Samui Elephant Haven is the only ethical elephant sanctuary in Koh Samui, and it's less than a 20-minute drive from the Outrigger Koh Samui Resort. Swarming by, Did you know that the second most commonly spoken, Looking for the brightest, most colorful spots in, Namaste (away! Thisensures that our elephants are free to express natural behaviours, which provides both an educational and fun experience for our guests. ", We are excited to announce that we have partnered with 100 Degrees East Marine Team! Discount code: HANDSOFF. During a backpacking trip to Thailand as a teenager, Emily (originally from Australia) has been appalled at the living conditions of elephants (especially older elephants) who were forced to ride tourists around and perform tricks. Samui Elephant Sanctuary | Tour Details | Book here Some of the things you should bring along for your elephant adventure include a cap or hat, insect repellent, closed-toe shoes, reusable water bottles, and a change of clothes. Where to See Elephants in Thailand: 7 Ethical Sanctuaries Samui Elephant Sanctuary. 13,535 were here. How to visit: Take a one-day visit which costs approx. Elephant Nature Park. Observe the elephants taking a mud bath or bathing in one of their many pools, 14:30 Make nutritious rice balls for the elephants and feed them. No chains, no hooks, no riding just freedom and most definitely a safe haven. Oh snap! Ready to book your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Thailand? If you have updates or personal experiences to share about the sanctuaries listed here, please do so in the comments. They are passionate about educating tourists about the risks of unwittingly participating in unethical practices at so-called sanctuaries. The Elite Concierge team will be happy to arrange for private transfers and tickets to the sanctuary. The balls are a great source of protein and are particularly good for baby and elderly elephants as they are easy to eat and digest; their lack of teeth can make it challenging to chewleaves, roots and trees resulting ingastralproblems. Half Day Ethical Elephant Tour at Samui Elephant Sanctuary - Bophut. You will help to make elephant sushi along with rice balls for our grandma elephant, who needs soft foods to eat and you will also make your own elephant cake to feed them! Thank you for taking time to read my blog about my wonderful experience at Samui Elephant Sanctuary! Haven is open and they can carefully accept small groups, Suriya, the founder, wants to afford island residents and visitors the opportunity of helping make nutritious rice balls, The delicious rice balls are made of rice, bran, pumpkin and turmeric and can also contain vitamin supplements or medicine. Shorter programmes are also available (2 days/1 night approx. Samui Elephant Sanctuary, Bophut & for supporting our rescued herd. At Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, these retired and rescued elephants can live in their natural habitat and are treated with the utmost respect. What is the Samui Elephant Sanctuary email address? Elephant bathing by tourists is not allowed here, however, visitors are allowed to feed the animals and walk with them through the jungle. Set in 30 acres of jungle land, ex-working elephants enjoy their retirement in relaxation here. Try joining their regular programs, such as cooking classes at a local village, taking tree planting courses, or learning basic survival skills in the jungle. These ethical elephant sanctuaries make a fascinating and educational day out. Whilst we. This elephant sanctuary does not allow tourists to touch the elephants. The Haven has many elephants in their care including Somboon and her baby bull Haven, the two nanniesSudaratand Sri Nin, the cheeky girlsMolorair, Kwan Samui, and Nong Pech, the boysPlaiBang and Sorn Ram, not to mentionAomand her four-year-old boy Perm Poon. There is no touching, feeding or riding at this place, although visitors are permitted to take photos of the elephants. Follow Sherees adventures as she blunders around the globe, falling into squat toilets, getting into cars with machete men and running away from angry peacocks. It would have been wonderful if you could just sit back and observe them rather than sitting on their back. Set on the edge of a rainforest near Chiang Mai, in Thailand's north, the sanctuary was founded by award-winning conservationist Lek Chailert in 1995. Share your experience with us in our Facebook community! 13 ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand I was fortunate to have been invited to visit Samui Elephant Sanctuary, to see what great work they do here. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Despite this, there are options for the responsible traveller. Sadly, we lost some amazing sanctuaries including Elephant Valley in Chiang Rai and Tree Tops Elephant Reserve in Phuket. HANDS-OFF! Knit a Giant Blanket. HANDS-OFF! Phuket Elephant Sanctuary was the first ever elephant sanctuary in Phuket to offer a hands-off experience for tourists (see below). Now, they have safe spaces to roam freely without human intervention. Samui Elephant Sanctuary | Ko Samui - Facebook Thank you for booking your visit to Samui Elephant Sanctuary - Chaweng Noi and for supporting our rescued herd. There is an entire herd of elephants living at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, many of which were rescued during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tel: (+66) 095 269 8343. About: Proudly hands-off, Somboon Legacy Foundation is an ethical elephant sanctuary located in Kanchanaburi. Elephants that approach tourists are allowed to be touched respectfully. Samui Elephant Sanctuary 2019 | All Rights Reserved. How to visit: Half-day experiences begin at approx. Youll be able to enjoy a full safari-style experience while enjoying a luxurious stay in the tents. We will bring you to open the world of conservation to learn and understand the natural way of the well-being of animals, especially "Thai elephants," as well as to learn the coexistence of humans, animals, and nature for a sustainable. The first elephant to join BEES, Mae Kam, was rented from a local mahout. 14:1015:10 pm Prepare food for the elephants & feed the elephants, 15:1016:30 pm Observe the elephants foraging and interacting They offer a range of packages from half-day visits to week-long experiences. Samui Elephant Sanctuary | BOOK HERE | Reservations For many years, these gentle giants have been subjected to abuse and overwork, sometimes with horrific injuries. Plenty of Thailands elephant sanctuaries are ethical and they are doing great work to care for rescued elephants. This is for groups of 4-5 people and includes accommodation, meals as well as other activities to enjoy. Sadly, these camp owners are also getting smart. Please check our FAQs if you have any further queries. The focus of our Chaweng Noi sanctuary is on respecting the elephants and appreciating their majesty from a distance in a caring, natural environment. These sanctuaries dont allow tourists to bathe, feed or ride elephants. An Ethical Elephant Sanctuary In Koh Samui Koh Samui is one of the most tourist friendly islands in Thailand, due to its upgraded infrastructure and ease of access. Unfortunately, many of these camps had poor conditions for both the elephant and the mahouts. Samui Elephant Sanctuary is the first and most renowned ethical elephant sanctuary in the island.. Guaranteed by 5 star reviews on Tripadvisor, you will have a good day with those adorable creatures.. Feed, walk with and observe them as they roam, socialize, bath and enjoy their peaceful life. Our half day programs offer a memorable expe. It looks like the rate you selected is not available. The pandemic, COVID-19, has dramatically affected, across the world. Elephant Hills sanctuary is home to many rescued elephants who spent life in captivity and are now free to roam without chains holding them back. The perfect way to support our herd and enjoy the magical Angthong National Marine Park during your visit to Koh Samui. Located halfway between Bangkok and Thailand near the old historical city of Sukhothai, Boon Lott is a highly respected place to see elephants in their natural environment. Novotel Samui The staff at Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital work tirelessly around the clock to ensure their giant friends stay fighting fit. This too, in a stunning natural setting for these beautiful creatures without taking advantage of the animals. About: Situated in Mae Sot, close to the Thai-Myanmar border, youll find the LIFE project, run by Mahouts Elephant Foundation. Elephant experiences are only available for guests, all of whom have to overnight in the park. Unfortunately, this issue is somewhat common. Antonia Wilson Sat 11 Aug 2018 05.00 EDT Last modified on Fri 29 Oct 2021 07.43 EDT "M any parks advertise themselves as sanctuaries but they are not," says Maria Mossman, founder of non-profit. Most of the volunteer work will be preparing elephant food and feeding but it can depend on the season as well. Phuket elephant sanctuary borders Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. 782 posts. 12 Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand - South East Asia Backpacker They offer several options for visiting guests, from a 4-day mountain experience which involves staying with a member of the local Karen community and a 6-day volunteer programme. They have kindly offered to donate 100 baht from every adult booking to support our elephants - please ensure you mention Samui Elephant Sanctuary when booking! For example, if they buy an elephant, will the owner use the money to purchase another? During the tour, guests will meet them all and discover their personal histories. and is creating community farms for future sustainability with the help of the islands hotels. For those who wish to spend more time at the centre, volunteer placements are available from 410 per week. However, other groups accept that elephant breeding is necessary to boost numbers on the condition that there is a plan in place to release babies into protected wild areas when they are old enough. To observe elephants interacting naturally,rollingaround in the mud andplaying together, is a real treat. All the elephants at WFF have been rescued from the logging and tourism industries and a few were also made to beg on the streets of Bangkok. These tasty treats are made from rice, bran, pumpkin and turmeric and are great for elephants of all ages. Samui Elephant Home - An ethcial elephant sanctuary education center There are plenty of daily flights from Bangkok, Krabi, and others, and the island has plenty of things to do! And more efficiently, we have been cooperating with universities, public and private sectors to cooperate in creativity and lay out the guidelines of ecotourism along with giving knowledge for everyone to truly understand the problem to contribute to the creation of environmental sustainability. Prepare food for the elephants and then meet and feed the elephants. More than 3 hours. The Samui Elephant Sanctuary is the perfect opportunity for families, couples, and friends to discover the life of elephants. You'll walk through the park with the elephants and observe them taking mud baths, frolicking in the water and generally being playful and entertaining. Profits are channelled back into elephant conservation and the sanctuary also offers support and funding to the local community. The group is then spilt into 6 small groups and have a dedicated English speaking guide. The elephants at Bophut are now accustomed to being around kind people, so visitors can safely enjoy some limited interaction with them, while still respecting their space. Guests to our Bophut sanctuary have the chance to feed the elephants at the feeding platform and are also provided with a bag of fruit to hand to the elephants while strolling around the sanctuary grounds. Novotel Samui. In between, theres plenty of time just to watch the elephants at play and marvel at their intelligence and grace. We are proud to be the Samui Elephant Sanctuary. 5,800 per adult and 2,900 THB per child. elephants previously spent their lives having to endure thousands of people clambering onto their backs for an elephant ride, performing in shows, begging on the streets or beaches, or pulling and pushing heavy timber in the logging industry. Elephants are not yours to ride. Elephants are big, wild animals, Provide contact details of the point of contact from the home country, Plasters and a small first aid kit with antiseptic creams. They strive to rescue and protect elephants from abuse and extinction. Tour Details. More recently, Lek has also co-founded similar parks in Phuket and Koh Samui. Choosing an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand, The History of Elephant Tourism in Thailand, Responsible Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand. To be a voice for everyone to realise the true importance of wildlife, the local community and the environment, including adding new blood conservationists to our world. She was born in Baan Lao to a small hill tribe community, located north of Chiang Mai. The project works under the Save the Elephant Foundations off Saddle program. Many animal activists believe the only way to have a truly ethical experience is to observe the elephants in the sanctuary without touching or influencing them. C, Dont FROG-et to visit @iscream_melbourne for th, You can call me Queen Bee! Two of the elephants in their care will never be able to leave. 1. Perimeter fencing means that the elephant stays safely contained within the park without the need for coercion. The guides were so knowledgeable and friendly. Samui Elephant Sanctuary - Tripadvisor This setup means that the elephants get free time away from the guests of Elephant Hills. Renting elephants also comes with its own complications as you are at the whims of the elephants owners. samuielephantsanctuary. After the logging industry declined, many domestic elephants were left out in the wild by their mahouts (professional elephant keepers). The whole experience was simply wonderful, I felt very blessed to meet these beautiful creatures. "As part of Novotel Samui Resorts Planet 21 commitment, we have partnered with Samui Elephant Sanctuary to raise awareness of ethical tourism where elephants are not ridden or mistreated which is often the case. Samui Elephant Haven is the most significant ethical sanctuary on Koh Samui. When it comes to elephant tourism in Thailand, there is plenty to chew over. The sanctuary has an abundance of trees and local wildlife so the herd can enjoy a more natural existence free to socialize with each other and wander the sanctuary without expectations. TAT License No: 34/02051, Samui Elephant Haven offers morning or afternoon tours with professional, informative, and caring guides. Then you will love and understand the new ecotourism more than ever. No riding, performances or bathing is permitted but you can go with the elephants to their custom-built mud pool to take photos as the elephants splash around. The Haven has many elephants in their care including Somboon and her baby bull Haven, the two nannies. Experience Samui Elephant Haven, authentic Thai cuisine and cultural rituals at the Outrigger Koh Samui Resort. Ethical Elephant Tourism in Thailand Elite Havens MAGAZINE Samui Elephant Sanctuary, Thailand Photo Courtesy: Samui Elephant Sanctuary/Facebook. The central location of SES Bophut makes it easy to get to from popular places to stay on the island. Ethical sanctuaries (mostly) allow elephants to roam freely within the grounds. Samui Elephant Home got the new rescued, He is 2 years old now and very cute with naughtly. 100 Degrees East offer tours with a maximum of 10 adults and also private charters to the amazing Angthong National Marine Park and Koh Tao. Complimentary filtered water, coffee and tea. 11/8 Moo 5 Namuang Koh Samui Suratthanni84140 Thailand, Tel : (+66) 77-423-468, (+66) 86-393-8878, Explore the authentic Samui way of life program, Collaboration and ethical safety tourism by, Samui Elephant Home Caring and Education Center is where you will see the well-being that all. Welcome and introduction video on who we are and why elephants need to be protected. 9:009:10 am Safety talk and introduction to the elephants This is considered one of Thailands hidden resorts as it is accessible only by river boats. You can order one now by clicking this LINK, SAMUI ELEPHANT HAVEN IS SUPPORTED BY SAVE THE ELEPHANT FOUNDATION AND ASIAN ELEPHANT PROJECTS. Each enclosure for the elephants is a minimum of 18 hectares each, complete with natural areas for them to graze. I rode an elephant in Thailand back in 2016. Tour Details Opening in 2018, our original Bophut sanctuary is set on 15 rai of land and is home to 7 beautiful female elephants rescued from elephant riding and shows. The positive news for elephants is that times are changing and projects such as the Samui Elephant Sanctuary are becoming the new way for a tourist to experience elephants. The special thing about this sanctuary is that you get a chance to stay at one of its sites glamping camps, fully immersing yourself in nature. But they come from an extremely hard life, working long hours in the entertainment or logging industries. You're sure to experience plenty of great photo ops, so don't forget your camera! How to visit: Morning or afternoon visits can be arranged for approx. Inspired by the works of elephant conservationist and Save Elephant Foundation founder Lek Chailert, the . To see Luna destroying cakes and Haven happily enjoying mud baths and watermelon has to be witnessed in person at least once! 6,800THB or 4 days/3 nights approx. To be in the presence of elephants is breathtaking and we are sure that your day at Samui Elephant Sanctuary will leave you deeply moved. Ethical Wildlife Tourism: 10 Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand Recently, a special hands-off section of the park opened, known as the SkyWalk. A huge part of their work is finding alternative income sources for mahouts, to ensure that local people dont get left behind in the mission to further animal welfare. freely, communicating with each other, and providing comical turns; is an experience a visitor will never forget. A Safe haven for rescued elephants on Koh Samui, Thailand. So how will you know whether the sanctuary is ethical? Opened back in the 1990s, the park originally had elephants performing tricks for tourists. Samui Elephant Sanctuary (Bophut): All You Need to Know Here, guests have the chance to feed the elephants at the feeding platform and are also given a bag of bananas to hand to the elephants while taking a walk with them through the sanctuary grounds. Since opening, almost two years ago, 20 elephants have been rescued from various harrowing industries including trekking, entertainment and logging across Thailand. 17 Aug 2021 01:23 PM What makes these elephant sanctuaries in Asia ethical and where to visit them Anurupa Sen When it comes to visiting wildlife sanctuaries, travellers these days plan their visits more sensibly where they can witness animals in their true habitat sans chains and cages and engage with them without disturbing their peace. Samui Elephant Tours And Volunteers Programmes More than 3 hours . Samui Elephant Home Caring and Education Center is where you will see the well-being that allelephants deserve, conserve the environment, and help local communities with sustainable tourism. Those elephants' age range from 8 to 90 years old. The mission of the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and Samui Elephant Sanctuary is to meet the highest standards in animal welfare. During the 1990s, tourist numbers to Thailand rose rapidly and Thai people started to realise that elephants were a big tourist attraction. Stay overnight, try out various activities, visit local markets, connect with nature, and watch these majestic animals stomping freely in the place they call home. At the sanctuary, you will have plenty of opportunity to observe the elephants foraging and eating special treats, swimming in their custom-built pool, playing in the mud, and covering themselves with sand - a fascinating experience. There are currently 12 elephants at the sanctuary, all of whom were rescued from miserable conditions. Now it has 25 animals rescued from logging and trekking camps, mostly malnourished and injured. No matter which package you choose, youll be making a difference in the lives of these animals. Here's how advocates are trying to stop it. Both of these activities are a big red flag. The sanctuary also supports local farmers by buying their produce to feed the elephants. The mites seems to justify your behaviour. There is a limited number of guests so you must book in advance. There is a lot of debate as to what constitutes an ethical elephant sanctuary. They were also used as a mode of transport in daily life and even as a weapon of war. They will not give rides or perform in shows. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. How to visit: All trips need to be booked in advance. Samui Elephant Haven is the only ethical elephant sanctuary in Koh Samui, and it's less than a 20-minute drive from the Outrigger Koh Samui Resort. Given is a large food bag, upon meeting each elephant you have the opportunity to feed them. The founder of the sanctuary is Thai native, Wittaya Sala-Ngam who has learnt from Lek Chailert in making the sanctuary an ethical and protected place for rescued elephants. Emphasis is on observing the elephants interact, play, and express their instincts in a habitat that would be natural to them and with limited human interaction. This sanctuary is set on about 15 rai of land and is home to six beautiful female elephants rescued from elephant riding and shows. Buy Your Samui Elephant Sanctuary Entry Tickets Online & Save. What a perfect gift this would make! Your email address will not be published. At Samui Elephant Sanctuary, we give our elephants back their lives, their freedom, and their dignity. After much scrutiny, Thailand has embraced ethical animal tourism and has provided safe sanctuaries for its national animal: elephants. About: This chain-free elephant sanctuary is located in the beautiful Khao Sok National Park. Elephant Nature Park Elephants at Elephant Nature Park (Shutterstock) Elephant Nature Park is one of the best-known elephant conservation projects in Thailand. Lek has been awarded the prestigious Hero of the Planet award by the Ford Foundation and has also been featured in the National Geographics documentary entitled Vanishing Giants. Elite Havens Group 2022. Experience ethical elephant encounters at Samui Elephant Haven Here, guests have the chance to feed the elephants at the feeding platform and watch them roam and forage on the abundance of natural vegetation growing throughout the sanctuary. 5 reasons to visit an ethical elephant sanctuary - and where you can In the majority of these, youll find ex-working elephants who have been rescued from the trekking or logging industries. Spend your wonderful time to get a fantastic experience to observe these gorgeous animals such as foraging for food, bathing in the pool, and playing in the mud pit in their owns. You could tell by watching them roll their heads side to side and shuffling from one foot to the other that they were suffering from psychological trauma. This is elephant tourism where you can get up close and personal with the magnificent residents. Located in the Khao Sok National Park, the people at Elephant Hills are constantly working to improve environmental conditions and the quality of life for the elephants. Before an elephant becomes a candidate for work under human command they must first be removed from their mother as a baby, our conservation would like to be at the first elephant breeding center and the first elephant hospital in Koh Samui to save the elephant and increases number of baby elephants, take care the elephants with their mothers . The team at the Haven has found creative ways of feeding their many hungry mouths. The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is nearby Bor Phud, Just 20 min from Samui international airport. Get advice. We now have two beautiful sanctuary locations - Bophut & Chaweng Noi. How ethical is the elephant sanctuary' you're visiting? and her four-year-old boy Perm Poon. This is controversial, with some arguing that it takes autonomy away from the elephants. Ethical animal tourism simply means observing animals in their natural habitat, i.e., from afar. About: One of the newest projects supported by Save Elephant Foundation is Elephant Haven. About: This highly reputable and recommended ethical sanctuary inspired by Lek Chailert of Save Elephant Foundation and Elephant Nature Park, is located in Paklok, in the northeast of Phuket. 11:3012:00 pm Enjoy lunch overlooking our Chaweng Noi sanctuary Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary, Maechaem. The balls are a great source of protein and are particularly good for baby and elderly elephants as they are easy to eat and digest; their lack of teeth can make it challenging to chew. To everyone who has been following our family of elephants, we hope we have the opportunity to welcome you here at the sanctuary one day. Elephant Sanctuaries in Cambodia 5 Popular Choices, The Environmental Cost of Palm Oil in Indonesia. 18,000THB per person. This has only been possible because of the interest and charity funding from tourists and local companies donating funds. These cookies do not store any personal information. How to visit: An elephant experience here is only accessible to guests who book a package. The activities include cutting grass, providing corn for the elephants, clearing their areas, and so on. You can join their volunteer programs in taking care of the elephants. Find travel buddies. As such, the consensus is that one of the most ethical ways to encounter elephants is to visit an elephant sanctuary. Here are ten ethical elephant sanctuaries you can visit in Thailand, where you'll meet many free-roaming elephants. With or without a saddle. How to visit: Get here via scooter from Chiang Mai. They also aim to educate elephant camp owners and tourists on . 11,500). Many mahouts turned to elephant tourism, in its myriad forms, as a way to provide an income for themselves and their families. Spring Shelters Club on Instagram: "Krabi, located on the Andaman Sea About: Samui Elephant Sanctuary is one of two ethical elephant sanctuaries on the island of Koh Samui. rience spending time with our beautiful herd in a natural setting. Sit in the strategically placed observation salas and witness the elephants go about their natural daily routine bathing, playing and just being themselves.