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
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.
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.
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!
Big Buddha of Phuket
The Big Buddha of Phuket, also known as the "Big Buddha", is a huge white marble statue that you can see from afar from many places on Phuket. With a height of 45 meters and a diameter of 25 meters, the Big Buddha is the island's landmark and offers you a fantastic panoramic view of the south side of Phuket, the sea and the surrounding islands. We recommend arriving by scooter or on a guided day tour. Entry and parking are free. Make sure you wear long clothes and cover your shoulders. If necessary, you can buy a sarong on site for 150 THB (= 3.96 €).
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Naiyang Beach
Naiyang Beach is a quiet beach in the north of Phuket & a real insider tip for anyone looking for relaxation, nature and authentic island flair. Despite its proximity to the airport (only 5-10 minutes by car), the place is surprisingly relaxed and not very crowded. The wide, fine sandy beach offers plenty of shady spots and a shallow transition into the turquoise sea. To the north, the beach borders the Sirinat National Park, which offers an equally idyllic atmosphere for a relaxing day of reading. The best place to watch airplanes is from the southern section of the beach, which should appeal to younger guests in particular! There are numerous food stalls and mini stores on the promenade.
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.
Three Monkeys Restaurant
Three Monkeys is an upscale jungle restaurant right next to Hanuman World, probably the most famous place for ziplining on Phuket. Compared to other places, the prices here are significantly higher, but it offers a unique ambience. The interior consists mainly of wood, rattan furniture, lots of green plants and cozy warm lights. The lovingly decorated rooms are all different and offer popular photo spots, which is why a visit is worthwhile both during the day and in the evening. The menu includes Thai & international dishes as well as delicious cocktails. Upscale prices for food & drinks, around 600 THB per person. Remember to book in advance - the places are very popular, especially in the evening!
