Jeep Safari on Koh Samui: Jungle, Viewpoints & Hidden Gems

An open-top 4x4, steep mountain roads, and an itinerary that shows you more of Koh Samui in a single day than most beach holidaymakers ever see — that's the jeep safari. Here's what to expect, who it suits, and which stops count as genuine hidden gems on the island.

What is a jeep safari?

A jeep safari (also called a jungle safari or island safari) picks you up at your hotel in an open-top 4x4 and takes you off-road into Koh Samui's mountainous, densely forested interior — well beyond where the paved roads end. Along the way you stop at rock formations, temples, a waterfall and several viewpoints, with a traditional Thai lunch in between. It's a full-day trip, with morning hotel pick-up and a late-afternoon return.

What you'll see on the tour

A typical itinerary, based on the tour on kohsamui.tours:

• Hin Ta & Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks): Quirky rock formations in the south of the island that resemble male and female genitalia — the first stop on the tour.
• Guan Yu Shrine: A 16-metre bronze statue of the Chinese god of war, built in 2016 by a Chinese-heritage islander, with a small temple complex and souvenir stands.
• The mummified monk: At Wat Khunaram in the south of the island lies the monk Luong Pordaeng, who died in 1973 in a meditative sitting position and shows barely any signs of decay, displayed in a glass case.
• Na Muang waterfall: Time to swim and cool off at one of the few waterfalls on Koh Samui with water year-round. Read more about the island's waterfalls in our article on Koh Samui's waterfalls.
• Lunch at a mountain restaurant: A traditional Thai lunch with a view over the "coconut island".
• Magic Garden (Secret Buddha Garden): At around 600 m elevation, retired durian farmer Nim Thongsuk hand-carved dozens of stone figures starting in 1976, at age 77 — a quirky sculpture garden deep in the jungle that he kept expanding until his death at 91.
• The island's highest point: At Wat Teepangkorn on Khao Pom, 635 m above sea level, you get a 360-degree view over the whole of Koh Samui. Along the way, guides show how rubber is tapped from rubber trees.
• Wat Plai Laem: The island's largest Buddhist temple complex, with a large statue of the goddess Guanyin and elaborate Chinese-Thai architecture.
• Big Buddha: The 12-metre statue, opened in 1972, on the small, bridge-connected island of Koh Fan — Koh Samui's landmark, with views over the coast and Bangrak pier.

On the group tour, the open-top jeep picks you up between roughly 8:15 and 9:30am, with drop-off around 5-6pm. On the private version, you set the pick-up time and the pace at each stop yourself.

Who is it suitable for?

The jeep safari suits most reasonably fit travellers, including families with older children — the stops are short and the paths mostly flat or with only a few steps. According to the tour description, it isn't recommended for pregnant women or children under one. At the temples (Wat Khunaram, Wat Plai Laem, Wat Teepangkorn), the usual dress code applies: shoulders and knees covered.

Group or private tour?

On kohsamui.tours there are two versions with an identical itinerary:

The group tour — cheaper, with a fixed pick-up window, sharing the jeep with other travellers:

from 1,450 THBJeep Tour Koh Samui Jungle Safari Full day Adventure★★★★★4.94 from 270 reviews

The private tour — exclusive to your own group, with your choice of pick-up time and as much time as you like at each stop:

from 6,950 THBPrivate Jeep Tour Koh Samui Jungle Safari Full Day Adventure★★★★★4.94 from 270 reviews

Hidden gems: what few visitors see on Koh Samui

While Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem sit on every top-10 list, many visitors have never heard of two stops on the jeep safari: the Magic Garden deep in the jungle, and the viewpoint at the island's highest point near Wat Teepangkorn. Both sit well off the main roads, are really only reachable with an off-road vehicle, and see correspondingly few visitors — genuine insider stops you'd struggle to reach on your own with an ordinary rental scooter. For more hidden corners of the island, see our Top 10 secret places.

Tips: what to wear and the rainy season

• Light, breathable clothing — plus something to cover your shoulders and knees for the temple visits.
• Sturdy, closed footwear for the short walk to the waterfall and the uneven viewpoints.
• Swimwear and a towel for Na Muang waterfall.
• Sun protection, a hat and something to drink — the open-top jeep offers little shade.
• In the rainy season, usually October to December on Koh Samui, a light rain jacket is worth packing: the jeep is open on top, so you'll get wet if it rains along the way. For more on how the weather changes through the year, see Koh Samui weather and the truth about the rainy season.

Frequently asked questions

What is a jeep safari?

A full-day tour in an open-top 4x4 through Koh Samui's mountainous interior, stopping at rock formations, temples, a waterfall and several viewpoints, with lunch included. It's available as a group or private tour.

What are the hidden gems on Koh Samui?

Two stops on the jeep safari count among the island's least-visited spots: the Magic Garden sculpture park in the jungle, and the viewpoint at the island's highest point near Wat Teepangkorn, 635 m above sea level. For more hidden gems, see our Top 10 secret places.

For more on the temples visited along the way, see our Top 10 temples on Koh Samui.