Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

We really enjoyed our stay at the elephant sanctuary and it was truly a memorable experience. From the moment we arrived, everything felt very well organized and high quality. The staff were welcoming, knowledgeable, and clearly very passionate about the care and protection of the elephants. Although they no longer allow visitors to feed the elephants, we actually appreciated this policy because it shows how much they prioritize the animals’ well-being. The sanctuary focuses on respecting the elephants’ natural behaviors and space rather than turning the experience into entertainment. It was clear that the elephants are treated with great care and dignity, and that the sanctuary values traditional and ethical elephant care above everything else. Seeing the elephants in an environment where their comfort and health come first made the experience even more special. Another highlight of our stay was the food. The meals were excellent and added a lot to the overall experience. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared and high quality, which made our visit even more enjoyable. Overall, this sanctuary offers a meaningful and responsible way to learn about and observe elephants. It is a high-quality experience that respects the animals and does not encourage harmful interactions. We would definitely recommend visiting to anyone who wants to see elephants in a place that truly values their space, traditions, and well-being.

Volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Phuket was an incredible experience that really moved our whole group. Throughout the day we helped with several meaningful tasks, including cleaning the elephants’ pens, feeding them, and planting bamboo that will eventually become part of their food supply. It felt great knowing that the work we were doing was directly helping take care of the elephants and supporting the sanctuary. The staff were very kind and clearly passionate about the elephants. They took time to explain how the elephants are cared for and why the work they do is so important. Being able to spend time around the elephants in a respectful and safe environment made the experience even more special. Overall, it was an unforgettable day and something I would absolutely recommend to anyone visiting Phuket. It was not only fun but also meaningful, and it gave us a much deeper appreciation for elephants and the people who dedicate their time to protecting them. 🐘🌱

Absolutely amazing experience getting to see these elephants. We were taken by covered pick up truck to the reserve where the elephants are kept. We had food and drink when we got there then out guide took a small group of us around to meet the elephants. We did get to feed an elephant at the beginning of the tour which was amazing. Our guide was excellent and explained about each of the different elephants history. They do amazing work here to give the elephants their lives back from working and returning them to a natural environment. It was very hot but they provided umbrellas and water which was really helped. Once we finished the tour we returned to the entrance for a meal and a trip to the gift shop. This really is an amazing place to visit getting to see these beautiful animals. Would highly recommend a visit.

What an amazing place! No only a safe haven for elephants rescued, but also a lot of knowledge and experience shared with visitors. - The guide was great, very energetic and adjusting the speed of the visit to the group’s needs. The food was also delicious and of a great variety. Generally the facility made a great impression on us - even our 2 years old (but for parents with small kids still using strollers it can be difficult).

Visited Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and had a genuinely great experience. Pickup was right on time around 8am, with drop-off back at the hotel around 2pm. We first stopped at their offices to register, then headed to the reserve by truck. The tour was well structured, in a small and manageable group of around 10 people. It started with a short documentary, followed by feeding the elephants, then a walk through the reserve where we met different elephants with their mahouts and learned about each animal’s past. We finished with a walk along the canopy and back to base. Huge thanks to our instructor Alex, who explained everything clearly and took the time to answer all our questions without rushing. The atmosphere was relaxed and calm. Yes, it was hot, but still really pleasant being out in the reserve and moving at an easy pace. The staff were friendly and attentive throughout. After the tour, there was a solid spread of vegetarian and vegan dishes. There were no additional fees beyond the ticket price. The only extra cost would be if you chose to buy something from the souvenir shop, unless a souvenir was already included with your tour type. Thoughtful, educational, and clearly focused on the elephants’ wellbeing. Worth the time.

I have read through many of the reviews posted on Google and just thought I might be able to help clarify some of the statements. First of all there are a lot of reviews from people who definitely did not go to Phuket elephant sanctuary. Some went to bukit and others it seems just went to an elephant riding place. Phuket sanctuary is definitely a cruelty free and elephant safe zone. Some have commented on the elephants being herded in certain directions towards tourists and this isn’t the case. Each elephant has their own mahout which is their carer that the elephant has built a trust bond with, they turn to them when frightened(many of the elephants are either blind or partially blind from past abuse) The mahout stays close to their elephant but far enough to allow it to go wherever it wants as seen in one of the photos. The only time a mahout is seen close to their elephant is when it begins to approach a group of tourists. It is easier for the mahout to gently steer( they don’t even touch the elephant they just walk between them and the tourist and the elephant turns away) the elephant than to try and move a group of 15 or so people in the right direction and then they go on their way. Another thing I have seen commented on in reviews is the choice of elephants in the sanctuary, they have 13 elephants, 12 are female, 1 is a young male. Nearly all females are close to or above 50. Some have asked why didn’t they save younger ones or get more males. They tell you in the sanctuary if you ask. They buy them and no one wants to sell young hard working animals if they still have many years in them. The males are even more difficult to buy because they can breed until they die whereas the females only until they are 60 I think. The only reason they have a male now is because he was born without tusks. The last thing is people commenting on the enclosures. At night they put the elephants to bed in the enclosures pictured. The elephants as mentioned before have different disabilities, and can be easily frightened, they also don’t all get on well with each other. On top of that the person they look to for comfort, their mahout is not always there, they have their own lives. So for the safety of all the people working evenings and the animals themselves they put them to bed in large enclosures with their own water trough and full food trough. For those looking to see elephants in an ethical setting and donate to a great cause this is the place to go. They even use your ticket money to fund their hospital which they allow other elephant owners to use free of charge to make sure the elephants are looked after properly.

Amazing experience! we booked tickets in advance and were picked up/dropped off from our accommodation in Phuket old town. We went for the half day tour which included feeding the elephants. This however is stopping soon as they are looking to make the experience more inline with their ethical values. While the feeding was fun, the rest of the tour was a far greater experience. The staff were very knowledgeable and obviously have a deep care for elephants. Arrival drinks/snacks and a veggie/vegan lunch was included which was very nice. I’d highly recommend a trip here.

Wonderful experience at this very ethical retired elephant Sanctuary. The staff clearly really care for the elephants and it was a world away from seeing very unethical elephant riding going on nearby with another company. This is a very busy experience (around 60-80 people for the 9.30am "half day" slot), but after breakfast and the heartwarming 20min intro video, you're split into groups of 8-10. But there's no denying it does feel busy as you go close-ish to the elephants to learn about them. But hearing about the Sanctuary, I feel that both ethically and as a tourist, that having so many people there is necessary for the survival of the Sanctuary and the retired elephants themselves. Only other downside is that the "3.5hour experience" includes 30mins breakfast, 1hr lunch, 20mins video and 10mins getting into mandatory provided wellies and socks. So in reality it's about a 1.5hour experience - it felt enough time (and the food was superb) but I'd prefer for it to be have advertised as such. We paid for round trip transfers which were on time and quick. They pick you up from your hotel, take you to their basecamp office on the main road then take you in groups of 8ish in open mini trucks up the dirt tracks to the Sanctuary itself. All in all, go here! It's a marvellous experience.