What To Do In Phuket, Thailand: Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

While on our honeymoon to Thailand, we saw and experienced so many amazing things, but none more memorable than the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary.

When choosing where in the world we wanted to spend our two-week honeymoon vacation, we didn’t leave any rocks unturned. We watched tiktok videos, read travel blogs, and made a pros and cons lists. What kept Thailand in the running that it’s incredibly affordable. We would also have the ability to experience both a huge bustling Asian city (Bangkok) as well as the beach/jungle in Phuket. The cherry on top was the ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Phuket.

Elephants are a major contributor to Thai culture and tourism. When doing quick research you’ll find many places in Thailand where you can be in their presence. What we learned at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is that most of the elephants are mistreated and taken advantage of for financial gain. Everywhere you look in Phuket, people are trying to sell you an elephant riding experience and because of that, more and more elephants are needed to satisfy tourists’ desires. This is a growing problem, so it was a requisite that if we were to visit an Elephant Sanctuary, it must be where elephants are treated humanely, taken care of, and happy.

Pricing & Experience

The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary was the most expensive option on the island that we were able to find, but we were certain that they were running an operation that we were proud to support.

We were in a small group of 8-10 people, and it was a really intimate experience. We walked around the sanctuary and learned about the rescued elephants, where they came from, and their rehabilitation.

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Mission

The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is a young business, but they are growing at a large clip because they do things the right way and are fully transparent about their practices. They rescue old elephants from the circus, riding camps, and shows. The elephants then retire on their large land and roam freely. It’s a true honor to share our experience and I hope reading this opens the eyes to others the same way that it did for us.

When travelling to other countries it is paramount to do your research. Learn about the food, learn about the culture, learn about the impact of tourism. Do your part to make the world a better place, and that starts with supporting the people/businesses who are doing things the right way.

To learn the complete story & mission of this particular sanctuary, click here.