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Ethical Elephant Sanctuary - Krabi Rescued Herd

Ethical Elephant Sanctuary - Krabi Rescued Herd

Meet rescued circus elephants at family-run Krabi sanctuary. Feed, mud bathe & river swim with these gentle giants. No riding - only ethical interaction & enrichment.

4 h — 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (morning) · 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (noon) · 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (afternoon)family · couple · solo · groupLevel easy
From 1 500 THB / per person≈ €39
This page is currently in French. A translated version is on the way — our concierge is happy to answer in your language.

A sanctuary, not a zoo

We only work with sanctuaries that respect WFFT (Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand) standards: no riding, no chains, no shows, no circuses. Elephants eat, sleep and bathe at their own pace. You come to them — they don't work for you.

The program in practice

  • Medium group: 8-15 visitors, for 4-8 elephants
  • Mahout (Thai guardian) per elephant, permanently present
  • Toilets, changing rooms, shower on site
  • Meals: snacks and fruit included in A/B. Full Thai lunch included in the full day C program.

Choose the right formula

  • Program A (4h) — ideal if you already have another plan for the day. Full but compact half day.
  • Program B (5h) — more immersive: you prepare the food before giving it, you learn to make natural remedies (tamarind balls for their digestion).
  • Program C (day) — the complete adventure. After the elephants, the team takes you to Emerald Pool (natural turquoise pool) then to the thermal springs. It’s the best experience/price ratio.

Our advice

In high season (November-April), reserve at least 48 hours in advance. Good sanctuaries intentionally limit the number of visitors — that’s what makes for a great experience.

We direct you to the sanctuary that matches your profile (family with young children, couple on honeymoon, solo travelers, etc.). All partners are audited annually by the team.

Detailed programme

  1. 7h30

    Hotel pick-up

    Air-conditioned minibus to the sanctuary (40-60 min drive depending on departure hotel).

  2. 8h30

    Welcome and briefing

    Welcome tea, presentation of the history of each elephant (origin, age, character), safety instructions.

  3. 8h45

    Meeting and walking in the forest

    Walk with the elephants at their own pace, in the shaded forest.

  4. 9h30

    Hand feeding

    Bananas, sugar canes, watermelons — direct distribution, under supervision.

  5. 10h00

    Mud bath

    The elephants roll in the mud (protection against insects and the sun) — you spray them with them.

  6. 10h45

    River bath and shower

    Rinsing with clean water, souvenir photos, shower for visitors.

  7. 11h30

    Return to hotel

    Return journey by minibus.

Included / Not included

Included

  • Return transfer from Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Klong Muang, Tup Kaek hotels
  • Around 1h30 of direct contact with the elephants
  • Walking in the forest, hand feeding (bananas, sugar cane)
  • Mud bath with elephants
  • River bath/final shower
  • Fruits, water, welcome tea
  • English-speaking guide (French-speaking on request, +800 THB / group)
  • Locker rooms and showers after the activity

Not included

  • Meals (included only in Program C — full day THB 4,000)
  • Transfer from Railay (300 THB extra)
  • Tips
  • Sunscreen, personal towel

Frequently asked

No. It is an ethical sanctuary — no elephant rides, no chairs (howdah), no circus performances. The elephants are retired there.