Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

I have read through many of the reviews posted on Google and just thought I might be able to help clarify some of the statements. First of all there are a lot of reviews from people who definitely did not go to Phuket elephant sanctuary. Some went to bukit and others it seems just went to an elephant riding place. Phuket sanctuary is definitely a cruelty free and elephant safe zone. Some have commented on the elephants being herded in certain directions towards tourists and this isn’t the case. Each elephant has their own mahout which is their carer that the elephant has built a trust bond with, they turn to them when frightened(many of the elephants are either blind or partially blind from past abuse) The mahout stays close to their elephant but far enough to allow it to go wherever it wants as seen in one of the photos. The only time a mahout is seen close to their elephant is when it begins to approach a group of tourists. It is easier for the mahout to gently steer( they don’t even touch the elephant they just walk between them and the tourist and the elephant turns away) the elephant than to try and move a group of 15 or so people in the right direction and then they go on their way. Another thing I have seen commented on in reviews is the choice of elephants in the sanctuary, they have 13 elephants, 12 are female, 1 is a young male. Nearly all females are close to or above 50. Some have asked why didn’t they save younger ones or get more males. They tell you in the sanctuary if you ask. They buy them and no one wants to sell young hard working animals if they still have many years in them. The males are even more difficult to buy because they can breed until they die whereas the females only until they are 60 I think. The only reason they have a male now is because he was born without tusks. The last thing is people commenting on the enclosures. At night they put the elephants to bed in the enclosures pictured. The elephants as mentioned before have different disabilities, and can be easily frightened, they also don’t all get on well with each other. On top of that the person they look to for comfort, their mahout is not always there, they have their own lives. So for the safety of all the people working evenings and the animals themselves they put them to bed in large enclosures with their own water trough and full food trough. For those looking to see elephants in an ethical setting and donate to a great cause this is the place to go. They even use your ticket money to fund their hospital which they allow other elephant owners to use free of charge to make sure the elephants are looked after properly.

Visited Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and had a genuinely great experience. Pickup was right on time around 8am, with drop-off back at the hotel around 2pm. We first stopped at their offices to register, then headed to the reserve by truck. The tour was well structured, in a small and manageable group of around 10 people. It started with a short documentary, followed by feeding the elephants, then a walk through the reserve where we met different elephants with their mahouts and learned about each animal’s past. We finished with a walk along the canopy and back to base. Huge thanks to our instructor Alex, who explained everything clearly and took the time to answer all our questions without rushing. The atmosphere was relaxed and calm. Yes, it was hot, but still really pleasant being out in the reserve and moving at an easy pace. The staff were friendly and attentive throughout. After the tour, there was a solid spread of vegetarian and vegan dishes. There were no additional fees beyond the ticket price. The only extra cost would be if you chose to buy something from the souvenir shop, unless a souvenir was already included with your tour type. Thoughtful, educational, and clearly focused on the elephants’ wellbeing. Worth the time.

Volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Phuket was an incredible experience that really moved our whole group. Throughout the day we helped with several meaningful tasks, including cleaning the elephants’ pens, feeding them, and planting bamboo that will eventually become part of their food supply. It felt great knowing that the work we were doing was directly helping take care of the elephants and supporting the sanctuary. The staff were very kind and clearly passionate about the elephants. They took time to explain how the elephants are cared for and why the work they do is so important. Being able to spend time around the elephants in a respectful and safe environment made the experience even more special. Overall, it was an unforgettable day and something I would absolutely recommend to anyone visiting Phuket. It was not only fun but also meaningful, and it gave us a much deeper appreciation for elephants and the people who dedicate their time to protecting them. 🐘🌱