Krabielephant love&care
Located in Thab Prik on the outskirts of Krabi town, this sanctuary takes an ethical approach to elephant welfare — visitors can observe, feed, and spend time with the resident elephants without riding. The setting is rural and relatively informal compared to larger commercial operations in Chiang Mai, giving the experience a more personal character. Group sizes are small, allowing closer interaction with the animals and their mahouts. Comfortable shoes and clothes that can get muddy are recommended. The sanctuary sits away from the main tourist beaches and requires transport to reach, but visitors consistently find it worth the trip.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Krabielephant love&care, round out your day in Krabi with contrasting stops nearby.
Visitor Reviews
Excellent elephant sanctuary. Great staff and the elephants are happy and friendly. No riding the elephants which is great. You can tell the elephants are well taken of. When we went, there were a few elephants on site, but they do have more. The trainers spend quality time taking care of the elephants and you can feel and see the bond they have with the animals. Very cool experience. I recommend this sanctuary over any location that allows riding or making the elephants perform tricks. We got the opportunity to give the elephants a mud bath and bathe them in the nearby river. We learned a lot of great information about elephants and how they take care of them so well. We got to feed the elephants and pose for pictures with them. The elephants were gentle and happy. Very kid friendly location. I would highly recommend this location! If you do any tourist excursions in Krabi, be sure to include this experience. Absolutely wonderful experience.
My son and I had a great couple of hours with the gentle giants and with the funny and experienced guide who welcomed us to the place. We fed the elephants, walked with them a couple of hundred meters to the stream, where we could go in the water with them and scrub them and bathe them. Everything was calm and safe and I can only recommend this place if you like to meet elephants in a good safe environment. Come during low season - less people around 😊🐘
It was a really nice experience. We have chosen for this place because we believed it will be friendly for the elephants (because there is no riding). And indeed everyone is friendly against the elephants! The experience starts with feeding, than a little play with the elephants and it ends with elephant bathing. The guides are really friendly. They take a lot of nice pictures and videos of you, and guide you through a nice tour.
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – April
Avoid: June – September (rough Andaman seas)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
23°C – 33°C(73°F – 91°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – February
Getting there
Krabi Airport (KBV) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hrs). Ferries connect to Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket. Bus/minivan from Phuket takes ~3 hrs.
Getting around
- •Long-tail boats (islands & Railay Beach)
- •Songthaews in Ao Nang
- •Grab (limited, mainly Ao Nang)
- •Motorbike rental
Tips for Visiting Activities & Tours
Vet Elephant Sanctuaries
Only visit sanctuaries that prohibit riding, use no chains or bullhooks, and let elephants roam freely. Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai set the standard. If a place offers painting shows or circus tricks, walk away.
Book Through Klook or GetYourGuide
These platforms offer instant confirmation, free cancellation on most activities, and prices that are often lower than walk-up rates. Compare with local agencies for multi-day trips where negotiation might save more.
Do Outdoor Activities in the Morning
Heat and humidity peak from noon to 3 PM. Schedule jungle treks, cycling tours, and outdoor cooking classes for early morning. Water activities are more flexible since you're in and out of the sea.
Also Popular in Krabi
Ko Lanta
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Ko Phi Phi Don
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Wat Tham Suea
A jungle-clad Buddhist temple complex in Krabi, famous for its 1,200+ steep steps and sweeping hilltop views.
Kodam Kitchen branch 1
Beloved budget Thai restaurant in Ao Nang serving consistent classics daily from 11am to 10:30pm.
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Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – April
Avoid: June – September (rough Andaman seas)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
23°C – 33°C(73°F – 91°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – February
Getting there
Krabi Airport (KBV) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hrs). Ferries connect to Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket. Bus/minivan from Phuket takes ~3 hrs.
Getting around
- •Long-tail boats (islands & Railay Beach)
- •Songthaews in Ao Nang
- •Grab (limited, mainly Ao Nang)
- •Motorbike rental