At the Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve in Phuket, you can experience a unique and ethical approach to interacting with elephants. Unlike many other elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, this sanctuary prioritizes the well-being of elephants, allowing them to live naturally without any stress of riding or doing tricks.
The reserve was created by elephant specialists dedicated to providing a safe environment for these magnificent creatures. They will teach you about their behavior and habitat while observing the elephants more naturally. The Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve staff are passionate about elephant care, making it actually a very informative experience.
In this article, I’ll share my experiences and thoughts to provide one of the most complete Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve reviews. Let’s go!
Overview of Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Phuket
Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve focuses on the ethical treatment of elephants through responsible tourism practices. It is situated in Chalong, Phuket, and provides a safe environment for rescued elephants.
History and Mission
The Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve opened in November 2023, co-founded by experienced elephant specialists Kong and Louise Rogerson. Their mission is to change the lives of elephants that have experienced harsh treatment in the tourism industry (which still exists today, unfortunately!).
Elephants at the reserve were rescued from logging and riding industries. The founders emphasize education to inform tourists about the ethical treatment of elephants.
Awards and Recognition
Since its opening, the Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve received more and more attention on platforms like Tripadvisor. It has been recognized as a responsible travel destination, winning awards for its commitment to ethical practices.
The reserve received the Travellers’ Choice award, highlighting its positive impact on animal welfare. As awareness grows about the importance of the ethical treatment of elephants, the reserve continues to thrive on community support and visitor interest. This highlights its role in promoting animal welfare in Phuket.
Walking with Giants: The Review
First of all, I haven’t been to any other elephant sanctuaries, but I have heard about the awful things happening at some of them. At the Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve in Phuket, everything seemed very well maintained, and the elephants seemed very relaxed.
If you’re thinking about visiting an elephant sanctuary when you’re in Phuket, I can definitely recommend visiting the Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve.
Let’s dive into the nitty gritty:
Location and Accessibility
Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve is located in Chalong, a district in southern Phuket. It sits within a spacious area of 35 acres of natural forest. The reserve is easily accessible from major tourist spots in Phuket.
When you make your reservation, you can choose to include a pick-up. We chose the pick-up and asked for a baby seat for our 1.5-year-old son. The baby seat was there and perfectly installed!
The pick-up was shared with six other people, but the van had plenty of room. The trip from our hotel close to Kata Beach took about 35 minutes.
Arriving at the Elephant Sanctuary
The sanctuary is in a beautiful forest with an amazing view on the Big Buddha. When you arrive, you’ll be asked to take place in the visitor center, where one of the staff members will tell you all about the sanctuary. She’s from the UK so speaks perfectly well English.
It’s a fun and informative introduction. After the introduction, they will show you a video with images of the terrible things that happened to the elephants when mistreated. It was pretty tough to watch actually, but it’s a reminder of what is still happening every day.
After the video you’ll be asked to wash your hands because the first part of the trip through the forest is giving the elephants bananas.
Walking with the Elephants
After this first part, you can walk up to a higher spot to see the elephants from a distance. It’s a nice short walk and there’s lots of shade. You can refill your water bottle at every stop.
The elephants walk around freely together with their caretakers.
What’s so amazing is that the elephants walk right past you. It felt a little bit dangerous, but the elephants seemed very relaxed. When they walk by you, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Elephant Observation
The reserve features 35 acres of natural forest, allowing elephants to roam freely. They tell at the sanctuary that the land the sanctuary is built on is being rented. While the owner loves animals, he doesn’t want the trees to be taken down by the elephants. Elephants in the wild, need a much bigger land to truly live free on.
This is why they have feeding stations where the elephants can eat as much as they want so that they don’t take down entire trees to eat.
Throughout the Hidden Forest, there are rest areas where you can relax. These spaces are created amid the peaceful forest environment, they’re a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy nature.
Benches and shaded areas are available to take a break. At one of the stops, the elephants will walk right by you!
Mahout’s Role
The mahouts at Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve play a significant role in the elephants’ lives. The take care of the elephants and have a close bond with the animals. Mahouts are trained in ethical care practices that promote the well-being of the elephants.
To my surprise, I was told that the mahouts actually live in the elephant sanctuary! They live for free on the land with their family and kids. In return, they take care of the elephants.
They provide companionship and understanding, which is essential for the emotional welfare of the elephants.
It’s beautiful to see how they interact with each other.
BFF for life
Whenever a new elephant arrives at the sanctuary the mahouts see how they respond to their new friend. To their surprise, when a new elephant came, she was drawn to another one, and from that moment, they were inseparable. Elephants have a great memory, so it seems that they knew each other. All the elephants are female at the sanctuary, so they must have been girlfriends some time ago.
What’s even more beautiful is that they both stayed together even when the group was going somewhere else. They didn’t follow the others or the visitors.
They told us that when one of the two goes into the pool, the other will make noise to let her know that she shouldn’t stay there too long because she’s afraid something might happen to her friend. It’s incredible to see this incredible connection happening just in front of you.
Swimming Elephants
The walk ends at two pools where the elephants can cool off or clean off some of the mud. The elephants are not forced in any way; they just walk around and only go in the pool if they want to.
A nice dinner is served while you can see the elephants walking around and taking a dive.
At some point, one of the elephants got excited and started rubbing against a tree, making noise with his trunk and running around a bit, being that close to elephants without any fence or protection is kind of scary but also incredible.
Heading back
After the meal (which is made traditionally by the family of the mahouts!) and having seen the elephants swimming in the pool, the tour is finished. The whole tour takes about 3,5 hours.
When you’re back at the visitor center, you can buy merch to support the elephant reserve.
Final Thoughts & Tips
Is the elephant sanctuary worth visiting? Yes, It’s an incredible experience, and while I’m not that into most tourist attractions, the Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve is pretty cool. It feels genuine and authentic, the elephants are relaxed and look well taken care of, and meeting and having conversations with the local staff and the mahouts is fantastic.
I definitely recommend visiting this elephant sanctuary in Phuket.
If you're into travel or wildlife photography, this place is amazing.
Preparing for Your Visit to the Elephant Sanctuary
Planning a visit to the Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve in Phuket involves several key considerations. Knowing the best times to visit, understanding ticketing details, and following visitor guidelines can enhance the experience.
Best Times to Visit the Elephant Reserve
The best time to visit the Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve is during the dry season, which is from November to February. This period offers pleasant weather with less rain.
Late mornings and early afternoons are ideal since elephants are usually more active. The reserve can be busy during holidays, so visiting on weekdays might provide a quieter experience.
Visiting the elephant sanctuary with a baby
Visiting the sanctuary with our baby son was perfectly fine. My wife had him in a carrier, and he loved seeing the elephants. At the end of the walk at the pool, he fell asleep, probably dreaming of little elephants.
It’s warm, so bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen!
Where in Thailand is the Elephant Sanctuary?
The Hidden Elephant Sanctuary in Phuket is located in Chalong, a district in the southern part. The sanctuary is a spacious area of 35 acres of beautiful forest.
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What to wear to an Elephant Sanctuary?
I wore long pants in case of mosquitoes, but fortunately, there weren’t any. At least not that I noticed. So wearing short pants is fine. A hat to block the sun is smart because the sun’s rays are quite strong.
It’s pretty hot during peak season, even when there is lots of shade. Bring a water bottle that you can refill.
What is the most ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand?
I’ve read and heard that the Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve is Thailand’s most ethical and natural elephant sanctuary. It doesn’t get any more natural than this reserve.
Ticketing and Entrance Fees
Entrance fees for the Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve can be found here.
We made our reservation online. Many options were already booked full, so we went in the morning when there were still some places available.
F.A.Q.
How do the conservation efforts at Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve compare to other sanctuaries?
Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve emphasizes ethical treatment and rehabilitation. Unlike some places that allow elephant rides or bathing, this reserve focuses on natural behaviors and well-being. This commitment sets it apart from other sanctuaries that may not prioritize the same level of care.
Are the elephants at Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve treated humanely?
Yes, the elephants at Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve are treated with care and respect. The sanctuary’s staff monitors their health and behavior closely. Each elephant has a story of rescue and recovery, adding to the supportive environment they receive.
Can visitors interact with elephants at Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve, and if so, how?
Visitors can interact with the elephants in safe and respectful ways. You can participate in feeding sessions or watch the elephants roam freely.
What are the facilities like at Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve for both elephants and visitors?
The facilities at Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve are good. Toilets are there and water is available for free.
How does the Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve contribute to the welfare of elephants in Phuket?
Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve plays a crucial role in the welfare of elephants in Phuket. It focuses on rescue operations and provides a safe haven for elephants coming from tourism. The sanctuary also educates the public about ethical treatment and conservation efforts for elephants.
