Thailand | Come With Me As I Spend An Afternoon With The Elephants
It’s hard to believe that it’s already March. To be honest, I didn’t think we would ever crawl our way out of the black hole that is known as January. Spring is right around the corner, and I think it’s safe to say that there’s nothing better than warmer temperatures, watching the plants and trees bloom, having the birds chirp, and, of course, the longer days.
It was only a few days into the new year when I was asked to travel to Thailand. While I didn’t have that on my 2024 Bingo Card, I jumped at the opportunity to experience a new country. Despite the hellaciously long flight ( almost 24 hours, not including the quality time in the airport ) and the fact that this was a work trip, I managed to squeeze in a few adventures of my own.
Thailand is known for its serene beaches, floating markets, vibrant bustling streets, and ornate temples. Knowing I wouldn’t have time to see everything, there was one item on my bucket list: visiting an elephant sanctuary. Those majestic creatures captured my heart while I was in Africa, and I knew there was no better way to spend a few hours of my free time visiting the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Pattaya.
While controversial, elephant tourism is quite popular in Thailand, so it’s essential that you do your research to ensure you are visiting an ethical sanctuary. If a refuge allows guests to play with the baby elephants, take rides, or have the elephants perform, that is a huge red flag. I spent countless hours pouring through different articles and reviews to find a company passionate about the sustainable and ethical treatment of elephants.
If Thailand is on your bucket list for 2024, I highly recommend visiting the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. They have locations across Thailand, including Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, and Samui. Not only are they focused on the welfare of the animals, but they curate truly a one of a kind experience.
Given that these sanctuaries are located off the beaten path, transportation can be challenging. Luckily, Elephant Jungle Sanctuary offers transportation services to and from many hotels. If you are staying at an Airbnb, I’d recommend reaching out to see if you fall within their transfer area.
Guests can choose from two half-day packages with visits in the morning and afternoon. Knowing how jetlagged I would be from the flight, I opted for the afternoon session. Plus, the thought of departing the hotel at 6:30 AM was low on my list.
The half-day package includes spending time with the elephants in their natural home, feeding them bananas and sugar cane ( and they LOVE the bananas), learn about their history and habitat before joining them in the mud spa, where you will help bathe and brush them. Get ready because you will likely have as much mud on you as the elephants!
As you return from the “elephant spa,” grab a quick rinse and prepare for a one-of-a-kind Thai feast. Upon your return, the kind people of the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary will have an incredible Thai meal prepared for your enjoyment. It’s a great time to scroll through your pictures and chat with other guests about their favorite parts of the day.
Even though I know you will arrive with a fully charged phone and lots of iCloud space for the copious amounts of photos and videos you plan to take, the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary has a photographer join each session and capture candid moments of the visit. He’s also more than willing to take a few individual snaps as well.
Here are a few of the things that you need to know before embarking upon this once-in-a-lifetime adventure:
Wear your swimsuit and comfortable clothing. Not only will this reduce the number of times you have to change, but it will speed things up when it comes time to bathe the elephants.
Bring a small backpack with a change of clothes. Trust me, the last thing you want to do is be stuck in wet, muddy clothes on the ride back.
Towel and any toiletries you may need for the shower. I took a small towel from the hotel as I wasn’t planning on thoroughly showering, and this was more than enough. Dealing with the hassle of a beach towel or full-size bath towel isn’t worth it. Keep in mind these aren’t like the showers at the Four Seasons. You will be doing well to get the mud off from the elephant spa, so there is no need to bring an excessive amount of toiletries.
Waterproof shoes are critical. I’d steer away from sneakers if at all possible. I wanted one pair of shoes I could use throughout the visit and not change. While my sandals were a little damp, I managed without any issue.
Sunscreen and Bug Repellant are a must. Please make sure that once you apply these items, you wash your hands thoroughly before feeding or interacting with the elephants.
Waterproof phone case - I have one that I use on my annual canoe trips, and it is perfect. The mud and dust wiped right off, and I could easily capture photos and videos on my phone. The one that I swear by is linked HERE.
Lockers are available for you to store your belongings. A deposit is asked for upon request and returned when you present the key upon departure.
Guests are asked for their passport numbers upon arrival. Make sure you snap a photo of your passport details before you depart.
If your love of animals is as strong as mine, I can’t recommend this experience enough. With Thailand being a popular vacation destination, it’s recommended that you book your experience no less than two weeks out. In fact, the date and time were so popular that they reached out to several guests to inquire about their flexibility. Photos captured by their onsite photographer are available for download ( free of charge ) on their Facebook page a few days after your visit.
Now, let’s talk tariffs. Adults are charged ฿ 2,900 / Person while children are ฿ 1,900 / Person. If plans change, as they tend to do, Elephant Jungle Sanctuary will allow you to change your date provided they receive 24 hours notice and space is available on the newly requested date. Cancellations can be made 48 hours in advance for a full refund. It’s important to note that the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary will remain operational despite rain and other mild weather conditions.
I hope this answers any questions that you may have about visiting an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. Each place will have variations, but this should provide a solid foundation for your trip planning. In the meantime, check out these incredible creatures, and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Until Next Time!
