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Review Highlights
Best Day Ever!

We came as a group of 9 for the half day experience and we have all said it was one of the best... read more

Reviewed 2 days ago
Benmark20
Experience to do

Very nice experience,with free Elephants Great staff, we received explanations from an excellent... read more

Reviewed 5 days ago
Francesco P
,
Gallarate, Italy
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Reviewed 28 April 2018 via mobile

The journey out to the sanctuary isn't very glamorous on a bench seat in the back of a ute. Luckily is all paved roads until about the last bumpy kilometre. Upon entering the sanctuary you look around and see elephants just walking around with no chains or leads are they're not in pens which made me feel very at ease with this place. The experience consists of a couple of different activities. Firstly a chat from one of the staff who talks about the sanctuary and the elephants. They don't pretend to be who they aren't and are realistic about what they're trying to achieve with their sanctuary. They do mention that they do have to have the elephants locked in their pens at night so they can't roam free. This honesty was greatly appreciated.
After a brief chat it's then time to feed the elephants, the group carries large baskets of bananas corn and watermelon up the hill. Each couple get their own large basket of fruit to feed to the elephants. It's amazing to be so close to the massive animals and feed them. Our group consisted of about 30 people and we were feeding about 15 elephants so it never felt crowded and you could have your own special moments with some elephants alone. Some great pictures can be captured to treasure. The feeding takes about half hour or so. Then it's back to the common area for a quick drink and then a change of clothes into bathers.
Now the fun begins. Everyone gathers around the mud pit, we take a couple of group photos and then jump in the mud. The mud pit isn't huge and we had 6 elephants in there with us. You scoop up handfuls of mud and give the elephants a mud bath. Covering them completely in mud and scrubbing it into their tough rough skin with your bare hands. The elephants didn't seem distressed at all during this and the mahouts are always by their sides but never needed to intervene cause they seem so happy with what's happening. After about half hour the muddy elephants are then taken into the river by their mahouts and we all join in washing the mud off them. This was the best time for me. The elephant I was closest to was laying in the river mostly submerged with a couple of us rinsing it off while it was having the time of its life, underwater with its trunk out to breath. Being so close to her in the river is a very humbling experience, being able to feel how big and calm she was was unreal.
From the river they're led out to a big outdoor shower structure where we all finally clean them with clean water. Grab a scrubbing brush and get cleaning. They seemed to love this very much too. Nice cool water to rinse them off. So much fun. I gave one a full pedicure with my scrubbing brush. So surreal. It's then shower and cleaning time for the humans and a sit down lunch. Time to relax for the last half hour, buy some souvenirs from the shops, have a beer and reflect on the days fun. The tour guides are great, very funny, and ensure everyone is getting the most out of their experience.
All day they have 2 photographers taking pictures, that you don't have to pay for! The put them all on their Facebook page and you can copy them for free. A great touch
An amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone. An unforgettable one for sure

Date of experience: April 2018
5  Thank jblicious
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 28 April 2018 via mobile

Our family of 2 adults and 2 children just returned from the morning session and we absolutely loved every minute. Transport was right on time and when you arrive you receive a very informative introduction to the elephants. It's very sad to hear how these magnificent creatures are so terribly mistreated and used for entertainment or in the logging trade. After the introduction you get to spend time feeding the elephants with plenty of photo ops then it's time for mud baths and bathing. The elephants seem relaxed and happy and are treated with care and respect by their carer's. All elephants are free to roam around. There was a mother & her baby that were just newly rescued and we were asked respect that the mother was still nervous in her new surroundings and to keep a safe distance. The safety and wellbeing of the elephants was 1st priority at all times. 10 out of 10 experience for the whole family!

Date of experience: April 2018
4  Thank kellytkalec
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 28 April 2018 via mobile

My wife and I spent ages looking for the right Elephant Sanctuary last week. There are three or four and two that look similar. This one was 2500tbt and we fed, mud bathed, washed and scrubbed the elephants and then had a great lunch. Not sure how ethical it is but the animals are clearly well treated. They are not ridden and not forced to perform tricks. Our best day on this trip by far!

Date of experience: April 2018
2  Thank Craig D
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 28 April 2018

I went to EJS Phuket late last year with my 9-year-old son. We had a very conflicted time. The experience was at best, mixed. My main criticism was they asked for and said they appreciate feedback - when I gave it - I got dismissed. I emailed them later with my concerns, they replied and said some things I mentioned would be looked at.

I have issues with the Phuket program as is:

1. The number of people. 50 visitors + mahouts. It was too many people. We arrived in the back of a ute. It was rough but nothing wrong with it. Then more entered, and more, and more. Even with that many people, you could still have a great experience if it was managed better. Have small groups go up. But it was 50 people en masse to the elephants. It was overwhelming and I ended up just standing back. Too many people.

It needs to be better managed. I do think that the maximum number of people total should be 30. It was so squashed. You couldn't get any time with the elephants without 5-10 other people next to you and even push you out of the way.

It was impossible to get a photo without others in view. It became a safety issue in the swimming pool. It was dangerous. I couldn't keep track of my son and with that many people and only six elephants. I am surprised no one has been seriously injured. They need to charge more money and have fewer people!

The experience for me was ruined by the sheer number of people. If this is "low" season, I am scared to think how many visitors are allowed.

2. All the 'group photos" and screaming. Elephants are sensitive creatures. I did not appreciate being told to scream at the camera. I feel this could be done in a much more respectful way. If it is a "sanctuary," then it should be that.

3. The mahouts making the elephants pose for the camera. I hated this. They have come from having to do with in other places - I assume as I got zero information about each animal.

They really should just be allowed to eat or swim in peace not pose. Vistors prefer this too! They are not looking at a show, after all! In the email reply, they said the elephants are so used to being in photos they do it automatically. I do not buy that as mahouts were saying things and tapping them.

4. Forcing the elephants to have a mudbath or a swim. I am not convinced they wanted to swim. They know the routine. One mahout was getting onto the young elephant, riding him and getting him to throw him. Then all the adult MEN tried to do it. That is uncool for so many reasons.

5. ZERO explanation of the issues the elephants face - this is such important facet of this type of experience.

6. No history of the elephants. None. I have no idea where these elephants are "rescued" from. There were a young elephant and another pregnant cow. I know about elephant welfare, and some places are just a cover for breeding and making money. I do not think that is the case here, but it did make me question the real intentions

I got a reply to my concerns, and they said they are working as best they can. I got concerned when I heard about chains in another area.

It is complicated - Asian elephant - ethical experiences!! Riding is now rightfully seen as the cruel activity it is. So, there are many jumping onto the sanctuary bandwagon. I think they are right in their intentions to rescue and give these elephants a good life.

I get that they need money to rescue more elephants. And, elephants eat so much food. OBVIOUSLY, supporting this is so much better than riding or all the other hideous things elephants are forced to do. I just hope they look at the feedback objectively.

I use my gut test when I go to certain things, and for some of this experience, my gut told me it was not great. I left everyone when they were eating, lunch - all 50 of them! I went to talk to a mahout, and he had his elephant. I just stood alone with her. She was glorious, and as I tried to communicate with her mahout, I could see how he loved her. That made me happy! I gave her a watermelon, and it was the best 5 minutes I had there.

There was one area that allowed three elephants to be free and they just chilled. That was so amazing to see. I hope they can work towards that. That is what it should be. Peaceful - for everyone and mostly for the elephants!

The mahouts are not allowed to use hooks and they sort of hold their ears. I saw no evidence of harm to the elephants. I am not saying do not support this organization. I think they can do better and I hope they do implement some changes, in particular, the number allowed to attend. "50-55" is WAY too many people!

PS. The feedback I gave to them in person - they need to buy water in bigger containers. Not give out 100+ water bottles twice a day! Because they had no water connected to the sinks - people used 500mL water bottles to wash their hands. Outrageous. Seriously, that is unacceptable! They had water in the showers! Get people to wash their hands there!!

Date of experience: November 2017
6  Thank IAlwaysGetATravelBug
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 April 2018

My family of 4 recently visited the sanctuary whilst on a cruise ship trip. The passion of the carers is shown in how content the animals are. The elephants happily stroll down to the area themselves after we arrived.They take food off you, roll around in the mud with you and spray everyone with water. It was an amazing experience, to be able to stand so close to these wonderful animals. My children said it was the best thing they did out of the whole holiday. We will happily go back again and encourage others to do so.

Date of experience: April 2018
1  Thank Amelia S
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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