This was such an incredible experience which exceeded all my expectations of interacting with, not just one, but several elephants, including a cute baby and toddler!
I came across Elephant Jungle Sanctuary through researching the best riding camps in Phuket, as an alternative. Here are 5 REASONS WHY I decided to NOT ride elephants, and instead, visit this sanctuary. This turned out to be the BEST experience of my life so far!
About Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary’s purpose, mission and existence is such a beautiful thing: Being an ethical, sustainable, operational elephant sanctuary and eco-tourism project, not only do they rescue overworked and mistreated elephants from riding camps, they also provide them with the freedom to roam in their natural habitat with unconditional love from locals and visitors. They also keep elephants together with their families — AMAZING, right?!
Through this sanctuary, they’ve created a platform to educate tourist about the harmful affects of riding elephants in hopes to change the mindset of travelers to stop supporting business like trekking camps and entertainment. I learned so much while visiting Elephant Jungle Sanctuary — Fun fact: Elephants don’t have stomachs which is why they constantly poop, haha.
There are half day, full day, overnight and volunteer options to accommodate your traveling agenda. We did the afternoon half day visit for 2,500 Baht per person (reduced prices for kids), although I wish we were able to stay longer and volunteer!
A really cool thing about this whole experience is that they have a photographer that takes photos throughout your visit so you can be present and actually enjoy your time! They upload all the photos to their FACEBOOK — another great way to see what it’s like before visiting. But of course, I came fully equipped with my a-5100, GoPro and iPhone. #doitfortheblog LOL
Here’s a glimpse into our experience, enjoy!
Itinerary – Half day afternoon visit
1:00 pm — PICK UP
A shared shuttle service picked us up from our hotel in Nai Yang for 500 Baht. However, if you’re staying in certain areas near the sanctuary, the shuttle ride is free. Our original pick-up time was 12pm, so I was freaking out when they were an hour late. Be sure to have their phone number(s) handy so you can have your hotel call them for a status update! Also, they require that you book roundtrip transportation through them.
1:30 pm — ARRIVE TO ELEPHANT JUNGLE SANCTUARY
Upon arrival (which I totally got teary-eyed because I saw the first elephant and realized my dream was coming true), they welcome you with refreshments and a brief introduction. Our host, Mr. O, was so passionate about the reason why a place like this exists.
After dropping some serious knowledge about why it’s so harmful to ride elephants and giving us the run-down on all the elephants names (he made us repeat them so we could call them by name when we met them!), we moved into different stations cutting up watermelon, separating bananas and making nutritious rice balls.
2:00 pm — MEETING THE ELEPHANTS!
After all their treats were prepared, we finally got to meet and feed them. They freely came strolling down the hills walking straight towards the buckets of bananas.
I have to introduce you to Choo (pictured below). He was 3 months old at this time and I got so attached to him! He literally reminds me of my dog, Dumbo i.e. playfully runs around, chubby and full of personality! Mark my words, the next dog we adopt will be named after him!
2:45pm — MUD BATH
Not only do the elephants LOVE this, but the mud acts as a natural SPF for them! I’m so glad I decided against false lashes because they kept spraying everyone with their trunks.
3:15pm — RINSE AND SHOWER
After the mud bath, you follow the elephants to a cleaner waterhole and “outdoor elephant shower room”where you rinse them (more splashing involved), and watch their poo float.
4:15pm — (LATE) LUNCH
While you’re mingling with the elephants, their staff prepares a delicious Thai meal for everyone. This was great since we really worked up an appetite!
5:00 pm — SAYING GOODBYES 🙁
Unfortunately. But we want to visit again soon. I can’t wait to see how grown up Choo will be!
Here’s a quick vlog I put together from our time here. If you ever plan on traveling to Phuket or Chaing Mai, I highly recommend you visit the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary!!! It will be one of the most memorable, heartwarming experiences of your life. Please share this post to help me bring awareness to stop riding camps in Thailand and save the Asian elephants!
Locations
PHUKET:
168/18 Phangmueangsai Kor Road
Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand
+66962465492, +66946636592
ejsinphuket@gmail.com
For more information on the Chiang Mai/Pattaya locations and ways you can help, please visit their website HERE.
Next on my bucket list is to see the African elephants on a safari! Has anyone done this??
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