We Visited a Truly Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Krabi, Thailand

We Visited an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Krabi

At Seek Sophie, our stance with wildlife experiences is simple: animals should live as wild a life as possible, with minimal human interaction.

And this Seek Sophie ethical elephant sanctuary in Krabi Thailand (just 30 min drive away from Krabi Town and not far from Ao Nang) is one of the few elephant sanctuaries in Thailand that lives up to that. That means their well-being comes first – no riding, no shows, no touching, feeding or bathing. Just Asian elephants roaming free in their natural environment, while we quietly observe from a distance.

We actually cried seeing them happy, and just… be elephants.

There are 7 rescued elephants in this huge 80-acre sanctuary, and our English-speaking guide Sa shared their backstories with us. We met Tiny, rescued in 2024 after decades in the logging industry, now spends his days doing whatever he wants (mostly eating non-stop!).

Then there's Moon and Marigold, once forced to carry tourists and perform in camps, now finally getting to enjoy just being elephants – swimming and taking mud baths together. Watching them was so, so precious.

And instead of hand-feeding these gentle giants like many places allow, we got to do something meaningful: making clay seed balls to reforest the jungle and grow food for them in their natural environment.

Then it was our turn to eat — seriously yummy Thai food like crispy fried chicken, fried rice, curry, fresh veggies, and so much fresh, seasonal fruit!

This was such an unforgettable experience that showed us what it means to connect with wildlife in a truly ethical way, not what you commonly see on social media.

Plus, doing this elephant experience with Seek Sophie directly helps care for them — from everyday elephant welfare matters, to meals, to drinking water, to protecting the forest they roam. It made us realise how much our tourism dollars (and every THB we spend) matter when spent in the right places.

Check out our full Krabi ethical elephant sanctuary video here! 👇

What Real Ethical Elephant Tourism Looks Like

If you’re browsing elephant activities in Thailand - no matter if it’s Krabi, Phuket, Railay, or even Chiang Mai, here are some simple rules of thumb:

Good signs (ethical):

• Elephants can roam freely in a large natural space
• The focus is on observing elephants from a distance, no up-close interaction
• No posing, hugging, touching, or hand-feeding the elephants

Red flags (avoid):

• Elephant feeding sessions (no direct hand feeding!)
• Elephant bathing with tourists scrubbing or splashing them in the river
• Anything advertised as “elephant mud spa” or “play with elephants in a mud bath” for fun
• Elephant shows, painting, tricks or circus-style performances
• And of course, any form of elephant riding

If you see riding, shows, elephant bathing, chances to directly feed elephants or touch them – it’s not truly an ethical elephant sanctuary no matter what the marketing says!

Practical Visiting Tips

• Footwear: Boots are provided, but pack high socks for a comfy fit (you’ll be walking through forest and sometimes mud).

• Sun protection: Bring sunscreen, maybe a hat and sunglasses
• Clothing: Wear light, breathable clothes you don’t mind getting a bit dusty or muddy.
• Hydration: Bring a reusable water bottle as there is a water refill station here; you’ll be glad for extra drinking water in the heat.
• Respect the elephants: Do not touch, feed, or go too close to the elephants. Always stay close to your guide or mahout, they’re there to keep both you and the elephants safe.

• Pick up: There is usually pick up available from Krabi Town, Ao Nang, and sometimes Railay – double-check your confirmation with Seek Sophie when booking!

Note: There are half-day and full-day experiences (just select as add-on) you can choose from on Seek Sophie, book now!

All Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand