A beautiful afternoon with our elephants
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
We offer a natural experience with elephants. We put the welfare of our elephants as number 1. We have social herds that spend the day with each other and we get to be a part of that.
Our elephant handlers give our ladies space and freedom to behave like elephants with as much natural behavior and play as possible. A truely genuine sanctuary for elephants. No touching, no bathing, no riding, just happy elephants.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve
We offer a peaceful tour of our forest land. Observe our elephants as they go about the day socialising with each other, playing in the mud or grazing in the forest. An incredibly informative and genuine experience with elephants. No cooking, no gimmicks, just 100% elephant time.
What‘s Included
Admission fee
A beautiful Thai Buffet overlooking our elephants and ponds.
This is a 'No Transport' option and is reflected in the price. You must organise your own transport to us
We are a no alcohol and no Soda environment
Options
A beautiful afternoon with our elephants
Reviews
33 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Ignore the elephant rides, this is how a real elephant sanctuary should be
Marc D,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A wonderful trip to see elephants well looked after and cared for. Reject the elephant rides and bathing at other places, learn about how a real sanctuary should work. You can feed the elephants, but otherwise it's no contact. But you can see them up close and have a wonderful thai lunch while you watch them play in the water
100/10 Experience
DAV2933,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00As my 7 year old son says, 100/10 for Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve! We loved everything about it. They had beautiful elephants that we felt were very respected. We loved that we could feed them and watch them in their natural environment. It was very special to see Pearl enjoying her swim! Her trumpetings of joy were unforgettable. We highly recommend visiting this place especially. Oh and the food was very good too. 100/10!
Absolutely amazing
Shez971,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the afternoon tour yesterday. What a truly amazing place and what a fantastic job all the staff are doing to ensure the rescued elephants are living their best lives now. Thoroughly enjoyed this experience and the elephants are happy and well cared for. I only wanted to visit an ethical sanctuary and I found that here. Plus the buffet food was the best we have had in a trip. Brilliant.
A truly memorable experience
BabsBeveridge,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is an ethical elephant experience, all of whom have been rescued, with passionate guides and a fabulous opportunity to be near these magnificent animals without significantly interfering with their normal activities or causing them stress. It was beautiful to see and very educational. The vegetarian buffet was excellent and very tasty as a bonus. Would highly recommend this as a wonderful way to see these elephants.
An extraordinary experience
Timmo in oz,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a real treat to be able to see these majestic creatures up close in such beautiful surroundings. The staff are extraordinary with their dedication to these Asiatic Elephants. This was a wonderful and memorable experience rounded off with a delicious Thai meal. Recommended +++
10/10 elephant experience.
GrandTour15777401277,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.0010/10 experience!!! We had an amazing afternoon. We were able to observe the elephants eating and bathing in a relaxed, calm environment. The guides were all very knowledgeable and kind, they took time to answer any questions we had. The tour finishes with an incredibly delicious Thai vegetarian meal while watching the elephants bathe and socialize with each other. If you want to see elephants and you want to support a company doing good work for animal welfare, spend your money here!!
DO NOT MISS THIS EXPERIENCE IF IN PHUKET
richiel1973,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the morning session rather than the afternoon, but that wasn't listed. Cannot recommend this highly enough. To be up close to these magnificent beasts in their natural habitat is just awesome. Hearing them trumpet etc. Have been on other tours before but this one 100% puts the elephants first. 10 of them rescued from the horror of being chained up carrying humans around (disgusting - one even has a broken spine from it) or logging etc. Louise is an incredible lady and it was such an insightful day. I wish them all the success in the world going forward.
A wonderful ethical visit with rescue elephants
F5245HItimm,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Treating animals ethically isn’t difficult, but the tourist trade has created challenges, and not just in Thailand. People still ride or bathe with elephants and the animals are often beaten and mistreated to learn dumb tricks. Do you really want to pay money to see an elephant paint or dance to receive food? The clear answer is no, you shouldn’t want that kind of experience. Hidden Forest has rescued elephants from logging operations and unethical tour operators and allows you to enjoy an up close experience with these amazing animals in their natural habitat, where the elephants roam naturally in a way that’s safe for the animals, their personal mahut (handler) and tourists. We were given the opportunity to feed them bananas and watch them eat then bathe in a pond. Four of the elephants have bonded amazingly well together and to see them enjoy human-free water together was heartwarming. Please review your excursion options carefully and support the ones doing things the right way. Hidden Forest should be at the top of your list.
Incredible Day with the Elephants
mkostovski,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you’re visiting Phuket and want an ethical, unforgettable experience with elephants, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary / Forest Elephant Reserve is absolutely worth it. What makes this place special is that it truly prioritizes the elephants. These elephants were rescued from logging, tourism, and difficult working conditions, and now they can live peacefully in a natural forest environment. The staff and guides are incredibly knowledgeable and clearly passionate about the elephants’ well-being. They take time to explain each elephant’s story, the rescue process, and the importance of ethical wildlife tourism. It makes the experience not only memorable, but also meaningful. Walking along the canopy walkway through the forest while watching these gentle giants roam freely is something you won’t forget. The setting is beautiful, the organization is well run, and you leave knowing your visit helps support the elephants’ care. If you’re looking for a responsible way to see elephants in Thailand, this sanctuary sets the standard. Highly recommended for anyone who cares about animals and wants a truly special experience in Phuket.
A brilliant Elephant experience
Brenda F,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I wanted to see elephants that were being allowed to be relaxed and not forced to perform. The Hidden Forrest Elephant Reserve achieves this. We need to support more conservationists like these people and help them to keep doing great work!
From THB 2,700.00
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