Ethical Elephant Observation by Samui Elephant Sanctuary
Description
Experience the Samui Elephant Sanctuary, a haven for retired elephants that prioritizes their well-being and freedom. Observe these gentle giants in their natural environment as they play in the mud and bathe in ponds. Our experienced tour guides will provide you with insights into the lives and behaviors of these magnificent creatures. While watching the elephants enjoy their time, you'll savor a Thai vegetarian buffet, providing a unique opportunity to dine amidst the elephants' tranquility. This activity is suitable for all ages, and it's essential to note that we respect the elephants' need for space and freedom. Unlike other experiences, we don't offer bathing and getting muddy with the elephants, as they prefer to play independently. Loud crowds and intrusive activities can cause stress to the elephants, which is something we avoid, ensuring they have a peaceful and enjoyable time in the sanctuary.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Hotel pickup will be start from 7.30AM ( Activities start 9AM) Once booked, Tour operator will be email to you for the exactly pickup time.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(8)
Great experience - the team treat the elephants with love, care and respect. I had a good time preparing food, feeding and interacting with the elephants (at their own pace).
Thank you so much for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had a great experience and felt the elephants were treated with love, care, and respect. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed preparing food, feeding, and interacting with them at their own pace. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you again soon.
Truly magical experience. Very well done tour and location! They really care for these creatures and we learned so much. Apple was a real gem and well spoken. Please take the time to go and see these elephants so much happier than the abuse they have in the past!!
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear you had such a magical experience and that you could truly see the care given to the elephants. It’s especially great to know that Apple made such a positive impression with her knowledge and communication. Your kind words and strong recommendation mean a lot to us. We hope to welcome you again for another meaningful experience.
This is an outstanding shore excursion. Although we were late getting off the ship, the tour operator waited for us at the pier. We got to see 7 elephanrs, we fed them, we saw bathe abd lunch was included. I highly recommen it for cruise passengers. WELL DONE !!!
Thank you for your excellent review! We’re delighted to hear the team waited for you and that you enjoyed such a special experience with the elephants, including feeding, bathing, and lunch. We truly appreciate your strong recommendation for cruise passengers.
The elephant sanctuary is amazing. They are doing amazing things and they are all beautiful people. We love the elephants and they are well looked after
Thank you for your heartfelt review! We're so glad you had such a wonderful experience at the elephant sanctuary. It means a lot to hear that you felt the elephants were well cared for and that the people there made a positive impression. Your love and support for these gentle giants and the work being done to protect them is truly appreciated!
Besides being a fun & educational thing to do all by itself, this place is doing Incredibly Going Deeds. Giving care & treatment to retired, abused elephants is downright special. And the staff was so helpful to us human guests as well. Enen this old guy with a bad knee & ankle, trying to keep up. Great experience with great things being done. And you can feed a 59 year old elephant too.
Thank you for sharing such thoughtful feedback! We're so glad you enjoyed your visit and appreciated the care and dedication we have for these incredible elephants. It means a lot to know that even with challenges like a bad knee and ankle, you found the experience enjoyable and engaging. Feeding a 59-year-old elephant is truly a unique and heartwarming moment! Thank you for recognizing the important work being done here—your support helps make it all possible. We hope to welcome you back again someday! 😊🐘
My trip to Samui Elephant Sanctury was genuinely the most phenomenal experience of my life. The entire day was fantastic, the staff were amazing and the love and care they have for their elephants was lovely to see. I will try and break the day down as best I can - we were collected in the morning by a very friendly driver who arrived on time in an air conditioned very clean car. On arrival at the sanctuary we were shown inside, asked to fill out some information and offered food and drink while we waited for the rest of the group to arrive. Once everyone was there we were shown a safety video and given a run down of what we'd be doing that day. We were also told about the sanctuary and the amazing work they're doing saving these beautiful animals. We then prepared food for the elephants and fed them. After that we were given a bag full of bananas and taken on a walk round the sanctuary where we met I think about 6 of the elephants and got to feed them all (we were told about each elephant and their stories). We then watched them bath and play which was so lovely. After this we were given lunch which was absolutely delicious. It was evident from the morning that the staff care about the elephants first and foremost and we were only allowed to touch them on their trunks (as touching them anywhere else could remind them of when they were mistreated). It was truly an amazing day. I visited on my birthday so at the end of the day I got a 'birthday platter' of elephant food and got to feed two of the elephants again. They also gave me a free hat which I thought was really sweet. We were then taken back to our hotel by another lovely driver. Honestly I can't recommend them enough and I was truly taken aback at how fantastic the sanctuary is and how well run the day was, and how caring and kind the staff were. Please visit and support a wonderful cause!!
Your experience at the Samui Elephant Sanctuary sounds absolutely incredible! From the moment you were picked up by the friendly driver to the touching interactions with the elephants and the delicious lunch, it seems like every aspect of your day was thoughtfully planned and executed. It's heartwarming to hear about the care and love shown towards the elephants and how the sanctuary is dedicated to their well-being. Celebrating your birthday there must have made the experience even more special. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience and for supporting such an important cause!
I loved my visit to Samui Elephant Sanctuary. You are given treats and water when you arrive. We saw several elephants. The group learned how to make a couple of treats for the elephants. We also pet the elephants. Make sure you listen to the guide. Some elephants are blind in one eye so you shouldn’t approach them from that side. The lunch was delicious. Definitely an enjoyable visit. I will have to come back someday.
It sounds like you had an amazing experience at the Samui Elephant Sanctuary! Interacting with elephants and learning how to make treats for them must have been unforgettable. It's great that you received treats and water upon arrival, and it's important to follow the guide's instructions to ensure the safety and well-being of the elephants. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the delicious lunch as well. Visiting again someday sounds like a wonderful idea! If you have any other experiences or feedback you'd like to share, feel free to let me know!
Unfortunately, we were unable to visit the elephant sanctuary excursion that we paid for. There was bad weather and our cruise ship/port authorities said it was unsafe to allow passengers off the ship. We contacted the elephant sanctuary immediately when we received the news that we were not allowed off the ship. However, the sanctuary refused to offer a refund. In addition, they said they would send a letter regarding the payment made to them, but we never received it. We were very disappointed that at least a partial refund was not offered since this unfortunate weather was out of our control.
