Koh Phra Thong is home to the rural village of Thung Dap. There your guide will escort you to two orchid farms, where you can see a range of these beautiful delicate flowers being cultivated. Water is provided. This trip is usually conducted between breakfast and lunch to avoid the afternoon heat.

Bird watching at Golden Buddha Beach Resort 

The bird watching on Golden Buddha Island must rate as possibly the best in Thailand. Wide expanses of savannah dotted with trees, lined by tropical forest and tidal rivers and of course bordered by the ocean makes for superb bird habitat. Over 100 different species were recorded by a single pair of guests a few years ago (the list now kindly reproduced here) and include many rare species such as the Asian open-billed stork, lesser adjutant, Indian roller and brown fish owl. Indeed an island resident has reported seeing the magnificent adjutant quite frequently of late.

The vast savannah makes fantastic viewing for both keen bird watchers and those who just like to admire beautiful fauna. Many of the birds boast striking plumage and can be commonly seen both at the resort and its surrounds, including a large variety of bee eaters and kingfishers. Guests are free to walk almost anywhere on the island.

Recently one of our guests from the UK described a day of “accidental” bird watching “On my way to breakfast one morning I heard a ruffling in the tree outside my beach house. Peering through the foliage I saw a pair of Oriental Pied Hornbills enjoying a feast of newly ripened fruit. They didn't seem perturbed by my presence at all. It must have been one of those days because as soon as I sat down in the restaurant, a Peregrine Falcon perched itself on the tree opposite my table. However, he didn't hang around for long. I guess toast and jam wasn't to his liking. Later that morning, I witnessed several bee eaters playing tag (or so it seemed) at the back of the club house. I am not sure of the species, but apparently they are there each day. That evening I headed for the bay. There searing above the ocean was a white bellied sea eagle. With a wing span of around 2 metres, this truly is a magnificent site and proved a thrilling end to my day here at Golden Buddha Beach Resort”

 (read more on birding at GBB)