Bang Pae waterfall and the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
Rainforest, a waterfall and gibbons being prepared to return to the wild.
- Area
- Nature & waterfalls
- Start from
- Thalang
- Distance
- about 30–40 min from Phuket Town
- Time needed
- half a day
- Best season
- Best in the green season for water
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Transport
- Car, scooter
- Tickets & rules
- Park fee at Khao Phra Thaeo
Why go
Khao Phra Thaeo wildlife sanctuary protects the last large area of rainforest on Phuket. At its edge is the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, which rescues gibbons from the illegal pet and tourist-photo trade and prepares them to return to the wild.
A short trail leads from the project to Bang Pae waterfall, which is lovely after rain.
You often hear the gibbons before you see them: loud, beautiful calls echoing through the forest.
The project's staff explain how gibbons are rescued, rehabilitated and released, and the visitor area overlooks enclosures where you can watch them swing. You won't touch them; the aim is to keep them wild.
Khao Phra Thaeo forest is also home to rare palms, birds and the occasional monitor lizard.
The walk from the gibbon project to the waterfall is about ten minutes along a forest path. The falls are modest, but after rain they fill out and the pool at the bottom is a nice place to cool your feet. The forest around has huge trees and the sound of insects is constant.
For a longer walk, rangers sometimes allow a trail through the sanctuary towards Ton Sai waterfall on the other side; ask at the office.
The story
The project was founded in the early 1990s and has returned gibbons to the forest of Khao Phra Thaeo.
White-handed gibbons once lived across Phuket's forests before poaching and habitat loss.
Gibbons mate for life and sing duets in the morning, which is why their calls carry across the forest at dawn.
The project has been a pioneer in Thailand, and its released gibbons have formed families in the forest.
Thalang, near the sanctuary, has its own heroic legend: in 1785, when a Burmese army besieged the island, two sisters, Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Si Sunthon, organised the defence. Their monument at the Heroines roundabout is one of Phuket's most important landmarks, and locals stop to pay respect.
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Getting there
Drive to the north-east of Thalang district, follow the signs to Bang Pae.
The road to Bang Pae is paved; parking is near the park office.
A suggested plan
- MorningGibbon project visit.
- MiddayWalk to the waterfall.
- AfternoonLunch nearby, return.
- OptionalNearby Ton Sai waterfall offers another forest walk.
Where to stay
Day trip.
Good to know
- Donations help the project.
- Wear shoes with grip.
- Volunteer programmes exist for longer stays.
- Bring insect repellent.
- Combine with Thalang town and the Heroines Monument on the way back.
- Visit in the morning when gibbons are most vocal.
- Never pay for photos with gibbons anywhere; that trade is what the project fights.
- Leeches in wet season.