Sappraiwan Elephants Sanctuary, located in Kaeng Sopha, Thailand, is a serene haven dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of elephants. Visitors can learn about the importance of wildlife conservation while experiencing the majestic beauty of these gentle giants up close.
Sappraiwan Elephants Sanctuary, situated in the picturesque Kaeng Sopha subdistrict, is a premier destination for elephant lovers and conservation enthusiasts alike. Nestled in the heart of Thailand, this sanctuary is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for elephants rescued from harsh conditions. It aims to educate visitors about the significance of wildlife conservation and promote awareness about the challenges facing these magnificent creatures.
Upon entering the sanctuary, guests are greeted by stunning natural landscapes, creating a serene backdrop for intimate encounters with elephants. The sanctuary prioritizes the well-being of its residents and focuses on their rehabilitation. Each elephant has its unique story, and through guided tours, visitors are encouraged to hear these narratives, fostering a connection that transcends traditional wildlife experiences.
Visitors can engage with the elephants in a compassionate setting. They can observe their natural behaviors, participate in feeding sessions, and learn about the ethical treatment of these animals. This hands-on experience not only provides joy and education but also reinforces the sanctuary’s mission of promoting ethical tourism and wildlife preservation.
Educational programs at Sappraiwan are meticulously designed to raise awareness about elephant conservation issues, including habitat loss, poaching, and the impact of tourism on natural wildlife. The sanctuary is a hub for research and collaboration, actively working with experts to enhance the understanding of elephant care and rehabilitation methods.
Sappraiwan Elephants Sanctuary is more than just a place to visit; it is a movement towards a sustainable future for elephants. By choosing to engage with this sanctuary, visitors contribute to vital conservation efforts. Your experience can make a tangible difference in the lives of these remarkable animals.
Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, the Sappraiwan Elephants Sanctuary promises a memorable journey filled with learning, compassion, and respect for one of nature’s most beloved creatures. Join us in celebrating the beauty of elephants while taking steps toward a brighter future for wildlife in Thailand. Witness not just a sanctuary, but a vibrant community working tirelessly for the preservation of these magnificent giants.
ปางช้าง ทรัพย์ไพรวัลย์ (วังทอง, ไทย) - รีวิว - ThailandAgoda.com
Attractions
6 miles
0.00 miles
2.80 miles
3.51 miles
Sappraiwan Elephants Sanctuary is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking 1/79 Moo 2 Kaeng Sopha subdistrict, Thailand
We had a truly unforgettable experience with Sappraiwan Elephant Sanctuary. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to get up close with elephants in their natural surroundings. There are no shows or souvenirs – thank goodness. This is an opportunity to ride an elephant bare back into the jungle, watch as they roam and find food, track them through the jungle as they play in the lake and ride them back to camp. At camp you will shower and feed the elephants. Next we learned how to kindly train an elephant with a positive reward system called target training. We enjoyed a delicious lunch cooked in bamboo over a fire and then finally rode the large male elephant into the lake to play.The mahouts were always there to ensure both the elephants and us were safe. There is a lovely English/French/Thai speaking guide (Pui) who answered our numerous questions and translated between us and the mahouts.We were lucky to be the only guests that day which made it even more special. Thank you to everyone at Sappraiwan for a truly amazing day that we will never forget.
My son and I stayed at Sappraiwan for a week to work with the elephants. The beds at the volunteer dorm felt similar to my kitchen countertops, but there was AC and hot (warm) water showers. The elephants were such a joy to be around, and the structured program was led by a delightful young woman named Pui. It was informative and fun while remaining to be volunteer/work based. The food was tasty, but we did eat very similar things each day and rice made up at least 50% of the food I consumed. The facilities resembled a tired Comfort Inn in the US, but the people were all kind and I was there to volunteer not vacation. After a night in the dorm I had to pay the difference and move to a hotel room because the bed was just that bad. The accommodations there were certainly better.I understood why the elephants were chained (females and adolescents) , and eventually got used to that. However, I was very distraught to learn that the adult males are chained in the jungle for their entire 4-7 month hormone filled stages, and they go through this each year. Half of the elephant’s life is spent on a 2M tether. I was told it is because they don’t have a safe enclosure for the males, because they are aggressive in this phase. I wish they had a fundraising effort to come up with a more humane situation. I would have rather seen a smaller pool and fewer rock sculptures in order for the males to have another option. That piece of the experience did not seem sanctuary-like at all.
I visited the Sappraiwan Elephant Sanctuary for a week this summer with a student travel program. We were all extremely excited to do service with the elephants, but as soon as we got there, it occurred to us that the staff was not trained, and the sanctuary isn’t even government sanctioned!! It was a disappointment that the elephants are chained 24/7 and almost always standing on pavement (which is bad for their feet). Not to mention, the resort staff barely spoke English and the food was not good. I would go back just to visit to see how much they’ve improved their treatment of the elephants, as we offered many suggestions to help them.
The elephants are free to roam around the sanctuary and people are invited to observe from a distance. Seeing elephants at their most natural, it is a joy to behold.
This is not a sanctuary Elephants are on chains, hooks are used to control them….HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE! Please do not support this disgusting place :/
The experience and treatment of the animals is amazing. The facility is still in the process of installing a fence/barrier around the grounds. Because there is no barrier, the elephants do need to have chains to keep them from going into a busy road, the national park, and hospital. The chains are also necessary for the times when you, a stranger, are feeding and cleaning them. These are gentle animals that have the ability to easily gravely injure. For the mahoot’s and visitor’s protection this is necessary. Im 130 pounds and would be able to pick up the chain, the elephants are fine carrying it around. Compared to what the rescued elephant’s lives were like before being rescued, it is NOTHING. The education was engaging and thorough. Karaoke and river rafting were blast. Also the cafe is bomb.
We (2 couples) stayed at this resort middle of February, we felt we had the whole resort and staff to ourselves! it was very quiet! our accommodation was great and we were made to feel very welcome – we stayed on a full board basis and the food at breakfast lunch and dinner was great – a real variety of home cooked authentic Thai cooking – we experienced the night safari walk and saw scorpions with UV lights, picked out birds roosting and even saw flying squirrels, absolutely fab. As for the elephant walk! well, our guide Khak and another young girl? they was amazing – the elephants are so gentle, they are not ‘chained’ all of the time as one reviewer has stated, and only if they are it would be at night or to stop them causing damage to people or property – they are so gentle and quiet – the owner of the resort now has it so right! we were told the average cost to rescue an elephant that has been mistreated is about £25K – an elephant that has been ridden, beaten, performing tricks, old etc – the pics I have posted are of an elephant who is over 60! elephants have only 4 teeth, but 6 sets, so after 60 they can no longer eat so usually starve to death – we prepared pineapple leaves and inserted medicine and vitamins so this young girl could carry on living! we watched them bathe in the lagoon by the cafe and were truly overwhelmed by the sanctuary’s kindness, caring and overall attitude to rescuing these wonderful creatures – the elephant you see with tusks is a male, who is ‘on heat’ and very aggressive, he will soon be sent some where else so that he can roam free, if left loose at Sappraiwan he would cause severe damageOur guide also took us to the local water falls, not a lot of water but we got the chance to jump in with the locals and swim – also visited the big BuddhaThere are still a lot of places that ride elephants – please refuse to visit or do if you go – these elephants are so badly treated.We ran their walking / jogging trail, swam in the pool and had a fantastic few days here before flying onto PhuketAt the resort they even have a full size snooker table that we took advantage of!Overall it’s a brill place, a real experience -book it!
A wonderful experience like no other to interact with these amazing animals. The elephants and your ability to interact with them is life changing. The resort and grounds are large, peaceful and elegant. Many spots could use some updating/maintenance. The rooms are comfortable and large, I recommend springing for one of the chalets with a lake view. The bathrooms in the standard rooms desperately need some updating. The food at the hotel was disappointing to say the least, however the food and drinks at the cafe were delicious.