Nopparat Elephant camp — Attraction in Kathu

If you're looking to experience a safari in Phuket, there are several reputable options that offer immersive wildlife encounters and cultural activities. Here are some top-rated safari tours you might consider:

🐘 1. Phuket Safari ECO+

Highlights: Elephant trekking, rafting, ATV rides, and animal shows.

Duration: Full-day tour.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for all ages.

Includes: Hotel transfers, lunch, snacks, and refreshments.

Booking: Available via Viator.

🐘 2. Kok Chang Elephant Safari

Location: Kata Beach area.

Activities: Elephant bathing, trekking, and cultural demonstrations (e.g., Thai cooking, rubber tapping).

Experience: Over 20 years of expertise in elephant care and tourism.

Website: kokchangsafari.com

🐘 3. Phuket Safari Tour

Location: Kathu district.

Activities: Elephant trekking, kayaking through mangroves, ox-cart riding, rubber tapping, and Thai boxing.

Extras: Animal shows, rice farming, and buffalo photography.

Website: phuketsafaritour.com

🐘 4. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Focus: Ethical elephant tourism and animal welfare.

Activities: Feeding and observing rescued elephants in a natural setting.

Policy: No elephant riding; emphasizes education and rehabilitation.

Website: phuketelephantsanctuary.org

🐘 5. Khao Sok National Park Safari

Location: Approximately 2 hours from Phuket.

Activities: Jungle trekking, canoeing, and wildlife spotting.

Experience: Explore one of Thailand’s oldest rainforests with a guided tour.

Booking: Tours available through various operators in Phuket.

🐘 6. Phuket Safari Tour by MyPhuketPass

Location: Kathu district.

Activities: Elephant trekking, kayaking, ox-cart riding, rubber tapping, and Thai boxing.

Extras: Animal shows, rice farming, and buffalo photography.

Website: myphuketpass.com

🐘 7. Phuket Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

Focus: Rescue and rehabilitation of elephants.

Activities: Feeding, bathing, and walking with elephants in a natural environment.

Policy: No elephant riding; emphasizes ethical interactions.

Website: phuketelephantsanctuary.org

Tips for Choosing a Safari Tour in Phuket:

Ethical Practices: Opt for sanctuaries that prioritize animal welfare and do not offer elephant riding.

Activities: Consider what activities interest you most—whether it's elephant interactions, jungle trekking, or cultural experiences.

Duration: Choose between half-day and full-day tours based on your schedule.

Family-Friendly: Ensure the tour is suitable for all ages if traveling with children.

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I am giving this place two stars and urge you to read this review before you go.

I urge you to not ride the elephants here, I know it’s an attraction but it is NOT good for them and their poor backs. If you care for animals and these gentle giants do THIS instead - choose to just feed the elephants. Ask about them? What is the elephants name? What do they do? Etc. the more questions you ask and show interest in them rather than the entertainment of riding them the more it’ll force the camp to change. They will see the interest switch. I know this is a form of money and living for the people there and for the elephants too, the elephants are also domesticated so can’t roam free. Urge them to stop running a riding business and switch to a sanctuary. Offer to pay a small fee just to pet the elephants and ask questions about how to the elephants are treated.

I would in specific like to highlight that there is a mother and baby elephant tied up and suppressed to a tight space. The mother elephant was rocking back and forth, obviously in distress. I have contacted many places to see if there is anything that can be done to help the poor mother and baby elephant. The picture of them has been mentioned in another review. These gentle giants don’t deserve this - let’s be a force for...

We had a very bad experience, and I am only giving 1 star because it can’t go in the negative. Firstly, upon entrance after paying a considerable fee the lady who only sold us the tickets said “nothing for me” in a sarcastic tone, we only spoke for 1-2 minutes so why should she get a tip. Secondly, the elephants are forced to walk through a car parking which isn’t a nice experience because you don’t get to experience the busty of nature. Thirdly, we paid for 30 minutes but we spent no more than 20 minutes on the elephants. Fourthly, the handler ( at least for my son) was beating the elephant extremely aggressively and with a wooden rod with a metal hook at the end, this caused the elephant the to squeal loudly in pain. Other guests were horrified at this scene and so was my son who burst out in tears at this sight. To top it off, at the end of the ride (which was no longer than 20 minutes), the handler was practically demanding a tip and shouting at the fact that he didn’t get one (after all he brought pain to my son and other visitors), also he had a hat with a sign on it saying “minimum 200 baht tip”. I really do not suggest this experience. Don’t do the mistake we did and DON’T...