A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the first and only ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket where elephants roam around, bathe and sozialize freely across 30 acres of lush, tropical land bordering the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park in North East Phuket. We buy all rescued elephants to ensure that Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is their final home, and we offer professional veterinary care for old and injured elephants. By visiting us, you are supporting a sustainable, ethical and compassionate approach to elephant tourism where elephants have the freedom to live naturally. National Geographic, Lonely Planet and The Guardian have all endorsed our ethical approach.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
A morning with the elephants is an eye-opening and inspiring experience. Following a scenic drive along a local village you will arrive at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, a picturesque jungle dotted with ponds, wide open fields and hillsides for the elephants to roam around. Your visit starts at our Tree Top Lounge, where we will show you a presentation and educational video to prepare you for your encounter with the elephants, and to help you understand why they need to be protected. We then follow them down into the jungle. By keeping a safe distance and watching them from our Observation Salas, the elephants have the freedom to express their natural behavior, from bathing and playing in our pond to socializing with each other. The program ends with a delicious Thai vegetarian meal.
What‘s Included
Roundtrip Transfers - if options is selected
We provide bottled water but appreciate if you bring a refill bottle.
Guided Walk through 30 Acre Sanctuary and across the Canopy Walkway
A delicious Thai vegetarian lunch buffet with over 15 choices.
Educational Video Documentary
Socks, Boots, Umbrellas, Rain Coats, Mosquito Spray
Welcome Snacks and Beverages
Roundtrip Transfers - If option is not selected
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Program Only (No Transfer)
Transfer NOT included: Please meet in Paklok office at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. Select Transfers option for transportation for pick-up/drop-off
Program + Shared Transfers
Pickup included
Reviews
1,770 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fab morning at the sanctuary
jennyl7827,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We chose Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, although it was quite a distance from our hotel, because our daughter has limited mobility and uses a wheelchair. We were not disappointed. We were well looked after from start to finish. The sanctuary took my daughter around in a buggy so she was able to fully participate in the tour and see the elephants up close, the same as everyone else. The canopy walkway was also good to see the elephants from above, giving a different perspective. Our guide was Woody. He was very knowledgeable and spoke clearly so everyone could hear him. The breakfast and lunch were very good. Thank you, we really enjoyed our day and learning about the elephants and their stories. It was quite moving at times. Keep up the good work 🙂
Worthwile Trip
P2467MHpaulm,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very enjoyable experience, worth taking the time to do. The sanctuary is lovely and it is clear that the elephants are well taken care of. The tour included feeding them some fruit (I think they are phasing this out soon), and then walking around the grounds in small groups seeing the elephants in (close to) their natural habitat. As this is an ethical sanctuary, outside of the feeding part, you are not encouraged to get too close to the elephants or try to touch them etc. It was great seeing them up close, and their raw power as a couple of them were tearing down bamboo trees to get to the leaves. The guides are very informative, and overall the trip here is worth doing if you can. You also get some food and drink provided, which is nice.
Great experience
502syj,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a short but memorable experience for our family. A visit here gave us a glimpse of the struggles these elephants went through almost their entire lives. Giving them chance to live again almost freely as they would have done in the wild means a lot. What a wonderful cause and hope more people visit them in the coming days to continue their mission.
Worth every penny.
Andrew M,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The best elephant experience ever! These big beautiful creatures are now living their best life, in retirement, in their forever home. You get told all of the elephants names, ages & back stories. Some are quite heartbreaking to hear. However these intelligent gentle giants are living the rest of their lives in tranquility. You get to feed them, hands on, but you are not allowed to pet them. You get a jungle canopy walk, so you can observe them from above. This is not a zoo, nor is it an entertainment facility. This is a sanctuary a little haven on earth for elephants. If you do only one thing when visiting Thailand, do this. A worthwhile cause supporting these animals. Worth every penny
Sanctuary I recommend.
Bilgehan S,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very nice professional experience where we were able to rub shoulders with elephants while respecting these animals. The practices of this sanctuary are based on respect and comfort for their elephants more than on activities catching tourists.
Elephants well looked after and very well cared for KT our guide was brilliant
annehowell,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was a good trip from start to finish booked through Viator well organised
Great ethical elephant sanctuary that caters to the animals wellbeing rather than tourist entertainment.
Trudy A D,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a wonderful, ethical elephant sanctuary - exactly what we were looking for. Our guide, Jeffy, was very forthcoming about how they rescue the elephants, transport them and take care of them for the rest of their life. He also explained how they are trying to educate the people about the ethical treatment of these animals and why it is so important to the animals wellbeing. We are grateful that places like this exist to take care of elephants that were in captivity and give them a life as close to possible in their natural habitat.
Amazing ethical elephant sanctuary
Roving26150740211,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience, ethical tour where you see them in their sanctuary without exploitation, beautiful animals and lovely tour guides
Best experience of our trip
Companion34976991538,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The best experience of our trip to Phuket! Thomas, our guide, was super informative and friendly and the elephants were beautiful. Such an inspiring mission and we hope to come back soon.
Organized and ethical
E5577ENiana,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Well organized and as ethical as it can get.
From THB 3,000.00
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Operated by Phuket Elephant Sanctuary