Review Author: Anke & Nele

Review Date: 03 Jun 2025

Review Body: After a 40-minute trip by longtail boat, we arrived at the beautiful Praiwan Raft House, located in a dead-end bay near the wildlife sanctuary. We stayed in a basic hut room with a wonderful bed, the bathroom and toilet were shared. Upon arrival, we were served a warm lunch, and afterwards, we took the boat for a whole 2 minutes toward the sanctuary. Once there, we hiked for about 30 minutes to reach the bamboo raft that took us to the Coral Cave. Each of us received a flashlight, and we explored the dead-end cave. We saw beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, as well as a few bats. After the visit, we made our way back the same route over water and land to our raft house. Before dinner, we had about 2 hours of free time. We took the kayak and were lucky enough to encounter a family of five elephants… all to ourselves. A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE!!! After dinner, everyone lingered at the small restaurant and we played some games. The night started off a bit rough as a storm suddenly passed over our bay. It was all hands on deck for the staff, but the guests hardly noticed anything apart from the choppy water. At 6:30 in the morning, we went on a one-hour boat safari to spot wildlife. Unfortunately, we didn’t see much apart from two hornbills, a monitor lizard, and a few birds of prey. After that, we had breakfast, and it was slowly time to pack up and head back to the pier.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventure on the Water

Review Date: 11 Jan 2026

Review Body: I spent one night at Praiwan Raft House with my mother, and words hardly do justice to how magical this experience was. Dreamlike, exotic, and straight out of an adventure movie — that’s the best way I can describe it. The boat journey alone was unforgettable, offering landscapes unlike anything I’ve ever seen in my life. When we finally arrived, Praiwan Raft House revealed itself as a small floating village, perfectly integrated into its natural surroundings. The atmosphere was incredibly warm and friendly, largely thanks to the amazing staff. Special mention goes to the guides: not only are they a true well of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, but they’re also great people to chat with about everyday life, which made the experience even more human and authentic. The night was peaceful and soothing, gently rocked by the movement of the lake and accompanied by birdsong. As if that wasn’t enough, we were lucky enough to spot a family of wild elephants while kayaking — a moment I will never forget. If I had to keep only one memory from my trip to Thailand, this stay would be it. Praiwan Raft House is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and something everyone should do at least once.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rose

Review Date: 11 Dec 2025

Review Body: Short, refreshing & soulful trip! We took the 2 day 1 night hut house package and loved it! We started off the trip at 12:30pm with a scenic boat ride to the rafthouse (~1 hour). Prior to that we paid 340 baht per person at the pier for the national park. Once there we had lunch (~1 hour) then off for hiking, bamboo rafting and cave exploration which were short and sweet (~2 hours). Prior to that we paid 200 baht per person before hiking. Back at the rafthouse we had free & easy which we chose to kayak and spotted 2 wild elephants! (~1.5 hour) The day concluded with dinner and enjoying the rest of the night. The next morning we had coffee before going on a safari boat ride where we spotted wild elephants again (~1 hour). We were then given an hour for breakfast and packing. The trip concluded with a scenic boat ride back to the pier (~1 hour) at 10am. Overall the trip was short (~22 hours) and adequate to enjoy a peaceful and comfortable lake forest retreat. Highly recommended ! But if you prefer more free time, a 3 day 2 night trip may be more suitable. Thank you Praiwan Rafthouse for the hospitality ☺️

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Arlo

Review Date: 01 Dec 2025

Review Body: Great experience. As for the facilities, half of the houses come with a bathroom, I stayed in one without but the shared toilets and showers were clean, never lacking toilet paper and shower gel. The bed was very comfortable. There was one outlet in the house and more in the dining area. As a solo traveler I had to pay a single suplement and intended or not I felt like I got two peoples worth of food. I asked for it to be vegetarian and it was both nutritionally balanced and tasty. There were no more than 20 people at once for every trip so it didn’t feel too crowded. The guide provided head torches for us in the Coral Cave. The guides didn’t really say much about what we saw, they pointed out part of the cave that looks like an elephant, then during bamboo rafting and the boat safari slowed down so we could look at animals. Next time I would probably sign up for a guided tour to learn a bit more.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: S

Review Date: 19 Feb 2026

Review Body: A truly special and unique experience! We stayed for 2D1N and loved every moment. The surroundings are absolutely beautiful and there’s something magical about being there. If you really want to soak it all in, I would recommend staying two nights. We especially enjoyed kayaking during our free time, but unfortunately we only had a short window to do it. An extra night would have made it even more relaxing and complete. The food was super delicious – honestly such a pleasant surprise and a big part of the overall experience. As a small point of feedback: during the night we could hear the wood creaking when people walked by, which kept me awake until it got quiet. Also, for the 2D1N stay, it would be lovely if the program could be slightly extended, as we were there for less than 24 hours. Overall, a beautiful and memorable stay that we would definitely recommend!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Debs Nicholson

Review Date: 24 Jan 2026

Review Body: The whole experience was amazing! The service was fantastic and staff who collected us from the pier to take us to the raft houses were super friendly. They were also our guides throughout our stay and would go above and beyond and their knowledge of lake and wildlife and its history was good! Food provided was delicious and plentiful! It was peaceful and really took us back to nature. We could use kayaks as and when we wanted which was so nice to do to explore the vast lake. We were very lucky and got to see the family of elephants in the wild on our early morning boat safari. The place/area is absolutely stunning, the lake, limestones and wildlife. It’s serene when you’re there and there are not too many lake homes so it feels untouched and not spoiled by too many people. The only thing we regret is booking only one night instead of 2.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Cristina Pellicano

Review Date: 26 Aug 2025

Review Body: Cheow Lan Lake is magnificent, and staying at Praiwan was a great way to experience it intensely if only for one night. Away from the other floating houses so very quiet, it is nestled in the jungle with all the pros and cons that come with it (being on the lake in the middle of the jungle all very humid and many animals/insects). The deluxe room was tiny but comfortable, the staff friendly although not speaking much English (except the reception girl). We liked the meals, basic but tasty cuisine. Either way it was a great experience and I would absolutely recommend it to those looking for a wild and immersive adventure. The only downside was the guide who took us hiking even though he spoke English he didn't engage you much, during the trek I would have liked to have some tips for spotting animals.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lucy Cooper & Harry Tasney

Review Date: 22 Jan 2026

Review Body: The most incredible experience staying on the floating bungalows — honestly unforgettable. The staff were absolutely amazing and go above and beyond for you. Special shout out to Dom in particular, who was so knowledgeable, friendly and chatty — he really made the whole experience even better. The food and accommodation were amazing, and waking up surrounded by the lake and jungle was just unreal. We were lucky enough to see wild elephants, which was such a highlight (especially as it’s not guaranteed!), plus we saw monkeys on the hike, loved the rafting and the cave was amazing too. We genuinely loved every second and our only regret is not staying an extra night — we could easily have stayed longer. Would 100% recommend this to anyone visiting Khao Sok! ✨🌿

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Simon

Review Date: 30 Nov 2023

Review Body: Booked as part of a two day one night trip. A very traditional place with a few western touches. Overall brilliant. You cannot beat staying in a floating hut waking out to a view across the lake. It was truly a highlight of the trip. Swimming and kayaking from the hut was also a great experience. The restaurant has fixed mealtimes and choices mainly down to the fact being on the lake has very limited infrastructure. It’s perfectly fine though. The place is pretty much dead from 8pm but there’s some nice and sitting on your own out overlooking the lake at night with the silhouettes of the islands against the sky. Wild elephants were seen from the huts on the previous day but we missed them unfortunately. Would I go again? Definitely!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rene N

Review Date: 11 Dec 2023

Review Body: Fantastic 2 days stay at these Raft House. We wished we could have stayed longer. 2 days is really to short! The simple Raft houses are perfect and the way they should be. Clean and practical. The staff is fantastic. The food en restaurant is great. But the enviroment is the best!!! Not to many tourist, quiet and a lot of wild live. We saw wild elephants at a very short distance from the houses, snakes, big spiders, beautiful birds, monkeys, waterbuffalo, the 'Coral cave', the fantastic lake with surrounded jungle etc.... And that only in 2 days. Next time we hope to stay at least 1 week and do a longer jungle trekking, maybe for a couple of days. The guides and longtailboat-driver were also very friendly and helpfull.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Judith Warke

Review Date: 27 Feb 2026

Review Body: We did the two days one night tour. Wow what an incredible experience, HIGHLY recommend choosing this company and staying for longer than we did if possible. The guys looking after us and showing us around the caves were absolutely top, one even put on entertainment during the evening with a fire show and the other took us on our boat safari in the morning helping us spot wild elephants, eagles and gibbons!! Throughout educating us on topics such as the importance of the national park and the building of the Dam. The food cooked for us was so delicious and there was plenty to go around, no one went hungry for sure! Such a good vibe throughout the whole experience and cannot recommend enough, 10/10.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Trudy

Review Date: 09 Mar 2026

Review Body: Fantastic experience. Water bungalow was basic as we couldn’t book delux but very nice and the toilets/shower room were close and always clean. First day organised really well with lunch then off for a trek through the forest with our guide Dom who was very knowledgeable of the area and animals. Bamboo rafts to Coral cave with amazing views throughout. Back to bungalow for a kayak and lucky to seeing wild elephants by the waters edge. Day 2 up early to see the sun raise over the water and wildlife tour. Monkeys playing in the trees and the bird song was incredible. Absolutely a must if visiting Thailand. Loved every minute.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Tiffany

Review Date: 07 Aug 2026

Review Body: We loved our visit! The staff were fantastic, the transfers were slick, despite our start and end point being unusual and we were even able to see a mother elephant and her calf right by the raft house. In the evening, one of the staff member even did a fire show! If you are thinking about going: - make sure you know you won’t have any mobile phone reception or WiFi. We loved this but others won’t. - take a charging pack for your phone and a torch as the electricity is only between 6pm-6am so you may want it! - the hike was great, but it was steep and slippery, so may not be suitable for everyone!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Paul

Review Date: 27 Feb 2026

Review Body: This was a superb overnight stay where we experienced Thailand’s national park with its the wildlife and jungle at its best. We were able to see gibbons and other monkeys and elephants as well as eagles and lots of other birds. We swam and kayaked in the lake and with no WIFI were able to spend a simple evening with family without distractions from the outside world. The food was simple but tasty and the staff were superb without guide also entertaining us with fire torches after dark. Would highly recommend. A unique and memorable special part of our holiday. Thank you.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: João Rebelo

Review Date: 10 Feb 2026

Review Body: Honestly it’s hard to think about anything other than the wonderful feelings leaving the raft house. Dom (sp?), the main host was tireless, involved in everything and genuinely a surprise. Other than that, the houses were spectacular, the food was INCREDIBLE and the views were breathtaking. I was afraid of getting sick because of the food and did not at all. I communicated my needs beforehand and the staff was accommodating and understanding. I would just recommend bringing a strong insect repellent, plenty of water, and enjoy this piece of heaven on earth!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lina

Review Date: 05 Sep 2024

Review Body: This is a lovely family run place. It has a bit of a hippie vibe and the staff is super friendly. Definitely the raft house with the most character, you can see it when you pass by the other ones on your way there. Rooms are comfortable and clean. Perhaps the best part about this place is that it's located in an area that has a family of elephants living near by so you can wake up to elephants having breakfast across the water - we were lucky enough to have that during our stay in early September (but of course not guaranteed!). Highly recommend!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Daisy

Review Date: 28 Feb 2026

Review Body: Staff were great and they work so hard. Plenty of food for lunch and dinner. Bungalow hut was lovely, cosy and great view of monkeys near our window. Kayaks available for use to explore the lake. The staff really go out their way to ensure you enjoy your time and you can tell they are really passionate about showing us the animals and nature. Great value. Only negative was that the tour size is quite big and I didn’t enjoy the breakfast all that much but the coffee and tea selection was perfect anyway.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Donald Francis

Review Date: 29 Jun 2025

Review Body: We were delighted to pick Praiwan. It’s further away from the pier than lots of the other floating lodges but this is its jewel. No passing traffic and elephants came down to the water. The food was lovely and abundant and the staff charming. The boat ride in was an experience as each and every breathtaking view was exposed. Our room was very comfortable with an en suite which we were glad for. We swam and kayaked in the bay too. We as a family agreed this was the highlight of our trip.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kaylee Murtagh

Review Date: 10 Aug 2025

Review Body: Our stay was awesome!! We went during the off season and there were only a few other people at the resort, and the staff was very attentive and so nice! They even told us to take the kayaks because they heard elephants and sure enough, we saw two wild elephants and a huge group of monkeys! The room didn’t have any AC which is very common, but the bed was comfortable, and of course the view outside was so cool. The food was also delicious! Very cool experience and I highly recommend!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Julie

Review Date: 31 Jan 2026

Review Body: My only regret is not booking two nights! Our host Dom was amazing and went out of his way to make our trip silly, special, and filled with smiles and laughing. The bed was comfortable, the shared bathroom was very clean, and being on the lake overnight was magical. We had to change which cave we went to and the one we saw was so cool. We only saw one other group on the hike. The hike was tough but it was just what we wanted! We also saw wild elephants while kayaking.

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Longtail boat trip, visit Khao Sam Kloe, Klong Saeng jungle trek, bamboo rafting, and Coral Cave.

Itinerary Description: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Welcome! Please meet us at Ratchaprapa Pier. (Kindly note: If you arrive late, the boat will need to leave, and there will be extra charge to hire another boat.) 12:30 PM: We’ll set off from Ratchaprapa Pier and begin our adventure! 1:00 PM: Our first stop is Khao Sam Kloe, also known as "Kui Lin Thailand." This iconic spot is a must-see landmark of Khao Sok, perfect for photos and taking in the beauty of nature. 1:30 PM: Enjoy a delicious local lunch at the raft house while taking in the panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. After lunch, take some time to relax and get ready for the thrilling activities ahead. 2:30 PM: Embark on a short 5-minute boat ride to Klong Saeng Sanctuary, where you’ll take a scenic 20-45 minute jungle trek. Surrounded by lush greenery, you'll be immersed in nature’s tranquility. Afterward, enjoy a peaceful 10-minute bamboo raft ride to Coral Cave, a hidden natural wonder awaiting your exploration. 4:30 PM: Return to the raft house and relax as you watch a breathtaking sunset from the boat. It’s a magical way to end the day! 7:00-8:00 PM: Wrap up the day with a delightful dinner at the raft house. Sit back, unwind, and enjoy the serene atmosphere of the lake.

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Morning safari boat tour to see wildlife, followed by breakfast and departure.

Itinerary Description: 6:30 AM: Begin your day with a warm cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy the peaceful morning mist that blankets the area – a perfect way to start your adventure. 7:00 AM: Hop on your boat safari and glide through the calm waters, with the magical morning mist all around you. Keep your eyes peeled – you might spot elephants, hornbills, or tapirs (if you're lucky!). Even if the wildlife stays hidden, the stunning scenery and peaceful vibes are guaranteed to amaze. 8:00 AM: Return to the raft house and enjoy a delicious breakfast, recharging after your early adventure. 9:00 AM: It’s time to check out and begin your journey back to the pier. Safe travels and wonderful memories ahead! 10:00 AM: Arrive at the pier, concluding a truly memorable experience.