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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 30 April 2018 via mobile

What an amazing experience to be able to feed and stroke elephants. The staff were excellent and helped make the afternoon.

The trip to and from the sanctuary was interesting but well worth it. I hope that every penny goes to taking care of these amazing and gentle animals. If you go to Phuket you have to do this!!!

Date of experience: April 2018
1  Thank 600ashleya
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 29 April 2018 via mobile

Ok I have to be honest. I have been to the best sanctuary in the world for elephants. David Sheldrick foundation in Kenya. But what they try do do here is great as well (I think). Yes it is designed for tourist and yes it is not cheap. But the elephant are no longer working or have stupid tourist on their back. The pickup was early and long trip in not the most comfortable truck. But once arrived it was from. Feeding and bathing the elephants. Yes the keepers need to move the elephants is the right direction. Yes we didn’t see where they sleep but the feeling was good. As said not a sanctuary as I have seen in Kenya. But worth helping out and pays me the price needed.

Date of experience: April 2018
3  Thank 864michielt
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 29 April 2018 via mobile

Our visit to the sanctuary was amazing. I have never ever been that close to elephants and it was an insanely amazing feeling. The staff taught us a lot about why elephants need to be looked after properly and not work. Also the food was the best vegetarian food I’ve had on my trip so far. The only thing is the trip out on the back of a Ute was not very comfortable, albeit still an experience..

Date of experience: April 2018
Thank Kiandra K
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

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.
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