Elephant Trekking in Phuket: why it's becoming less popular

Elephant Trekking in Phuket was once an extremely popular activity for many visitors, but thankfully over the last few years this has started to change with the introduction of elephant sanctuaries.

Elephants were once a vital part of life in Thailand and were an important part of the logging industry. When logging was banned in Thailand the only need for elephants was within the tourism industry.

The elephants that were once used for the logging industry in Thailand, were put to work and have been utilised for elephant trekking in Phuket and across other parts of Thailand for years.

Unfortunately, there were elephant camps that did not treat their elephants very well. Some elephants did not receive the proper care or enough food and they were sometimes mistreated.

Visit an elephant sanctuary rather than going Elephant trekking in Phuket

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Tourism still provides one of the few ways elephants and their handlers can make a living and thankfully with the increase in ethical elephant sanctuaries in Phuket, life for the elephants is improving.

Elephant sanctuaries are a great alternative to elephant trekking in Phuket, and we would like to encourage travelers to visit one of the elephant sanctuaries as apposed to an elephant camp.

How to Find an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Phuket

Many places in Phuket and throughout Thailand market themselves as sanctuaries to attract tourists. However, not all of them adhere to ethical practices when it comes to the treatment of elephants.

A genuine ethical elephant sanctuary should place the welfare of the elephants above everything else. If you visit a true ethical sanctuary, you won’t be allowed to participate in certain activities that can harm or stress the animals.

Ethical elephant sanctuaries in Phuket will not permit guests to:

Engage in elephant trekking or rides
Bathe elephants
Feed elephants
Touch elephants

What to expect at an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

An ethical elephant sanctuary should provide genuine care for elephants, ensuring their well-being and safety. The sanctuary’s primary focus should be on protecting the animals from exploitation and unnecessary human interaction.

In addition to caring for the elephants, ethical elephant sanctuaries should provide informative educational experiences, so visitors can gain a deeper understanding of elephant behavior and their natural habitats.

In contrast, elephant camps in Phuket often operate purely as tourist attractions, where you can engage in activities like elephant trekking, bathing, or feeding elephants.

Elephant camps that market elephant bathing, feeding or elephant trekking in Phuket may not always prioritise the well-being of their elephants.

Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Phuket

There are several elephant sanctuaries located across the Island, but not all sanctuaries are the same. Below is a list of the most ethical elephant sanctuaries we have found to visit in Phuket.

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary opened in 2016, and was the first ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket, rescuing sick, injured and old elephants.

Located on 30 acres of lush tropical jungle in Paklok on Phuket’s east coast, the sanctuary is situated adjacent to the Khao Prae Teao National Park, offering a peaceful and natural setting for the elephants to live freely.

The sanctuary has a selection of programs available to choose from, including canopy walkway tours along the longest canopy walkway in Thailand, half day morning or afternoon programs where you will learn about the elephants.

The half day tours also include walking across the canopy walkway, where you can watch the elephants roam, bathe, and eat freely. The half day program includes transfers, refreshments, lunch or dinner depending on which tour you take.

For those wanting a more in-depth experience, the sanctuary also offers full-day programs. These programs include transfers, refreshments, lunch, and dinner, allowing visitors to spend more time observing and learning about the elephants in a responsible manner

You are not allowed to bathe or ride the elephants at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and as of the 1st of April 2026, they will no longer allow visitors to feed the elephants.

Get Prices & Book Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve

The Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve is another ethical sanctuary to consider visiting when visiting Phuket.
The reserve opened in 2023 and is located in the tranquil and peaceful setting in the hills of Chalong in the south of Phuket.

The Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve offers morning or afternoon programs designed to provide an educational experience. At the beginning of the programs, an informative introduction talk provides valuable insights about the elephants and the sanctuary’s mission.

During these programs, you will have the opportunity to observe the elephants as they roam freely, interact with one another, play, and bathe in their natural surroundings.

One of the reserves distinctive features is the commitment to keeping visitor numbers low, ensuring a more intimate and relaxed experience for all.

We were given the chance to admire these magnificent animals without any direct physical contact, ensuring the elephants well-being at all times.

After the program, we enjoyed a superb lunch overlooking the elephants' bathing pool, which created a memorable and scenic dining experience.

I highly recommend wearing comfortable footwear, as the program includes walking uphill on uneven surfaces, where you follow the elephants as they roam freely around the park for feeding and bathing.

There is plenty of shaded seating areas throughout the reserve, along with refill water stations.

From 1st December to 31st May, Hidden Forest is open 7 days a week.

From 1st June to 30th November they are open Monday to Saturday only.

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