If only we could predict that in advance :(. Hua Hin By . Our volunteers enjoy giving their knowledge which makes it so much fun. per adult. They all just didnt care at all. Information About Transfers To And From - Elephant Hills, Thailand There is no chains or hooks in sight,. We also asked them to organize a taxi transfer from/to Hua Hin, which was very good too. We are actively trying to recruit and re-build our Volunteer numbers again. The elephants are gentle and playfull. The land we use is not secure, so their for we must keep on the chain. We do have two activities that extend visitors time at the Foundation: 1. Please never go here and try to get this place shut down and elephants surrendered to an Hutsadin Foundation or any other elephant sanctuary please!!! I wish they would have looked away of extending the visit. Day Trips in Hua Hin: Check out 37 reviews and photos of Viator's Elephant and Wildlife Watching in Kuiburi National Park - Private Afternoon Tour . IT WAS A GREAT DAY. about 2.5 km, Route Hua Hin - Nongplub Rd. Vana Nava Water Jungle. The most amazing surreal day ever! Whilst the Foundation currently operates bare back riding this is significantly better than Howda riding where the elephant may carry multiple people. more. Santorini Park Hua Hin - Shopping, entertainment & rides - Renown Travel But this place was the best for interacting with them, feeding, bathing and just playing with them. Moderate 4.4 (1247) Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. Hotels near Chopsticks Hill (Khao Takiab), Points of Interest & Landmarks in Hua Hin, Monsoon Valley Vineyard: Tickets & Tours, Black Mountain Water Park: Tickets & Tours, Baan Sillapin Artists Village: Tickets & Tours, Hua Hin Sam Phan Nam Floating Market: Tickets & Tours, Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin: Tickets & Tours, Arctic Circle Day Trip from Fairbanks with Transportation, "Eureka Rocket" Golf Cart Eureka Springs City Tour, Skip the Line: Beauvoir General Admission Ticket, 12-Day Morocco and South of Spain Tour from Madrid, Skip the Line: Guinness Connoisseur Taste Experience at the Guinness Storehouse, Cozumel Mayan Ruins and Beach: Private Tour, View all hotels near Elephant Village on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Elephant Village on Tripadvisor. Cicada Market. It is definitely not a place I would have gone to if it hadn't been part of our tour. You can tell they love their job. Elephant Village, Hua Hin - Trip.com They treat the animals with the most amazing care & have great knowledge. In addition, the front and rear long bones of the elephants legs are particularly strong because they do not have a bone marrow cavity but instead have a dense bone structure. Vana Nava is the newest addition to a growing number of waterparks in Thailand. Due to Covid, we reluctantly had to re-direct some of our land project and elephant bathing pool funds the Volunteers were raising to help buy food, water and medicines for our elephants. (Many people do not own the land that they live on. I am sorry if it wasn't clear in our itinerary that it does not include any jungle walks. They were all very involved in tracking the animals and Som provided us with some interesting insights into park's wildlife. Long story short they forgot about us. Maruekhathaiyawan Palace Cha-Am. Take a local taxi ( Tuk tuk, I a. If you are ever in the Hua Hin area, you must go and visit this Elephant Foundation. But the big slap in the face is they still charge us for the drinks. Opening Hours : Daily from 08:00 am. However, elephant shows and many other endeavors have proved harmful to the well-being of these animals. S$107.69. I was gutted it finished so quick. About The idea of bedecking buildings in blue as the Santorini style in Greece, though this land is not adjacent to the sea, Hua Hin-Cha Am is considered a city by the sea. Prices and comparisons for the whole range of expenses: food, housing, going out, etc. The people are interested only in money. Your doing a great job and hope many more elephants can retire safely with you. The place is disgusting. based on 997 reviews No. We fed him bananas at the end which he much deserved. Well done guys. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 26 min to complete. The drinks came about 10+ minutes AFTER I already finished the meal and we had to go ask about it. There's also an affiliated elephant-rescue program where the elephants live chain-free. Transfers are included to and from all of the below mentioned vacation destinations in Southern Thailand. per adult. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. Fortunately, there's a place where you can witness the gentle . 10. We did the package which included a walk with elephant, feeding bananas to elephant, bathing the elephant, and photo session with elephant. We are a group of 15. Recommended sightseeing time:2-3 hours Address: Khao Yai, Cha-am District, PetchburiMap Phone: +66 32 890 400 What travelers say: The whole is a mini version of Santorini! While driving slowly, we will search for any wildlife including birds or any other smaller/bigger animals. We are by no means perfect, and never claim to be, but we have come a long way in the 18 years since I started volunteering at the Foundation. ELEPHANT VILLAGE (Hua Hin) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Travels to Thailand 12 times and hand down the best thing Ive ever done over here so humble ???? Located about a 1 hour, 15 minute drive from Hua Hin, the park is home to more than three hundred elephants, as well as an abundance of other wildlife such as gaur, various deer, langurs, white-handed gibbons, Burmese hares, Malayan porcupines and wild boars. To. Most places I go to the chains areas of a leg are all worn around the area of the legs on the part where they are chain at, but not here. Thank you for your review. Beach Bum Adventure 90% of travelers recommend this experience. Full Board Meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner), Customized Active + Fun Team Building Program, Work Together in Teams with the Elephants, Debriefing with Presentations & Team Learnings, Standalone Program or Full Team Building Package, Highly Experienced English Speaking Facilitator & Guides. A completely ethical way to experience these beautiful animals! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. What restaurants are near Elephant Village? A special mention to Alex who works there, he made our day so special & was great with all the kids there took his time out to make sure everyone there had a great time. Perhaps the starting time is somewhat early, especially in this hot season. $103.36 per adult (price varies by group size) Elephant and Wildlife Watching in Kuiburi National Park - Private Afternoon Tour 10 Recommended The best experience ever. Hiring a guide from Tontan is not a must (if you are lucky you may end up visiting the park with a local guide who is involved in his/her job and whose English is decent enough), but we didn't want to risk and we are happy with the way it turned out. Loved every minute. There is absolutely no riding, chaining or beating of any kind. They gave enough time to kids to take photos with elephant and give them bath. Hot tempered zoo keepers who will give you a nasty attitude and lots of anger / silent realmente if you do not spend money. Thailands largest national park is surprisingly close to civilisation but shelters an intense tangle of wilderness that sees relatively few tourists. Hua Hin Elephant Village The gibbons usually, Colloquially called the big-headed monk, this statue of the revered Luang Phor Thad is a beloved Buddhist pilgrimage site. The guides are amazing, they do it because they love the elephants not for money.. Attractions & Museums. Most likely designed for tourists with short term attention spam. I'm sure it would be amazing if elephants were there though.. I can only assume you are referring to the National Parks where the 3,000 to 3,700 wild elephants live and not the 200 plus elephant parks in Thailand where the 3,500 to 4,000 captive elephants are based. Sadly we cannot let roam free as we do not have our own land. That a park that claims to save elephants allows and encourages tourists to ride the elephants is under all criticism! You can see the love they all have for the elephants. Swim the day away in the warm blue waters. Highlight of my trip. Black Mountain Water Park. 1. The elephants are gentle and playfull. 10. It was a good experience, but slightly below expectations. Then, the first shock came. We saw also more than 30 gaurs in 6 different opportunities. June 20th, 2023. Amongst other things this will address the necessary use of chains for elephants in captivity, in turn helping our visitors gain a better understanding. Was there yesterday and still cant wipe the smile off my face. Worth the money and supports them. Bathing with them was unforgettable! THE ELEPHANT RETIREMENT PARK PHUKETis scheduled to open at the end of July 2017. Hence, keeping you in awe of the mesmerizing vistas, include these places to visit in Hua Hin on your next fun-filled trip to Thailand. How much does it cost to ride an elephant or go to elephant safari? We very much wish we would have more freedom in the park to fully optimize our time and opportunities, but unfortunately that is not the case. We saw great horn bills because the local guide has seen them. They are rel Seex (although still have to wear the chain on the foot) when someone pays for a ride. You can see the love they all have for the elephants. Not sure about others experiance. Thankyou so much for your kind review, but most of all thankyou for choosing the Birthday gift for your partner. How I have read the reviews, it appears that the drivers are on commission. This centre, 45km northwest of Hua Hin, cares for over 700 animals, including bears, tigers, gibbons, macaques, loris and birds. I've seen distressed elephants that have been mistreated and these elephants are definitely not mistreated, they're very happy. We bathed the elephants, fed them & spent time walking with them. Our half-day safaris are private tours. And how they treated animals Oh. Santorini Park, Hua Hin. Keep up the great work xxx much love Gill and Rick. After lunch, we walk through the gauntlet of photographers who seem they believe they are entitled to our time and cooperation. You get so much time with the elephants. The best day of my life! Wild Elephant Watching at Kui Buri National Park Hua Hin Online Booking with LOWER RATE. By: Antoine FERRANT | posted Sun 9 Aug, 2020. Thankyou for your review, much appreciated, we are not perfect but try our best to make sure our family are well cared for. Helped by an English speaking volunteer who was very helpful and good for information sharing. It is a disgrace the government allow the park to remain open. He was promptly told to stop. Wild Elephant Watching at Kui Buri National Park. The WARN Asia Conference, hosted by Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), successfully brought together representatives from over a dozen countries and multiple organisations to tackle urgent wildlife conservation issues in Asia. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. read less. This means so much to us all. Great for party planning! Hua Hin Hills Vineyard. Your support will help us to obtain secure land and bathing pools for our elephant family to enjoy. After waiting for the last point, our patience was rewarded. The centre offers full-access tours introducing animals and discussing rescue histories. But unfortunately we have no idea why they didn't show up in the afternoon. thanks once again Updated on Oct 2022. Hutsadin Elephant Foundation | Hua Hin - Facebook Cicada Market. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Elephant watching: Kuiburi National Park reopens to - Hua Hin Today The tour will begin by driving slowly into the reserve on the main dirt road north heading to the main grassland areas. To put one person bareback riding into context (with a mahout) we need to look at studies undertaken on horses, dogs and donkeys which concluded they can carry up to 20-25% of their body weight. This means my son was charged as an adult (he is 11) and the total was 2700 baht! He was great-pointed out things on the way and answered our questions about Thailand. even though it was the dry season I managed to see plenty of wildlife and a good look at the elephants! Only in Thailand eh?! The staff and volunteers were very knowledgeable about the elephants and they were so gentle. All together, a great experience! Absolutely fantastic. Fully Immersed with the Elephants Day + Night! Went there today. We then drove to various points where we could best spot elephants. As I am sure you would have noticed during your visit the Foundation has no walls, fences or gates and is completely open next to a busy main road. The Elephant Retirement Park Phuket has been established to create a haven for retired elephants, and a sustainable habitat for the elephants to live in a safe and natural environment, free from profiteering and neglect. Fun Things for Kids in Hua Hin - Aleenta Hua Hin Resort & Spa Lynn, our English-speaking guide was so fantastic! Cordialement They charge foreigners much more for entrance fees than local people. Elephant and Animal Watching in Kuiburi National Park - Join Afternoon Tour. Free Private VIP Round Trip Hotel Transfer, Special Champagne & Strawberries Gift Basket. 94 Massage Beauty & Spa - Trip.com It's quite unfortunate for sure :( . 101.94. The park is open all year round. We are pleased you had a good experience and your question prior to your trip was responded to quickly and you received a lovely welcome on arrival. The staff Was there yesterday and still cant wipe the smile off my face. FREE Customized Tank Top + Additional Awards. Elephant Village, Hua Hin discounts - what to see at Hua Hin - check out reviews and 13 photos for Elephant Village, Hua Hin - popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Elephant Village, Hua Hin This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Elephants are also very big and potentially dangerous animals and the use of chains is necessary and an important part of managing elephants in a traditional hands-on system in South East Asia where there are no enclosures to contain the elephants. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We were probably here for half an hour in total, we never intended to ride elephants as dont agree with it (another reason we wanted hutsadin) but the main reason was to show our kids an elephant up close as is a limited lifetime experience and it was quite special. From walking the elephant, to washing them, feeding bananas and taking such memorable photos with them. It's not their fault that the elephants didn't want to show up, but I also would feel strange putting a 5 star review for a day that actually just consisted of sitting and staring at trees for a few hours! 10 Summer Safety Tips From Utah State Parks. Then I had a cuddle from the 11 year old female rescued from the circus who I saw could open the gate to her enclosure all by herself. Spending more time is going to increase the chance, but indeed may mean you wait for quite some time for any action to happen. We will later on continue to the next viewing area at the end of the road, best known for spotting gaurs, but also elephants and sometimes bantengs. Getting Howda (metal chair) riding banned in 2017 and replaced with bare back riding was a huge achievement by the Volunteers and we continue on our quest to move to a no riding Foundation. Took 5 minutes by taxi from Intercontinental Hotel.also recommended, Thank you for your review. I took almost 100 photos There are also animals to feed. We bathed the elephants, fed them & spent time walking with them. ? We are delighted your Volunteer, Lynne, was fantastic. No freedom or natural environment. All rights reserved. Thank you for an amazing day to remember. Top ways to experience nearby attractions. Thank you for your review and for highly recommending the Foundation. I have the photo's showing this injury. When I was there in April 2022, they had only 4 elephants. Thailand Destinations; Promotions; Hotels; . Thank you for recommending the Foundation to other visitors and for your support in recognising that we rely on visitors to help keep our elephant family safe, healthy and well cared for. He used the stick on the forehead of the elephant and the injury was evident and she was bleeding. Minus the shows, you wouldn't even need to spend an hour here. Elephants are almost permanently shackled and not together. If you look at the position of the rider on the elephant you will note that they sit directly above the front legs of the elephant. If you would like to see elephants in Thailand, going to one of the national parks, supporting local economy and seeing these majestic animals in the wild seems to be the only ethical option (at least for me). Xxx read less, Video Copyright: https://www.youtube.com/user/joshleeglavin, Elephant Retirement Park Phuket2018-09-23T01:07:17+07:00October 13th, 2017|Elephant Care, Elephant Retirement Park Phuket|, The Elephant Retirement Park Phuket has been open for a few months now and we have gained 5 new elephants! more, Nature & Wildlife Areas Educational sites, Elephant and Animal Watching in Kuiburi National Park - Join Afternoon Tour, Sam Roi Yod National Park & Praya Nakhon Cave Private Tour from Hua Hin, Elephant and Wildlife Watching in Kuiburi National Park - Private Afternoon Tour, Sam Roi Yod National Park & Praya Nakhon Cave Join Group Tour, Thai Street Food & Morning Market Walking Tour in Hua Hin, 4 Corners of Thailand: A Taste Sensation Food Tour in Hua Hin, One-Day Pass: Black Mountain Water Park in Hua Hin, Vana Nava Waterpark Hua Hin Day Ticket include Towel and Locker, Elephant Jungle Sanctuary: Half Day Afternoon Program, Petchaburi Highlights Khao Luang Cave, Palaces & Temples Group Tour from Hua Hin, Hua Hin By Night Private Tour with TUK TUK. I was concerned this may be a clever way read moreAbsolutely beautiful to see how well these animals are cared for. There is a lot of information available in the seating area at the Foundation that the Volunteers have created to help provide our visitors with a better understanding of Asian elephants and give an insight into the work we do here. We walked all over the place like 2 good friends. We were a bit disappointed that the special guide didnt do more than the local guide actually. So whilst it may seem like a circus trick to you it is not unusual behaviour for an elephant. Elephant Village (Hua Hin) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go We understand your comment about the elephant wrapping her trunk around you and kissing you. 4.8 /5 5 Reviews based on 157 reviews Farms Closed Today Open tomorrow at 08:00 Recommended sightseeing time:0.5-1 day Address: VW5C+JF7, Khao Yai, Cha-am District, Phetchaburi 76120, ThailandMap Phone: +66 65 223 9425 What travelers say: There are many beautiful photo angles. I definitely will come back to visit every time that I am in town. This Chinese temple is built on the city's namesake 'Stone Head'. Elephant Point is the beginning of the very difficult, technical 4x4 track of the same name and the trailhead for a network of long trails taking one to Chesler Park . This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. You can see just a little bit of the, In the hills west of the city, a winding drive up Flintstone Hill takes you to several viewpoints of Hua Hin and the gulf. The read moreThe best experience ever. Third time back that says it all, and we are so pleased that you decided to see us again. 38/47 Khaonoi Village Behine Wat Etisukatow, Hua Hin 77110 Thailand, $$ - $$$ Asian Thai Vegetarian Friendly, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. They care so much for the elephants. I think if you call them im sure they can give you. (74!) Once there we had a very cheerful female guide. Kui Buri elephant safari | half day - Thai National Parks based on 86 customer reviews, By: Daniel Musso | posted Tue 16 May, 2023. The restaurant is poorly staffed and poorly trained. We had nice time with my two boys 7&11, however, it was rather brief experience, about 30-35 min. 900 BAHT PER PERSON! There is absolutely no riding, chaining or . Elephants and crocs are also plentiful. Hutsadin Elephant Foundation (Hua Hin) - Tripadvisor This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Having read the reviews after our visit,we do feel a little bit tricked as our tuktuk driver definitely was discouraging us from going to the hutsadin elephant place which was our intended destination. The showering was just holding the hose up, however this may change depending on the temperament of the elephant assigned to your visit. Tiger show and elephant show absolutely disgusting. Hutsadin Elephant Foundation (Hua Hin): All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor The food came before the drinks. 2. I fell in love with them all (especially Bua) and I already cant wait to come back! May 12th, 2023. If you want to do an excursion to one of the national parks in Thailand, I will definitely book it through this organization. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Wild Elephant Watching at Kui Buri National Park Hua Hin. This was so disappointing and I urge people not to go. Pre-covid we set up a land project to raise money to assist the Foundation in securing the land necessary to begin and complete the construction of two elephant bathing pools. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The elephants are gentle and playfull. It is the Kui Buri National Park's policy to let locals do the driving, a policy that showed to be a success in reducing the poaching in the park. An average sized elephant weighs about 3,000 kg so 20-25% of their body weight would equate to over 600 kg which is many times the weight of one visitor and their mahout. Nice experience for family with kids. 1.1K . Chained. Have not been to other sanctuaries so cannot compare. read less, The best experience ever. I didn't see the scars or anything the other people were talking about there was a few scratches but these are big animals that walk around trees they're gonna get scratches. Had a great time, guides were knowledgable and quick to take me to the hotspots! Elephant Arch Trail. Log in, Flights from Hua Hin, Thailand to Bangkok, Thailand (Don Mueung), Hua Hin Networking , Churchs & Social Groups, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, Dining@The Bubble Restaurant by Baan Ing Phu. W jak8ch godzinach rezerwat jest czynny ? One trainer was harsh with an elephant when I was feeding her making her play a harmonica and stand on her back legs. One of the key activities the Volunteers introduced was an Education activity. Absolutely dishonest place! So this chain serves as a safety restraint for the elephant. Event Venues and Vendors in Mapleton, UT - Eventective I was concerned this may be a clever way to make money using the elephants- but was completely shown otherwise. We take visitor feedback very seriously and as a result of recent comments we are developing Elephants In Captivity key fact sheets which will be prominently displayed in the seating area at the Foundation. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. June 14th, 2023. It is a great way to spend time supporting Thai culture and their amazing animals. Read all information online before visiting which helped my understanding of the visit. On returning to the village (dump) after the trek I wanted to go and see the other elephants to feed them banana's which you can but there. It was important to all of us to find a place that rescues these beautiful animals (that otherwise may not receive proper care after injury or illness), provides a safe place for them, and still teaches people about them. Enjoy the convenience and comfort of hotel pick up and drop off services between Hua Hin City and the park; Similar adventures in Hua Hin. Bus Tours. per adult. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. Like the other reviews said they were chained up but they weren't abused. So everyone went back quickly with his/her guide. She would not let go. I was irritated but walked away with my son. License: 14/03405, license issued for GibbonWoot Limited Partnership (managing company), Erawan Falls, Hellfire Pass & historical sites, Erawan Falls, Sai Yok NP & more - 2D/1N raft house, Khao Yai - 1-day wildlife tour with night safari, Doi Inthanon - DIY taxi tour from Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep - DIY taxi tour from Chiang Mai, Erawan Falls/Hellfire Pass - DIY taxi tour, Pala-U Waterfall - DIY taxi tour from Hua Hin, Khao Sam Roi Yot - DIY taxi tour from Hua Hin, Khao Sok - taxi service to/from all nearby towns, Khao Yai - 2D/1N DIY taxi tour from Bangkok, Khao Yai - 3D/2N DIY taxi tour from Bangkok, Khao Yai & Ayutthaya - taxi day tour from Bangkok, Kui Buri elephant watching area - taxi servcice from Hua Hin. they Have small baskets to where you can feed the elephants not very much only 50 baht. We saw also some gaurs ands deers but at the end of the day. Kui Buri National Park lies about 1.5 hours driving distance from Hua Hin and nearly 4 hours from Bangkok. Viewpoint #4, across from the. Bananas 100b a basket to feed the elephants.