Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve Ethical Sanctuary

Recommended by 99% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Phuket, Thailand

High interest

Booked 3 times today.

3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

· Wendy_S ·

Mar 2026

Make sure you’ve got sun cream water and comfortable shoes - water can be bought and lunch is provided - beautiful sanctuary where the elephants roam free and are well cared for - prepared food for them and even fed the elephants - highly recommend this trip

· Alex_P ·

Apr 2026

If you’re going to go to any sanctuary I would go to this one. The caretakers clearly love elephants and respect them so much. I loved supporting a great cause and learning all about elephants. I think the 90 minute session was perfect

Overview

Meet and interact with elephants in an ethical way at the Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve, an award-winning elephant sanctuary. Here, elephants roam freely, and their wellbeing comes above entertainment. While no bathing, touching, or hand feeding is permitted, you still see gentle giants up close, enjoying their natural habitat. This wholesome half-day experience includes the chance to prepare elephant food—and your own lunch during a Thai cooking class.

Observe and photograph elephants in the jungle and at watering holes
Prepare vitamin balls for the elephants with the mahouts (elephant handlers)
Learn how elephant dung is recycled at the sanctuary
Support the important work of an ethical elephant sanctuary

What's Included

Lunch

Thai Cooking clase demo (Half Day Program Only)
Meet & feed our elephants with a hands-off approach
Elephant jungle nature observation
Elephant dung recycling center ( Half day program only)
Making vitamin balls ( Half day program only)
Water
Experience tour guide
Insurance

Comfortable shoes
Hat & sunglasses
Your own water bottle for our water refill station
Transport

Meeting and Pickup

Departure Point

Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve, 100/12 Moo 7, Srisoonthon Rd, Phuket 83110 Thailand

What To Expect

Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve

Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Infant seats available
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 82 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Great experience

Jhelissa_B, May 2026

We had the most incredible half-day experience at the Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve! Our guide, Porsche, was absolutely fantastic, knowledgeable, friendly, and made the whole tour engaging from start to finish. Plus when we couldn’t get a taxi home she helped us book when at the end even though they had closed. We loved making food baskets and fun “sushi balls” for the elephants, and it was amazing to see how they recycle elephant dung in such a sustainable way. The Thai cooking class at the beginning was great and the reserve were very accommodating for dietary requirements. The reserve is clearly dedicated to the elephants’ wellbeing, and you can feel the care and respect in everything they do. It’s a completely hands off approach, so no bathing the elephants or touching them, which was a must when we were booking this tour as a lot of reserves claim their ethical but still allow people to touch the elephants. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Phuket, it was one of the best things we did in Thailand

Must visit

Irina_K, May 2026

If you’re visiting Phuket and want a truly meaningful animal experience, I can’t recommend the Elephant Nature Reserve Sanctuary enough. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this place genuinely puts the elephants first. There’s no riding, no performances—just respect, care, and space for these incredible animals to live peacefully. You can feel the difference immediately. We had the chance to walk alongside the elephants, feed them, and watch them interact naturally—bathing, playing, and just being elephants. The staff were knowledgeable, kind, and clearly passionate about what they do. They shared each elephant’s story, and you could tell these animals are not just cared for—they’re loved. Everything was well organized, clean, and thoughtfully run. It didn’t feel commercialized or rushed at all, which made the experience even more special. If you’re going to visit elephants in Thailand, do it the right way—this is the kind of place that deserves support. An unforgettable experience for all the right reasons.

If you’re going to go to...

Alex_P, Apr 2026

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much! "If you're going to go to any sanctuary I would go to this one" — what a powerful, clear recommendation! We're deeply grateful you're encouraging others to choose us! What really touches us is your observation that "the caretakers clearly love elephants and respect them so much." You're absolutely right — that love and respect is completely genuine. It's not just their job, it's their calling. They've devoted their lives to these rescued elephants. We're so glad you loved supporting a great cause and learning all about our elephants! Education and rescue work go hand in hand — understanding why sanctuaries matter helps transform elephant tourism. Thank you for visiting and for your strong recommendation! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

Great ethical elephant...

Courtney_T, Apr 2026

Great ethical elephant experience! Would highly recommend if ethics are your priority. Plenty of great interaction and picture opportunities because you get to prepare their lunch and are very close to the elephants but you are not allowed to touch the elephants at all. Wonderful experience!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful review and strong recommendation! "Great ethical elephant experience!" — exactly what we strive for! What really moves us is your statement: "Would highly recommend if ethics are your priority." That's 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 the message we need travelers to hear — if you prioritize ethics, PENR is where you should go. Thank you for making that so clear! We love your observation: "Plenty of great interaction and picture opportunities... very close to the elephants but you are not allowed to touch the elephants at all." That's 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 the balance we work so hard to achieve! You don't need to touch elephants to have meaningful interactions, capture amazing photos, and create lasting memories. Proximity and respect working together. Thank you for understanding and appreciating our no-touching policy while still having a wonderful experience! We're so grateful for your support! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

You DONT get to touch the...

Eyad_A, Apr 2026

You DONT get to touch the elephants. No riding elephants. It's more of a family educational experience, not necessarily fun for groups of friends . ( I booked thinking I would get to ride but it was genuinely my mistake I guess) . Other than that it's informative and involving.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your honest review and for acknowledging the misunderstanding! We want to be very clear: 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱, 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. Our name — "Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆" — our website, our booking descriptions, and all our materials explicitly state that we are a 𝟭𝟬𝟬% 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 with no riding, no bathing, and no touching. 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗪𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗡'𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦: Riding elephants requires brutal "breaking" training as babies, causes spinal damage, creates chronic pain, and forces submission through fear. Bathing tourists with elephants causes stress, crowds them, and removes their agency. Hand-feeding creates pressure and anxiety. These activities harm elephants — physically and psychologically. We will never compromise our elephants' wellbeing for tourist entertainment, ever. 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗘 𝗗𝗢 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥: Educational, observational experiences where you learn each elephant's rescue story, prepare their food, and witness natural behaviors in a peaceful environment. It's designed to be meaningful, informative, and respectful — exactly what you experienced. We're genuinely glad you found it "informative and involving" despite having different expectations! And we truly appreciate your honesty in acknowledging it was a booking mistake rather than blaming us for something we never promised. 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦: If you want to ride, bathe, or touch elephants, PENR is not the right choice. If you want to support genuine ethical elephant care and learn why those activities are harmful, we'd love to welcome you. Thank you for visiting and for your honest feedback! With respect, The PENR Family

Beautiful experience!

Elizabeth_V, Mar 2026

Such a great experience! Our guide was very kind and knowledgeable and you can tell they really love their elephants!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much! We're thrilled you had a beautiful experience with us! Your guide will be so happy to read this — and you're absolutely right, that love for the elephants is completely genuine. It's not just their job, it's their passion and calling. Thank you for visiting and supporting our rescued elephants! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

This experience was very...

LanJericha_F, Mar 2026

This experience was very enjoyable. Our guide was very knowledgeable and personable. We were able to experience the elephants as they roamed the property freely. It was clear they were happy and well cared for. You should definitely book!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful review and strong recommendation! We're thrilled you had a very enjoyable experience! Your guide will be so happy to read about being knowledgeable and personable — creating that warm, educational atmosphere while sharing their genuine passion for the elephants is exactly what we strive for. What really touches us is your observation that the elephants were roaming the property freely and that "it was clear they were happy and well cared for." That happiness and freedom — after everything they've been through — is exactly what sanctuary life should look like. When elephants are comfortable, well-cared for, and free to make their own choices, that contentment really does shine through. Thank you for your "you should definitely book!" recommendation! Visitors like you who recognize and appreciate genuine ethical care are helping spread the word about what elephant sanctuaries should be. We're so grateful for your support! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

Elephant Sanctuary

Wendy_S, Mar 2026

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful review and strong recommendation! Your practical tips are so helpful for future visitors — sun cream, water, and comfortable shoes are definitely essentials! And yes, we have water available to purchase and provide lunch as part of the experience. We're thrilled you found our sanctuary beautiful and recognized that our elephants roam free and are well cared for! That freedom and quality care is exactly what these rescued elephants deserve after everything they've been through. We're so glad you enjoyed preparing food for them and placing it for the elephants to eat! That hands-on participation — without hand-feeding directly — creates such a meaningful connection while respecting their space and reducing stress. Thank you for your strong recommendation and for supporting our mission! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

Nice ethical sanctuary

RaduDaniel_V, Mar 2026

Great and ethical way of experience the greatness of the elephants. Extremely welcoming people. It is really a hands off experience, but you are never too far from the beautiful "ladies".

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much! We're thrilled you recognized our ethical approach and that our team made you feel extremely welcome! Creating a warm, friendly atmosphere while maintaining our commitment to hands-off elephant care is exactly what we strive for. What we love most about your review is this perfect description: "It is really a hands off experience, but you are never too far from the beautiful 'ladies'." That's exactly the balance we work so hard to achieve! Proximity and respect working together. You don't need to touch elephants to have powerful, close encounters with these magnificent animals. And "ladies" — what a lovely, respectful way to describe our rescued elephant queens! 💚 Thank you for choosing ethical elephant tourism and for supporting our mission! We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

Best Experience in Phuket

Rekha_C, Mar 2026

Amazing experience at this rescue and rehabilitation center. Up close and personal with the 6 elephants they have on premise. I thought we would be observing from afar, but they are free roaming. You are just a few feet away while they are being fed. Preparing food for them and then getting to watch them eat it was a true pleasure. And you feel like the care given is quite good. These animals each have their own personality and some are relatively newly to the reserve.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful review! "Best Experience in Phuket" — what an incredible honor! To stand out among all your Phuket experiences means everything to us. We love that you were pleasantly surprised by how close you got! So many people expect to "observe from afar," but our free-roaming approach means you're just a few feet away while the elephants eat, explore, and simply be themselves. That proximity — when elephants are comfortable and choosing to be near you — creates such powerful, authentic encounters. We're absolutely thrilled that preparing food for them and watching them eat was a true pleasure! That hands-on participation creates meaningful connection without any exploitation. Your observation that "the care given is quite good" means so much to our team. They work tirelessly every single day to provide proper nutrition, veterinary care, and genuine love to these rescued elephants. And thank you for noticing that each elephant has their own personality! You're absolutely right — Lotus, Bow, Thonglor, Nong Tang, Mae Boon Lai, and Tub Tim are all unique individuals with distinct stories, needs, and temperaments. Understanding those individual differences is fundamental to genuine sanctuary care. You're also correct that some are relatively new to the reserve — our most recent rescues, Tub Tim (December 2025) and Mae Boon Lai (February 2025), are still settling into their new lives of freedom and peace. Thank you for choosing ethical elephant tourism and for supporting our rescue and rehabilitation mission! We'd love to welcome you back anytime. 💚 With gratitude, The PENR Family

Great Inexpensive Tour!

Robbin_S, Mar 2026

The 90 minute tour is great you get to learn about the elephants and feed them. The tour guide takes your picture with. The elephants are treated ethically...no rides, etc

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much! We're thrilled the 90-minute tour was great for you! It's wonderful you got to learn about our elephants and their stories while preparing food for them to eat. And we're so glad your guide helped capture those precious photo memories! Thank you for recognizing our ethical treatment — "no rides, etc" is exactly what sets us apart! We will never compromise our elephants' wellbeing for tourist entertainment. We're also grateful you found it great value! We work hard to keep our tours accessible while maintaining the highest standards of elephant care. Every cent goes directly toward supporting our rescued elephants. Thank you for visiting and supporting our mission! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

Great way to learn about Elephants

Doug_H, Mar 2026

Such a great experience! The elephants are the star of the show but all are treated really well. This is a hands off experience but you will get to see the elephants up close and personal.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much! We absolutely love your description: "The elephants are the star of the show but all are treated really well." That's exactly our philosophy! The elephants are always the focus, always the priority, and they're treated with the dignity and respect they deserve after everything they've been through. We're thrilled you had a great experience! Your observation that it's "a hands off experience but you will get to see the elephants up close and personal" captures exactly the balance we work so hard to achieve. Proximity and respect truly can coexist when elephants are comfortable and free to be themselves. Thank you for choosing ethical elephant tourism and for supporting our rescued elephants! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

Great way to see the elephants!

Natasha_B, Feb 2026

Very knowledgeable guide & a very ethical elephant sanctuary. No feeding, touching, riding or bathing with the elephants. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful review and strong recommendation! We're thrilled you found your guide very knowledgeable! Our team is passionate about educating visitors on elephant welfare and each elephant's unique story. What really touches us is your clear understanding of our ethical approach: "No feeding, touching, riding or bathing with the elephants." That's exactly what sets us apart! We will never compromise our elephants' wellbeing for tourist entertainment, ever. Thank you for choosing ethical elephant tourism and for encouraging others to visit! We'd love to welcome you back anytime. 💚 With gratitude, The PENR Family

Always Choose Ethical

Arjun_L, Feb 2026

This is the only type of elephant experience you should go to. Completely ethical and all elephants there are fully rescues. And this is a great experience for seeing the elephants where they live and how they are cared for. 90 minute experience was all we needed.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this powerful review and incredible advocacy! "Always Choose Ethical" and "This is the only type of elephant experience you should go to" — what a strong, clear message! We're deeply grateful you're using your voice to educate others about why ethical elephant tourism matters. You're absolutely right that we're completely ethical and all our elephants are fully rescued from exploitation, abuse, and hardship. We will never compromise their wellbeing for tourist entertainment, ever. We're so glad you found it a great experience seeing where they live and how they're cared for! Witnessing the quality of care, the freedom they have, and the peaceful environment they now call home creates such meaningful understanding of what sanctuary life should look like. And we're thrilled the 90-minute experience was all you needed! It's designed to be comprehensive yet efficient — perfect for getting the full story without overwhelming. Thank you for choosing ethical elephant tourism and for strongly encouraging others to do the same. Advocates like you who spread the "Always Choose Ethical" message are helping transform elephant tourism across Thailand! We'd love to welcome you back anytime. 💚 With deep gratitude, The PENR Family

so so so good great...

Liam_r, Feb 2026

so so so good great chilled vibe and the elephant have 10 star 🌟 care all around my family loved the talks

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much! "10 star care" — we love it! 🌟 Our team works tirelessly to give these rescued elephants the absolute best, and knowing your family could see and feel that level of care means everything to us. We're thrilled you loved the chilled vibe and that your family enjoyed the talks! Creating a relaxed, educational atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable and engaged is exactly what we aim for. So glad you had a "so so so good" experience! 💚 We'd love to welcome your family back anytime! With gratitude, The PENR Family

Amazing experience

Terronisha_S, Feb 2026

Porshe made our experience exceptional! It was so cool to learn all about the elephants. You can tell this place is a safe haven for them! Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful review and strong recommendation! Khun Porsha (Porshe!) will be absolutely thrilled to read this! Making your experience exceptional is exactly what our guides strive for, and she clearly loves sharing her passion and knowledge about our elephants. What really touches us is your observation that "you can tell this place is a safe haven for them!" That's exactly what we work so hard to create every single day — a peaceful, safe sanctuary where rescued elephants can live with dignity, freedom, and proper care after everything they've been through. We're so glad you found it cool to learn all about the elephants! Thank you for visiting and supporting our mission! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

Respect for the elephants

Lyn_O, Feb 2026

This sanctuary is well worth a visit. you won’t be disappointed. We fed the elephants, with food we made ourselves, learned a lot about them and had an amazing experience walking with them. They are well looked after and you can see that the staff care for the elephants a lot. It was a hands off experience and the elephants always come first. We then had a Thai cookery lesson and enjoyed the food that we had been taught how to cook.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful, detailed review! "Worth a visit, you won't be disappointed" — what a strong endorsement! We're so grateful for your recommendation. We're thrilled you enjoyed preparing food for the elephants and then watching them eat what you'd made! That hands-on participation creates such a meaningful connection without any exploitation. What really touches us is your observation that the elephants are "well looked after and you can see that the staff care for the elephants a lot." That care is absolutely genuine — it's not just their job, it's their calling. They've devoted their lives to these rescued elephants. We're especially grateful for this statement: "It was a hands off experience and the elephants always come first." That's exactly our philosophy! The elephants' wellbeing is always our top priority, never compromised for tourist entertainment. Thank you for recognizing and valuing that commitment. We're also delighted you enjoyed the Thai cookery lesson and the food you learned to make! Being able to relax with a delicious meal you prepared yourself after spending time with the elephants really does complete the experience beautifully. Thank you for choosing ethical elephant tourism and for supporting our mission! We'd love to welcome you back anytime. 💚 With gratitude, The PENR Family

Loved it

Nancy_H, Feb 2026

Fantastic experience. Learned a lot about ethical care of elephants. Loved our guide and the lunch was great!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much! We're thrilled you had a fantastic experience and learned a lot about ethical elephant care! Understanding why genuine sanctuary practices matter is such an important part of the visit. Your guide will be so happy to read that you loved them! They're passionate about sharing their knowledge and love for our rescued elephants. And we're delighted the lunch was great! A delicious meal really does complete the experience beautifully. Thank you for visiting and supporting our mission! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

Great experience for my...

Van_P, Feb 2026

Great experience for my family, especially for my brother! He and my dad thoroughly enjoyed being near the elephants and feeding them. Our tour started out with a short cooking lesson followed by a delicious lunch of Tom Yom soup, pad thai and fresh fruit before heading off to see the elephants. Probably the best part for me was to make the vitamin balls! It felt so meaningful to be involved in these beautiful creatures overall health! All in all, it was an informative heart warming experience! Would recommend to anyone and day!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful, detailed review and strong recommendation! We're absolutely thrilled it was a great family experience, especially for your brother! Knowing he and your dad thoroughly enjoyed being near the elephants and preparing food for them makes us so happy. Creating meaningful experiences that engage the whole family — from young children to adults — is exactly what we hope for. We're delighted you enjoyed the cooking lesson and delicious lunch (Tom Yum soup, pad thai, and fresh fruit)! Starting with that hands-on cooking experience and sharing a meal together really does set the tone for a relaxed, immersive day. What really touches us is your statement: "Probably the best part for me was to make the vitamin balls! It felt so meaningful to be involved in these beautiful creatures overall health!" That's *exactly* why we include vitamin ball making in the experience! It's not just entertainment — it's genuine participation in their care and nutrition. Those vitamin balls provide essential supplements and nutrients that support our elephants' health, and knowing you felt that meaningful connection is absolutely wonderful. Your description — "informative heart warming experience" — captures perfectly what we strive for. Education combined with genuine emotional connection creates lasting impact and understanding. Thank you for choosing ethical elephant tourism and for encouraging others to visit "any day"! Families like yours who appreciate meaningful, educational experiences are exactly the kind of visitors who help spread the word about genuine sanctuary care. We'd love to welcome your family back anytime! 💚 With gratitude, The PENR Family

Must see - and all about the well being of the elephants

Adam_H, Feb 2026

This sanctuary is amazing, if travelling to Phuket it is a must see. It is easy to see the care and love the team show for the elephants , and the elephants themselves are free to walk around the sanctuary as they like to. Other tours let you bathe with the elephants however as we found out on the tour it is not natural for elephants to bathe every day and not so good for them. Whilst you won't pat or touch the elephants, they are very inquisitive and you will be up close to them. Dang our guide was great, very knowledgeable. ขอบคุณที่แบ่งปันกับเรา Dang.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this incredible review and "must see" recommendation! "All about the well being of the elephants" — that's exactly our philosophy! The elephants always come first, always. We're so glad that commitment came through so clearly during your visit. We're thrilled you could see the care and love our team shows for the elephants! That dedication is absolutely genuine — it's not just their job, it's their calling. What really touches us is your understanding of why we don't offer bathing, even though other tours do. You're absolutely right: 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺. Forced daily bathing for tourist entertainment causes stress, disrupts their natural behaviors, and removes their choice and control. Thank you for learning this critical distinction and sharing it with others! We love your description: "Whilst you won't pat or touch the elephants, they are very inquisitive and you will be up close to them." That's *exactly* what happens when elephants are comfortable, free, and choosing to be near you! Their natural curiosity brings them close without any force or coercion. Those authentic, elephant-initiated interactions are far more meaningful than forced touching. Khun Daeng (Dang!) will be absolutely thrilled to read this! He's incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about educating visitors on elephant welfare. และขอบคุณมากสำหรับข้อความภาษาไทยของคุณ! (And thank you so much for your Thai message!) ขอบคุณที่เลือกการท่องเที่ยวช้างอย่างมีจริยธรรม (Thank you for choosing ethical elephant tourism!) Thank you for choosing PENR and for spreading the word about why genuine sanctuary care matters! We'd love to welcome you back anytime. 💚 With deep gratitude, The PENR Family

It was a nice experience!...

Alexis_F, Feb 2026

It was a nice experience! All the staff were kind and knowledgeable. I booked the 1.5 hour slot and it was perfect.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much! We're thrilled you had a nice experience! Our staff will be so happy to read that they were kind and knowledgeable — creating a warm, educational atmosphere is exactly what we strive for. We're so glad the 90-minute experience was perfect for you! Thank you for visiting and supporting our rescued elephants. 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

Such an amazing...

Alexandrea_B, Feb 2026

Such an amazing experience. Did some research prior to choosing this place and glad I did because it truly is an ethical elephant sanctuary. They were so informative and you can tell they truly care about these animals. 10/10 recommend.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful review and 10/10 recommendation! What means the most to us is that you did research prior to choosing us and concluded we're "truly an ethical elephant sanctuary." That validation from someone who clearly understood what to look for is exactly what we hope for. We're thrilled you found it informative and could tell we truly care about these animals! That care is absolutely genuine — it's not just our job, it's our calling. We've devoted our lives to these rescued elephants. Thank you for doing your homework, choosing ethics over entertainment, and encouraging others to visit! We'd love to welcome you back anytime. 💚 With gratitude, The PENR Family

Great ethical elephant sanctuary.

Martin_G, Feb 2026

Wonderful day at the elephant sanctuary today. Tom the guide was excellent, knew all there was to know about the elephants and their care. This is an ethical sanctuary so no bathing and forced interaction by the elephants. We did the half day tour which included La lovely Thai cooked lunch, can highly recommended this tour.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful review and strong recommendation! We're thrilled you had a wonderful day at our sanctuary! Khun Tom will be absolutely delighted to read this — his extensive knowledge about each elephant and their individual care needs is a result of genuine passion and dedication. He truly loves these rescued elephants. What really touches us is your clear understanding of our ethical approach: "No bathing and forced interaction by the elephants." That's 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 what sets us apart! We will never force our elephants to interact with visitors for entertainment. Every encounter is on their terms, never ours. We're so glad you enjoyed the half-day tour with the lovely Thai cooked lunch! Being able to relax with delicious Thai cuisine after spending time with the elephants really does complete the experience beautifully. Thank you for choosing ethical elephant tourism and for strongly recommending us to others! We'd love to welcome you back anytime. 💚 With gratitude, The PENR Family

Amazing experience!

Kenneth_N, Feb 2026

Awesome guides, good experience and totally worth it! 90 min is perfect, it gets very hot and humid. The elephants are so beautiful and you can see that they have a good life here🙏🏻

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much! We're thrilled you had an amazing experience! Our guides will be so happy to read "awesome guides" — they're passionate about sharing their love and knowledge of our rescued elephants. You're absolutely right that 90 minutes is perfect, especially in Thailand's heat and humidity! It's comprehensive yet efficient, giving you the full experience without being overwhelming. What really touches us is your observation: "The elephants are so beautiful and you can see that they have a good life here." 🙏🏻 That's exactly what we work tirelessly to provide every single day — a peaceful, dignified life with proper care, freedom, and respect after everything they've been through. Thank you for visiting and supporting our mission! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

Book it!

Simira_L, Jan 2026

This experience was unmatched. Truly an animal sanctuary. They really do take great care of the elephants. 10/10 recommend!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this enthusiastic review and 10/10 recommendation! "Book it!" — we love the strong, clear message! What means the most to us is your statement: "Truly an animal sanctuary." That validation from someone who can see the difference between genuine sanctuary care and facilities that claim to be sanctuaries but still exploit elephants is exactly what we hope for. We're thrilled you found the experience unmatched and recognized that we really do take great care of our elephants! Our team works tirelessly every single day to give these rescued elephants the love, respect, and freedom they deserve. Thank you for visiting and for your powerful recommendation! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

The best way to see...

Erica_S, Jan 2026

The best way to see elephants in Phuket. Based on ethical practices and educated about why bathing wiith and riding elephants is so cruel.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much! "The best way to see elephants in Phuket" — what an incredible endorsement! What really moves us is that you learned why bathing with and riding elephants is so cruel. Too many tourists don't realize these activities cause serious harm — physically and psychologically — even when marketed as "fun" or "interactive." Thank you for understanding our ethical practices and for spreading this critical message to others. When travelers learn the truth about elephant exploitation and choose differently, real change happens! We're so grateful for your support and advocacy! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

Amazing informative day

Scott_H, Dec 2025

We opted for the half day experience and it was definitely worth the extra money.Our tour started a 13-00 so the first hour was a thai cooking class followed by lunch which was what we had learned to cook.The meal was very nice and there was lots of it.Next we headed off the see the elephants (6 in total,all female). The reason we chose this trip was we knew it was hands off and you could see the elephants in their own environment.We made up some food baskets consisting of lots of fruit and veg then took them over for the elephants.The trip was very informative and amazing seeing these beautiful elephants in a happy environment considering they were all rescued from a previous bad life.I highly recommend this tour it was an amazing experience.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this amazing, detailed review and strong recommendation! We're thrilled the half-day experience was definitely worth the extra investment! Starting with the Thai cooking class at 13:00, learning authentic techniques, and then enjoying a delicious lunch of what you'd just cooked creates such a wonderful, immersive beginning to the day. We're so glad there was lots of it and that it was very nice! What really touches us is why you chose us: "We knew it was hands off and you could see the elephants in their own environment." That's 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 what sets us apart! You did your research and chose ethics over exploitation, and we're deeply grateful for that. We're so glad you enjoyed making the food baskets with fruit and vegetables for our six female elephants! That hands-on participation creates meaningful connection without any harm or stress. Your observation means everything to us: "Amazing seeing these beautiful elephants in a happy environment considering they were all rescued from a previous bad life." That contrast — from exploitation and abuse to freedom and happiness — is exactly what our mission is about. Every one of our rescued elephants deserves this peaceful life after everything they've been through. Thank you for finding it informative and amazing, and for choosing ethical elephant tourism! We'd love to welcome you back anytime. 💚 With gratitude, The PENR Family

A work of love

Silvia_H, Dec 2025

You will see a limited number of elephants that had been rescued and are being loved at this place. The amount you paid is to help with all the expenses to take good care of the elephants

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this beautiful review! "A work of love" — what a perfect way to describe what we do. That's exactly what it is! Every single day, our team pours their hearts into caring for these rescued elephants. It truly is a labor of love. You're absolutely right that you'll see a limited number — we have six rescued elephants, and that's intentional. We're not a zoo or a mass tourism facility. Each elephant receives individualized care, attention, and love. Quality over quantity, always. And thank you so much for understanding that the amount you paid directly helps with all the expenses to take good care of the elephants! Proper veterinary care, quality nutrition, habitat maintenance, and a dedicated team aren't cheap. Every visit directly supports these six rescued souls. Thank you for visiting and supporting our work of love! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

True ethical sanctuary

Monika_B, Dec 2025

The experience was amazing- the place very accommodating. I made a mistake with the booking and they changed it without any issues. When the place say they are ethical- they mean it. No touching or bathing the animals but were able to prepare fruit and veg and have photos up close. The guide was very informative and enthusiastic, animals well cared for.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful review! "True ethical sanctuary" — that means everything to us! We're so glad we could help fix your booking mistake without any issues! We want every visitor to have a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish. What really moves us is your statement: "𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹- 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘁." That validation from someone who clearly understands the difference between claims and reality is exactly what we hope for. We will never compromise our elephants' wellbeing for tourist entertainment, ever. Thank you for understanding and appreciating our no touching or bathing policy! You're absolutely right — you were able to prepare fruit and vegetables, get photos up close, and create meaningful connections without any exploitation. Proximity and respect working together. Your guide will be so happy to read about being informative and enthusiastic! That passion for educating visitors while sharing genuine love for our elephants is what makes the experience special. And thank you for recognizing our animals are well cared for! Our team works tirelessly every single day to give these rescued elephants the love and care they deserve. Thank you for visiting and supporting our mission! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family

Amazing Experience and Welcoming Team

Muhammad_A, Dec 2025

The whole experience was amazing. The team was very welcoming and accommodating, they even graciously accepted to delay our ticket to the next group when our driver suddenly canceled on us. Tom the tour guide is amazing and 90 minutes was the perfect tour.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We're absolutely thrilled the whole experience was amazing! And we're so glad our team could help when your driver suddenly canceled — of course we were happy to move you to the next group! We never want transportation issues to prevent anyone from visiting our elephants. Tom will be so happy to read "Tom the tour guide is amazing"! He's incredibly passionate about our rescued elephants and loves sharing their stories with visitors. We're also glad 90 minutes was the perfect tour length for you! Thank you for your kind words about our welcoming and accommodating team, and for supporting our mission! 💚 We'd love to welcome you back anytime. With gratitude, The PENR Family