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
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
Freedom Beach (Phuket)
Freedom Beach is one of the most beautiful and quietest private beaches on Phuket, very close to Patong. Due to its seclusion and adventurous route, the beach is particularly popular with young vacationers. You can either take the shuttle to the beach (cost: 300 THB per person; note: the path is quite steep and uneven, making the ride very action-packed) or you can pay 100 THB entrance fee and hike through the dense jungle down to the beach yourself. We spontaneously opted for the hike and even if it's only 100 meters, you shouldn't underestimate the distance. Take mosquito spray with you and always watch your step as it is really steep and the paths are overgrown. After around 10 minutes, you will discover a beautiful stretch of beach with white sand, turquoise sea, a small water sports rental shop and a beach bar. At high tide, the waves at Freedom Beach are sometimes huge, which is why it is also a popular spot for surfers.
Kao Khad Views Tower
The Kao Khad Views Tower is a viewpoint in the south-east of Phuket and is less frequented by tourists than the equally beautiful but sometimes overcrowded Promthep Cape. The tower is located in a quiet, mountainous area and offers you a fascinating panoramic view, including the glittering Chalong Bay with its many small ships and the Big Buddha on the distant horizon. Apart from the magnificent view, there is not much to see on site, but it is still worth a visit. Right next to the tower lives an old local couple, who run the toilets and are happy to receive a few coins whenever visitors come. There is plenty of free parking and admission is free.
Windmill Viewpoint
The Windmill Viewpoint is a breezy viewpoint in the south of Phuket and offers you a great view of the surrounding beaches of Yanui and Nai Harn Beach. Buy yourself a delicious fruit smoothie and simply enjoy the view with a fresh sea breeze. You can reach the viewpoint either by scooter or car. Even though the viewpoint doesn't have much to offer on site, we still think it should be on every Phuket bucket list. The landscape is truly unique and very different from the rest of the island! Nearby is Promthep Cape, the southernmost point of Phuket, which is also well worth a visit.
Excursion to Phang-Nga
If you are currently on Phuket, then you should definitely take a day trip to Phang-Nga! The surreal scenery with its numerous limestone cliffs jutting randomly out of the sea is truly unique in Thailand. In the middle of it all lies the famous James Bond Island (or rather "rocks"), which is one of the most famous motifs and travel destinations. However, Phang-Nga not only has this highlight to offer, but also many other sights such as the monkey cave Wat Suwan Kuha, the Samet Nangshe Viewpoint or Panyee Island - a fishing village built entirely on stilts in the water. You can either book a day tour online in advance or buy tickets spontaneously on site.
Bangla Road
Bangla Road is located in the center of Patong and is Phuket's most popular party street! It is often compared to Mallorca's Ham Street and is a must for all party fans, young and old. Patong is already well frequented during the day thanks to its proximity to the beach and a long shopping street, but on
Phuket Old Town
The old town of Phuket (also known as "Phuket Old Town") is a cultural jewel that combines the history of Phuket with a great deal of charm! Especially on rainy days, it is worth taking a stroll through the romantic alleyways to buy a few souvenirs. In addition to the famous colorful houses, which are the result of Portuguese influences, you can also admire impressions of Chinese architecture. There are numerous unique stores, colorful decorations and pretty cafés such as the Kor Ra Kang flower café. If you really want to go shopping, you will find what you are looking for in the nearby Mall Central Phuket.
Tunk-Ka Café
If you are planning a trip to Monkey Hill or Khao Rang Viewpoint on your Phuket trip, then you should definitely visit the beautiful Tunk-Ka Café. The small café-restaurant has a charming interior with lots of green plants and lovely decorations. The menu includes traditional Thai dishes, delicious juice spritzers and milkshakes, which you can enjoy on the covered terrace with a view of Phuket Town. Prices are around 200-300 THB per person. Further down there is a panoramic platform where you can take great photos, especially at sunset!
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.
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.
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!
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