Thailand

Seeing elephants when traveling to Thailand is a dream for many, but it should never come at the expense of the animal's well-being. It's important to remember that elephants are fundamentally wild animals, and being able to approach and touch them is not necessarily natural. Unfortunately, elephant rides have become a highly lucrative tourist attraction in Thailand.

The Elephant Haven Sanctuary fights daily to change this and strives to protect these elephants. Located near the town of Kanchanaburi, this sanctuary has rescued several elephants, offering them a peaceful retirement. Here, there's no riding on their backs; instead, the focus is on pampering them and learning more about these magnificent animals.

History of Elephant Haven

Before becoming an elephant sanctuary, the site was a former trekking camp. It's worth noting that when it was under the management of Saiyok Elephant Park, elephant rides were offered to tourists. This activity was permanently discontinued in August 2015, with the support of Elephant Nature Park, when management of the site was transferred to the initiator of the Elephant Haven project.

Exploring Elephant Haven

The sanctuary currently houses elephants that have been mistreated by their previous owners. The elephants here live in semi-liberty. When you visit, you can volunteer to assist the sanctuary staff in their daily tasks, allowing you to share unforgettable moments not only with the staff but, most importantly, with the animals themselves.

Unique moments with elephants

Firstly, before feeding the elephants, you'll be briefed on various safety guidelines. Then, you'll prepare food for these large mammals, typically cutting up watermelons and pumpkins in the kitchen area. Once everything is ready, you'll accompany the sanctuary members to serve breakfast to the elephants. The elephants line up behind a wooden barrier, patiently awaiting their food.

A short jungle excursion with elephants

After the elephants finish eating, they are allowed to roam freely in the forest. They usually take a mud bath to protect themselves from the sun's rays and insect bites, as well as for entertainment among themselves. While this scene may seem ordinary to us, it often leaves a lasting impression on those who have shared these moments with the elephants.

Elephant bathing time

Once the elephants are done playing in the mud pit, sanctuary volunteers lead them to a water point for their bath. This moment is undoubtedly the highlight of the visit, allowing you to get up close to the elephants and establish your first sensory contact with them.

Items to bring

• Change of clothes (to wear after bathing with the elephants in the river)
• Hiking shoes
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Bath towel
• Flip-flops

How to get there

Since Elephant Haven Sanctuary is near the town of Kanchanaburi, you'll need to reach there first. From Bangkok, you can take a bus from the Sai Tai terminal. The journey takes approximately 3 hours.

Typically, the sanctuary offers to pick up volunteer tourists in a minivan from Kanchanaburi town. The cost is 2,500 baht per adult and 1,250 baht per child under 12 years old, inclusive of round-trip transportation from Kanchanaburi, guide fees, insurance, and a meal.

Address

Rural Road, Kanchanaburi 4032, Tambon Lum Sum, Amphoe Sai Yok, Chang Wat, Kanchanaburi 71150, Thailand