Costs
1,400 THB p.p.
(≈ 36,85 EUR)
Opening hours
Daily 08:00 - 17:00
Elephant sanctuaries Phuket
There are several elephant sanctuaries on Phuket where you can observe these fascinating animals up close and see them in their natural environment. We have visited two of these camps on our travels and we can really recommend them to you: The Bukit Elephant Park and the Green Elephant Sanctuary Park. Both camps stand for animal welfare and position themselves against chains or riding. Unfortunately, even today you can still see many elephants in Thailand and throughout Asia that are kept on chains, have to carry heavy things and are abused by paying tourists for an "unforgettable" riding experience. We are clearly against such methods and can therefore highly recommend the protected areas mentioned. The elephants are safe here and have been bought free for very high sums of money in some cases. They can move freely in the wild and only come out when they really feel like social interaction.
💡 Did you actually know that every elephant has a own protective person who takes care of the animal all its life and lives with it until it dies? In Thailand, these people are called "mahout" and they often live in small huts right next to the enclosure, so that the elephant always feels its proximity.
Bukit Elephant Park at a glance:
- Hike through beautiful nature trails
- Watching and feeding elephants
- Half-day tour including transfer and lunch. Costs 1400 THB p.p. (≈ 38 €)
Green Elephant Sanctuary Park at a glance:
- Watch elephants, feed them, massage them with mud and shower them off
- Half-day tour including transfer and lunch. Costs approx. 2500 THB p.p. (≈ 67 €)
- Great souvenir photos included! (While you pose with the elephants, 2-3 photographers take photos of you the whole time and upload everything to Dropbox for free)
ConclusionBoth parks have their advantages and offer a unique natural area for the elephants. Bukit Elephant Park pays more attention to ethics and space for the elephants. You can explore the park and spot elephants from a distance in their natural habitat. In the Green Elephant Park, you can get much closer to the elephants, as you can even bathe with them, rub them with mud and shower them off again later. It is important to note that not all elephants always take part, but only those that are in the mood for a bathing session that day!
Map
More Phuket highlights
Nui Beach (Phuket)
A hidden bay in the south of Phuket that you should definitely visit: Nui Beach. The entrance fee is 300 THB per person and includes transportation to and from the beach. We recommend using the shuttles and not driving down on your own on a scooter, as the road is really steep, uneven and winding! There is plenty to discover in the bay, including a swing, lovingly decorated photo spots, a bar & a restaurant. Further up there is a small café and a souvenir store. At the two beach sections, you can make yourself comfortable with a towel or rent a sun lounger for 100 THB. Toilets and a shower are available on site.
WeCafe (Chaofa Branch)
When we spent a few weeks on Phuket, we went to the wonderful WeCafe (Chaofa Branch) almost every day. There are now three locations on Phuket, as it is popular with locals and vacationers alike. The interior is made up of warm wooden elements and green decorative plants, creating a cozy ambience. The café is best known for its healthy smoothies & delicious salads. But basically you can get everything your heart desires here! From breakfast to European and Thai cuisine to sweet desserts and delicious fruit spritzers. Prices per person with drink approx. 200-300 THB.
Chillva Nightmarket
If you are traveling by scooter, you will definitely pass the beautiful Chillva Nightmarket in Phuket Town! With its warm lights and many visitors in the evening, it's hard to miss. It's worth a stop if you're still looking for souvenirs or if you just get hungry for a few tasty snacks along the way. There is plenty of street food and shopping items such as clothes and jewelry. The atmosphere is very cozy, even if it is often overcrowded and you might not be able to find your scooter again (...) Nevertheless, it is worth queuing at the food stalls and browsing through the stalls. There's also free live music!
Black Rock Viewpoint
The Black Rock Viewpoint is a beautiful vantage point in the south of Phuket, which you reach after a short jungle hike. Important: Don't let anyone talk you into anything on the way there! Many Thais want to tell you that you have to book a tour, need a shuttle or something similar - we just went with the
Karon Viewpoint
The view from Karon Viewpoint is one of Phuket's most famous postcard motifs! The best way to reach this spot is by scooter or rental car. From there you can see a wonderful panorama of the three beach sections Karon Beach, Kata Beach and Kata Noi Beach. Entry is free of charge. Especially at
Kor Ra Kang
The pretty Kor Ra Kang Café & Restaurant is located in the middle of Phuket Old Town and is a dream for flower lovers and a popular Instagram spot! There are countless artificial flowers everywhere in the rooms, from the walls to the tables, creating a romantic atmosphere. So if you're out and about in the old town, you should definitely make a stop here. The menu includes Thai dishes, roti, pasta and coffee & cake. Compared to other places, it is a little more expensive here (approx. 400 THB p.p.), but absolutely worth a visit! Admission is free.
Karon Beach
At over 3 kilometers, Karon Beach is one of the longest and widest beaches on Phuket. It is particularly popular with families, as the shallow water slopes gently and is therefore ideal for children to splash around in. There are many sun loungers on the fine sandy beach, which can be rented for a fee. Alternatively, there are also green areas with shady trees where you can relax and read a book all day long. In contrast to Patong, Karon is somewhat quieter and more family-friendly and offers a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful sunsets both during the day and in the evening.
Naka Weekend Market
The Naka Weekend Market is a huge covered market in Phuket Town and our number one tip if you're looking for vacation souvenirs for your loved ones! On over 12,000 m², you can find absolutely everything from clothes, bags, jewelry, care products and souvenirs to electronics - and of course lots of food! At the food stalls you will find a wide selection of dishes, snacks, fruit, delicious smoothies and freshly squeezed sugar cane juice. As the name suggests, the market only opens at weekends: every Saturday and Sunday between 4 and 10 pm. Entry and parking are free. There are toilets on site and a large street food area with plenty of seating.
Paradise Beach (Phuket)
The beautiful Paradise Beach is located very close to Patong. Its name is justified, as the beach shines with fine, white sand and crystal-clear water. As it is a private beach, there is an entrance fee (200 THB per person), but in our experience it is worth every penny. We really can't understand the many negative reviews, as we were totally enchanted by this place. It's best to see for yourself and plan a day at Paradise Beach - just relax, order a few cool drinks & enjoy the quiet moments in a paradisiacal atmosphere!
Kata Noi Beach
Kata Noi Beach is a small sister bay to the south of Kata Beach of the same name and one of our favorite beaches on Phuket. This place is a real dream, especially in the low season: turquoise, shallow sea, fine sandy beach and shady palm trees. Impressive bungalows and pool villas have been built on the hillside, blending in perfectly with the beach scenery. Free parking, restaurants and water sports activities such as jet skiing and parasailing are available on site.
Elephant sanctuaries Phuket
There are several elephant sanctuaries on Phuket where you can observe these fascinating animals up close and see them in their natural environment. We have visited two of these camps on our travels, which we can really recommend to you: Bukit Elephant Park and Green Elephant Sanctuary Park. Both camps stand for animal welfare and take a stance against chains or riding. Unfortunately, even today you can still see many elephants in Thailand and throughout Asia that are kept on chains, have to carry heavy things and are abused by paying tourists for an "unforgettable" riding experience. We are clearly against such methods and can therefore highly recommend the protected areas mentioned. Here, the elephants are safe and have been bought free, sometimes for very high sums of money. They can move freely in the wild and only come out when they really feel like social interaction.
Promthep Cape
At the southernmost tip of Phuket is the so-called Promthep Cape - a wonderful vantage point with a view of the islands to the south and the vast sea! The entire area is lovingly designed, decorated with flowers and is completely paved. There is free parking on site and admission to the viewpoint is free. There is an impressive Bodhi tree on the site, which is certainly several hundred years old and has a considerable diameter. In addition to a Hindu temple with numerous colorful elephant statues that are hard to miss, there is also a lighthouse on the square, which you can enter free of charge.
