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Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya Camp 1

You'll leave covered in mud, elephant saliva and probably worse, and that's the whole point.

4.8(1,468)$$$$
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Sponsored feature. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary paid for this write-up and supplied the photography and factual detail. We wrote it, and it does not affect this listing's position in any of our ranked lists. How we make money.

Plan your visit

Hours
Daily 08:00–17:00
Price
$$$$
Mid-range

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.

Details

Full opening hours
Monday08:00–17:00
Tuesday08:00–17:00
Wednesday08:00–17:00
Thursday08:00–17:00
Friday08:00–17:00
Saturday08:00–17:00
Sunday08:00–17:00

Is this your business?

Why go, and how to do it well

If you're squeamish about mud, dribble and the occasional bit of elephant mess, skip this one entirely. Everyone else should go. There's no riding and no show here, just feeding, bathing and a couple of hours in the jungle at Khao Mai Kaew with animals that people consistently say look properly looked after. That's the bit that matters, and it's the bit reviewers keep coming back to.

The standard run is the feed and bathe, with baskets of bananas and watermelon, refilled more than once, then down to the water to scrub an elephant while it does its best to soak you. Guides get a lot of praise for being funny as well as knowledgeable, and they take the safety side seriously. Groups seem small enough that you're not waiting in line for your turn. About 1.5 hours of activity is enough for most people, back in Pattaya in time for lunch.

Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026

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Experience hints

Visitor favorite
Mid-range

Reviews from Google

Absolutely amazing experience and well worth the price. Had a fantastic day from start to finish. Our driver was early for our pickup to the sanctuary, comfortable return trip in an air-conditioned van. When we arrived, we were greeted by our guides Dech and Tim, who were very engaging and entertaining, as well as knowledgeable. First off was feeding of the elephants, with plenty of elephants, food and time to enjoy the experience. We were able to take our own photos and video of the occasion but really appreciated our guides and the elephant handlers also taking photos on their camera as well as ours. This really gave us a chance to get up close with the elephants and see their different personalities, especially their preferences for food and the way they wanted to interact with us. The elephants are all rescues and are free to roam about, all seem happy which I could not say for other elephant experiences I have had in the past. The feeding was great, but the enjoyed the opportunity to bath the elephants even more. Scrubbing away the dirt from their skin, seeing and feeling their ears flapping when we scrubbed in just the right spot, and splashing away to wash them off while our guide continued to capture the memories on camera was something I will remember with joy forever! We left with a small gift to take back with us, snacks and massive smiles on our faces. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary also provide all photos captured on the day in full quality to download at no additional cost. Facilities were clean, there are showers and lockers available, just remember to bring a towel and anything else advised in the booking confirmation. Thank you EJS Pattaya and especially Dech and Tim for an incredible day - we will visit again any time we get the chance!

We had the most amazing time here. You can tell they truly care for the elephants (this was very important for us, to go to an ethical sanctuary)… and honestly we would go back just to hear the “Kangaroo” make his hilarious jokes. He is such a good guy. We did the 1.5hr feed and bathe, which was a perfect amount of time and interaction to get back to the hotel for lunch and a rest. Very reasonably priced and just a wonderful experience. Water and snacks provided, a gift bag at the end and a link to photos taken by a professional photographer throughout the time were unexpected surprises. The one thing that was a bit annoying was that we received an email saying to be ready at your hotel for pickup between 9.30-10am. It was very clear that if you weren’t ready, the car would leave without you. After we were picked up (at 9.28am but ready and waiting) we spent 15mins at the next hotel searching for a family who were not ready, but eventually decided to join us once they finished buying breakfast up the road. The last group did not get picked up until after 10am. I found that to be unfair. Would still 10/10 recommend.

I had a great time here with the activities one feeding, petting and showering the elephant with mud, pee and poop. It was a great experience and I have no idea when will be the next time doing it again. They have photographer helping the participants on taking photos but don't blame the staff for the photo not being perfect. You may bring your own camera or phone if you wish to capture the moments in the way you prefer. If you are afraid of getting dirty... don't bother coming, there is washroom and showers if needed.

A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 1,468 reviews on Google.

56/1-56/6, ตำบล เขาไม้แก้ว อำเภอบางละมุง ชลบุรี 20150, Thailand

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Tips for Visiting Activities & Tours

Book Popular Activities Online

Booking platforms like GetYourGuide give you instant confirmation and, on many activities, free cancellation — and you can read recent reviews before committing. 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.

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya Camp 1: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya Camp 1 worth visiting?

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya Camp 1 holds a 4.8★ rating from 1,468 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated activities & tours in Pattaya.

What are the opening hours of Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya Camp 1?

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya Camp 1 is typically open 08:00–17:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.

How expensive is Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya Camp 1?

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya Camp 1 is moderately priced (฿฿) relative to other activities & tours in Pattaya.

When is the best time to visit Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya Camp 1?

The best months to visit Pattaya are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: September – October (wettest months).

Where is Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya Camp 1 located?

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya Camp 1 is at 56/1-56/6, ตำบล เขาไม้แก้ว อำเภอบางละมุง ชลบุรี 20150, Thailand, in Pattaya. Getting around Pattaya: Baht buses (songthaews on fixed routes); Grab (widely available).

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