Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui (Soi 2 Branch) — Attraction in Ko Samui

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui in Koh Samui offers an unforgettable experience that seamlessly blends adventure, education, and ethical tourism. From the moment you arrive, you're greeted with warmth and hospitality, setting the tone for an incredible day ahead.

We did the half day, morning trip.

One of the highlights is undoubtedly the cooking class, where guests are guided through the preparation of authentic Thai food. We made Papaya Salad;) The ingredients, often sourced locally and sustainably, add an extra layer of authenticity to the experience.

What truly sets this cooking class apart is the setting: surrounded by the lush greenery of the sanctuary, with majestic elephants grazing nearby. It's a surreal and enchanting atmosphere that enhances every aspect of the cooking process. As you chop, stir, and sizzle, you can't help but feel a deep connection to nature and the rich traditions of Thai cuisine.

After the cooking class, guests are treated to a sumptuous lunch featuring the dishes they've prepared, along with a selection of other delectable dishes. each bite is a testament to the skill and passion of the sanctuary's culinary team.

Beyond the delicious food, Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui also deserves praise for its commitment to ethical elephant tourism. The sanctuary provides a safe and loving environment for rescued elephants, allowing visitors to interact with these gentle giants in a responsible and respectful manner. It's a rare opportunity to learn about these magnificent creatures up close while supporting their well-being and conservation.

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui offers a truly unforgettable experience that combines the joys of cooking with the wonder of elephant encounters. Whether you're a food lover, an animal enthusiast, or simply seeking a meaningful adventure, this sanctuary delivers on every front. From the first bite to the final farewell, it's an experience you'll cherish...

The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary was absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a MUST-DO adventure! From start to finish, everything was amazing. Our instructor was fantastic and shared so much insightful knowledge about the elephants. We began by mashing rice balls for them, feeding them a basket full of fruit and veggies, and it was clear how gentle and excited they were to interact with us. Then, we took the elephants on a walk and got incredible photos with all five of them.

We even got to tie-dye bandanas and keep them as souvenirs while the elephants were prepped for their bath. The highlight was getting in the pool with the elephants to wash them off—they rolled over for tummy rubs and even cuddled with us! Afterward, we had a blast covering the elephants (and ourselves!) in mud to protect their skin. It was such an unforgettable, up-close experience.

The sanctuary provided everything we needed—bandanas, a canvas tote, lunch, and the use of lockers for our things. Plus, there was a photographer who uploaded all the photos for free to Facebook while we ate lunch, so we didn’t miss a moment. The tour cost about $100 USD per person, which was a total bargain for everything included.

A few tips: wear your swimsuit under your clothes for easy changes between activities (they give plenty of time to shower and change), and don’t forget to bring a spare pair of underwear! We had a blast and bought souvenirs in their shop. If you’re considering this tour, DO IT—you...

This elephant sanctuary is really not as ethical as people say in the reviews. Before going to see the elephants the staff gave us a talk on what to do and not to do. They mentioned to be quiet around the elephants to not startle them (makes sense) and said that when they are eating it’s best not to bother them and touch them as it’s their eating time. Then we fed the elephants at a distance which is nice and after that they put loads of food on the floor for the elephants to eat and so you could pet them and take pictures with them (thought you shouldn’t bother them while they were eating?!?) they then told us about all the elephants and their background story using a microphone right next to them. Also each elephant had a staff member looking after them and they would run from their staff which is never a good sign, besides that their staff kept pushing the elephants to go where the staff wanted (for the next activity) and it felt like the elephants were being forced to do everything. I know I signed up for feeding the elephants and bathing them but always thought it would be the case if the elephants want to be fed and bathed they would but if not we would just leave them be.

Also which I thought was the worse the elephants knew tricks which come on that’s circus like behaviour.

There is better sanctuaries and I am sorry I didn’t do better research before booking. Actually left me quite sad when I left...