The half-day experience at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket was nothing short of life-changing. I had seen elephants in a wildlife tour before, but this adventure allowed me to connect with them in a way I never had before. The day began with a hilarious introduction from our guide, who explained how to interact with the elephants safely using a person from our group as hypothetical elephant.
First, we fed the elephants, giving them endless watermelons. Next, we mixed vitamin-packed rice balls and hand-fed them to the elephants—a messy but memorable experience. The real mess began when we entered the mud bath area. Covered head to toe in mud, we helped coat the elephants, and it was heartwarming to see how much they enjoyed it. The elephants playfully splashed around as we scrubbed them down in a refreshing water pool, watching them tumble and splash in pure joy.
One moment especially left an impression on me: as the elephants left the water, they stepped carefully over a line of slippers left by visitors. Seeing these massive animals tread so gently around our things was both humbling and astonishing—proof that these “gentle giants” are more mindful than we often realize. To show my gratitude and respect, I gave one elephant a head massage and continued to wash him, savoring the chance to connect with these wise creatures. These animal interactions are a special kinds of Adventure Travel Adventures you will forever foster. Of course, we took plenty of photos, but the sanctuary made sure to capture memories too, providing free photos so no one would forget this remarkable day.
After a thorough cleaning, we gathered for a demonstration on how to make Pad Thai, followed by an incredible buffet of Thai food. The flavors were outstanding, and I truly ate “like an elephant”! Before leaving, I picked up a few souvenirs to remember the day and to support Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket’s mission. They are a haven for elephants rescued from overwork, abuse, and poaching, and they play an essential role in providing a safe, caring environment for these beautiful and wise animals. Dreamstarter Adventure Travels is proud to partner up with Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket so they can care for elephants until the end of days.
