
Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 168 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch worth booking?
Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch is a 3.5-hour experience in Phuket, Thailand, from $99 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 168 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (168)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $99 per person
Welcome to Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve. Our breathtaking elephant sanctuary is nestled in the hills of southern Phuket and is home to four beautiful elephants who are all rescued from the tourism riding industry. They are now able to roam freely, socialise with each other, and play naturally in the ponds, streams and muddy wallows throughout our land. After an introduction video, you will meet and feed our elephants before going on a scenic walk through the forest, stopping at our Bamboo Observation Huts dotted along the way where you can sit quietly as our elephants go about their day. We don't follow a set route, our elephants are free to roam and forage, and if our elephants stop, we stop! They have had hard lives and they deserve the very best life we can give them. When we reach the pond, watch the elephants frolic, splash, and cover themselves in mud as you enjoy a delicious vegetarian meal freshly cooked and from local ingredients.
What you get
About this experience
Welcome to Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve. Our breathtaking elephant sanctuary is nestled in the hills of southern Phuket and is home to four beautiful elephants who are all rescued from the tourism riding industry. They are now able to roam freely, socialise with each other, and play naturally in the ponds, streams and muddy wallows throughout our land. After an introduction video, you will meet and feed our elephants before going on a scenic walk through the forest, stopping at our Bamboo Observation Huts dotted along the way where you can sit quietly as our elephants go about their day. We don't follow a set route, our elephants are free to roam and forage, and if our elephants stop, we stop! They have had hard lives and they deserve the very best life we can give them. When we reach the pond, watch the elephants frolic, splash, and cover themselves in mud as you enjoy a delicious vegetarian meal freshly cooked and from local ingredients.
What's included
Included
- Educational introduction video
- Vegan Meal (No dairy, eggs, Fish or oyster sauce)
- Transportation by air-conditioned van
- Entrance Ticket
- Refill Water
- Hotel Pick up & Drop Off for area in Patong, Chalong, Nai Harn, Kata, and Karon
- English Speaking Tour Guide
Not included
- Tipping
- Bathing with elephants
- Refill Bottle water
What you'll see and do
On arrival enjoy complimentary refreshments before we watch an informative introduction video. We then meet and feed our elephants before going on a scenic walk through the forest observing and learning about their history, their stories, and their unique personalities. We don't follow a set route, our elephants are free to roam and forage, and if our elephants stop, we stop! Relax in our Bamboo Observation Huts as the elephant’s graze, play in the mud or bathe nearby with stunning views of the forest and a view over the valley to Big Buddha. So many fabulous photo and video opportunities! You will end your visit with a delicious vegetarian Thai buffet at our fabulous bamboo salas overlooking the pond as the elephant’s bathe and graze nearby. Your visit directly supports our work to rescue and rehabilitate elephants. Our key focus is to educate and bring awareness to the plight of the Asian Elephant and lead by example with our ethical approach to experiencing elephants.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Afternoon Tour-Zone 4
Hotel Pickup & Drop off-Zone 4: Pick up time: between 12.30pm-12.40 pm Pickup Point: Available in Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Pa Klok, Ao Po, Yamu, Layan, Laguna, A Pickup included
Afternoon Tour: Zone 1
Pickup & Drop off-Zone 1: Pick up time: between 12:45 pm and 13:15 pm. Pickup Point: Available in PhuketTown, Rassada area only. Pickup included
Afternoon Tour-inside Zone
Pickup & Drop off-inside Zone: The Pickup time between 12:15 pm-1:30 pm. Pickup available in Patong, Chalong, Nai Harn, Kata, Kamala and Karon area. Pickup included
Morning Tour-inside Zone
Pickup & Drop off-inside Zone: The Pickup time between 07:30 am - 08:45 am. Pickup available in Patong, Chalong, Nai Harn, Kata, Kamala and Karon area. Pickup included
Morning Tour-Zone 4
Hotel Pickup & Drop off-Zone 4: Pickup Point: Available in Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Pa Klok, Ao Po, Yamu, Layan, Laguna, Airport Pickup time 07:30-07:40 Pickup included
Morning Tour-Zone 2
Hotel Pickup & Drop off Zone 2: Pickup Point: Available in Cherngtalay, Bang Tao and Surin area only. Pickup time between: 07.30 am - 07.40 am Pickup included
Afternoon Tour-Zone 3
Hotel Pickup & Drop off-Zone 3: Pick up time: between 12:45 pm-1:15 pm Pickup Point: Available in Cape Panwa, Koh Sirey, Koh Kaew, Laem Hin area only Pickup included
Morning Tour-Zone 3
Hotel Pickup & Drop off Zone 3: Pickup Point: Available in Cape Panwa, Koh Sirey, Koh Kaew, Laem Hin area only. Pickup time between: 08.00 am-08.15 am. Pickup included
Morning Tour-Zone 1
Pickup & Drop off-Zone 1: Pickup Point: Available in Phuket Town and Rassada area only. Pickup time between: 08.00-08.15 AM Pickup included
Afternoon Tour-Zone 2
Hotel Pickup & Drop off-Zone 2: Pick up time: between 12:30 pm and 12:40 pm Pickup Point: Available in Cherngtalay, Bang Tao, Surin area only Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Discova Thailand
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for postoperative patients
- Not suitable for those with severe knee and ankle
- The forest trails are not wheelchair accessible
- Baby strollers are not allowed; a baby carrier is required for infants
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 167 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
167 verified traveler reviews for Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fabulous experience seeing the elephants
We had the heads up on this sanctuary in Hong Kong and as we were visiting Phuket booked onto this tour. Wow ...it was such a special morning spent with the incredible team who work with the elephants they have rescued. Ironically one of them came from a place we had driven past and seen the elephants at the side of the road as tourist attraction. To hear about the sufferering they endure it was just magical to see these elephants back in a safe and natural environment. Although you can feed them food, visitors are not allowed to touch them but they have created a clever way for visitors to observe them from close up. We also were given a beautiful meal at the top viewing point and the opportunity to see the elephants bathe in the water and just be happy and be free. Highly recommend
Response from the operator: Thank you for the wonderful review! We are thrilled you had a magical morning with our rescued elephants and enjoyed seeing them thrive in their natural home. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back!
via Tripadvisor
Please support these wonderful people!
Great experience! This is a fantastic place to go, where they care about the animals not about making lots of money from them. It was so nice to go to this sanctuary and see the love and care they provide to these elephants, who have already experienced the worst. Would highly recommend and please support them!!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your heartwarming review! We are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care and love for our elephants, and it means the world to know you noticed. We truly appreciate your strong recommendation and support!
via Tripadvisor
Truly Ethical Elephant Experience 🐘🌱
We had an amazing experience at the Hidden Forest! We did a lot of research trying to find an actual ethical hands-off and elephant first experience in Thailand. Upon arriving it was clear that the organisation and staff were extremely anti unethical tourist experiences, this included no touching, no bathing, no riding or any other performance. We started off with a presentation where they explained the dark side of elephant tourism along with explaining all the elephants at the reserve and their names, personalities and backgrounds. After this we went down to feed the elephants in a small group, which was the only interactive and natural part of the tour. We then went onto observe the elephants whilst they travelled uphill to continue feeding, before finally observing them from a raised viewing area where they bathed, and whilst we ate a vegan Thai lunch that was homemade by the staff. We would definitely recommend this tour, you can tell the elephants are loved by the staff after their heartbreaking past treatment from their previous owners.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed your time at the Hidden Forest and appreciated our commitment to ethical, hands-off elephant tourism. Providing a safe, natural, and respectful environment for our elephants is at the heart of everything we do. We hope to welcome you back again in the future!
via Viator
🐘✨ An unforgettable afternoon at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary! 🇹🇭
I had a truly amazing experience at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. We did the afternoon half-day tour with pick-up included, and everything was extremely well organised from start to finish. What I loved most was that the experience was completely elephant-led. Each elephant had its own mahout caring for it, and the elephants were free to roam naturally without being forced to do anything — no bathing, no touching, and no performances. We simply observed them in their natural environment, at their own pace. I loved learning about each elephant’s rescue story, personality, and journey while watching them go about their afternoon. 🐘❤️ Our guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the elephants and the sanctuary’s mission. They explained everything so well, making the experience both educational and incredibly enjoyable. And the vegetarian lunch? Absolutely delicious! 🌱 We ate while watching my favourite animals play with their friends in a natural pool. Sitting there, surrounded by nature, watching these beautiful creatures simply being elephants… I felt completely at peace. I was at peace in Thailand, and this experience was the cherry on top. 🇹🇭💚 A beautiful afternoon, a meaningful experience, and what felt like a truly ethical way to encounter these incredible animals. 10/10 — an experience I’ll never forget. 🐘✨
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review of your experience at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the elephant-led approach, learned about the elephants’ stories, and appreciated our guides and vegetarian lunch. It means a lot to know the experience felt meaningful and peaceful. We hope to welcome you back again soon.
via Viator
Book this tour if you want to see Elephants ethically
We did a lot of research for a genuine ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket. This seems to be the only one. No bathing, no touching, elephants roam free and aren’t at the whims of tourists - they are put first. They also cap numbers and we had a very small group to observe the elephants. You can still get very close to observe. Some of the stories of the elephants life before were so sad; the obvious scars from previous mistreatment for one, to the elephant that came to them with broken spine from over-riding. This reserve is doing good things, and is run by very kind and caring people. Go here if you want to see an actual ethical sanctuary at work. Give this sanctuary your money.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your thoughtful review and recommendation. We’re grateful to hear that you appreciated our commitment to ethical elephant care and providing a respectful environment where elephants can live naturally. Your support means a lot to our team, and we’re pleased that you had a meaningful experience learning about these incredible animals. We hope to welcome you again in the future.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $99 to $109
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 59
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Discova Thailand, who run 19 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 65.6.
See everything Discova Thailand runsWhy this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Phuket.
How much does Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch cost?
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Prices start at $99 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Phuket usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch take?
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Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Phuket is not rushed.
Is Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 168 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Phuket, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch?
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Around 59 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Phuket can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Phuket and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Phuket within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Phuket?
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On Outty we rank every Phuket experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include James Bond Island by Big Boat w/ Sea Cave Canoeing and Lunch, Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings, Hands-on Thai Cooking Class Phuket with Market Tour Option!. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Phuket?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Phuket?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch?
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Included: Educational introduction video; Vegan Meal (No dairy, eggs, Fish or oyster sauce); Transportation by air-conditioned van; Entrance Ticket; and Refill Water. Not included: Tipping; Bathing with elephants; and Refill Bottle water. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 929 listed pickup locations in and around Phuket. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers; The forest trails are not wheelchair accessible; and Baby strollers are not allowed; a baby carrier is required for infants. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Phuket. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch?
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Across 168 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, knowledge and storytelling, organization. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
What booking options are available for Phuket: Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve Guided Tour with Lunch?
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There are 10 options to choose from, including Afternoon Tour-Zone 4, Afternoon Tour: Zone 1, Afternoon Tour-inside Zone, Morning Tour-inside Zone. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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