During this inspiring, interactive and informative experience, you will spend many up-close moments with our rescued elephants, gain in-depth knowledge about their sophisticated means of communication, and learn about their natural habitat and the important role they play as a keystone species in our ecosystem. The program includes joined roundtrip transfers as well as a light breakfast, vegetarian lunch and dinner, and cold drinks and refreshments throughout the day.
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the first and most ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket where elephants roam around, bathe and sozialize freely across 30 acres of tropical land bordering the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park in North East Phuket. By visiting us, you are supporting a sustainable, ethical and compassionate approach to elephant tourism where elephants have the freedom to live naturally. National Geographic, Lonely Planet and The Guardian have endorsed our ethical approach.
Posted By : 9katherinew
Be prepared to have your heart stolen in the best possible way. This place has changed my life. My friend and I participated in the 7-day volunteer program which exceeded our expectations. My wish is that all animal sanctuaries are modeled off PES which is 100% ethically run with the purpose to provide a final, spacious and nurturing home for (currently) a dozen elephants who have spent their lives enduring exhaustive, abusive treatment in the tourism and entertainment industry. What a privilege and honor to roll up our sleeves and help care for these majestic creatures alongside the PES staff whose hearts are unquestionably dedicated to the wellbeing of these animals.
Volunteers are treated like family and accompanied by a guide the entire time (shoutout to Rita, Rudy, Jaffy and Ice!!). We worked hard and were also encouraged to take restful breaks to recharge throughout the day between activities. Meals and breaks were spent in private, magical little huts overlooking a watering hole and in our spare time we walked the impressive canopy to watch the elephants being themselves. Volunteer activities included: making elephant food balls from rice, bananas and pumpkin; venturing into the jungle to chop down bamboo and feeding them to the elephants; cleaning elephant poo and leftover pineapple leaves (more ele food!) from their bedrooms; chopping and planting sweet grass on sanctuary grounds for elephant food (see a trend here? Elephants eat a LOT:); removing vegetation to make room for sand mounds and fresh plants; digging mud pits so they can frolic and enjoy themselves when it rains; helping morning and afternoon visitors feed the elephants; and lastly… getting to know the stories and personalities of each and every elephant resident.
Housing, 4 meals a day and transportation to and from the sanctuary were all included in the program cost, which also is invested directly into caring for the elephants. We stayed in private rooms at the Dee Homestay (just a few minutes down the road) which was clean and comfortable and has AC! The staff greeted us with big smiles when picking us up for work in the morning and dropping us off around 5pm every evening. There are a few local markets and fruit stands nearby the volunteer accommodation which are neat to explore. Our guide Rudy even brought us a special fruit surprise one day after hearing about my friend’s love of fresh papaya! We loved learning about the surrounding landscape (rubber trees!) and the culture of the warm Thai people.
One of the highlights and upsides of doing a longer volunteer program is the quality personal time spent with the guides who are super knowledgeable about elephant rescue and conservation. Questions of all kinds are welcomed and highly encouraged and wow, did we talk their ear off with plenty of those! The discussion with the staff throughout the week was rich and helped us understand in depth why and how a sanctuary like this is run. And, importantly, why more dignified and respectful sanctuaries like this are desperately needed. We walked away knowing that 1) we will absolutely be back; and 2) we’re ready to do our part to help spread educational awareness about the need by investing in PES to keep up the incredible work.
To the PES guides: Your kindness, enthusiasm, patience and big hearts will always be remembered.
To the kitchen staff: We felt the love in that fresh, delicious food! Thank you for accommodating our dietary restrictions and doing so with kindness.
To the gift shop staff, bathroom attendants and wellie boot helpers: we see your hard work and appreciate all you put into making guest and volunteer experiences memorable.
To the mahouts who spend their lives giving these elephants the respect and love they deserve: you inspire me. Thank you for sharing your heart and passion.
And to Mr. Todtane: Thank you for choosing courage and compassion. We’re honored to join you in this journey of saving elephants.
Until next time, khap khun kha!
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Posted On : 2023-11-17 12:53:13 
Posted By : AllisonD1968
I booked the full day tour and was treated to the most amazing experience with my guide Aoum. The morning was in a small group which was informative and relaxing and then after a delicious lunch being the only day tour participant I had a 1:1 experience. Making food and feeding the elephants was magical watching them swim was delightful but the highlight was seeing all those graceful ladies moving freely around and learning to build friendships.
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Posted On : 2023-10-27 02:31:34
Posted By : Kamsze_N
Had a wonderful time and fulfilled a dream. The best part was making the food for the elephants and hand feeding them up close and personal. Trepidation at the start of the day, by the end of the day, we were best friends.
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Posted On : 2023-08-21 01:14:15 
Posted By : Kial_G
What a well run sanctuary.
You can tell the elephants are well cared for
Everyone there treats the elephants like a loved family member. We saw a car trying to go through and an elephant was standing there. The mahout tried coaxing the elephant to walk but the lovely lady was not quite ready. He coaxed her with cucumbers.
Beautiful place.
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Posted On : 2023-07-27 12:38:16
Posted By : J8408MOjustinh
This is an experience I won't forget, the staff are really wonderful and friendly. The elephant keepers and guides care for the elephants really well. You can see this is an ethical park and the elephants are safe and cared for so well.
We did the full day tour which meant we got to make food for the elephants and feed them, this was a magical experience to be so up close and personal with such beautiful animals.
Would highly recommend to anybody coming to Phuket as this is the only ethical elephant sanctuary where you can see it's about the animals not the tourist and money.
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Posted On : 2023-07-17 00:06:10
Posted By : 405douglasf
A must see experience in Phuket. Would recommend the full day experience. I’d stray away from any of the other places in town.
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Posted On : 2023-07-05 22:32:54
Posted By : cheriem770
FANTASTIC
Had an elephant come up and sniff me. Got in a pat and cuddle. Was able to feed a couple as well. Tour guide named ‘Tour’ was great. A lot of knowledge, love and care for these rescued beautiful creatures. DO NOT support Elephant Entertainment, it is cruel. Enjoy this amazing experience.
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Posted On : 2023-06-06 05:03:08
Posted By : JJ042023
A must do during your stay in Phuket. The team helped to arrange for our transfer to and from the sanctuary on the day which was super helpful. I would definitely recommend the full day experience to truly get the most out of your visit. The morning consisted of feeding the elephants and then touring the grounds. In the afternoon we helped to prepare some food for the elephants and then went to collect bamboo from a local farm. You get a more personal in-depth experience with the elephants in the afternoon as well if you do the full day tour (as part of a much smaller group).
You can really tell everyone who works at the sanctuary really cares about the elephants they have rescued. The elephants are free to reign as they please and you are taken to see them.
Really good vegetarian food for lunch/dinner (plus snacks when you arrive for breakfast). Would recommend to anyone visiting Phuket.
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Posted On : 2023-05-21 17:09:14
Posted By : 1lourdesg
I enjoyed the trip to the sanctuary very much. I was a bit worried that i would find the elephants not treated well. The elephants were in fact looked very happy there. I did the whole day tour. The morning we went through the sanctuary and met all the elepantes and learned about their stories. I was quite a walk around the sanctuary and we ended with lunch. Afterward I was able to make riceballs for the elephant's afternoon snack. We also went to the jungle and foraged for bambo leaves. Afterwards we went around the sanctuary and got to feed the elephants their afternoon snacks. After learning about the elephant body lanuage, one can clear see how happy the elephants were to recieve food, walk around freely, and enjoy their water baths. the tour guides were amazing, and knowledgably. Will be coming back for sure
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Posted On : 2023-04-27 05:06:45
Posted By : L105NWhannahm
AMAZING!!!! I highly recommend doing the full day tour. We made food the elephants, got to feed them, walked around and saw them in their natural habitat. It the best day ever
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Posted On : 2023-04-15 23:46:09
