8 hour(s)
English
Included
Enjoy a traditional Thai buffet overlooking a large animal enclosure
See some of the rescued animals and hear their stories
Learn about the conservation issues that elephants face
Get a convenient hotel transfer from/to your accommodation in Hua Hin or Cha-Am
€ 64.93
€ 59.74
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
Embark on a meaningful day trip to the Wildlife Friends Foundation in Phetchaburi, where compassion, conservation, and education come together. Your journey begins with a comfortable transfer from your hotel in Hua Hin, Cha-Am, Pran Buri, or Phetchaburi, leading you to one of Thailand’s most respected wildlife rescue centers. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your knowledgeable guide, who will take you on an insightful tour around the sanctuary. As you explore, you’ll meet a variety of rescued animals — from elephants and gibbons to monkeys and bears — each with a unique and moving story of survival. Learn about the foundation’s vital mission to protect these animals from exploitation and provide them with a safe, natural environment where they can thrive. Witness firsthand how dedicated caretakers and volunteers work tirelessly to rehabilitate the animals and raise awareness about ethical wildlife tourism and conservation.
At midday, relax and enjoy a traditional Thai buffet lunch overlooking a large multi-species enclosure, where elephants and other animals roam freely. Choose from a selection of vegan, vegetarian, and meat options while taking in the serene surroundings. After lunch, experience a heartwarming encounter as you help feed an elephant and learn about their personalities and daily routines. Discover the challenges elephants face in captivity and how this sanctuary ensures their welfare and freedom. Before the day concludes, you’ll take a scenic drive through the sanctuary to observe bears and monkeys enjoying their meals. As the afternoon winds down, your tour ends with a return transfer to your accommodation — leaving you with a deeper appreciation for wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting Thailand’s incredible animal heritage.
Entry fee
Access to the Wildlife Rescue Centre and Elephant Refuge
Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle
Tram ride around the site
All fees and taxes
Round-trip transfers from hotels in Hua Hin, Cha-Am, Pranburi, or Phetchaburi
Gratuities
Other Expense
Comfortable shoes
Cash
Wear comfortable clothing
Have a camera ready to capture every special moment
Comfortable Walking shoes
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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I volunteered here for 2 weeks, which frankly wasn’t long enough! I loved every minute of my experience here. The staff are so helpful and accommodating especially Jam, Fifa and Faii on the wildlife project. There was rarely a dull moment as Jam kept everyone’s spirits up! The days are long and the work is hard, but it’s so worth it! The animals here are so well cared for and it’s a privilege to be a small part of their journey. The house dogs around the volunteer accommodation are also so sweet! I honestly can’t say thank you enough to everyone at WFFT. Such a special place!!
I had the chance to volunteer at the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, and it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. As part of my journey, I wanted to combine my passion for animals with a real humanitarian commitment, and WFFT exceeded all my expectations. The centre has a genuine focus on animal welfare. Every action, from daily feeding to enrichment activities, is designed with care for the animals’ well-being. You also get to work side by side with the mahouts, local staff (all incredibly kind and dedicated), and volunteers from all around the world. This creates a unique multicultural atmosphere where you learn from others every day. The activities are enriching and diverse, from preparing food to special projects like cleaning lakes or planting trees. Some tasks can be physically demanding under the Thai sun, but the reward is priceless: the joy of seeing elephants, monkeys, or bears enjoying the fruits of your work. Beyond the daily tasks, this experience is full of emotions. There is joy when you see rescued animals regain trust, laughter shared with volunteers, but also moments of sadness when you realise the suffering some of these animals endured before arriving at WFFT. It’s an experience that teaches humility, respect, and compassion. After spending four weeks there, I can only recommend this place, whether as a volunteer or simply as a visitor. It is a place where you will not only meet wonderful animals but also wonderful people. This experience left me with unforgettable memories and the certainty that I want to continue working to protect wildlife.
It was an absolutely fantastic, impressive, informative day. It is absolutely essential to make a reservation if you want to visit — otherwise, you won’t see any animals, and walk-ins are not possible. We booked five days in advance and there was only one slot left for the entire week. This is clearly explained on their website, so anyone who takes the time to read it will know. People who don’t check and then complain (as some reviewers here do) really have only themselves to blame. Signage could be better: when you arrive at the entrance, follow the small signs to the lodge, which can be easily overseen. It’s about a 10-minute drive from the reserve entrance. We had to ask several staff members along the way before we found it. Once there, everything was perfectly organized, and they were expecting us. The lodge has a terrace with a restaurant and a small kiosk selling snacks and drinks at normal, reasonable prices — not the tourist-gouging you see elsewhere. From the terrace, you can already see the first elephants up close. One thing that baffled me: despite clear signs and repeated instructions, some people still tried to feed the elephants whatever they had, even holding small children or babies over the wall. Some did it again the moment the park rangers turned their backs after warning them. If anything happens, it will of course be “the bad elephants.” Personally, I’d kick such people out without warning. Also clearly stated on the website: all tours are in English. We booked the full-day tour, with little children; it was easy enough to translate for the little ones. After a short introduction to the park, we set off in open buses to see various rescue areas — monkeys, several species of deer, bears, tortoises, and more. Each animal comes with its rescue story. Many are not native to Thailand and cannot be released back into the wild, so they live here in large enclosures. The monkeys and gibbons go through several stages: quarantine cages, socialization with other monkeys, and finally release onto a large, natural island in the reserve as the last step before reintroduction to the wild. There are parts where you have to walk through the grounds, so bring water and insect repellent — again, all explained on the website, so no excuses for later complaints. The website also mentions that this is temple ground and temple-appropriate clothing is required — however, in reality, regular clothing was fine and there was no dress code enforced. Lunch was a small buffet with rice, chicken skewers, and Thai curry — not a huge selection, but tasty, fresh, and more than enough. In the afternoon, we visited the big cats’ enclosures — the tigers are truly impressive — and saw more elephants. The day ended with feeding two blind elephants, who rely on humans to bring them fruit. Overall, it was incredibly moving to see the animals so close. The park even has a modern animal hospital and two very modern animal ambulance cars. The staff are clearly dedicated, and the grounds are well maintained. The tour guides were more than happy to answer all our questions. We felt far more comfortable here than at the many other “attractions” where you can ride elephants in chains or pet sedated tigers. Here, you get the feeling that animal welfare is genuinely the priority — and we were more than happy to pay the slightly higher price for that.
If you are anywhere near the area, this is an absolute must visit. It is a true rescue, rehabilitation, and (whenever possible) release operation. If you are looking for animal interactions, you shouldn't be, and, apart from feeding the elephants, won't get it here. As our guide said, "we are here for the animals, not them for us". It is a thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience. We did the full day tour, which included a lovely lunch, which we would recommend. A half day is also offered. These guys do absolutely amazing work and deserve to be supported.
Incredible Full-Day Experience at the Elephant Sanctuary We opted for the full-day experience and are so glad we did. From start to finish, the day was incredibly well-organized and meaningful. Our guide spoke perfect English and took the time to answer every question with care and detail. The experience began with a short but powerful video explaining the sanctuary’s purpose. It’s heartbreaking to hear the stories and see footage of how these amazing animals were mistreated in the past—but it’s also inspiring to learn how the sanctuary is changing their lives for the better. The rest of the day is spent meeting and interacting with these same elephants in a peaceful, respectful environment where they are clearly well cared for and happy. It’s moving to see them living freely and naturally. Highly, highly recommend this experience to anyone who cares about animals or wants to learn more about ethical wildlife tourism. Truly unforgettable.
