Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Experience Elephant Care Camp Tour
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Have you ever touched an elephant? Have you felt the tingling sensation on your skin from the bristles sprouting from its rough and wrinkled skin? Have you watched as it used its trunk to bring a watermelon to its mouth? And have you ever stood between two elephants and witnessed their playful interactions? 🙂 I experienced all of this during my trip to Thailand. It was definitely one of those moments I was glad to have.
That’s why if you come to Thailand, I highly recommend you visit one of the elephant care centers known as elephant sanctuaries and have this experience. You can even take it a step further and give them a mud bath. No matter which activity you choose, I can guarantee it will be one of the most unforgettable moments of your trip to Thailand.
Now, let me share the details of my visit to the Phuket Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. However, I must say that no matter how much I write or how many photos and videos I share, they won’t do justice to the experience. In short, do whatever it takes to create this opportunity for yourself. Visit rescued elephants in Bangkok, Phuket, Bali, or anywhere in the world.
Visit Rescued Elephants in Thailand
In my article on activities to do in Bangkok, I also mentioned the elephant conservation center. Although there are different activities like tiger parks and monkey circuses, I found it suitable to visit only the elephant care center since it is more aligned with the nature and well-being of the animals. I included this in my Phuket travel plan. However, if you’re not going to Phuket, you can visit the care centers in Bangkok.
Stories of the Rescued Elephants
Each elephant has a different story. As you can guess from the term “rescued,” these elephants are taken from so-called owners who make them do cruel tasks (like carrying logs), mistreat them, or fail to provide necessary care despite their sickness and old age. By paying for the experience of helping take care of these elephants, we tourists help ensure they live a more peaceful life. It’s a win-win situation 😊
When you see the elephants, you immediately notice that they are not like the ones in zoos, and you can see the marks of their past experiences on their bodies. Although a sense of sadness may initially overcome you, it quickly fades when you see them devouring delicious watermelons that we can’t find in Turkey. It’s clear they are truly loved and well-cared for.
Their caretakers love their job and the elephants so much that they actually talk to them. The elephants seem to understand what their caretakers are saying.
In short, the elephants are free, not in cages, their bellies are full, they take their baths, and the only problem they might have is being showered with a bit too much love 😊.
What are the Rules at the Elephant Sanctuary?
Although you might feel an urge to run and hug the elephants right away, these parks have certain rules. The elephants can be quite large and intimidating up close, and they might get grumpy when they’re hungry 😊. Since they aren’t tethered, it’s best to control yourself and strictly follow the rules to avoid any issues.
Therefore, after washing your hands, they calmly take you inside and explain the rules one by one. Here are the rules you need to follow while touring the elephant care center and feeding the elephants:
- Don’t run: To avoid scaring the elephants and causing panic, you should walk calmly.
- Don’t shout: Speak quietly to avoid unsettling the elephants and to maintain the peaceful atmosphere.
- Don’t approach elephants from the front: Since their eyes are on the sides, stand either to their right or left so they can see you clearly.
- Don’t approach elephants from behind: Even though they look adorable, they can act defensively if they feel threatened. Always stay within their line of sight.
- Don’t turn your back on the elephants: Keep control and stay aware.
- Only feed them the fruits provided: Don’t give them anything other than the fruits given to you.
- Don’t hug the elephant’s trunk.
In addition to these official rules:
- Groups of about 8 people are taken inside, and you can spend approximately 1 hour with the elephants.
- You are allowed to take photos and videos, and they even help you get closer shots. However, flash photography is prohibited.
- Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas. Don’t attempt to smoke just because you’re in an open area.
How are the Elephants Fed?
When I visited, the menu included watermelons. There was also an area filled with pineapples, so it’s likely that they are fed different fruits at different times of the day.
Everyone has the opportunity to feed the elephants with three baskets of fruit. During the approximately 1-hour period, you can slowly feed different elephants and take photos with them.
Elephant Bathing Experience
We didn’t bathe the elephants because we planned our visit to Phuket Big Buddha on the same day. However, even feeding them was a unique experience for us. If you have the time, you can also visit care centers to help bathe the elephants.
Just a small note: when we touched and fed the elephants, we realized that bathing them might not be for us. Maybe you can start with feeding and then proceed to the bathing stage if it suits you.
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Entrance Fee
The entrance fees for elephant care centers vary depending on the activities you choose and the amount of time you want to spend there.
We made a reservation for a 1-hour feeding program and paid around 500 baht per person. The elephant bathing activity is a bit more expensive.
Additionally, you can check the prices for half-day morning or afternoon programs, the Pes Canopy walking program, or VIP program options through this link and make your reservation.
You can choose an elephant conservation center near your hotel from the approximately 20 different locations in Phuket, such as Patong, Kamala, Kata, Mai Khao, and Nai Yang Beach, or consider purchasing a tour package.
Check Out Elephant Care Center Tours with Meals and Transportation Included