Wildlifeof Thailand
Wildlife in Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary
Lowland rainforest, Narathiwat
Lowland rainforest at Thailand's south-eastern tip, on the Malaysian border, with a mammal community that is closer to Malaysia's than to the rest of Thailand's. Visits centre on night drives along the sanctuary's single road, bat trapping and watching rivers for otters. Jon Hall called it his favourite national park in Thailand and returned in 2004, 2008, 2010 and 2025.
Official visitor information ↗
Highlights
- Night drives for slow lorises, palm civets and flying squirrels
- Hairy-nosed Otter, watched from a tree platform in 2010
- Many bat species caught and released by trappers
Top wildlife targets
Trip reports from here
- Hala Bala in 2010: a tree platform for Hairy-nosed Otters and a bat-catching bonanza (Jon Hall)
- Hala Bala in 2008: four nights of civets, slow lorises and bats in southern Thailand (Jon Hall)
- Southern Thailand in 2004: Klong Saeng, Khao Sok and Hala Bala, a mammal-watching trip report (Jon Hall)
- Thailand's Deep South in 2025: Banded Linsang, bat caves and a recce trip (Jon Hall)
Sub-locations
Quick answers
- What wildlife can you see in Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary?
- Top wildlife targets in Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary include Hairy-nosed Otter, Sunda Slow Loris, Masked Palm Civet, Small-toothed Palm Civet, Red Giant Flying Squirrel, Dusky Langur and Malayan Porcupine. Highlights: Night drives for slow lorises, palm civets and flying squirrels.
- Where is Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary?
- Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary is in Lowland rainforest, Narathiwat, Thailand (about 5.8°, 101.85°).
- What are the highlights of Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary?
- Night drives for slow lorises, palm civets and flying squirrels, Hairy-nosed Otter, watched from a tree platform in 2010 and Many bat species caught and released by trappers.
- Are there trip reports for Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary?
- Yes: Hala Bala in 2010: a tree platform for Hairy-nosed Otters and a bat-catching bonanza, Hala Bala in 2008: four nights of civets, slow lorises and bats in southern Thailand, Southern Thailand in 2004: Klong Saeng, Khao Sok and Hala Bala, a mammal-watching trip report and Thailand's Deep South in 2025: Banded Linsang, bat caves and a recce trip.