Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve - Sanctuary in Phuket

Imagine a corner of pristine nature, hidden from the noise of tourist streets. Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve is a unique ethical project in Phuket, created to rescue and rehabilitate these majestic giants. The sanctuary spans 28 acres of lush forest in the Chalong area, providing its inhabitants with conditions as close as possible to their natural habitat.

Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

In this amazing place in Thailand, 10 elephants have found refuge after spending years in the harsh conditions of the tourism and logging industries. There is no place for violence or exploitation here: the "Hidden Forest" adheres to strict ethical principles, excluding riding and any form of coercion. This is not just a zoo, but a true home where animals can roam freely, socialize, and recover their strength.

Visiting the sanctuary allows tourists to see elephants in their true element — frolicking in ponds, taking mud baths, or slowly wandering among tropical trees. For travelers, this is a rare opportunity to witness the authentic life of these intelligent creatures while supporting an important mission to protect the island's wildlife.

To clarify program details or book a visit, you can contact the sanctuary administration directly. It is recommended to plan your visit in advance, as group sizes are limited for the comfort of both the animals and guests.

Below are the current contact details and official project resources:

The main reason to visit this sanctuary is for respectful observation of the elephants' lives. You can stroll along scenic forest trails and stop at special bamboo gazebos. From there, you get an excellent view of the giants going about their usual business: foraging for treats in the grass or simply resting in the shade.

You will be invited to participate in feeding the elephants, which is done here in the most delicate way possible. Also, one of the most fascinating sights is watching the elephants splash in the ponds and roll in the mud with visible pleasure. These procedures help them cool down and protect their skin from the sun, while providing guests with an opportunity to take stunning, candid photos.

The tour program concludes at a cozy forest restaurant. Here, guests can enjoy a delicious vegetarian or vegan buffet. While enjoying lunch, you can continue to watch the ponds, where elephants often arrange their water treatments. It is important to remember that swimming with the animals or using bullhooks is prohibited in the sanctuary, as the comfort and dignity of the elephants are the top priorities here.

The sanctuary is conveniently located in the Chalong area in the south of the island. If you plan to get there on your own, use the address 38, 1 Soi Nakok. The trip from the popular beaches of Patong, Karon, or Kata will take between 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. From the famous Big Buddha Hill, you can reach the "Hidden Forest" in just 15 minutes.

The easiest way to get there is by using a taxi or apps like Grab and Bolt. However, it is worth considering that many excursion packages (especially for adults) already include comfortable round-trip transfers from the main tourist areas, eliminating the need to find your way through the winding streets yourself.

The history of this place began in December 2023. The project was founded by expert Khun Kong from Thailand and his colleague Louise Rogerson from the UK. Their main goal was to create a space where animal welfare comes first, rather than commercial profit from attractions.

All the residents of the "Hidden Forest" are animals with difficult pasts. Before finding peace in this sanctuary, they spent decades working in the logging industry or carrying tourists on their backs. For many of them, this forest has become the first place in their lives where they can simply be themselves, without hard labor or chains.

One of the sanctuary's key tasks is restoring social bonds between the elephants. In the wild, these giants live in herds, but in the entertainment industry, they are often deprived of interaction with their own kind. Here, they form new natural alliances and learn to interact with each other once again in a peaceful environment.

To fully experience the atmosphere of the sanctuary and enjoy interacting with the animals, it is recommended to allow 2 to 3 hours for your visit. The visit program is usually clearly structured so that guests have time to walk through the forest, observe the elephants, and have lunch.

If you book a tour including transfer, the total travel time can be half a day (about 4-5 hours). This is an ideal option for those who want to spend the morning or afternoon in nature without getting overtired, leaving time for beach relaxation or an evening dinner.

The sanctuary welcomes guests daily, except Sundays. Monday — Saturday: from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On Sunday, the "Hidden Forest" is closed — this is a time when the animals can fully rest from the presence of people and spend the day in absolute peace.

Please note that visits are usually organized in the format of morning or afternoon tours. It is recommended to arrive at the start of your chosen program so as not to miss the important safety briefing and the rules for interacting with the animals.

Its location in the southern part of the island makes it easy to combine a visit to the elephants with sightseeing at other interesting locations. Chalong is an area with developed infrastructure, featuring many amusement parks and cultural sites suitable for the whole family.

After your forest walk, you can head to one of the modern water parks or visit interactive museums located within a 15-30 minute drive: