Samui Elephant Haven

We had the most amazing afternoon at Koh Samui Elephant Haven. We chose to visit the Haven specifically, after extensive research found it to be the most ethical sanctuary available. It’s clear that all the staff care deeply for the beautiful rescue elephants. Our guide, Mr Thai, was a fine example of this. He was knowledgeable, humorous and gentle mannered. He helped to elevate our already brilliant experience! At Samui Elephant Haven, they practise showing the elephants the upmost respect and encourage guests to do the same- not to encroach on the elephants freedom. We were able to prepare food and feed the elephants, have a tour around the sanctuary learning some fascinating facts about elephants as well as the sad stories that lead the elephants to be rescued. The tour was followed with the provision of a delicious, authentic vegetarian Thai meal including starter, main and dessert. We would highly recommend this experience and support of the sanctuary so that they can continue the important work that they do. Thanks, Ella & Luke (England)

We had the most heartwarming and unforgettable day at Samui Elephant Haven. From the moment we arrived, it was clear how deeply the staff care — not only about the elephants, but about sharing their stories with respect and compassion. This is truly an ethical sanctuary. You can see how well the elephants are looked after and how much thought goes into their care, enrichment, and wellbeing. Hearing each elephant’s history was incredibly moving and gave us a deeper appreciation for the work this sanctuary is doing. The tour was very informative and included plenty of hands-on experiences, all done in a way that clearly prioritizes the elephants’ comfort and dignity. The guides were knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely passionate. For anyone with mobility issues, there is a bit of a hill to walk, but it felt very manageable. There were always shaded areas to wait, and at almost every stop where information was shared, there was also a place to sit and rest, which was really appreciated. Lunch was absolutely delicious and thoughtfully prepared. One of the biggest highlights of the day was celebrating our friend’s birthday — we brought a birthday “cake” that was fed to the five girls (the elephants!) at the end of our visit, and it was such a joyful, unforgettable moment. This experience was educational, emotional, and deeply uplifting. If you’re looking for an ethical, caring, and meaningful elephant experience in Koh Samui, Samui Elephant Haven is a must-visit. We left with full hearts and so much gratitude for the work they do. 🐘💚

I highly recommend this Sanctuary for everyone wanting to meet an elephant but not knowing how to without exploiting them. The caregivers are amazing, the place is vast and it's very clean. The elephants are all rescues and can't live in the wild. Sanctuary is really ethical - you can't touch them. You can feed them from a safe distance and the staff makes sure animals are well taken care of. Mr Thai was the best guide, with a kind heart and nice jokes 😄 he helped us learn about the rescued elephant's, their history and hardships. While very sad, you can rest knowing they will never endure anything like this again ❤️