No riding, no bathing: make rice balls and feed rescued elephants, then walk the hills to meet the herd. A 3 hour tour with hotel pickup, or a shorter feeding visit you drive to.
How to book
Straight to samuielephanthaven.org, with nobody in between.
Samui Elephant Haven is a home for rescued elephants on 60 rai (over 23 acres) of rolling hills above Bophut. Its own site says: no riding, no bathing, no entertaining. You make nutritious rice balls, feed the elephants fruit and grass, and walk through the park to meet the whole herd. Two ways to visit: the 3 hour tour (9am to 12pm or 2pm to 5pm) with round-trip hotel transfer and a vegetarian meal at the end, or the Feeding Program, 45 to 60 minutes at 10am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm or 4pm, with no hotel transfer, so you come by car. There is also a one-day volunteer program for up to 6 people. Its booking takes children of every age, under 4s included. Pay in cash when you arrive: the sanctuary's site warns that it takes no online payment and asks you never to transfer money to a bank account before your visit. Facts from the sanctuary's own site, October 2026.
Parking not checked
Where you leave the car or bike.
Toilets not checked
The most common reason a family leaves early.
Baby change not checked
Somewhere flat and clean to change a nappy.
Shade not checked
Two hours in direct Samui sun is not a plan.
Air conditioned not checked
Decides everything between 11am and 3pm.
Stroller friendly not checked
Steps, sand and gravel decide whether you come at all.
High chairs not checked
Eating out with a one year old.
Good in the rain not checked
It is raining, where can we still go?
Cash only
Whether you need to find an ATM first.
English spoken not checked
Being understood when it matters.
Wifi not checked
Working while they play.
One photo of the parking, the entrance or anything another parent would want warning about. It is the fastest way to help the next family.
Please no children's faces, yours or anyone else's. The place, the play area, the parking and the food are perfect.
Your photo is resized in your browser before it is sent, which strips the location data cameras hide inside a file. A human checks every photo before it appears.
One tap. If we did not know yet, it goes on the page straight away. If it disagrees with what we have, a person looks first.
Reports never show your name or email. A person can undo any of them.
Open this year, according to their website and Google Maps. Last seen Oct 2026.
Family ActivityAmple parkingNo riding, no bathing: feed and walk with rescued elephants in Bophut or Chaweng Noi. 3 hour tour or 1.5 hour encounter, hotel pickup included.
Family ActivityAmple parkingThe bigger cat cafe, 20 or more cats near Fisherman's Village, with a children's rate for 90 minutes.
Family ActivityThe hands-on one: feed rescued elephants, play in the mud spa and wash them in the pool. No riding, no shows. A half day with hotel pickup, or a shorter feed and shower.