Elephant Experience at Samui Elephant Haven
Highlights
- True sanctuary, no riding
- Elephants rescued from logging and trekking
- Prepare rice balls and feed them
- Half day with vegetarian lunch
Description
Welcome to Samui Elephant Haven: one of the few true elephant sanctuaries on Koh Samui! This safe haven for elephants started in 2018 and currently has 14 elephants, some of which are babies. The adult elephants were rescued from locations all over Thailand. Some of them worked in the elephant trekking industry. Others came from logging camps where they had to endure harsh situations and days full of heavy lifting work. Fortunately, there are people who took the fate of these elephants to heart. One of them is the founder of Samui Elephant Haven, who pledged to rescue as many elephants as possible.
Pricing
Adult
Age 12+
THB 2,945per person
Child
Age 4-11
THB 1,695per person
Infant
Age 0-3
Free
per person
Highlighted reviews from travelers
See all reviews →Pickup from your hotel or villa
Pickup times08:3013:30Our driver will pick you up from your hotel or villa on the island.
We watch a short introduction video together. This tells you the story of Samui Elephant Haven and why it was established. In just 15 minutes you will learn a lot about the past and future of these elephants.
Join the keepers of the park to make rice balls for the elephants. These nutritious balls are made of rice, pumpkin, brand and turmeric. Sometimes they contain medicines or vitamin supplements if the animals need it. When the food is ready it's time to feed them.
After the elephants finish eating, you’ll stroll through the park to meet our rescued herd and hear their inspiring past stories. Along the way, you’ll learn about the natural behavior of Asian elephants and meet elephants at different stages of life, gaining insight into their care and development. Our caring staff will be by your side, ready to answer any questions.
Are you hungry yet? No problem, the tour includes a healthy vegetarian lunch or dinner, depending on your program. It is served in the small and cozy restaurant in the park, from where you have a nice view on the massive area of Samui Elephant Haven and the elephants.
- Drop-off times12:0017:00
After lunch or dinner it's time to end the tour. Our driver is waiting for you in his air-conditioned minivan to bring you back to your accommodation on Koh Samui. Thank you for visiting Koh Samui Elephant Haven and we hope you share their message when you return home!
Included
- Pickup and drop off from/to your hotel
- Friendly English-speaking guide
- Vegetarian lunch or dinner
- Drinking water & soft drinks
- Food for the elephants
- Accident insurance
Not included
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic drinks
- Passport/ID for insurance purposes
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant
- Camera
Free pickup · 17 areasSee all 17 areasHide areas
Your exact pickup time depends on your area and departure time. You'll see it at checkout and we confirm it with your booking.
Prefer to make your own way there? You can skip the pickup and meet us directly at the start point.
We'll share the exact meeting point and a map link in your booking confirmation.
Please self-arrive 15 minutes before the starting time.
A trip to Samui Elephant Haven is the best you can do to support the future of elephants who have been carrying tourists or logs around. They deserve a better life and a relaxing old day. Samui Elephant Haven provides that. After watching an introduction video it's time to prepare the food for the elephants. Walk with them around the park in their own pace. Observe them taking a bath, eating your prepared food and enjoy a delicious lunch at the end of the tour.
FAQs
At Samui Elephant Haven the elephants are free from chains and hard labor. They can roam around freely, and they are not to be played with: an elephant wouldn't do that in their natural surroundings either. The mission of Samui Elephant Haven is to rescue as many elephants as possible so the sanctuary can grow, and a larger herd can be formed.
Absolutely! Your children will love interacting with the elephants and can learn a lot from preparing their food and feeding them. We think it's a great idea to show them at a young age that elephants are not meant to be used for hard work but should be part of nature. That's where they feel free and comfortable. Children under 5 years can join for free if they are accompanied by at least 1 paying adult.
We are open year-round, rain or sunshine. The elephants enjoy the rain as they can have fun in the mud and water. Don’t worry about the weather: if it’s necessary we’ll provide raincoats and umbrellas. Visiting Samui Elephant Haven during a rainy day is something special!
The lunch at Samui Elephant Haven is a vegetarian set lunch with different Thai dishes available. The dishes depend on the season and availability. One fixed item on the menu is delicious Pad Thai spring rolls. You can also expect rice dishes and/or stir fried or curry dishes.
Yes. Cancelling or moving your booking to another date is free up to 24 hours before the tour starts, and anything you have paid is refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded. If we have to cancel, for example for weather or safety, you can move to another date or take a full refund.
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Reviews
Based on 21 reviews
- NadegeMarch 22, 2025· Verified booking5.0
Très belle expérience avec les éléphants. Le chauffeur était à l’heure pour le départ. Très gentil personne. Le contact avec Kohtour très réactif.
- Katya IvanovaJuly 11, 2024· Verified booking5.0
This was such a heartwarming experience. The elephants were incredible, and you could tell they were truly happy here. Feeding them and seeing them roam freely was unforgettable. The staff were so kind and passionate about their work. Thank you for this amazing day!
- Felix rJuly 7, 2024· Verified booking5.0
I’m still smiling thinking about this day. The elephants were so sweet and playful, and you could see they were happy. Feeding them was a dream come true. The guides were great and explained so much about the sanctuary’s work. Loved it!
- Amara MbayeJune 26, 2024· Verified booking5.0
This sanctuary is absolutely amazing. You can see how much they care for the elephants. Feeding them was so fun, and walking with them through the forest was magical. I felt so connected to nature here. Don’t miss it!
- Ethan CrawfordMay 11, 2024· Verified booking5.0
Hands down the best experience I’ve had in Thailand. These elephants are so happy and free. The guides told us all about their rescue stories, and it was so touching. Feeding them was a blast—one of them even tried to steal my whole basket!
