Meeting elephants is one of those experiences that brings many people to Thailand. These amazing animals are considered a symbol of the country, and seeing them up close is something both adults and children dream of.
But today, it’s important not only to fulfill that dream but also to choose a place where the animals are genuinely cared for. In Phuket, you can still find programs that offer elephant riding and various shows.
We do not recommend these excursions — they rely on training and hard labor for the animals, which negatively affects their health, quality of life, and lifespan.
Instead, it’s better to visit one of the modern ethical elephant sanctuaries. Here, the elephants live free from exploitation, roam spacious natural areas, bathe, rest, and simply enjoy the best life possible.
Would you like to visit one of these sanctuaries? Send us a message, and we’ll help you choose the program that’s right for you.
Contents
1. Elephant Care Park Nai Dee Phuket
2. Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve
3. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket
4. Phuket Siray Elephant Care Camp
5. Which Elephant Sanctuary to Choose
6. Private Elephant Sanctuary Tour
Elephant Care Park Nai Dee Phuket
Geo on Google Maps (Bang Tao)
Working hours: Mon - Sun: 08:30 - 17:00
Booking: WhatsApp, Telegram, Max
If you want to spend not just 15 minutes but several memorable hours with elephants, Elephant Care Park Nai Dee is one of the best choices. It is the largest ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket, home to elephants rescued from the tourism industry. Here, they no longer work or perform in shows.
Visitors to the sanctuary can observe the elephants' natural behavior, feed them, walk alongside them, and discover how unique each elephant's personality is. Some eagerly reach for treats, others leisurely explore the grounds, while the most curious ones approach visitors on their own to say hello.
The sanctuary offers several visit options, ranging from a short introductory program to a full adventure lasting nearly half a day.
Elephant Feeding
A great option for families with children and anyone who wants to meet elephants without committing to a longer tour. You'll prepare healthy treats for the elephants, feed them, take memorable photos, and learn fascinating facts about the lives of these incredible animals. Afterward, you'll be invited to a short cooking class where you'll learn how to prepare a traditional Thai dish.
Price
- Adult ticket – 2,000 THB, or 1,200 THB when booking through us.
- Child ticket – 1,500 THB, or 1,100 THB when booking through us.
Half-Day with Elephants
The sanctuary's most popular program, offering a truly immersive experience. You'll begin by meeting the elephants and preparing their favorite treats. Then you'll take a walk through the lush grounds alongside them, observe how they spend their day, and take part in a traditional mud spa session. For elephants, mud bathing is a natural way to protect their skin from the sun and insects. For visitors, it's a unique experience that's hard to find anywhere else.
After the mud bath, the program continues with a Thai cooking class. A professional photographer accompanies the tour, so your most memorable moments will be captured in beautiful photos to take home.
Price
- Adult ticket – 3,000 THB, or 1,900 THB when booking through us.
- Child ticket – 2,500 THB, or 1,500 THB when booking through us.
You can book your visit to Elephant Care Park Nai Dee using the contact details below:
Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve
Geo on Google Maps (Bang Tao)
Working hours: Mon - Sun: 08:30 - 17:00
Booking: WhatsApp, Telegram, Max
If large tourist attractions aren't your style, Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve is well worth considering. This small sanctuary in the Chalong area is perfect for those who appreciate a peaceful atmosphere and want to spend quality time with elephants without the crowds or rush.
The sanctuary was founded by Kong and Louise Rogerson, who have dedicated many years to rescuing and rehabilitating elephants. There are no shows, performances, or other forms of entertainment here.
The main idea behind this sanctuary is to let elephants be exactly as they are and give visitors the opportunity to get to know them in the most respectful and gentle way possible.
During the visit, you won't just see the elephants from a distance. You'll be introduced to each one, hear its rescue story, learn what makes each elephant unique, and discover what a typical day in its life looks like. After this experience, you begin to see them not as a tourist attraction, but as animals with their own personalities and habits.
Another thing that makes Hidden Forest special is its intimate atmosphere. It never feels like a large group tour, making the entire experience feel much more personal and genuine.
What to Expect
The experience begins with an introduction to the elephants. You'll have the opportunity to feed them fresh fruit, observe their natural behavior, and spend enough time with them to develop a genuine connection with these incredible animals.
After that, you'll take a walk through the sanctuary. The guides will not only share the stories of each elephant but also explain how modern elephant rescue centers in Thailand operate, why so many elephants end up in sanctuaries like this, and how attitudes toward their welfare have changed in recent years.
The most memorable part of the experience begins toward the end of the visit. Guests are invited to enjoy lunch in cozy lakeside pavilions. While you relax and take in the beautiful scenery, the elephants make their way to the water for a bath. They happily play, splash each other, dive, and simply enjoy cooling off in the lake.
Watching them from a distance is incredibly heartwarming and is sure to bring a smile to even the most serious travelers.
Schedule
- Morning session: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
- Afternoon session: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Price
- Adult ticket – 2,900 THB, or 2,465 THB when booking through us.
- Child ticket – 1,600 THB, or 1,360 THB when booking through us.
Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve is the perfect choice for those looking not for an action-packed tourist activity, but for a peaceful and meaningful encounter with elephants. To book your visit to the sanctuary, simply get in touch with us:
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket
Geo on Google Maps (Kathu)
Working hours: Mon - Sun: 09:00 - 16:00
Booking: WhatsApp, Telegram, Max
One of the most well-known and frequently visited elephant sanctuaries not only in Phuket but in all of Thailand, Elephant Jungle Sanctuary also has locations in several other provinces. Over the years, it has become a model for what modern, ethical elephant tourism should look like — free from exploitation, forced performances, and activities that cause harm to the animals.
Today, the sanctuary is home to elephants that once worked in the tourism industry. They now spend their days in a spacious, lush sanctuary where they are free to roam, bathe, rest, and live at their own natural pace.
One of the standout features of Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is the variety of experiences it offers. You can stop by for just an hour to feed the elephants, or spend half a day at the sanctuary, learning each elephant's story, helping care for them, and observing their daily lives at a relaxed pace.
Elephant Feeding (1 Hour)
The shortest program is perfect for those who want to meet elephants for the first time or are traveling with young children.
During the experience, you'll feed the elephants their favorite fruits and vegetables, take photos, and observe how they interact with one another.
Price
- Adult ticket – 900 THB, or 875 THB when booking through us.
- Child ticket – 900 THB, or 875 THB when booking through us.
Elephant Feeding + Elephant Shower + Transfers (1.5 Hours)
If you're looking for a more interactive experience, this program is an excellent choice.
After feeding the elephants, you'll head to a special tropical shower area where they love cooling off on hot days. You'll have the chance to help them freshen up, watch their playful behavior during bath time, and capture some truly unique photos.
This is one of the most fun parts of the experience. Elephants love water just as much as people do, and they often start playing by splashing everyone around them. So be prepared not only for great photos but also for plenty of laughter and unforgettable memories.
Price
- Adult ticket – 2,000 THB, or 1,950 THB when booking through us.
- Child ticket – 1,500 THB, or 1,450 THB when booking through us.
Half-Day with Elephants + Transfers (3 Hours)
Perfect for those who want to do more than simply see the elephants — they want to learn as much as possible about them.
During the experience, your guide will introduce you to each elephant, share its story, and explain how the sanctuary operates. You'll prepare treats for the elephants, feed them, help care for their skin, bathe alongside them, and observe how they spend a typical day.
The program is designed to be relaxed and unhurried, giving you plenty of time to interact with the elephants, take photos, and simply enjoy the unique atmosphere of the sanctuary.
After the tour, guests are treated to a Thai buffet lunch featuring a variety of traditional dishes.
Price
- Adult ticket – 2,900 THB, or 2,850 THB when booking through us.
- Child ticket – 1,900 THB, or 1,850 THB when booking through us.
If you're planning to visit an elephant sanctuary in Phuket for the first time and want to choose a well-established place with excellent organization, Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is one of the best options. Contact us to book your visit:
Phuket Siray Elephant Care Camp
Geo on Google Maps (Ratsada)
Working hours: Mon - Sun: 08:00 - 17:00
Booking: WhatsApp, Telegram, Max
If you've always dreamed of seeing elephants bathing not in a river or an artificial pond, but right in the sea, Phuket Siray Elephant Care Camp will be a truly unique experience. It is the only elephant sanctuary in Phuket where the elephants have access to their own private beach overlooking the Andaman Sea.
It takes just 15 minutes to get here from Phuket Town, yet it feels like you've entered a completely different world. A peaceful bay, lush green hills, the sound of gentle waves, and elephants strolling leisurely along the shoreline — the beauty and majesty of nature at its finest.
The sanctuary is home to elephants rescued after many years of working in the logging and tourism industries. Visitors can choose from several different ways to experience these incredible animals:
Elephant Feeding & Care (1 Hour)
This program is ideal for those who want to spend quality time with the elephants, get to know them better, and learn more about their lives.
You'll feed the elephants, observe their natural behavior, take memorable photos, and see just how calm and trusting they become when they are no longer subjected to hard work and constant stress.
Before the experience begins, guests are welcomed with a refreshing drink, and the sanctuary staff introduce each elephant and share its rescue story.
The program includes:
- Elephant food
- Welcome drink
Price
- Adult ticket – 900 THB, or 720 THB when booking through us.
- Child ticket – 900 THB, or 720 THB when booking through us.
- Children under 3 years old – free of charge.
Elephant Feeding & Beach Bathing (2.5–3 Hours)
This is the signature experience that brings most visitors to Phuket Siray Elephant Care Camp. You'll begin by preparing healthy treats for the elephants and feeding them, then accompany them to the sanctuary's private beach, where the most unforgettable part of the experience begins.
The elephants happily wade into the sea, play in the water, and enjoy cooling off while guests can watch them up close. After their swim, you'll help care for their skin using a special natural scrub, then freshen up yourself with an open-air shower.
The experience concludes with time to relax at a cafe overlooking the sea, where you'll be served fresh tropical fruits and refreshing drinks.
Price
- Adult ticket – 1,900 THB, or 1,800 THB when booking through us.
- Child ticket – 1,500 THB, or 1,400 THB when booking through us.
- Children under 3 years old – free of charge.
During both programs, the staff are happy to help you take beautiful photos with the elephants, so you'll return home with not only unforgettable memories but also wonderful pictures. Book your visit to the sanctuary:
Which Elephant Sanctuary to Choose
If you'd like to spend as much time with the elephants as possible while enjoying nature walks, a mud spa experience, and a Thai cooking class, Elephant Care Park Nai Dee Phuket is the perfect choice.
If you prefer a peaceful atmosphere, small groups, and a more personal experience with the elephants, Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve is the ideal option.
If this is your first elephant sanctuary visit and you'd like to experience one of Thailand's most famous and well-established sanctuaries, Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket is an excellent choice.
And if you've always dreamed of seeing elephants bathing in the sea and capturing truly unique photos, Phuket Siray Elephant Care Camp is the sanctuary for you.
All of the sanctuaries featured on this page operate according to ethical standards. Whichever one you choose, you'll enjoy a memorable encounter with elephants where the animals' welfare always comes first, and the visitor experience comes second.
Private Elephant Sanctuary Tour
A private elephant sanctuary tour is a comfortable trip to one of Phuket's ethical elephant sanctuaries exclusively for your group. You can choose the time that suits you best, avoid traveling with a larger group, and spend more quality time with the elephants. Contact us via WhatsApp or Telegram to learn more.
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