SAMUI ELEPHANT TOURS & PROGRAMMES

Feeding the Giants 

Samui Elephant Haven is the most significant ethical sanctuary on Koh Samui. Since opening, almost two years ago, 20 elephants have been rescued from various harrowing industries including trekking, entertainment and logging across Thailand. For many years, these gentle giants have been subjected to abuse and overwork, sometimes with horrific injuries. They all now live in peace in the beautiful park. 

The pandemic, COVID-19, has dramatically affected visitors at Samui Elephant Haven and tourism across the world. The team at the Haven has found creative ways of feeding their many hungry mouths. The mahouts and volunteers have physically cut down banana trees and coconut leaves, received pineapple tops from TIPCO, the most prominent fruit juice provider in Thailand, and is creating community farms for future sustainability with the help of the islands’ hotels.  

 Now that Samui Elephant Haven is open and they can carefully accept small groups because social distancing is becoming more relaxed, Maew Suriya, the founder, wants to afford island residents and visitors the opportunity of helping make nutritious rice balls to feed the gentle herd. 

The delicious rice balls are made of rice, bran, pumpkin and turmeric and can also contain vitamin supplements or medicine. The balls are a great source of protein and are particularly good for baby and elderly elephants as they are easy to eat and digest; their lack of teeth can make it challenging to chew leaves, roots and trees resulting in gastral problems. They are also a great way of tempting elephants to eat their medication if they are sick. 

Imagine being greeted by the trumpeting morning calls of our elephant family before you start your day at Samui Elephant Haven!

We are pleased to announce that the one-week Elephant Volunteer Program is ready to once again welcome volunteers.

This is your chance to volunteer for six nights and seven days on the most beautiful and second largest island in southern Thailand.

This is for groups of 4-5 people and includes accommodation, meals as well as other activities to enjoy.

You will get the full elephant experience learning about these amazing animals and helping us with their daily routine.

Most of the volunteer work will be preparing elephant food and feeding but it can depend on the season as well. If you come during the rainy season volunteers will help with planting banana trees, bamboo or grass. Duties also include cleaning elephant areas and collecting wood for the cooking fires where the elephant’s rice is steamed every day.

Every day you will start by helping in the elephant kitchen preparing elephant snacks like bananas, watermelon, pineapple and pumpkin.  You will help to make elephant sushi along with rice balls for our grandma elephant, who needs soft foods to eat and you will also make your own elephant cake to feed them!

You will also experience Thai culture and our way of life during your stay.

To everyone who has been following our family of elephants, we hope we have the opportunity to welcome you here at the sanctuary one day.

To see Luna destroying cakes and Haven happily enjoying mud baths and watermelon has to be witnessed in person at least once!

DAILY DUTIES

Elephant Half-day tour

Prepare many kilos of delicious watermelon for the elephants

Clean the elephants’ swimming pools and enclosures

Elephant poop-scooping duties

Plant trees and grass – elephants have voracious appetites

General maintenance, painting, building fences

Photograph and journal about being an elephant aide

Shadow mahouts

Lunch with guests to talk about the volunteer program

**The activities are depending on suitability**

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Monday to Sunday (6 nights, 7 days)

Airport or hotel transfers

Accommodation

Vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner unless eating out at markets/local restaurants

Samui Elephant Haven’s bottle bag , volunteer t-shirt and souvenir

Accident insurance (covers only in the area of Samui elephant haven and also not cover about diarrhea)

THB 20,000 per week, per person

Maximum 4-5 people

PLANNING & SAFETY RULES

Ensure all relevant vaccinations are up-to-date; this must include tetanus. Check with your local doctor

Holiday insurance to include medical cover

Follow all safety rules upon arrival. Elephants are big, wild animals

Provide contact details of the point of contact from the home country

WHAT TO BRING?

Closed-toe shoes

Raincoat

Insect repellant

Sunscreen

Light shawl

Toiletries

Camera

Comfortable clothing

Plasters and a small first aid kit with antiseptic creams