8 hour(s)
English
Included
Educational and ethical alternative to elephant riding attractions
Personal guided experience enhances understanding of sanctuary’s mission
Learn about Malaysia’s elephant conservation efforts firsthand
Elephant bathing may be observed or experienced
€ 58.85
€ 54.14
Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
Lowest Price Guarantee — no other provider offers this tour for less
Established in 1989 within the Krau Wildlife Reserve, the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary serves as a vital rehabilitation center for endangered Asian elephants in Malaysia. Home to about 30 to 35 rescued elephants, the sanctuary plays a crucial role in preserving the species as continued poaching and deforestation have drastically reduced their population. With approximately 1,200 elephants still in the wild, this facility helps rescue, care for, and rehabilitate elephants—some of whom remain in the sanctuary permanently and are trained to help in future rescues. The experience allows visitors to interact closely with the elephants, feed them, or simply observe from an elevated viewing platform. The sanctuary also screens an informative conservation documentary, adding educational value to the tour.
This full-day private tour starts with a convenient hotel pick-up from Kuala Lumpur City Centre, with optional arrangements available for those staying outside the area. The package includes entrance fees, lunch with drinks, and free Wi-Fi on select vehicles. Located in Temerloh, Pahang, the sanctuary is about a 1.5-hour drive from the city. Depending on the day and conditions, guests may get to witness or participate in elephant bathing. In addition to the sanctuary visit, the tour features a photo stop at the King’s Palace, a view of an indigenous tribal village, and a visit to Deerland Park, where guests can feed deer in a mini-zoo setting—making it a well-rounded, educational, and heartwarming wildlife experience.
Elephant feeding
Elephant bathing- subject to water level (viewing only)
Deer land Ticket
Lunch with Soft Drinks
Private tour & transfers
Fully Air-Conditioned Vehicle
Professional Driver with Guide
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and avoid plastic
Enjoy feeding, observing, and safely watching bathing with limited interaction
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
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It has been a great experience, I really recommend it. We took the canopy tour where you could observe the elephants from above. Anny was an amazing guide, answered all the questions and introduced us to different elephants and their stories. An incredible experience. I understand that people might criticise the fact that the animals are bought at the later age from businesses that use them in logging, riding businesses, unfortunately that is the situation these days, and unless you are a billionaire able to buy a huge plot of land to create a free environment for them, I would suggest to refrain from such naive comments, at least this seems like a nice place where the elephants can spend their elder years. There’s a ton of employees here caring for these elephants, and each elephant consumes 100s of kgs food every day, all of it costs money. More than happy to support their upkeep until there are people paying for riding and all the other crap, at least this somehow alleviates the cruelty the elephants face.
This was a must do activity and I’m glad that I did the all day tour. It starts with a transfer to a checkin location, then they take you to the sanctuary in a truck. The sanctuary had top notch facilities. The tour was educational. They only house sick/elderly elephants that were previously abused (very sad practices in Thailand for tourism). After a short introduction video and decent checkin breakfast, your guides take you to feed elephants and then view the elephants doing their thing on the property. The tour guides made sure we saw every elephant multiple times. After the first part of the tour, we were treated to a great and tasty lunch! For the all day tour, the second part consists of more feeding, more educational videos (on elephant communication), cutting bamboo leaves, etc. The dinner included is the same as lunch (I skipped this part even though I knew it was tasty). This would be an experience I repeat again if I visit Phuket. Thank you so much Ya Ya and Annie (my tour guides).
I did lots of research before booking this tour, I want to make sure the elephants we saw were being looked after and it was a legitimate ethical business. As you drive into the sanctuary you get to see glimpses of elephants roaming. The elephants were spectacular, you do get close but no touching. The are so beautiful and some of them had dreadful lives before they were rescued. The amount of time we spent with the elephants was more than I expected, down on the ground. We were not disappointed, this was a fantastic morning, from pick up (on time) to being dropped back to our hotel the whole experience was seamless. Things to know: There was plenty of cold water available, I always worry about this. They provide you with socks and gum boots if you are going on the ground There was cold drinks, tea/coffee toast and snacks when we arrived. There are heaps of toilets The vegetarian lunch was lovely, there was a pasta option and chips for those who don't like Thai food. (Not me) I purchased tickets directly from the sanctuary website and it was easy, includes hotel pick up.
Visiting the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary was one of the most memorable and meaningful experiences of my trip to Thailand. The sanctuary is beautifully run, and you can really feel the love and respect they have for the elephants. It’s amazing to see these gentle giants finally living freely, without chains or forced labor. The guides were knowledgeable, kind, and clearly passionate about animal welfare. We learned so much about each elephant’s story and how they’re being cared for. Watching them roam, bathe, and eat in their natural environment was simply magical. I truly admire the sanctuary’s commitment to ethical tourism and conservation. This place is doing incredible work to protect and rehabilitate elephants. Highly recommended for anyone who wants an authentic and compassionate experience!
A truly unforgettable and meaningful experience! I visited Phuket Elephant Sanctuary on October 2, and everything was well-organized from hotel pick-up to drop-off. We were welcomed with snacks and an informative video that taught us about elephant history and ethical tourism in Thailand. Feeding two elephants was such a special moment, and our guide was amazing – knowledgeable and passionate. The sanctuary provides thoughtful touches like water bottles, umbrellas, and after the tour, we were given cooling towels, drinks, snacks, and even a small gift, which was such a nice surprise. The stories of the rescued elephants were emotional, but it’s heartwarming to see them finally living in peace. The caregivers clearly love what they do. I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Phuket – it’s ethical, educational, and inspiring.
