An Afternoon with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Description
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the first 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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Skip the unethical elephant encounters in Phuket and visit a sanctuary where the animals are allowed to live their final years roaming freely without being harmed by tourists. Located on 30 acres of lush, tropical land bordering the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park in North East Phuket, visiting the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary helps support their mission of compassionate and ethical elephant tourism.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
(Pickup up to 90 minutes before the tour!) We offer shared roundtrip transfers from anywhere in the Phuket Province. To book a tour including shared roundtrip transfers, please select the "Program + Transfer" option. Pick-up and drop-off location must be identical, and the exact pick-up time, up to 90 minutes before the tour, will be advised via message or email shortly after completing your booking.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(410)
This place is everything I hoped it would be. I got to observe these magnificent elephants from just 5–6 feet away — completely undisturbed, on their own terms. No performances, no tricks, no pressure to entertain. Just elephants being elephants: playing, interacting with each other, and living as close to a natural life as possible. Knowing that these animals will never be sent back to work again made the whole experience deeply meaningful. There’s something powerful about witnessing a creature that size moving through the world with that kind of peace and freedom. The staff were wonderful and the food was excellent — a full experience, not just a visit. I’m so glad this sanctuary exists. If you’re looking for an ethical elephant experience in Phuket, look no further. This is it.
Special thank for Khun woody to take us to see the final elephant life in Phuket sanctuary we love it and definitely we will come back soon ❤️
An excellent experience, and very worthy cause. Ask money generated from this goes back into purchasing more dustressed/ injured elephants to live or their days at the sanctuary. An awesome day out, totally recommended.
The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary organization is doing wonderful work for elephants who have suffered from abuse. This experience was one of the highlights of my trip. Everything was exceptional from the moment guests arrive, we were offered refreshments and snacks. The staff is so friendly and their level of care for the elephants is truly outstanding. Our guide Jeffy, was so knowledgeable and amazing. He knew every elephant’s name, age and history. We discovered each elephant had an impactful story, and how they came to call the sanctuary their home. Their love for these magnificent creatures is genuinely inspiring and limitless. At the end of the tour, they provided a delicious vegetarian lunch. If you want to support an amazing cause, I recommend this magical experience if you are in Phuket.
Amazing experience it was such a beautiful place and great care of the elephants
We had a fantastic experience at the elephant sanctuary and it was one of the highlights of our trip. Our children absolutely loved it. There were plenty of opportunities to interact with the elephants in a way that felt playful, engaging and, most importantly, respectful to the animals. It was clear that the focus was on the elephants' wellbeing rather than entertainment, which we really appreciated. The staff were friendly and informative, and the whole experience was very well organised. It was also nice knowing that our visit was helping to support the sanctuary's work and the ongoing care of the elephants. Everyone in our group, from the children to the adults, came away smiling. If you're visiting Phuket and travelling as a family, I would strongly recommend adding this to your itinerary. It's fun, memorable and offers a much more meaningful experience than some of the traditional elephant attractions.
Second time in Thailand and second time visiting the sanctuary. I will never go to one of the many elephant tours around Phuket I did my research and this is by far the most ethical and true sanctuary in phuket. Of course you want to hug and interact with these beautiful animals but considering their life prior to the sanctuary they were just used for working and entertainment it’s heartbreaking. I loved the fact that there’s no touching, feeding riding or bathing just walking amongst these giants was a treat and created a memorable afternoon. This place has grown and improved over the years and I wish I could do more to help support an important cause.
A fantastic way to connect with nature and the elephants in the utmost respectful way. No touching, no bathing, no chains, just old rescued elephants having a second chance in life, having the chance to be free, cherished and nourished. Beautiful experience, absolutely recommend. Let's start creating change by choosing places where animals are treated like living beings, not like objects.
What a magnificent place. It's amazing how these people actually care about the elephants welfare and ensure people can be close to these amazing creatures, still respecting their space and allowing a safe and natural interaction. On top of everything they have the first elephant hospital in Phuket, where we could see how they take care of an elephant with a fractured leg. I hope this place keeps growing and rescuing more elephants and more people support these type of responsible tourism.
Very nice afternoon. Very nice guide who could tell us a lot about the elephants and the sanctuary. Very good service with drinks and snacks at the beginning and end. Very good handling of the elephants.
