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.
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.
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!
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!
Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong (actually: Wat Chaiyathararam) is a large temple complex and one of the most important religious sites on Phuket. The site consists of several ornate buildings, temples, ornate gates and lovingly landscaped gardens. A common ritual that can be seen and heard here is the lighting of firecrackers to fulfill wishes. These are often lit in a stone oven as soon as a wish has been fulfilled. The main building - a 60-metre-high shrine, also known as the "Chedi" - offers you a great view over the entire complex. On three floors, the walls and ceilings are decorated with beautiful paintings and numerous golden Buddha statues. Before entering the interior, you should remove your shoes and cover your legs and shoulders. If necessary, you can hire a sarong on site. Entry and parking are free of charge.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
