Elephant Sanctuary in Phuket is the first ethical sanctuary for elephants in their natural habitat where they are allowed to roam freely. The sanctuary is the home to 15 elephants that work in the tourism industry and also other sick and old elephants. Visitors are allowed to watch the elephants play, take mud baths and touch and feed them.
Thailand is often termed the land of Elephants. Moreover, when you are in Thailand, you would not only see elephants at some prominent places but also on the streets. The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is one of its kind tropical jungle, spread over a beautiful land of 30 acres, which acts as a home to working elephants after their retirement. Here, these mammals get to live their very own free lives after decades of humiliation and abuse by their owners.
With the Thailand trip package, at the Sanctuary you can watch these beautiful rehabilitated mammals spend an entire day in their natural habitat. Moreover, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is also known as the very first ethical elephant sanctuary in the entire world.
After spending an entire life, working long hours of days in the tourist industry, the Asian Elephants find their very own natural home at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary situated bordering the dense jungles of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. Not only does the Sanctuary acts as a home to old retired elephants but also rescues injured and sick elephants to provide them with brand-new life.
At the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, these elephants can be themselves without the fear of being beaten up by their training masters. All the visitors get to admire these animals' lives and enjoy their freedom at the freshwater lagoons of the Sanctuary, and feed these gentle animals with pineapples or bananas.
The Sanctuary also allows the visitors to watch these giant animals bathe with their fellow mates in the freshwater lagoons from a distance, covering each other with thick layers of mud and having the fun of their lives. Visitors also do have an interactive session with these animals where they can safely touch and feed the elephants. Visiting this unique destination is surely a break from the beach vibe of Phuket and provides a unique and enjoyable experience to each and every visitor.
Highlights
• The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is home to 12 beautiful elephants, all with a friendly and kind vibe.
• One can also opt for a Canopy Walkway tour where they get to admire the elephants from up above the ground in their natural habitat. It also allows the best of the views of the Sanctuary.
• You will not only get to watch the animals indulge in their day-to-day chores but also get to learn about the past lives as well as the heart-warming rescue stories of these mammals.
• The Thai lunch served after a morning exploration with the elephants is surely one of the major and most delicious highlights of your visit to this place.
• The guides at the Sanctuary are very kind and knowledgeable. They will allow you to learn about these mammals and wishfully clear all your doubts and questions on tour.
• All the tours at the Sanctuary are a perfect combination of education, interaction, as well as Observation for each and every visitor.
How To Reach
By Road: Located in Thalang district, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is about 22 kilometres from the mainland of Phuket and can be reached by road in 30 minutes. You can either hire a taxi or rent self-drive cars to reach the Elephant Sanctuary. Blue Songthaews runs from Phuket Town to Phuket Bang Rong Pier from where a taxi can be taken to reach the sanctuary. Bus services are also available between Phuket and Thalang every four hours.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Elephant Sanctuary Phuket is during early mornings, when the weather is pleasant and animals are in active mode for interacting with you. Canopy walkways are also available from 9 am- 2pm.
Other Essential Information
Places to eat near Elephant Sanctuary
1. Beach Grill: Situated amidst a beautiful private beach, this restaurant is one of the best picks to gorge on some delicious seafood. The place is a perfect blend of top-notch food items, amazing views, incomparable service, and friendly staff. You can also try out their in-house pizza which is highly recommended.
2. The Corner Restaurant: This small restaurant is the perfect amalgamation of authentic German and Thai cuisines as well as traditions. The restaurant also serves a humongous dinner buffet for its guests and a-la-carte Asian, Thai, German, as exclusive seafood preparations.
3. Suay Cherngtalay: This amazing restaurant is owned by celebrity chef Tammasak and is popular for its very own twists with traditional Thai cuisines. This restaurant does not only allow you to taste some of the most unique Thai and international flavors but also provides you with more of a dining experience with its service and ambiance.
4. Monkeypod Coffeehouse: To grab a quick meal and a refreshing coffee, this is the best place in the vicinity of Phuket Elephant Sanctuary ! This is a small family-run café that serves delicious Thai preparations along with hand-made cookies, mouth-watering desserts, and a few international cuisines. The cherry on the cake? The café is known to roast their very own coffee beans for an authentic cup of coffee for you!
Recommended Read: Places To Visit In Phuket
Places to stay near Elephant Sanctuary
1. Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort: This ocean view resort is one of the most luxurious places to stay in the near vicinity of the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. This humongous resort features 416 rooms and 54 luxurious suites, with swimming pools, on-site restaurants, an on-site scuba diving experience, and endless other amenities.
2. COMO Point Yamu: This beautiful resort is situated at the tip of Cape Yamu and overlooks the endless Andaman Sea. The interiors of the resorts boast beautiful Thai traditional elements and provide a luxurious abode for all visitors. The resort also features on-site Thai and Italian restaurants for the visitors to gorge on some authentic preparations.
3. Diamond Resort Phuket: This budget-friendly resort will surely woo you away with its exquisite interiors and serene exteriors. The resort is situated very close to the popular Bangtao Beach and features its very own lap pool, a fitness center, and a sauna.
4. The Village Coconut Island: This is surely one of the most unique places to stay in Phuket, off its east coast on a beautiful island. The resort features a beautiful stretch of untouched beachfront and facilitates 45 exclusive pool villas along with 76 Sea view and Garden view villas and 11 Jacuzzi villas. If you wish to stay in a peaceful and untouched place, this resort would be the best choice for you!
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Phuket With Kids
Tips to Visit Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
1. Wear a comfortable pair of shoes that lets you walk easily for a long period of time and do not slip off easily.
2. Carry a camera along with you to capture the majestic rescued animals in their very own natural abode. However, refrain from using the flash that might disturb the animals.
3. You can ask any queries related to the livelihoods of these majestic animals and learn about the past lives of the rescued elephants from your tour guide.
4. Do not poke or harm the elephants in any way possible. The Sanctuary is one of the most ethical places for these animals and allowing them their freedom is the sole concept of the sanctuary.
5. Be careful while feeding the animals with your hands. Ensure that a tour guide is guiding you and refrain from getting up close with the animals with any professional supervision.
Read More: Islands Near Phuket
A Morning With The Elephants
The morning with elephants begins with a scenic drive through the villages near the Elephant Sanctuary and leads up to the treetop reception, where you will be shown a presentation along with a video to prepare you to encounter these peaceful mammals.
Further, you will lead up in admiring these beautiful animals and feed them with their favourite breakfast, including pineapples, bananas, and cucumbers, alongside learning about the background of each elephant from your tour guide. Next up, you will walk through the wilderness, watching the elephants freely indulging in their daily chores like bathing, playing, and socializing with each other.
Planning A Honeymoon Trip To Phuket, Checkout Out Phuket Honeymoon Packages Now!
An Afternoon With The Elephants
It all starts with an audio-video show at the beautiful treetop reception, and further leads into the jungle in search of elephants indulging in their day-to-day lives.Depending on where the elephants are at that point in time, you can observe them through the Sanctuary’s different Observation Salas.
It's ideal for those who wish to capture some amazing photographs of elephants in their natural habitat. Towards the end of the tour, the elephants are walked up towards the treetop reception where visitors get to feed them with their own hands.
Do Read: Resorts In Phuket
Pes Canopy Walkway
This is surely one of the most exclusive tours available at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. The visitors get to walk through the 500 meters long elevated canopy walkway, admiring the elephants in their very own natural zone, without disturbing them at all. Watch and observe the 12 rescued elephants bathe, play, socialize, and roam freely around the Sanctuary and admire the beauty of the lush green forest. The tour also allows you to serve the animals their favorite food and complimentary t-shirts for all the participants. Towards the end of the tour, you shall be served refreshing sodas and unlimited snacks from the Sanctuary’s snack bar while you rest and admire the beautiful surroundings.
Check This Out: Beach Resorts In Phuket
Private Virtual Elephant Experience
This 45-minute live virtual tour allows you to experience the serenity of the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary from the comfort of your very own home. Join your tour guide online, walking through the expansive canopy of the Sanctuary, and get to watch these adorable animals live on your screens whilst getting to learn about their lives. Not only would you get to indulge in a completely different virtual experience with this program but your booking will also help the 12 rescued elephants lead a better life at the Sanctuary.
Suggested Read: Markets In Phuket
A Hands-Off Experience: At Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
This exclusive hands-off experience allows the visitors to watch and learn about the rescued elephants without disturbing their lives even a bit. The tour starts with a video graphic presentation at the treetop lounge that prepares you for the real experience. Then you get to meet two of the most adorable elephants of the Sanctuary, Madee, and Kannika, before helping the staff prepare their food “Khao Tom Mat”, which consists of mashed bananas, sticky rice, salt, and sugar wrapped around in huge banana leaves.
Further, you will head to the forest to watch the elephants in their natural habitat and watch them eat the food that you helped in preparing. Towards the end of the day, whilst the elephants are walked up to their night shelter, you enjoy a heart-warming vegetarian buffet whilst watching the elephants retire for the day.
Recommended Read: National Parks In Phuket
In The Footsteps Of Giants: One Day In The Life Of An Asian Elephant
This program allows the participants to get up close with the friendly elephants and learn about their lives as well as their importance in our ecosystem. The program is inclusive of a round trip, a scrumptious breakfast, and fulfilling lunch and dinner buffets. Your day starts with a video presentation followed by an opportunity to feed breakfast to the rescued elephants.
Further, your tour guide will teach you some techniques to communicate with the elephants before heading towards the lush green Sanctuary. Further, after having your lunch, you will get to learn more about the elephants and watch them bathing in the mud pond. Before having your dinner at the lounge, you will get an opportunity to feed the elephants their supper as well.
Check This Out: Places To Visit In Phuket Island
Tourism Board Alliances
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary FAQs
What are the Elephant Sanctuary opening hours?
Different programs at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary have different operating Hours as mentioned below:
A Morning With The Elephants: 9:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.
An Afternoon Program With The Elephants: 1:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Pes Canopy Walkway: Multiple Times Per Day
In The Footsteps Of Giants One Day In The Life Of An Asian Elephant: 9:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
A Hands-Off Experience At Phuket Elephant Sanctuary: 1:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Planning A Honeymoon Trip To Phuket, Checkout Out Phuket Honeymoon Packages Now!
Is it muddy? Do I need to bring boots?
Yes, if it rains heavily, some of the patches of the Elephant Sanctuary might get muddy. However, you do not need to bring in your very own shoes. The Sanctuary will provide you with wellie boots up to size 12 if required.
Do Read: Things To Do In Phuket In November
Can we take photos at Elephant Sanctuary?
Yes, you can take photographs at the Elephant Sanctuary. However, refrain from using flashes and prevent scarring the animals.
Also Read: Things To Do In Phuket At Night
Is there any age limit?
No, there is no age limit to visit and take part in one of the programs at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. Moreover, all provisions to take care of toddlers as well as the elderly have been taken care of at the Sanctuary.
Is it safe to visit Elephant Sanctuary?
Yes, it's safe to visit Elephant Sanctuary. Not only this, all the 12 rescued elephants at the Sanctuary are very kind and friendly but your tour guide will also help you be safe and sound at every point of time till you are inside the Sanctuary.
Is it open even during rains?
Yes, the Sanctuary is open all days of the week, even if it rains. Moreover, the vibe at the Elephant Sanctuary becomes even more magical during the rains as the elephants love to play in the rain. The Sanctuary will provide you with large umbrellas, boots, as well as raincoats to help you enjoy the rains if required.
Which are the top attractions in Thailand that you can book via Thrillophilia?
Here is the list of Thailand's top attractions that you can book via Thrillophilia:
.jpg)
.jpg)
