There’s nothing that ruins a trip faster than finding out you supported animal cruelty by accident. That’s why I research like a maniac before visiting any place with animals. If it’s not ethical, we’re out.
While digging deep for my big guide on Ethical Elephant Places in Thailand, I found Samui Elephant Sanctuary. And we quickly decided to visit it! The bigger one in Chaweng Noi (not the smaller Bophut one).
We went in April 2025 – me, my husband, my mother-in-law in her sixties, and our two girls, aged 3.5 and 7.
Let me tell you all about it.
First Impressions: Arrival & Warm Welcome
We arrived at Samui Elephant Sanctuary with our own car right on time at 8:45 am. That’s when you need to be there for the morning tour that starts at 9. First step: write down your names, sit down, sip cold water, and take in the peaceful vibes. The sanctuary is set in beautiful green hills, and you could already spot an elephant or two in the distance. My girls were buzzing with excitement.
At 9 sharp, our guide Lek – a young and kind Thai woman – welcomed us at the main lookout building. She showed us a safety video about how to behave around elephants. No screaming, no sudden movements, no running up for hugs, and no approaching from behind. We had already seen this video during our visit to the Koh Phangan Elephant Sanctuary, so I had a little déjà vu moment. Apparently, they’re part of the same ethical elephant network. Good sign!
Next came a short film about the camp’s story. Emotional stuff. I may or may not have cried a little. (Okay, I did. But I cry at Pixar movies, so…)
Getting Hands-On: Elephant Sushi Time
After that, we walked a few meters to the cooking station – not for us, but for the elephants! Lek showed us how to make “Elephant Sushi” (yes, that’s what they call it). It’s a mix of cooked rice and sweet potato wrapped in leaves. It has to be cooked for 40 minutes to make it digestible for those huge tummies.
At the second station, we made sticky rice balls for feeding. My girls were all in, rolling rice like they’d done it a hundred times.
There were about 15 people in our group, so plenty of time for everyone to get involved without crowding.
After about 20 minutes, we washed our hands, grabbed some watermelon slices, and walked over to the feeding platform.
Feeding Time: Elephants Have Personalities Too
Three lovely elephant ladies were already waiting at the platform. We fed them the rice balls, the sushi, and fresh watermelon. It was the sweetest moment – quite literally.
We were only allowed to touch their trunks while feeding them gently. No sneaky pats or selfies between snacks. Respect is the number one rule here, and I loved that.
Lek introduced each elephant as if they were old friends. She told us their names, ages, where they came from, and – this cracked me up – how they like to eat. One preferred using the tip of her trunk, another only grabbed food from the left. Yep. Elephants have food quirks just like toddlers.
Time to Walk (and Sweat a Bit)
After snack time, we had a quick break. Water, mosquito spray, toilet stop – very organized. Then we started the 1.5-hour walk through the Samui Elephant Sanctuary.
Lek showed us the “elephant beds.” Turns out, elephants only sleep about 4 hours a night, but they stay in these areas for 12 hours to rest and be safe. At night, they can’t roam freely – they’d wander off, it already happened twice. Plus, their caretakers need sleep too.
Every elephant has one dedicated caretaker who stays with them the whole time. You could really feel that bond.
Bath Time, Chill Time, Nap Time
We watched two elephants take a splashy bath and scrub themselves on a big rock – from a respectful distance. No bathing with the elephants. No splashing around for Instagram shots. Just peaceful elephant joy. That was honestly one of my favorite parts.
Next stop: two elephants snacking on pineapple tree leaves. Here we were allowed to take photos – while they ate – and gently touch them if they allowed it.
I saw something so sweet: one elephant stepped a bit too far forward, and her caretaker simply tickled her foot. She stepped back calmly. No yelling. No tools. Just trust.
Then we met another elephant post-mud bath. We could feed her too. But Lek told us this one had a very hard past. She didn’t like people much. You could see it. She only came close when she saw food. And honestly? That broke my heart. But at least here, she’s safe.
We ended the walk by watching another elephant napping in the jungle, completely undisturbed. Then it was back to the main platform – and time for lunch!
Lunch with a View
Let me just say – Samui Elephant Sanctuary knows how to treat their guests. The vegetarian Thai buffet was so good. Massaman curry, Pad Thai, stir-fried veggies, fried rice, even French fries for the kids. Cold water, all included (you could buy soft drinks on top). We ate, we chatted, we looked out at the hills full of palm trees.
We left around 12 pm, happy, a little sweaty, and honestly amazed.
Quick Facts About the Samui Elephant Sanctuary
Here’s what I found out (and asked a million questions about):
- There are 7 elephants in the Chaweng Noi sanctuary. All of them are female and over 50 years old.
- Every single one was rescued from awful conditions – riding camps, logging, shows. Some were hit, some have scars, and one even has a broken spine from years of hard forest work (afterwards she was still used for tourist riding…no words for that!).
- One elephant lost an eye from abuse. Yes, really. That’s the kind of trauma we’re talking about. So if they’re shy or grumpy, they have a very good reason.
- The sanctuary has 25 acres of jungle. That’s huge compared to the 8 acres in their smaller Bophut location. That’s why they opened this second one – to give the elephants more space and to be able to rescue even more.
- Every elephant eats around 10% of their body weight. That’s about 300kg of food a day.
And how do They Actually get these Elephants?
Well, sometimes an owner wants to give one up. In that case, the sanctuary gives them money, and the elephant gets a better life. But in other cases, it’s a fight. Someone calls the sanctuary about an abused elephant, but if the owner says no – there’s nothing they can do. Heartbreaking, right?
Tour Details and Costs
If you’re planning a visit to the Samui Elephant Sanctuary, here’s the essential info:
Locations and Tour Times:
- Chaweng Noi Sanctuary:
- Morning Tour: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Afternoon Tour: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Bophut Sanctuary:
- Morning Program: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Afternoon Program: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Pricing:
- Adults: 3,000 Baht per person
- Children (11 years & under): 1,500 Baht
- Children (4 years & under): Free
Booking:
- Payment: No deposit required; pay in cash (Thai Baht) upon arrival.
- Reservation: Prior booking is essential. Walk-ins aren’t accepted. Book through their official website.
- Confirmation: After booking, you’ll receive an email with all the details, including your hotel pick-up time.
Visiting with Kids (and Grandma)
If you’re wondering whether this is doable with kids, here’s our experience:
- Our oldest (almost 8) absolutely loved it. She was super engaged, asked great questions, and managed the walk like a little elephant expert.
- Our youngest (3.5) had a harder time. She got tired during the walk, and yes, we carried her. On a sweaty jungle walk. She loved feeding the elephants though!
- My mother-in-law (in her sixties) had no problem at all. She walked the whole tour, took tons of photos, and kept saying how peaceful the place felt.
What to Wear and Bring
- Sunscreen before you go. The sun doesn’t play around.
- Cover your shoulders – out of respect and for sun protection.
- Bring a hat if your head fries like mine.
- Trainers are recommended but honestly? I wore plastic slippers and survived just fine. (Dry season though – wouldn’t do that after rain in the mud!)
- They have lockers for bags and valuables.
- And yes, bring your camera. You’ll want photos of this.
So… Is Samui Elephant Sanctuary Ethical?
Yes. 100%. Absolutely.
This was one of the best – and most genuinely ethical – animal experiences I’ve ever had. No rides. No bathing. No forced touching. No tricks. Just elephants living peacefully in a safe space, surrounded by people who care deeply for them.
Every single staff member we met radiated kindness and respect for the gentle giants. Even the owner, Wittaya Sala-ngam, was there, quietly making sure everything ran smoothly. That’s the kind of leadership I love to see.
Also, Samui Elephant Sanctuary isn’t just calling themselves ethical – they’ve actually been recognized for it. They won the Best Animal Welfare award in 2020 from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. That’s a big deal.
And even better? They’ve been named a Best Practice Elephant Venue by World Animal Protection, one of the top animal welfare charities out there. (Please note: That’s what they write on their website. I couldn’t confirm this information as the organization didn’t respond to my email.)
Where to Stay in Koh Samui – 5 Faves
Looking for a place to stay after your elephant adventure? Here are my top picks.
1. Hyatt Regency Koh Samui
My all-time favorite. It’s beautiful, peaceful, and has direct beach access. The rooms are big enough for families, the pools are amazing, and the breakfast? So good. We stay here regularly. Check out my honest review here.
2. Kimpton Kitalay Samui
Stylish but relaxed. Great location in Choeng Mon, right by the beach. It feels boutique, the rooms are lovely, and the vibe is super welcoming. Also great with kids.
3. Baan Sukreep Resort
Tucked away in Chaweng Noi, close to the Samui Elephant Sanctuary, this place has sweet little bungalows in a lush garden. It’s small, personal, and quiet – perfect if you want a break from big resorts.
4. Banyan Tree Samui
Pure luxury. Nestled in a private bay near Lamai Beach, each villa comes with its own infinity pool and stunning ocean views. The service is top-notch, and the spa is heavenly. If you’re looking to splurge a bit, this is the place.
5. Casa De Mar
A great mid-range choice near Chaweng Beach. Quiet but still close to restaurants and shops. Comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and a nice little pool.
Final Thoughts on the Samui Elephant Sanctuary
If you’re coming to Koh Samui and want to do something meaningful – visit this place.
This unforgettable experience left a mark on all of us – in the best way. And if you’re still not sure if an elephant sanctuary can be fun and ethical, just ask my 7-year-old. She’s already planning her next visit.
Just a heads up: some links in the article “Samui Elephant Sanctuary” on Nomadmum.com are affiliate links. This means if you click and buy, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
