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Đánh giá

• USA to Bangkok

  Tori W,

  1 thg 4, 2025

  5.00

  The staff was extremely nice. The elephants were well taken care of. The sanctuary starts at 8. We arrived 2 hours early. Overall, amazing experience.

• Communing with Elephants in Pattaya: A Profound and Unforgettable Experience

  John W,

  17 thg 3, 2025

  5.00

  Certain travel experiences touch your heart deeply, surprising you not just with excitement but with a profound connection that stays long after the journey ends. My wife, one of our best friends, and I recently had such an experience at an ethical elephant sanctuary in Pattaya, Thailand. It was unlike any other animal interaction we had ever encountered—intimate, enlightening, and profoundly moving. Our day began by feeding the sanctuary’s seven elephants, two of whom had arrived just a week earlier. As we handed them bananas and cucumbers, we learned fascinating facts—such as elephants consuming approximately 10% of their body weight daily. We discovered Thailand has around 4,000 elephants in captivity and about 3,000 in the wild, with numbers steadily increasing due to dedicated conservation efforts. One memorable activity involved creating vitamin balls to support the elephants’ digestive health. We enthusiastically mushed animal feed pellets, rice, salt, tamarind, and bananas together, shaping the mixture into nutritious balls, which we then hand-fed to these gentle giants. This hands-on activity deepened our understanding of the meticulous care these magnificent creatures require. After feeding, we walked the elephants to a mud pit, where we gave them a refreshing rubdown. It was here that we truly sensed their personalities—some playful and excited, others calm or indifferent. Following the mud bath, we led them to a small pond where we bathed and scrubbed them, each splash and spray creating moments of laughter and genuine joy. These interactions were markedly different from petting a dog or cat; the intelligence, emotional complexity, and sheer presence of these enormous creatures made this a profoundly contemplative experience. Another remarkable activity involved creating affectionately named “poop paper.” Elephant dung is first dried for several weeks, then boiled for seven hours alongside pineapple leaves (at a ratio of roughly 30% dung to 70% leaves). This mixture is then fashioned into fibrous balls, rehydrated, and carefully spread out in letter-sized molds before drying in the sun. The result is a beautiful, natural paper reminiscent of papyrus—highlighting sustainability and the thoughtful reuse of natural resources. The sanctuary’s elephants had been rescued from various difficult circumstances. Some had spent their lives in agriculture or forestry, enduring hard labor, while one was previously used as a riding elephant, bearing a visible hole in its ear from a sharp hook used for control. Many elephants here were surrendered by local farming families who, despite generations of breeding or working with elephants, could no longer afford their immense upkeep. This sanctuary provided a humane solution and a safe haven, free from judgment but rich in care and compassion. Importantly, the fees we paid didn’t just support the elephants; they helped sustain approximately twenty dedicated employees and numerous local farming families who provide daily essentials such as bananas, cucumbers, sugarcane, and other crucial fodder. The sanctuary thus represented an ecosystem of support and community empowerment. Reflecting on this unforgettable day, what resonated most profoundly was the emotional and intellectual bond we felt with the elephants. Standing beside these majestic creatures, patting them, caring for them, and even creating something tangible from their dung was humbling and enlightening. The sanctuary offered a glimpse into the beauty of ethical animal interaction, conservation efforts, and the profound interconnectedness between humans, animals, and communities. Truly incomparable, this was an experience that went beyond travel—it enriched our understanding, deepened our empathy, and left us forever changed.

• Great experience, door to...

  Josh B,

  12 thg 3, 2025

  5.00

  Great experience, door to door service with a driver provided by the sanctuary. Amazing time and only a half day!- we were back to our hotel by 11:30. Lots of interaction with the elephants. Perfect amount of time, and perfect experience.

• Choose this Elephant Sanctuary

  Nina K,

  2 thg 3, 2025

  5.00

  Totally recommend this Elephant Sanctuary as we did so many activities and were given a lot of time to interact with the elephants.

• Great morning at the Elephant Sanctuary

  Mags R,

  2 thg 3, 2025

  5.00

  Most importantly the elephants appear happy & well cared for. We fed them, bathed them and were able to take loads of nice photos without interfering with what the elephants wanted to do. When they’d had enough food, or were finished being washed, they just wandered off 😁 We also made some tie dye cloths and were provided with a nice lunch. Coffee and water were complimentary and a range of other cold drinks were available to buy very cheaply. Bring a change of clothes as you will get dirty. Basic shower facilities were available. Bring sunscreen, bug spray and a bit of local cash for the small shop. Overall would highly recommend.