Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary
Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary
5
About
Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary provides a sanctuary for rescued elephants in the most popular tourist attraction of Pattaya, in East Thailand.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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- Oj54Sheffield, United Kingdom20 contributionsHighlight of my tripWhat an incredible day, picked up right on time, great information on safety and off we went. Feeding, walking, learning about the sad history of all the elephants, bathing them and then a yummy lunch. It’s obvious they care so much about these animals and it just made me happy to have picked a proper ethical sanctuary. We only had 6 in our group so was a really special experience. Will be back! Hopefully Frankie will have mastered a few things by then 👀😂Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 April 2024
- Гаунт2 contributionsBeautiful place!Go, you won’t regret it, although the price is steep, it’s worth it. Elephants are big and kind. Absolutely childish delight. The staff is friendly and they provide food. There are free snacks and drinks. You can feed the elephants, pet them, hug them, and at the end you can swim with them.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 May 2024
- Tasha TTaunton, United Kingdom52 contributionsReally made to feel welcomed and felt like a private experience.We got picked up from our hotel in Bangkok and had a big air conditioned car for both of us and then was met by a lovely tour guide, who couldn’t have made us felt more welcomed. Only one other couple there and we got to feed and swim with the elephants followed by a buffet lunch. Amazing experience.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 June 2024
- TRACY P4 contributionsAmazing!!!😊Don’t hesitate to book a wonderful experience with these Gentle Giants.. We booked the morning session, we were picked up in taxi bus and warmly welcomed on arrival. Staff brilliant, Elephants beautiful a truly lovely experience. Please go and support this, was the very best part of our holiday 😊 Feel privileged Thank you 🙏Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 June 2024
- Jess56 contributionsLovely dayBeautiful few hours with these gentle giants. It is lovely that they get a happy home now. The lunch is nice and it is a nice activity feeding them for breakfast. It upset us to see some of the tour guides pulling on their ears - please avoid this! Overall a really nice dayVisited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 August 2024
- Nikki RWarwick, United Kingdom36 contributionsAmazing!! Would totally recommend this companyAmazing place!!! Loved every minute of it. You get to make the food for the elephants, feed them, walk with them in the jungle and then bathe/shower them. As well as all this you get to learn about the lovely, calm animals and hear about their stories. The guides are really knowledgeable and are happy for any questions and can answer pretty much everything that you ask (in English). The guides volunteer so you might not get the same guide on consecutive days but the day we went they were all fabulous and looked after us well. Make sure you take some cash as there is no card machine there. Although when you book with them they tell you this as you cannot pay for your booking until you are with them on the day and it needs to be in Thai Baht (but this is all explained to you). It was an absolutely amazing experience and I would totally recommend it with this company! We had a 12 year old and a 9 year old in our party and the guides we amazing with them, looked out for them, spoke to them about the elephants, allowed them to hose the elephants and wash them. Came across as a very ethical company and all guides are volunteers. The 4 elephants have all been paid for and rescued from atrocious situations and now live in a wonderful home, free to roam the jungle.Visited October 2024Travelled with familyWritten 27 October 2024
- kalylouise1 contributionElephants treat very wellExcellent trip, especially as the elephants were treat very well which consisted of 4 rescues including the youngest cheeky Frankie age 10years. Staff were very informative and kept up momentum of the day. Great to see the animals up close, feeding & washing with plenty of photo opportunities. Yet always keeping the animals safety and welfare the main priority! Highly recommendVisited November 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 November 2024
- Karen B1 contributionGreat experience lots of time spent with the elephants fun time in the water with them. Will never forget it. 😍Fantastic afternoon! We had a lot of time with the elephants highly recommend, staff clearly care for the elephants and make the most of what little money they have to care for them. We didn’t want to leave and would of gone back the next day if we had time. Very special experience will hopefully go back sometime soon.Visited October 2024Travelled with familyWritten 20 November 2024
- Steve O2 contributionsDancing for JoyPriceless experience to have such close interaction with the majestic animals. These elephants have been rescued from unimaginable circumstances and through the patience and care of the volunteers allow us to feed, walk with, bath and bond with them. We see the elephants naturally and seeing young and cheeky Frankie dancing for joy makes your heart sing. Thank you to everyone who makes this experience possible.Visited December 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 December 2024
- Sandrine N1 contributionNice family outingWe went there as a family with two young children. The staff are very attentive and know well their elephants who are treated very well. They gladly answer questions and know how to be reassuring when taking pictures with elephants. The meal at the end was very good! I recommend this activity to see animals and you want to avoid feeding a market that abuses animals.Visited December 2024Travelled with familyWritten 29 December 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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John H
Cleator, UK18 contributions
Feb 2025 • Solo
The elephant sanctuary is worth a 1/2 day visit. Went on a morning visit, as the afternoons are very hot in February.
Completed an online booking via the Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary website, giving details of where I was staying in Pattaya. The booking was confirmed online & what time I would be picked up at my hotel.
The booking confirmation recommends that you bring swimming gear & a towel. A full list comes with the booking confirmation.
Top tip *** - take a photo of your passport info page. Your details need to be given when paying at the Sanctuary.
At the Sanctuary you’ll meet the elephants, be shown what to do & not to do when in contact with these fantastic animals. Highlight of the visit is getting in the pools with the elephants - great fun !
Our knowledgeable guide, Tak, gave us background information to the individual elephants - quite sad stories really.
Some of the elephants were worked in the logging camps in the mornings, then used for rides in the afternoons for tourists. Don’t be tempted go on elephant rides, as their sensitive feet aren’t suited for hot beach sand, hot tarmac on roads or fat tourists.
Completed an online booking via the Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary website, giving details of where I was staying in Pattaya. The booking was confirmed online & what time I would be picked up at my hotel.
The booking confirmation recommends that you bring swimming gear & a towel. A full list comes with the booking confirmation.
Top tip *** - take a photo of your passport info page. Your details need to be given when paying at the Sanctuary.
At the Sanctuary you’ll meet the elephants, be shown what to do & not to do when in contact with these fantastic animals. Highlight of the visit is getting in the pools with the elephants - great fun !
Our knowledgeable guide, Tak, gave us background information to the individual elephants - quite sad stories really.
Some of the elephants were worked in the logging camps in the mornings, then used for rides in the afternoons for tourists. Don’t be tempted go on elephant rides, as their sensitive feet aren’t suited for hot beach sand, hot tarmac on roads or fat tourists.
Written 7 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JB
44 contributions
July 2023 • Family
It was a truly amazing experience for my family. We have a 4yo who also enjoyed every bit of it. The (tour) guides and trainers are very experienced. They love the Elephants and the Elephants seem grateful for being treated with respect and kindness after they have been rescued by the team. Bring Flipflops and swimming cloth as you my go to the pool with the elephants. It was fun fun fun to play with them. But I am getting ahead of myself. We were picked up on time by a mini bus and we had two more stops to pick up others. Upon arrival we were warmly welcomed and got the safety instructions. The tour started with an introduction of the 4 Elephants and a feeding session so that the Elephants could get to know us and we them. We then walked with them through the area, had plenty of opportunity for pictures and finally got to the pool where we could bath with the elephants. These giants were extremely gentle and we loved the experience! The tour concluded with a simple but really yummy vegetarian buffet (incl. fries which was a highlight for the 4yo of course). Make sure to bring some extra cash for drinks other than water (which was provided for free), souvenirs or donations. The sanctuary finances itself only by entry fees ans donations and the entry fees aren’t even covering the basics. So if you can give a little extra please consider to support the sanctuary. Once you experienced the team and of course the elephants you will probably want to support them more.
If you want to be independent from other travelers in terms of transportation I would suggest to arrange for your own car/driver. We waited 40min at one hotel since their pick-up time was way later than what we have arrived. And on the way back we had to go through Pattaya City to drop people off instead of just going around and straight to pur hotel. This would be my only minor downside but at least you know what to expect I guess.
If you want to be independent from other travelers in terms of transportation I would suggest to arrange for your own car/driver. We waited 40min at one hotel since their pick-up time was way later than what we have arrived. And on the way back we had to go through Pattaya City to drop people off instead of just going around and straight to pur hotel. This would be my only minor downside but at least you know what to expect I guess.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda I
Sutton, UK186 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Came for an afternoon visit, it was an amazing experience from start to finish; all the staff are so passionate about the elephants and take great care with each one’s needs. It’s charity run so every baht counts, it’s great value for money as a delicious vegetarian meal is included in the price. Toilets and showers are very clean as hygiene is most important as elephants can catch infection from us. It’s in a beautiful setting and bathing the elephants was something I’ll cherish. There is also a stall inside where you can buy souvenirs starting from 100 baht so not expensive. Also donations are gladly received but you’re not pressured in any way.
Written 29 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gwhitegate
Pattaya, Thailand116 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
I oh so wanted to give this place 5/5 stars as I've been following them for years and the posts they put on FB are awesome, so, when I finally got the chance to take my family there I jumped at the chance.
Firstly, you have to understand that there are many tourist attractions around Pattaya that have ‘Sanctuary’ in the title. This doesn't necessarily mean that they are ethically kind to the elephants. You can still see many elephants being used to entertain the masses of ignorant tourists.
The booking was easy with payment on the day but the price I was quoted was not the price I had to pay. For some reason, there was excess in the bill and that was not explained even after I asked why.
The transport system is just a joke. We were all picked up from various locations with the minibus making several stops but the return journey had people on the bus that shouldn't have been there so there was a shortage of seats. The journey on the bus is not comfortable but it's not for long.
I'm looking around the minibus and I'm thinking ‘This is quite a lot of people’ How wrong was I? When we eventually got to the Sanctuary there must’ve been another 30 people already there.
There is a very very short intro into the welfare of elephants before the circus of entertainment began. A few people are picked out to make rice balls and then they are distributed to everyone for feeding. This is the only activity I took part in as I could see how it was going to progress. With the feeding comes photo opportunities for the masses.
We were then promised a walk with the elephants into the jungle, which turned out to be a very short walk with the elephants before they were forced to do photo after photo. Each session takes about 15 minutes per elephant and they're clearly not that happy to do it as the Mahoot has to keep them under control and in the right place.
The circus ends with the elephants in a small concrete pool and the masses are encouraged to enter the water and bathe them with scrubbing brushes. Again, the elephants get bored very quickly as they have to do this several times a day, every day of the week. They try to get out of the pool but they are forced to go back by the Mahoots. They then get to spray water from their trunks over people. This is not what they want to do, this is what they have been taught and are now being forced to do.
The show comes to a close and we walk back for a meal which was better than I had hoped for but then they're trying to sell you cans of cola for a 300+% markup.
Don't get me wrong, what they are doing for these elephants is far better than tourist rides or logging but it's so borderline unethical as the elephants are still forced to perform.
I will not recommend this to anyone and the only one I would recommend is in Chiang Mai. There, we were a party of just 2. We had verbal education about the elephants throughout the morning. We spent 30 minutes prepping the sugarcane before spending another 30 minutes being introduced to each elephant and feeding them. We then had a slow walk with them down to the river. We were told that if they went into the river then we could follow but they didn't and the Mahoot never forced them to do anything. The whole morning experience in Chiang Mai was half the cost of what we paid in Pattaya.
Firstly, you have to understand that there are many tourist attractions around Pattaya that have ‘Sanctuary’ in the title. This doesn't necessarily mean that they are ethically kind to the elephants. You can still see many elephants being used to entertain the masses of ignorant tourists.
The booking was easy with payment on the day but the price I was quoted was not the price I had to pay. For some reason, there was excess in the bill and that was not explained even after I asked why.
The transport system is just a joke. We were all picked up from various locations with the minibus making several stops but the return journey had people on the bus that shouldn't have been there so there was a shortage of seats. The journey on the bus is not comfortable but it's not for long.
I'm looking around the minibus and I'm thinking ‘This is quite a lot of people’ How wrong was I? When we eventually got to the Sanctuary there must’ve been another 30 people already there.
There is a very very short intro into the welfare of elephants before the circus of entertainment began. A few people are picked out to make rice balls and then they are distributed to everyone for feeding. This is the only activity I took part in as I could see how it was going to progress. With the feeding comes photo opportunities for the masses.
We were then promised a walk with the elephants into the jungle, which turned out to be a very short walk with the elephants before they were forced to do photo after photo. Each session takes about 15 minutes per elephant and they're clearly not that happy to do it as the Mahoot has to keep them under control and in the right place.
The circus ends with the elephants in a small concrete pool and the masses are encouraged to enter the water and bathe them with scrubbing brushes. Again, the elephants get bored very quickly as they have to do this several times a day, every day of the week. They try to get out of the pool but they are forced to go back by the Mahoots. They then get to spray water from their trunks over people. This is not what they want to do, this is what they have been taught and are now being forced to do.
The show comes to a close and we walk back for a meal which was better than I had hoped for but then they're trying to sell you cans of cola for a 300+% markup.
Don't get me wrong, what they are doing for these elephants is far better than tourist rides or logging but it's so borderline unethical as the elephants are still forced to perform.
I will not recommend this to anyone and the only one I would recommend is in Chiang Mai. There, we were a party of just 2. We had verbal education about the elephants throughout the morning. We spent 30 minutes prepping the sugarcane before spending another 30 minutes being introduced to each elephant and feeding them. We then had a slow walk with them down to the river. We were told that if they went into the river then we could follow but they didn't and the Mahoot never forced them to do anything. The whole morning experience in Chiang Mai was half the cost of what we paid in Pattaya.
Written 1 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie B
5 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Thank you to the team at Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary. They took very good care of us when we visited on a Friday. There are many staff at this sanctuary not only are you supporting elephants but also local families by providing jobs. English is very clear and understandable.
Bus ride/pickup was seamless and drop off.
Lunch was amazing and all vegetarian.
Coffee and tea/ snacks provided.
Clean toilets and showers.
I wouldn’t recommend this for small children with bad attention spans as it’s an education experience more than anything.
These elephants are clearly domesticated as they are all rescued. However, they are free to roam the forest within the bounds of the sanctuary at their own leisure. They also rescue water buffalo and dogs and cats which are seen roaming the grounds too.
Thank you so much for an amazing experience.
Bus ride/pickup was seamless and drop off.
Lunch was amazing and all vegetarian.
Coffee and tea/ snacks provided.
Clean toilets and showers.
I wouldn’t recommend this for small children with bad attention spans as it’s an education experience more than anything.
These elephants are clearly domesticated as they are all rescued. However, they are free to roam the forest within the bounds of the sanctuary at their own leisure. They also rescue water buffalo and dogs and cats which are seen roaming the grounds too.
Thank you so much for an amazing experience.
Written 12 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jude844
Wellington, New Zealand2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Thank you to the beautiful people at Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary for the amazing and selfless work they do. We loved the entire experience. The elephants are loved and respected. In a small group of six, we made food and fed the elephants, from here we went on a gentle walk through the jungle and washed and bathed with them.
It is heartening to see elephants being cared for and living in an ethical environment free of abuse.
It is heartening to see elephants being cared for and living in an ethical environment free of abuse.
Written 9 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ANDRE V
11 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Unique experience with elephants.
This is not a zoo and even less a circus as you can find almost everywhere throughout Thailand.
Authentic visit to elephant lovers who save them, heal them and give them a taste for life again because of their past.
We give them food, walk alongside them and NOT ON THEM, bath (some sensitive people please refrain...)
In short to do... 30 min from Pattaya Center
This is not a zoo and even less a circus as you can find almost everywhere throughout Thailand.
Authentic visit to elephant lovers who save them, heal them and give them a taste for life again because of their past.
We give them food, walk alongside them and NOT ON THEM, bath (some sensitive people please refrain...)
In short to do... 30 min from Pattaya Center

Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarahpedder88
Kessingland, UK249 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
This was amazing ! We booked on the website back in September 2023 for a visit in January 2024. We were on a cruise around Asia. The sanctuary arranged a pickup from the port and we travelled about 50 mins to their base. Lovely site, very clean clearly they care deeply for their elephants. We had Ay as our guide, only 6 in a group. Lots of opportunities to feed and interact with the elephants 🐘. We made rice balls, fed them, walked around the lovely jungle area then the most wonderful time bathing and swimming with the elephants. Truly one of most incredible experiences ever! We were given a great vegetarian lunch and there were showers available for us to use. Little shop on site selling Thai work. Very cheap. A fab day never to be forgotten.
Written 12 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikko
Tampere, Finland74 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
Great and well organized trip to see animals that seem to enjoy their life.
The tour consists in seven parts. 1. pick up from the hotel. Right on time, good driver and nice car. 2. Arrival and safety briefing. 3. Meet and feed the elephants. 4. walk in the near by forest with the elephants and see them eat the trees. 5. watch the elephants swim and bath in a small pond. 6. walk back to the start, enjoy some food and water. 7. ride back to the hotel.
I’m not a fan of any kind of zoo, but here you can tell the animals are well treated and enjoy life.
I recommend this all families with young kids.
Thanks!
The tour consists in seven parts. 1. pick up from the hotel. Right on time, good driver and nice car. 2. Arrival and safety briefing. 3. Meet and feed the elephants. 4. walk in the near by forest with the elephants and see them eat the trees. 5. watch the elephants swim and bath in a small pond. 6. walk back to the start, enjoy some food and water. 7. ride back to the hotel.
I’m not a fan of any kind of zoo, but here you can tell the animals are well treated and enjoy life.
I recommend this all families with young kids.
Thanks!
Written 7 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yanyan2605
Austin, Texas115 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
My family liked this experience more than we thought we would. Feed, walk with, bathe the 3 elephants. May sound mundane, but it's not. Do it. You won't regret it. May seem a little pricey, but once you see what you get (transfers, lunch, food for elephants) you'll get your money's worth. Sort of unbelievable that they can take care of these 3 voracious eaters just on what they make from the slow trickle of tourists right now. It's worth every penny!
Written 7 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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