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Where to See Animals in Thailand: the 15 Best Parks and Sanctuaries

62 visits  ·  from $22 a head

Elephant camps around Chiang Mai, tiger and bird parks near Phuket, and the big open-range park outside Bangkok. The 15 below are priced with transfers where they are included, and sorted by what the animals are asked to do.

Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting - Cooling off at Mae Wang Waterfalls
Chiang Mai Zoos, Elephant Sanctuaries, Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, Thailand Zoos, Tour Reviews, Wildlife and Waterfall Day Trips, Wildlife and Waterfall Day Trips in Chiang Mai, Wildlife and Waterfall Day Trips in Thailand, Zoos and Wildlife Parks

Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting

1.Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 9,160 reviews · 9 hours · from $60Our pick

Join PON Elephant Thailand for a nine-hour day outside Chiang Mai. Feed and bathe rescued elephants, walk with them through forest, swim at Mae Wang Waterfalls, eat a Thai lunch, and raft the river. Guides such as Nop, Paul, Yaya, and Sunny add useful elephant facts and help with photos.

“We had the best day - everything was perfect from pick up to drop off. Our guide Nop was amazing - so knowledgeable and friendly. The bamboo rafting was brilliant fun and the elephant sanctuary was amazing 🤩”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall Group Tour - The 80-minute ride south from Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Zoos, Elephant Sanctuaries, Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, Thailand Zoos, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife and Waterfall Day Trips, Wildlife and Waterfall Day Trips in Chiang Mai, Wildlife and Waterfall Day Trips in Thailand, Zoos and Wildlife Parks

Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall Group Tour

2.Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 5,780 reviews · 7 hours · from $50

Travel 80 minutes from Chiang Mai to Pon Elephant Thailand, where guides such as Beer, Yaya, and Nop introduce rescued elephants through feeding, walking, and river bathing. After a Thai lunch, hike to Mae Wang Waterfall for a cool swim before returning to the city.

“It was a great day with a lot of wonderful and emotional impressions. The tour was well organized and Dew was a great guide!”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary Feeding Program Half-Day Tour - Meeting the elephant care team
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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary Feeding Program Half-Day Tour

3.Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary Feeding Program Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,527 reviews · 5 hours - 330 minutes · from $27

Travel about 1.5 hours south of Chiang Mai to Pon Elephant Thailand, where guides such as Pat, Toto, Jackie, and Tuto explain elephant care before you feed them, prepare herbal treats, walk through the forest, and join them at the river if they choose to bathe.

“Fab day at the Sanctuary, great to see all the hard work looking after these elephants, some rescued from being tortured or made to work in chains. To see Mum with three daughters was lovely. Well done to all who save and look after them”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Long Neck & Sticky Waterfall - The ride from Chiang Mai to the sanctuary
Chiang Mai Zoos, Elephant Sanctuaries, Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, Thailand Zoos, Tour Reviews, Wildlife and Waterfall Day Trips, Wildlife and Waterfall Day Trips in Chiang Mai, Wildlife and Waterfall Day Trips in Thailand, Zoos and Wildlife Parks

Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Long Neck & Sticky Waterfall

4.Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Long Neck & Sticky Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,262 reviews · 9 hours · from $63

Leave Chiang Mai for a private elephant sanctuary, where you make herbal treats, feed and bathe elephants, then visit a Karen long-neck village and eat a Thai lunch. Finish at Buatong Sticky Waterfall. Guides such as Fluke, Amy, Tiger, and Paul are known for clear English and careful timing.

“Fluke was an excellent guide. His English is excellent and he was fun. The driver was also great. Very well organized trip and the elephant sanctuary is awesome. The only thing we would change about the trip was the lunch. It was pretty gross and my food had flies in it so we didn’t eat too much. Sticky waterfalls and the long neck village were great also. Highly recommend this trip for everyone, especially at this price point.”

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Phuket: Elephant Sanctuary Guided Tour with Hotel Transfers - Preparing Herbal Food and Feeding by Hand
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Phuket: Elephant Sanctuary Guided Tour with Hotel Transfers

5.Phuket: Elephant Sanctuary Guided Tour with Hotel Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,020 reviews · 1 hour · from $41

Spend one hour with rescued and retired elephants at Patong Hill Tribe Elephant Village. Your English-speaking guide, often Mayya, Pa, or Pule, explains each elephant’s past while you prepare herbal food, feed the animals, walk nearby, and take photos. Transfers cover many Phuket areas.

“Transportation was on time. Very clean, nice, small group picked up. Tour was excellent. Just short enough so you’re not in the sun all day and also long enough so you can get see the elephants up close, feed them, and take pictures. I was looking for a specific excursion that wasn’t all day and also didn’t require much activity other than to see elephants in their natural state. The tour guide was nice and funny. We got to make food to feed the elephants. We took as much time with them as we wanted within the hour. You can also see that they take very good care of the…”

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Krabi: Ao Nang Elephant Sanctuary Half-Day Tour - From Krabi pickup to Ao Nang
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Krabi: Ao Nang Elephant Sanctuary Half-Day Tour

6.Krabi: Ao Nang Elephant Sanctuary Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,796 reviews · from $70

You’ll travel by air-conditioned vehicle from your Krabi accommodation to Ao Nang Elephant Sanctuary, where an English-speaking guide explains elephant care and rescue. Feed free-roaming elephants, make dietary treats, apply mud, brush and bathe them, then enjoy fruit and coconut water before returning.

“Just perfect ! An extraordinary team ! We learned a lot ! Thanks to the full team and the wonderful Mahoud !!!”

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A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Boots, rain gear, and the walk into the jungle
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A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

7.A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,693 reviews · from $97Top rated

Spend about three and a half hours at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, watching rescued elephants roam freely from observation salas and a canopy walkway. You’ll begin with an educational film, receive boots and rain gear, and finish with a Thai vegetarian buffet. Guides such as Gigi, Yaya, Minie, and Rudi are praised for clear, friendly explanations.

“This was an amazing and most beautiful tour I’ve ever been on the staff were lovely and the elephants were so beautiful. I highly recommend this trip”

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Chiang Mai: Small Group Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Tour - Why the group size makes a difference
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Chiang Mai: Small Group Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Tour

8.Chiang Mai: Small Group Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,572 reviews · 5 hours - 510 minutes · from $77

Travel by air-conditioned van from Chiang Mai to Lanna Kingdom Elephant Sanctuary, where a small group of up to 10 meets five rescued elephants. Guides such as Kon, Alex, Taylor, and Gorn explain elephant care, then lead you through feeding, herbal vitamin-ball making, walking, mud bathing, river bathing, and lunch.

“What a great experience. From start to finish we had the best morning. The sanctuary is really well kept and the elephants are happy out with lots of acres to roam free. Highly recommend if you’re in changmai”

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From Bangkok: Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip - The journey from Bangkok to Chonburi
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From Bangkok: Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip

9.Bangkok: Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,541 reviews · 3 hours - 450 minutes · from $57

Travel from Bangkok to Chonburi’s 40-acre Living Green Elephant Sanctuary. Guides such as Lulu, Mod, and Jumbo explain each elephant’s story before you feed them, walk through the forest, and join bath time. Round-trip transport, traditional clothing, a local meal, and photos are included.

“I had a really excellent experience at the elephant sanctuary. From the start, transportation was very comfortable in an air-conditioned minivan with reclining seats, which made the journey enjoyable. The guides were knowledgeable and shared a lot of information about the elephants, with strong emphasis on animal welfare and safety. It was a special experience meeting the elephants and seeing how well cared for they are. Lunch was also a highlight, with delicious Pad Thai. Overall, it was a well-organised and memorable visit.”

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Koh Samui: Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience - What the one-hour visit feels like
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Koh Samui: Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience

10.Koh Samui: Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,446 reviews · 1 hour · from $28

Meet rescued elephants at Koh Samui’s sanctuary, feed them fruit and leafy branches, and watch them roam, play, or bathe in mud. English and Thai guides explain their care, with staff such as Karam helping visitors understand each elephant. The one-hour visit includes food, photos, and a drink with a snack.

“Feeding the elephants was a surreal experience. You can tell that they were treated very kindly here, no chains or sticks in sight. We loved our visit.”

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Koh Samui: Elephant Sanctuary and Jungle Tour with Lunch - Na Muang Waterfall: a short stop with a weather warning
Elephant Sanctuaries, Koh Samui Zoos, Lunch Experiences, Thailand Zoos, Tour Reviews, Tours, Zoos and Wildlife Parks

Koh Samui: Elephant Sanctuary and Jungle Tour with Lunch

11.Koh Samui: Elephant Sanctuary and Jungle Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,328 reviews · from $57

Spend six hours exploring Koh Samui by 4WD, with stops at Na Muang Waterfall, an elephant sanctuary, Secret Buddha Garden, and Wat Teepangkorn. You will prepare elephant food, feed the animals, enjoy a Thai lunch with sea views, and share the day with guides such as Emma, Fifa, or Lucy.

“Amazing day! So well organised and each stop was spot on! The beautiful elephant sanctuary was definitely a must do! And you have enough time to feed the elephants! The tour through the jungle was such a beautiful experience! Sitting on the top of the car was great fun! Everything about this day was just lovely! And for the price it’s a must!”

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Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon and Elephant Sanctuary Tour - Wachirathan Waterfall brings the day to life
Chiang Mai Zoos, Elephant Sanctuaries, Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, Thailand Zoos, Tour Reviews, Tours, Zoos and Wildlife Parks

Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon and Elephant Sanctuary Tour

12.Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon and Elephant Sanctuary Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,091 reviews · 1 day · from $81

Spend a full day from Chiang Mai visiting Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest point, Wachirathan Waterfall, the Twin Royal Pagodas, and a Karen-run elephant sanctuary. Feed and walk with elephants, then bathe with them at a waterfall. Guides such as Nop, Apo, Paul, and Ronnie are known for warm, informative hosting.

“Solo traveller from the UK here. I honestly can’t believe how great this day-trip was compared to its cost! It was amazing! Our tour guide Apo was absolutely lovely and her English was fantastic. From the moment she picked me up in a lovely and clean minivan, she looked after our group and gave me one of the most surreal experiences of my life! Plenty of walking and socialising, beautiful elephants, sites and scenery. Thank you Apo and her team!”

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3-in-1: Doi Inthanon Tour, Elephant Sanctuary, and Trekking Trail - Living Green Foundation: an elephant visit without riding
Chiang Mai Zoos, Elephant Sanctuaries, Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, Hiking & Trekking, Thailand Zoos, Tour Reviews, Tours, Zoos and Wildlife Parks

3-in-1: Doi Inthanon Tour, Elephant Sanctuary, and Trekking Trail

13.3-in-1: Doi Inthanon Tour, Elephant Sanctuary, and Trekking Trail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,087 reviews · from $48

Spend a full day outside Chiang Mai with rescued elephants at Living Green Foundation, Thailand’s highest mountain, royal pagodas, and the Pha Dok Seaw trail. You’ll feed elephants, hike to a waterfall, eat Thai lunch, and sample local coffee. Guides such as John, Jon, Rainbow, and Note are praised for clear, friendly help.

“Very enjoyable full day tour beginning with a visit to Living Green Elephant Sanctuary. Two tour groups combine together (approximately 24 people total) to feed the elephants and follow them to the river. Delicious lunch (vegetarian Pad Thai) aRead more”

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Krabi: Elephant Sanctuary (near Ao Nang) Visit - Meeting the elephants near Ao Nang
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Krabi: Elephant Sanctuary (near Ao Nang) Visit

14.Krabi: Elephant Sanctuary (near Ao Nang) Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,036 reviews · 30 min · from $22Best value

Spend 30 calm minutes at Love Elephant Sanctuary Krabi near Ao Nang. Your guide explains elephant care, ancient tools, and each animal’s story before you offer bananas, pineapple, cucumber, or sugarcane. Hotel pickup, drinks, fruit, a locker, and photos are included.

“Great experience at the sanctuary. The guide also known under the nickname “sexy lady” is really passionate about her work and protection of the elephants. Very interesting to know more how behave elephants: how far they can hear, how far they can smell, etc. Super fun to feed them with cucumber and bananas and the opportunity to stand close to such big and beautiful animals. It was peaceful. Love the fact we were a very small group of people, it felt a privilege. Thank you for providing water and fresh fruit snacks. I can only recommend!”

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From Bangkok: Pattaya Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip - Feeding, rice balls, bananas, and sugar cane
1-Day Tours, Bangkok Zoos, Elephant Sanctuaries, Thailand Zoos, Tour Reviews, Zoos and Wildlife Parks

From Bangkok: Pattaya Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip

15.Bangkok: Pattaya Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 881 reviews · from $142

Travel from Bangkok to Pattaya for a hands-on elephant encounter with guides such as Tak, Aber, and A. Feed rescued elephants, prepare rice balls, join a mud spa and river bath, then eat Thai lunch. Expect a long drive, wet clothes, and a tourism experience that aims to put animal welfare first.

“We got to feed, bathe and swim with elephants today in Pattaya. It was amazing. The guides were so good and you can tell the animals are living their best lives now that they’ve been rescued ❤️”

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New in Thailand Zoos

★ 4.9Phuket : Guided Tour to Elephant Sanctuary with TransfersFrom $4540 reviews
★ 4.6Bangkok/Pattaya: Khao Kheow Zoo Private Tour with PickupFrom $6417 reviews
★ 4.5Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Bangkok & PattayaFrom $7123 reviews
★ 5.0Krabi: Observation-Only Elephant Sanctuary 2hrs Mini MomentsFrom $6822 reviews
★ 5.0Krabi: Ethical Elephant Sanctuary ExperienceFrom $11210 reviews
★ 5.0Elephant Sanctuary, Wat Ban Den & Sticky WaterfallFrom $5866 reviews
★ 4.7Phuket: Guide Tour to Patong Elephant SanctuaryFrom $4571 reviews
★ 4.8Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon and Elephant Sanctuary Tour & HikeFrom $9373 reviews
★ 5.0Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Experience near Bangkok & PattayaFrom $5576 reviews
★ 4.7Patong Highlights: Elephant Sanctuary Tour with TransferFrom $6875 reviews
★ 4.5Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary Guided Tour in SpanishFrom $10977 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Tour with Lunch and DinnerFrom $22881 reviews
★ 4.5Phuket City Tour & Elephant Sanctuary – Town, Temple, Food & ViewFrom $8185 reviews
★ 5.0Experience Elephant Sanctuary + Sticky WaterfallFrom $9484 reviews
★ 5.0Chiang Mai Half Day Elephant Sanctuary Observation and WaterfallFrom $5888 reviews

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