Whenever you think of Thailand what do you think of? Along with amazing beaches, temples, gentle Buddhist culture, smiling people, incredible street food, and wonderful and cheap massages (wow that’s a lot!), it’s usually elephants! Won’t you take a wander with me and meet my new elephant friends? I was very happy to join a Feed Me program, thanks to Klook, at the popular Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, Phuket.
All you need is love, watermelons, and elephants!
Elephants are a national symbol of Thailand with majestic appeal the world over. They are wise, they are captivating and they live a long time and eat a lot!
A visit to an elephant sanctuary gives you a chance to put some tourism Baht into elephant care. It’s also a great opportunity to see island life away from the coastal areas.
Do your research
There are many elephant sanctuaries in Phuket (all with very similar names!) and probably everyone has an opinion as to which is the best. Do your research, check out the reviews, and see what people are currently saying. I have a few options here.
My taxi driver was adamant that I should be going to Green Elephant Sanctuary Park. When I asked why he responded “better, big difference, not thin elephants” I did ask when he had visited but only got a mumbled reply. It appears taxi drivers may get commissions and be associated with certain tourist attractions, so just be aware of ulterior motives.
Having said that Green Elephant Sanctuary Park also looks like an excellent choice.
Elephant Tourism in Thailand
Although large elephants may not be happy elephants!
If you are interested to have an insight into Thailand’s elephant tourism read my previous post Elephant Hugs and more. One of my a-ha moments came when I attended a Tourism Authority of Thailand elephant awareness trip, which illustrated the complexity of Thailand’s elephant issues. There are approximately 3,500 wild elephants in Thailand and roughly the same again, maybe more, captive elephants. That’s one massive issue.
As tourism develops and tourism moves away from riding elephants, elephant fitness and obesity have become an issue.
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (EJS)Thailand
You could easily drive past Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Phuket if it weren’t for their sign offering the Best Experience Ever! What I liked is that they are well-established with a Thailand-wide program. You could also visit their sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Koh Samui, if you are on an around Thailand trip.
EJS does not offer elephant riding to visitors. Their blog says: ‘The protection and promotion of elephant welfare is a core value of Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. We pride ourselves on our knowledge of, and adherence to, modern standards of animal welfare‘. You can read more here
Meeting the Elephants
My guide called Smile introduced me to four elephants at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. As I fed them I learn more about their stories. There was so much history there. Oh, the stories they could tell, the hard lives they have led. As they gently took watermelon from me, it’s hard not to feel emotional on their behalf.
However, there is something immensely cheery about time with elephants. Move over therapy dogs, let’s get the big girls in! Would you like to meet Sherry? She was originally from a circus, she still has a few tricks to ensure she gets as much watermelon as she can.
There is Natalie, a mere youngster in the herd at 22 years old. Natalie was rescued from the dreadful Tsunami across the region in 2012. Then there are the old ladies (who are you calling old?) Lumyai is 61 years old and had a stellar career in Thailand’s logging industry before it was outlawed. Keawta which means my sweet love is 75 years old. She gave elephant rides in a past life.
As I gaze deep into Keawta’s eyes, I reflect that this grand dame of the sanctuary has been walking this planet way longer than I have, and certainly longer than the mahouts who work daily caring for the elephants.
The EJS website offers an interesting insight into how the new elephants are introduced to life at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. Here you will gain an appreciation of the elephant handlers and the work they must do before an elephant has integrated into the sanctuary.
Feed Me Program
Having enjoyed previous up close and personal experiences with elephants, I choose the Feed Me program and I went for the first Feeding session of the day, and joy of joys, I was the only visitor (April 2022)
As I mentioned my Feed Me entry was booked via Klook and included the following :
- Elephant Jungle Sanctuary ticket
- Food for elephant feeding
- Free drink
Note: It did not include a Hotel pick up or drop off, hence the conversation with the taxi driver!
After being allocated bananas, watermelon, and sugar cane to feed the elephants, Smile, my guide, introduced me to the elephants. I really enjoyed a very personal experience. It was great to touch, feed, photograph, and interact with the elephants. I was able to ask lots of questions about their lifestyle and behaviors.
This program was a great way to be introduced to the work of the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and to meet and feed the elephants. It’s a good choice for those short of time, or not wanting to get wet bathing with elephants. However next time I want to return to enjoy a half-day experience at one of their Jungle Camps. My friends have recently done this and really enjoyed it.
EJS Phuket new elephant arrivals
‘The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary team is elated to report that we have several new EJS family members at our Phuket location! These elephants each have unique backgrounds and histories, but they all now share a permanent home, where they can live a life of love, care, and respect‘
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket’s blog tells you some of the stories behind the new elephants recently arrived behind the scenes and are not yet ready to meet the EJS visitors. I’m chuffed to note the latest addition to the team is Jennie. You can read Jennie’s story here. You can also read the life stories of Lisa and Rose.
Where is the Feed Me Program?
The ‘Feed Me’ program is located at Elephant Jungle Cafe, adjacent to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket, not far from the beautiful Kathu waterfall. See Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ipYP52gqHvJ2
Ele Poo Coffee
The Feed Me program includes a complimentary drink, so of course I choose coffee and they offered me ele poo coffee. Who knew that Elephant Poo coffee was a thing?
Full credit to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary for their sustainable thinking. I hear that elephants poo 12-20 times a day that’s a lot. Each motion is 5-8 lumps each lump weighing about 1 kg. Did you really want to know this?
So no it’s not like that horrible Civit poo coffee where the civets are force-fed coffee beans … This is much more like what goes on on your ordinary allotment, well sort of! The elephant dung is used to fertilise their organically grown coffee plants.
Sounds like their watermelon smoothies at the cafe could be delicious too, they tell us they have many small watermelon plants growing where the elephants have roamed. Many plants sprout from ingested seeds. Is that too much information?
Final Details:
Address: 2/12, Kathu, Thailand, Phuket
Website: Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
Check out their latest socials here: IG @elephantjunglesanctuary. Facebook Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket
Location: Elephant Jungle Cafe https://goo.gl/maps/ipYP52gqHvJ2
Disclaimer: Little Wandering Wren was an invited guest of Klook for the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Experience. I am not currently affiliated with Klook but happily recommend their services across Thailand.
Other choices of elephant sanctuaries in Phuket
When I hear of other great experiences on the island I will include them below.
The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Fellow Travel Writer Rose Palmer of Quiltripping recommends:
“The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary has a hands-off philosophy to interacting with their elephants other than feeding them in a very controlled manner at the end of the tour.
They rescue older elephants and provide them with a safe and comfortable retirement environment. Each elephant has its own mahout that develops a relationship of trust with the elephant and stays with the elephant all day.
I liked that the sanctuary built an elevated platform that made it easy to walk around and see the elephants without disturbing them. If you are ever in Phuket this should definitely be on your must-do list”
Phuket Nature Elephant Reserve
Long-term Phuket resident Nina Drew recommends:
‘Phuket Nature Elephant Reserve is excellent. No entry charge to see the elephants, just use their wonderful cafe (Observation Deck Ban Chang Restaurant) This Elephant reserve does not offer a walk-in feeding option but has a number of great ethical & educational programs to join, they tell me ‘Our rescued elephants Lotus, Bow and Thonglor love watermelon!’
Nina also adds Please don’t bathe with elephants. Below you will find a link to why in the elephant washing article.
I hope you enjoy your elephant experience whilst here in Phuket, and don’t forget to come back here and tell us all about it.
If you enjoyed this post please check out:
Little Wandering Wren : Meet Thailand’s Elephant Influencers
Little Wandering Wren : Elephant Hugs and More an insight into Thailand’s elephant tourism
Hole in the Donut Barbara: Should Tourists in Thailand Ride Elephants, or not?
Exposed: Why Elephant washing isn’t cruelty-free
4 comments
What a fun post, I would like to feed the elephants. I am glad the retired elephants are well cared for.
A great experience, thanks for sharing! Take care, enjoy your day!
Thank you Eileen, yes it is always a joy to interact with elephants, such intelligent creatures. Although their stories were sad it was good to know that they are in a safer place now. Thanks for stopping by!
Wren x
Well now, wasn’t that interesting?? A great post and I did enjoy hearing about and seeing the pictures of the elephants….Thanks for sharing and thanks so much for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Deb
Hello Debbie, I’m so happy you enjoyed seeing the elephants. Yes, I find it so interesting to learn more about their past lives and indeed how Thailand ended up with so many elephants that need to be in sanctuaries. Thank you for stopping by and have a lovely weekend.
Wren x