Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Volunteer Program

A Life-Changing Ethical Experience with Rescued Elephants

Step into the heart of elephant conservation at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary—the island’s first ethical elephant rescue and retirement home. Our volunteer program is designed for those who want to contribute meaningfully to elephant welfare, learn hands-on, and immerse themselves in sanctuary life.

What to Expect

Whether you join for a single day or a full week, you’ll work alongside our dedicated caretakers and other volunteers to help improve the lives of our rescued elephants. From preparing nutritious food and cleaning enclosures to observing elephant behavior in their natural jungle habitat, each moment brings you closer to understanding these gentle giants.

Daily Tasks May Include:

• Preparing rice balls and fruit baskets for the elephants
• Assisting with feeding and enrichment activities

• Observing elephants as they roam, forage, and bathe

• Helping with sanctuary upkeep and educational outreach

• Riding in saleng (sidecar motorbike) to deliver supplies across the grounds

• Helping with sanctuary upkeep and educational outreach

• Learning about elephant behavior, history, and ethical tourism in Thailand

Video Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Volunteer Program

Optional Weekly Program

For a deeper experience, stay overnight in our serene eco-lodges surrounded by nature. Weekly volunteers join daily routines, participate in conservation workshops, and form lifelong bonds with our team and the elephants.

Who Can Volunteer?

No prior experience is needed! We welcome animal lovers aged 18 and up who are:

• Physically fit and comfortable working in hot, humid tropical weather
• Positive, team-oriented, and willing to get hands-on
• Passionate about wildlife, nature, and ethical animal care

Choose Your Program

• One‑Day Program – THB 4,500; includes feeding, observation, food prep, sanctuary chores

• Three‑Day Program – THB 9,000; includes accommodation, all meals, transport, daily tasks and guided sessions

• One‑Week Program – THB 18,000; same as 3‑day but extended for deeper involvement and bonding

The Heart Behind the Help – The Volunteer Journey at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Nestled on the edge of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is more than just a place of refuge for Thailand’s retired and rescued elephants—it's a living testament to ethical change, compassion, and community. While many people know the sanctuary for its no-riding, no-performance philosophy, fewer know about the powerful role volunteers have played in shaping its mission.

A Mission Rooted in Respect

Founded in 2016, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary was the first true ethical elephant sanctuary on the island. Its founders envisioned a space where elephants, worn down by years of logging, begging, or performing for tourists, could finally live in peace—roaming freely through expansive jungle, foraging, bathing, and simply being elephants again.

But turning this vision into reality required more than land and passion—it required hands-on help. The sanctuary's team soon realized that many travelers were not just looking to see elephants. They were yearning to support them. Out of this growing global interest in ethical tourism, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Volunteer Program was born.

From Visitors to Changemakers

The earliest volunteers came with open minds and open hearts. Some were students studying veterinary science or conservation. Others were backpackers, retirees, or professionals taking time off to reconnect with nature. What united them all was a shared belief in ethical animal care and a deep respect for the elephants’ journey.

These volunteers didn’t come for entertainment. They came to serve.

Daily activities ranged from preparing nutritious rice balls mixed with bananas and pumpkin, to cleaning elephant night shelters, collecting grass, or helping with reforestation efforts. Volunteers also delivered food via saleng (motorbike sidecars), helped build enrichment activities, and—most importantly—observed and learned.

Many were moved by the quiet beauty of elephants just being themselves: splashing in pools, scratching against trees, or playing in the mud. These moments offered a rare kind of connection, one based on patience and mutual trust.

Growing Global Impact

As word spread, the volunteer program blossomed into one of the sanctuary’s most cherished offerings. Travelers from all over the world began planning their trips around it—not just to visit, but to give back.

The sanctuary expanded the program to include daily, 3-day, and full-week options, with longer stays offering deeper immersion and opportunities for personal growth. Volunteers now receive structured orientations, training sessions, and even conservation workshops, fostering a stronger understanding of Thailand’s elephant welfare challenges.

What’s unique is that no prior experience is required—just a love for animals, a willingness to work hard, and the ability to handle Thailand’s tropical climate.

More Than Work—It’s a Calling

Volunteering at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is not just about labor; it’s about transformation. Many past volunteers speak of their experience as life-changing—an opportunity to disconnect from fast-paced routines, reconnect with nature, and contribute to something truly meaningful.

They don’t just feed elephants—they help restore their dignity. They don’t just clean shelters—they become part of a global movement that respects, protects, and prioritizes animal welfare.

The Legacy Continues

Today, the sanctuary continues to welcome volunteers of all backgrounds. With each new group, the legacy grows. Every rice ball prepared, every jungle path walked, every moment spent in quiet observation—these simple acts contribute to a profound mission: to rewrite the story of elephants in Thailand.

In a world that too often values animals for what they can do for us, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and its volunteers stand for something different: valuing animals for what they are.