Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Thailand is often termed the land of Elephants. Moreover, when you are in Thailand, you would not only see elephants at some prominent places but also on the streets. The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is one of its kind tropical jungle, spread over a beautiful land of 30 acres, which acts as a home to working elephants after their retirement. Here, these mammals get to live their very own free lives after decades of humiliation and abuse by their owners.

With the Thailand trip package, at the Sanctuary you can watch these beautiful rehabilitated mammals spend an entire day in their natural habitat. Moreover, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is also known as the very first ethical elephant sanctuary in the entire world.

After spending an entire life, working long hours of days in the tourist industry, the Asian Elephants find their very own natural home at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary situated bordering the dense jungles of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. Not only does the Sanctuary acts as a home to old retired elephants but also rescues injured and sick elephants to provide them with brand-new life. 

At the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, these elephants can be themselves without the fear of being beaten up by their training masters. All the visitors get to admire these animals' lives and enjoy their freedom at the freshwater lagoons of the Sanctuary, and feed these gentle animals with pineapples or bananas.

The Sanctuary also allows the visitors to watch these giant animals bathe with their fellow mates in the freshwater lagoons from a distance, covering each other with thick layers of mud and having the fun of their lives. Visitors also do have an interactive session with these animals where they can safely touch and feed the elephants. Visiting this unique destination is surely a break from the beach vibe of Phuket and provides a unique and enjoyable experience to each and every visitor.

• The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is home to 12 beautiful elephants, all with a friendly and kind vibe.
• One can also opt for a Canopy Walkway tour where they get to admire the elephants from up above the ground in their natural habitat. It also allows the best of the views of the Sanctuary.
• You will not only get to watch the animals indulge in their day-to-day chores but also get to learn about the past lives as well as the heart-warming rescue stories of these mammals.
• The Thai lunch served after a morning exploration with the elephants is surely one of the major and most delicious highlights of your visit to this place.
• The guides at the Sanctuary are very kind and knowledgeable. They will allow you to learn about these mammals and wishfully clear all your doubts and questions on tour.
• All the tours at the Sanctuary are a perfect combination of education, interaction, as well as Observation for each and every visitor.

The best time to visit Elephant Sanctuary Phuket is during early mornings, when the weather is pleasant and animals are in active mode for interacting with you. Canopy walkways are also available from 9 am- 2pm.

Places to eat near Elephant Sanctuary

1. Beach Grill: Situated amidst a beautiful private beach, this restaurant is one of the best picks to gorge on some delicious seafood. The place is a perfect blend of top-notch food items, amazing views, incomparable service, and friendly staff. You can also try out their in-house pizza which is highly recommended.

2. The Corner Restaurant: This small restaurant is the perfect amalgamation of authentic German and Thai cuisines as well as traditions. The restaurant also serves a humongous dinner buffet for its guests and a-la-carte Asian, Thai, German, as exclusive seafood preparations.

3. Suay Cherngtalay: This amazing restaurant is owned by celebrity chef Tammasak and is popular for its very own twists with traditional Thai cuisines. This restaurant does not only allow you to taste some of the most unique Thai and international flavors but also provides you with more of a dining experience with its service and ambiance.

4. Monkeypod Coffeehouse: To grab a quick meal and a refreshing coffee, this is the best place in the vicinity of Phuket Elephant Sanctuary ! This is a small family-run café that serves delicious Thai preparations along with hand-made cookies, mouth-watering desserts, and a few international cuisines. The cherry on the cake? The café is known to roast their very own coffee beans for an authentic cup of coffee for you!

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Places to stay near Elephant Sanctuary

1. Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort: This ocean view resort is one of the most luxurious places to stay in the near vicinity of the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. This humongous resort features 416 rooms and 54 luxurious suites, with swimming pools, on-site restaurants, an on-site scuba diving experience, and endless other amenities.

2. COMO Point Yamu: This beautiful resort is situated at the tip of Cape Yamu and overlooks the endless Andaman Sea. The interiors of the resorts boast beautiful Thai traditional elements and provide a luxurious abode for all visitors. The resort also features on-site Thai and Italian restaurants for the visitors to gorge on some authentic preparations.

3. Diamond Resort Phuket: This budget-friendly resort will surely woo you away with its exquisite interiors and serene exteriors. The resort is situated very close to the popular Bangtao Beach and features its very own lap pool, a fitness center, and a sauna.

4. The Village Coconut Island: This is surely one of the most unique places to stay in Phuket, off its east coast on a beautiful island. The resort features a beautiful stretch of untouched beachfront and facilitates 45 exclusive pool villas along with 76 Sea view and Garden view villas and 11 Jacuzzi villas. If you wish to stay in a peaceful and untouched place, this resort would be the best choice for you!

Suggested Read: Things To Do In Phuket With Kids

Tips to Visit Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

1. Wear a comfortable pair of shoes that lets you walk easily for a long period of time and do not slip off easily.

2. Carry a camera along with you to capture the majestic rescued animals in their very own natural abode. However, refrain from using the flash that might disturb the animals.

3. You can ask any queries related to the livelihoods of these majestic animals and learn about the past lives of the rescued elephants from your tour guide.

4. Do not poke or harm the elephants in any way possible. The Sanctuary is one of the most ethical places for these animals and allowing them their freedom is the sole concept of the sanctuary.

5. Be careful while feeding the animals with your hands. Ensure that a tour guide is guiding you and refrain from getting up close with the animals with any professional supervision.

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By Road: Located in Thalang district, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is about 22 kilometres from the mainland of Phuket and can be reached by road in 30 minutes. You can either hire a taxi or rent self-drive cars to reach the Elephant Sanctuary. Blue Songthaews runs from Phuket Town to Phuket Bang Rong Pier from where a taxi can be taken to reach the sanctuary. Bus services are also available between Phuket and Thalang every four hours.