Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve is an ethical sanctuary situated in Chalong, Phuket. This place is created to rescue and rehabilitate elephants from the riding industries. The sanctuary aims at giving elephants the setting of their rights. This is a place to see elephants enjoying freely around, eating some snacks, taking baths and being with themselves. They can have an atmosphere where they can easily socialize themselves. This is a place where you can feed these large buddies, walk with them and meet a lot of their companions. Also there are some bamboo observation huts from where you can take a close glimpse to the large and happily empowered animals lingering around the reserve. This is among the most well known elephant sanctuaries situated in Phuket.
The Phuket Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve began in November 2023 and it was collectively established by elephant specialists Louise Rogerson and Kong. Its main goal is to evacuate elephants from the riding, logging and tourism industries and simultaneously giving them a free, safe and natural environment to survive. The Phuket Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve focuses on providing ethical education, observing these big animals, supporting them and allowing them a safe and free stay in a protected forest land.
Things to Do: Activities & Experiences
We are quite sure you won’t forget to enjoy the immemorable things to explore and enjoy at the Phuket Hidden Forest Reserve Sanctuary. Most of the activities at this sanctuary are focused at learning more about elephants ethically enjoying with them. There are observation huts, vegetarian meal experiences and much more waiting for you at this destination.
- Encountering Elephants – One of the most natural and the best things to do at this sanctuary is meeting elephants. You will get an opportunity to view the socialized, free and happy big creatures. You can explore a lot of fun at this sanctuary with these animals.
- Enjoying Forest Walks – You can even engage yourselves in enjoying forest walks and see elephants roaming freely around. There are some amazing guided tours available to discover at the Phuket Hidden Forest Reserve Sanctuary. There are a number of elephants wandering around this sanctuary.
- Viewing Elephants from Observation Huts – Another interesting thing not to miss at Phuket Hidden Forest Reserve Sanctuary is relaxing in bamboo observation huts and viewing elephants as they play in muddy wallows, graze and enjoy in ponds. Observation huts are the best to deeply observe these large buddies.
- Having a Vegetarian Meal – Enjoying a tasty Thai meal in a quaint Bamboo Sala is among the most loved things to do at this sanctuary. Thai meals are truly delicious with a lot of flavours. Vegetarian meals at this sanctuary are truly tasty.
- Feeding Elephants – Don’t forget to feed elephants at Phuket Hidden Forest Reserve Sanctuary for a wonderful experience. Elephants thoroughly enjoy visitors feeding them.
- Exploring Educational Values – Know more about the elephants’ biology, histories, and the prominence of ethical elephant tourism in Phuket and Thailand. This is a place to get some important and impressive information regarding elephants.
Location, Timings and the Best Time to Visit
To access the Phuket Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Sanctuary, you need to book a tour directly with the sanctuary and use their already included hotel pick-up service from any location in Phuket. This place is easily and conveniently reachable from the main region of Phuket.
The best time to be at the Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve is during the winter or dry months of the dry season. This is from November to April. However during this time too you should be visiting early in the morning. This is the best time to enjoy this destination. These big creatures are highly active during the early hours of the day.
The Phuket Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve is normally open from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, from Monday to Saturday. However this sanctuary is not open on Sundays. Guests can opt to book either a morning tour from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM or an afternoon tour from 2 PM to 5 PM. You are free to choose between the different time slots to explore this sanctuary.
Some tips before you visit the park
Here are certain tips to explore the Phuket Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve in the most enjoyable and meaningful manner:
- You should not be interacting unethically with the elephants at this park. You shouldn’t touch the animals at this location.
- The Phuket Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve is a place where you can’t ride and bathe at this destination. This sanctuary’s focus is providing a relaxing environment to the elephants.
- Don’t forget to book your trip or tour to this sanctuary well in advance. You will surely get an edge over others if you book your trip in advance.
- Carry your protection from the sun like a long sleeved t-shirt, hat, sunscreen and much more.
- Carry a water bottle and comfortable shoes to this sanctuary to get a wonderful experience at this destination.
Entry fees
Entry fees to be at the Phuket Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve are 2,900 Thai Baht for adults and 1,600 Thai Baht for children between 4 to 11 years. However children under the age of 3 can visit free of charge. These rates include travel to the reserve and enjoying a Thai buffet. You cannot give baths to elephants at this place due to restrictions as this place is aimed at offering a liberal and natural habitat.
Other Parks in Phuket to Visit
There are other prominent destinations to explore around Phuket. Here are other parks to discover near the Phuket Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve:
- Khao Phra Thaeo National Park – This park provides a natural getaway with waterfalls, lush rainforest, and animals like gibbons. It even hosts the Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre. This is a landmark to see how these animals are pampered.
- Phang Nga Bay National Park – It is not exactly in Phuket but it offers a nice one day outing from here. There are amazing limestone karsts to find here.
