Nestled just outside Kanchanaburi, ElephantsWorld is a sanctuary dedicated to rescuing elephants from all over Thailand. Dr. Samart and his wife Khun Fon, a veterinarian from the region, founded our sanctuary in 2008. Their goal was to provide a safe haven for old, abused, and disabled elephants.
Each elephant at ElephantsWorld has a unique story. Many come from challenging backgrounds like the logging industry or trekking camps. Some even endured a life begging on the streets. Sadly, these experiences harmed their health and happiness. Therefore, Dr. Samart and Khun Fon created ElephantsWorld to give these magnificent creatures a peaceful life and the care they deserve.
(12+ yrs)
(4 to 11 yrs)
90/9 Moo 4, Baan Nong Hoi,
Amphoe Mueang, Tambon Wang Dong,
Kanchanaburi 71190, Thailand
EXCELLENT Based on 2191 reviews Seaside7749052025-04-18Verified Brilliant and worthwhile experience We thought this was great, we did the full day and it was well worth it. The staff were great and very helpful, the Elephants were treated respectfully and gently, the staff clearly enjoy working with animals.Despite explaining very well that the Elephants here are generally older rescued from lives of work such as logging etc and some wouldn't have survived without the sanctuary there was still someone asking stupid questions, isn't there always. We were told wild Elephants live nearby and neighbouring farms do experience damage sometimes. If a sanctuary Elephant gets out the Sanctuary have to pay for any damage caused. Why ask if wild Elephants can cause damage why can't sanctuary ones I think that's pretty obvious imo.This place is well run, well managed and worth the money. The food was good and the experiences all well presented. A big thank you to the staff for giving us this great opportunity and amazing photos. rich812025-04-12Verified As good as it gets. So I’m always sceptical of these ‘tourist traps’ However this was one of the best experiences we’ve had as a family. I won’t run through all the activities as the program is well listed on here and their own website. What I will say is we researched where to see elephants in Thailand. I refused to go anywhere where the animals were restricted, some even chained up and drugged. Trust me check out some of the so called safari parks near Bangkok. This place was far from that. The animals were free to roam between activities. Let’s live in the real world. The animals obviously know a bunch of tourists means food. They ‘run’ to be fed of their own free will. We even picked up bags of bananas on route to make friends instantly. All the staff were friendly and very accommodating. One Mahout even went above and beyond to allow my daughter to get in the river with her favourite elephant named Cherry. No hard sell once you’re there. Mahouts (Guides) happy to take pictures using our phone. Drinks/souvenirs sensibly priced. You can argue the moral high ground regarding these places, but in my view this is as good as it gets. The animals are well cared for and don’t wish to leave although they easily could. Pascal27Eure2025-02-26Verified All right. I totally disagree with those who say that animal welfare is not respected. First of all, I did not see any ill-treatment of these animals (on the contrary) or any trace of ill-treatment. They are domesticated elephants and not wild. I don't think it would be torture to make them swim and water the few tourists present, especially when you know the pleasure that an elephant has to go for a dip... The urban sensitivities of eco-friendly bobos should be reasoned with the realities of animal life. Our cows or horses in France are often treated worse than these elephants there ... we still have to get out of his city.I enjoyed cooking the rations of the 83 years old grd mother elephant who has no tooth and who without the help of her cornac or tourists passing by, would have died of non-feeding. I had fun cutting sugar canes (real candy for elephants) to feed some young elephants ... anyway, I spent a great day in this center. Hemdorff2025-02-13Verified Must see. At first we booked from Denmark and everything was confirmed, But the people at elefant Worldtrade forgot to send a car for pickup.When we arriwed at the Elefant world, we had a very good experimce, we cut grace for the Elefants(Take Care the grase are Sharp). Then we went Down to feed the Elefants, an give Them a bath in mud.They enjoied it really much and after the mud bath They where washed in the river. Dr. Issa Abu-Dayyeh2025-01-12Verified Nice elephant interaction but not personalized Let me start by saying, it’s not my first time to do an elephant interaction in nature, so I am able to compare and contrast.The booking process is efficient, you fillA google survey through their website, and they contact you with an email and price quotation, and you can confirm your reservation that way. There are different packages to choose from including half and full days, with and without transportation from your hotel if you are in Kanchanaburi. We paid 1800 baht per person including transportation, a small buffet lunch upon arrival (no chance to opt out, so avoid having breakfast before going), and entrance.Once you arrive, you are assignedA guide, but you are pooled with other groups as you perform the activities, so it doesn’t feel personalized at all.That being said, you get to doAll the basic stuff such as feeding elephants watermelon from a platform (feed him to his trunk not in his mouth (My hand got chewed by an elephant and it really swelled and hurt for 2 days). You also get to cut some grass for them in a field using primitive tools, feed them rice balls, and then play in the mud with them, and shower them in the river.Overall, fun but not personal! The lunch buffet is not that good, and they force you to have it upon arrival (1 hour. Lost) Marcel H2024-12-25Verified For elephant lovers and female lovers We planned our trip and didn't know so much about the Elphant World before but were really excited. Away from the front, of course, tourists are also here but without tourists this resort could not be operated for the animals. Our guide Kehm was able to tell us a lot and answer almost all questions. The program is well thought out and planned the animals have a maximum of 5 hours a day program after which they have their rest. The resort is a catchment point for working elephants who had to work in the forest or at the Circus, as well as outcast elephants and mounts of the time. Here, it is not ridden but cared for. This includes collecting food to prepare washing and scrubbing. On the whole very nicely groomed animals friendly staff great facility. We were happy! Annette Z2024-12-09Verified Elephant experience up close We deliberately decided to stay at Elephantsworld for 3 nights / 4 days (write an email) to get a deeper insight into life with/with the elephants. And it was wonderful! Not only did we have a spacious cabin with fantastic river views to ourselves. Our assigned tour guide "Chang" was always on hand, spoke good English and made everything possible for us. In addition to the program of preparing elephant food, feeding and bathing, there was a trip to the water buffalo as well as a wonderful kayak trip on the river, also a table tennis game was there. We were able to engage with the elephants during the 4 days quite relaxed without the day guests and learned a lot about them. Especially that Asian elephants are such good swimmers, I did not know. They like to go into hiding with their whole body, which was nice to watch, even from our terrace. It was cooked every day for us, great freshly prepared food and all the staff were very open-minded and helpful.A great experience, especially to witness the harmonious interaction of mahout and elephant, I really liked! Definitely recommended to spend at least 2 nights there! Thanks to the whole team. Karen K2024-11-11Verified Highlight of our family holiday I booked direct with the official website and got confirmation with clear info about our trip and cost. We are a family of 5 and there is a discount on our 2 younger kids. My enquiry messages are replied very quickly. On the day before the trip we got further confirmation of pick up point. Our driver Siri arrived 5 min before the agreed time and he drove us to destination with lots of introductions about Thailand, Bangkok and regions beyond. The whole day program is exactly what says on the tin. Everything went perfectly with a relaxing pace. Elephants are cared for ethically and you can feel the love in the community. Our children were looked after and helped in all the feeding activities and lake bath activities. Lunch was simple but nice. The whole environment feels so clean and calm. Gift shop is lovely. Shower facilities are basic but clean. Very well organised. Alexandra M2024-10-16Verified Not in the interest of animals First of all: the Elephants World is located in a beautiful area - actually a paradise for elephants.Also it was a great experience to be so close to the thick skins.However, in my opinion a relaxed elephant life does not look like this.We were a group of about 10 people and our employee Gogo actually only told us about the elephants and their origins on request.Rather, we were sent as a group from one agenda item to the next so that other groups could move up. Also the elephants had to go through this procedure and were pulled on the neck knit for feeding, when they then wanted to leave the group intended for us they were brought back by the always very loud mahouts.Also in the mud and river bath they were partly pulled and pushed and had to lie down for the tours.2 did not want at all but the mahout finally prevailed.In the river then began a minute-long photo session with the elephants.Any guest who wanted was photographed with the group while the young elephant had to splash water incessantly and got a treat for it. The visit made me think very thoughtful overall.I don't think any animal wants to unwind the same program several times a day and be "groped" by 1000 tourist hands.I wouldn't do it again.I had very good experience with a sanctuary in northern Thailand and hoped it would be similar - namely, what it should be: a reception station for slain animals who can now live their lives in an animal-worthy way.Lunch was good and plentiful.