Elephant Retirement Park Phuket

Elephant Retirement Park Phuket

Elephant Retirement Park Phuket
5
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Elephant Retirement Park Phuket is a caring wildlife sanctuary for retired & rescued elephants that are free to roam, graze & swim in the natural surroundings. The sole focus is to promote the well-being of the elephants. Strictly no abuse policy & absolutely no riding​. We welcome you to come visit for a truly amazing time and experience the joy and excitement of walking, feeding, bathing & learning about the wonderful elephants! Thank you
Phuket, Thailand
Features animals

Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Travelers talk about
(129 reviews)
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

5.0
695 reviews
Excellent
625
Very good
38
Average
11
Poor
9
Terrible
12

Mohammed S
197 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
We organised an afternoon visit to the retirement park. Picked up from hotel in Patong around midday and then a 40 min drive to park. Signed in and headed off with our group leader and other visitors - there were a total of about 20. Put our stuff in lockers (100Baht deposit). We cut some cane and then got a chance to feed the elephants. You can also buy bottles of milk for 100Baht for the elephants. After feeding the elephants, we went on a bit of stroll to feed and hug other elephants. We then took the elephants off for a walk into the trees where we watched them eat grass etc. we joined a couple of them in a mud bath before jumping into the water pool to bathe them. We finally then got to prepare a mixture which we applied with brushes to the elephants. You can keep your phone and take lots of photos. They also have a photographer on hand (but I suspect you pay for those).
Lunch provided - halal option was available for me and family. Noodles, rice, chicken and watermelon. Tea/coffee also available. Soft drinks, merchandise, other snacks available to buy in shop.
Clean toilets and showers available to clean off before transport back to your hotel.
Felt safe throughout - elephants seemed well although probably overweight through lack of exercise )but I’m no expert).
Written February 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Ledene O
32 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
I highly recommend elephant retirement Phuket. I wouldn't even look for anything else. I am an elephant fanatic!!!! And I truly believe these were one of the best days of my life.

We were collected early morning from our hotel we had a private bus transporting is to the park. We arrived and were greeted by friendly elephant keepers. We received our free Tee's and then the fun started.

We were introduced to the elephants and we heard their stories, we then made food for the elephants and fed them. Next, took the youngest boy to play in the mud and get a bath. I took a mud bath myself it was super fun.

We then used herbs to make medicine for some of the elephants and we could pamper and massage them.

They then took us to a secluded area where our guide taught us how to make traditional Thai food. We had a full course meal with Champaign and strawberries.

Safe to say Best day ever.
Check their Facebook page for more information- Elephant retirement park Phuket..
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so much for your Kindly visited us :)
Written February 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Anne G
Exeter, UK49 contributions
Mar 2020
We spent an afternoon with the elephants. After a brief talk about what we would be doing and why, and an explanation of the parks aims we were taken to meet these lovely animals. We were shown how to feed small bananas to our new friends. We cooked on an open fire the supplementary food they require. Left it to cool whilst we walked into the jungle to bath the elephants, rinse them off, scrub their leathery skin. Then back to the paddock to feed them once again. All this accompanied by an explanation of what we were doing and why. This is an exceptional afternoon or morning and the cost is well worth it, the money going entirely to the upkeep of the sanctuary.
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Odyssey794001
Austin, TX15 contributions
Jan 2020
The elephants are well treated and fed well but this is still animal tourism.
They still take away the baby elephants from their mothers.
They are not chained during the day but at night I am not sure what happens and they wouldn't answer my question.
They push hard for you to buy photos and encourage you to wear their tank top "given" to you for the $70 per person admit fee.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Amy D
36 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Great experience! The itinerary is accurate but doesn’t capture the awesomeness of interacting with these gentle, smart, amazing elephants. The staff was knowledgeable about the elephants, made us feel welcome and comfortable and genuinely seemed to enjoy the day as much as we did. The experience was playful so bring your kiddos and inner child. We left with fun memories, a flash drive of great pictures, a T-shirt and a full stomach.
Written September 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Karen J
Adelaide, Australia10 contributions
Feb 2020
Whilst it was heartbreaking to learn of the elephants previous lives it was heartlifting to see them recovering in a respectful supportive environment. I had no hesitations purchasing add ons to support these magnificient beings.
It was such a joyful experience to scrub and bathe with them, I am so glad I bought the usb stick with all the daily photos, priceless memories.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

quinjonl
Calgary, Canada35 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We were amazed with the simplicity but greatness of this place. The day before we visited fantasea and really observed how these animals are abused to be part of a show. Here they are treated with respect and they actually enjoy the activities with the tourists which is eating and taking a bath.
Service was also great. Very informative overview as well as good safety tips especially for the little ones.
Good traditional buffet and kids really enjoyed and engaged in the activities.
Definitely a place where we can come back.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Chuck4300
East Victoria Park, Australia3 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We had a fantastic day. First preparing food and feeding the elephants then coating them with mud and washing them. The day was filled with smiles and laughter!
The elephants were relaxed and seemed to enjoy the interaction.
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so much for your Kindly visited us :)
Written January 31, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Anja A
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Family
Happy, friendly elephants and very sweet staff. The elephants were clearly trusting and well cared for, you are free to socialise with them as you please. We took the two hour programme as we were unsure if our teens would like it, they turned up sceptical but ended up loving it 😁 also very nice that they serve free lunch at the end to summarise the experience.

THANK you for a great experience and for doing such important work 🙏
Written October 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

SamanthaThornton
Stourbridge, UK6 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
Had the best time here! The staff were welcoming and friendly and the elephants were well looked after.. We did the half day morning experience and it was well worth the money.. You get lots of time with the elephants and tons of information. The pictures they take for you are all free to download off there Facebook page which is great as you can get on with enjoying your time there. The actual place is very basic, but that adds to the charm of it all! We were even taught how to cook pad Thai which we had for lunch 😊
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Showing results 1-10 of 601

Elephant Retirement Park Phuket - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go