The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya is the same company as the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai. In Chaing Mai, it is one of the most popular and ethical companies used to see the elephants, and it is a good choice in Pattaya. The organization takes very good care of the elephants and is trusted as an ethical tourist activity. A lot of the companies do no take good care of the elephants and even harm them by letting tourists ride on their backs. Do not support these other institutions. The Pattaya location has the same schedule as in Chiang Mai, so you can go in the morning or afternoon. This sanctuary has the same schedule for afternoon and morning visits as I wrote about in my Chiang Mai Elephant Jungle Sanctuary post (read here for schedule and activities LINK). Elephants are gentle wise giants that remember every person they meet.
The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya: How to get there
Located 40-50 minutes outside of Pattaya, this place is great for a day trip. The company has a covered tuk-tuk that picks you up from your hotel if you are staying within a few miles.
The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya: Cost
The biggest difference from the Chiang Mai location is the price. In Chiang Mai, the cost is about 30-35 USD, while in Pattaya the price is about 75 USD. And you don’t get the experience of being in a lush, green jungle like in Chiang Mai. Because of the location and price, Chiang Mai is by far the better option. But if you aren’t heading up North, then this is still a really good option to see elephants. Even though you are in a dry, scrubby field and it costs twice as much.
The Activities:
Upon your arrival, they give you a beautifully woven Karen shirt from a local tribe and tell you the background on the sanctuary and what type of care they provide for the elephants. Next, you get to meet the elephants and feed them bananas and watermelon. After this, there is a mud bath pit where you get to take a mud bath with the elephants. When you finish, you get to swim around rinsing them off in another pool on the property.
When you are finished, they will direct you to the showers and bathrooms to clean off and change. Afterward, you will sit down to enjoy a delicious, local Thai feast of salad, noodles, veggie stir-fries, and fresh fruit. They offer plenty of food, and it was all fresh and delicious. After the local meal, they teach you how to make elephant poo paper and let you make a souvenir envelope.
The Pattaya branch of the elephant jungle sanctuary is definitely a more creative and
Mud bath
Elephant Poo Poo Paper
The process starts by breaking down the poop. After this, it is turned into a fluffy compound similar to grey lint balls. At this point, the remaining poop fibers can be separated and pulled apart under water, and then put onto a screen to be stretched out. This forms a flat layer. They are then put up to dry to form the paper as it dries.
