Baan Maka Nature Lodge : At the foot of Kaeng Krachan National Park
This is the first article in our series on “birding lodges” around the world. And what better way to begin than with the most famous accommodation in Thailand for birdwatchers: Baan Maka.
Established many years ago, Baan Maka is a large lodge offering all the amenities and comfort needed to welcome bird enthusiasts from around the world. It is ideally located at the foot of one of Thailand’s best-known national parks: Kaeng Krachan. A biodiversity hotspot, especially for bird lovers!
What amenities are available?
Baan Maka offers around fifteen very comfortable accommodations with hot showers and Wi-Fi. You’ll find small chalets for one or two people, small villas, and a larger one suitable for families. Prices range from 1,400 THB for a single room up to 3,000 THB for the small five-person house.
In addition to lodging, Baan Maka has a large restaurant. Breakfast, which is basic, is included in the nightly rate. A clear sign that this lodge caters to birders is that breakfast is served starting at 5:30 AM. You can also have lunch or dinner at the restaurant. The meals are often prepared using fresh vegetables from the lodge’s own garden.
Baan Maka also has a bar in the middle of the garden, an ideal place to enjoy a drink at sunset while watching birds.
How to get to Baan Maka?
If you have your own vehicle, getting to Baan Maka is very easy, simply follow the GPS point below. The lodge is located just under three hours’ drive from Bangkok.
There is, however, no public transportation that goes directly to the lodge. If you want to save some money, you can first reach Phetchaburi by bus or train, then take a taxi to Baan Maka.
It is also possible to arrange transportation directly with the lodge if needed.
What birding facilities are available at Baan Maka?
Baan Maka covers more than 5 hectares of land, including forest, gardens, farmland, and even a large lake. You can use the canoes for free to explore the lake and observe many waterbirds. Two trails start near the lodge and lead up a hill, offering views over the surrounding area.
Baan Maka provides guiding services for full-day or half-day trips to Kaeng Krachan National Park. If you prefer visiting the park without a guide, you can simply request a transfer service. A night walk can also be booked through Baan Maka to observe nocturnal birds around the lodge.
Finally, Baan Maka offers access (paid) to four bird hides, and they can arrange transportation to them:
These hides are also hotspots on eBird.
Which birds can be seen at Baan Maka?
Baan Maka is an eBird hotspot with more than 325 recorded bird species and over 3,000 checklists, no surprise given the number of lodge visitors. It is therefore impossible to list them all, but here are some of the most frequently observed species: Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus), White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus), Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris), Blue-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis athertoni), and Common Flameback (Dinopium javanense).
In addition to this, as explained above, the lodge provides access to various hides where it is possible to observe extremely interesting species. Among them are: Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus), the ancestor of domestic chickens; Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos); Grey Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum); Ferruginous Partridge (Caloperdix oculeus); Green-legged Partridge (Tropicoperdix chloropus); and finally Bar-backed Partridge (Arborophila brunneopectus).
Other types of birds also visit these hides, such as Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush (Pterorhinus pectoralis), Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush (Garrulax monileger), Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea), and Racket-tailed Treepie (Crypsirina temia).
How to book your accommodation?
Booking your stay is very straightforward. You can reserve directly through the hotel’s booking system on their official website. You can also use well-known platforms such as Agoda or Booking.
Be aware that the lodge is quite popular, so last-minute reservations can sometimes be difficult.
