Volunteer Programs

• Food & Beverage (Snacks, Cold & Hot Drinks, 2 Vegetarian Meals)
• Umbrellas, Wellies Boots, Rain Coat & Mosquito Spray
• Complimentary T-Shirt and Water Bottle Bag

• Our driver will pick you up from your hotel or any location within Phuket province. Exact times depend on your location, and you’ll receive confirmation after booking
• Approx. 09:30: Arrival at our Meeting Point in Paklok and Transfer to our Sanctuary with complimentary snacks, fruit, coffee, juices, soft drinks and water upon arrival
• 10:00: Educational Video Documentary about Asian Elephants and our Project
• 10:20: Visit Phuket’s first elephant hospital
• 10:40: Guided walk through the Sanctuary to locate the elephants and observe them as they roam, forage, bathe and socialise freely. Our tour guides will share the stories of each elephant
• 12:00: Vegetarian Thai Lunch Buffet with over 15 choices
• 13:15: Volunteer activities
• 16:00: Thai Vegetarian Dinner at Tree Top Reception
• 17:00: Return to our office in Paklok and transfer back to your accommodation

The tasks will vary depending on the work that needs to be done. Some activities may include:

• Food preparation, cutting banana trees, loading/unloading fruits, grasses, bamboo
• Helping to prepare supplementary elephant food in the kitchen
• Cleaning and tidying around the sanctuary
• Cleaning out elephant night shelters and water troughs – Moving elephant poo and composting
• Building fences, painting, and any maintenance work around the facilities throughout the sanctuary

As you will be working outside in hot weather, we recommend to bring clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, closed toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and if you are prone to sunburn a couple of long sleeved shirts for extra protection. We provide one volunteer shirt upon arrival as well as wellie boots, socks and umbrellas in case of rain. Chilled, purified water is also provided throughout the day.

What do I need to bring for registration?
We need a copy of your passport (printed or on your phone) for insurance purposes, and your booking confirmation (printed or on your phone)

Where should I wait for the driver?
At your hotel’s lobby.

How far in advance do I need to book?
We are booked up in advance, usually one week in advance or for high season (Dec – April) up to two weeks. As soon as you know the date you wish to visit, please book.

What food do you serve?
We serve a delicious home made Thai vegetarian/vegan buffet. Should you have any special dietary requirements please advise our staff on arrival and they will inform the kitchen.

Is any experience required to join the volunteer programs?
We do not require any previous volunteer experience as long as you are a passionate animal lover with a keen interest in wildlife. If you’re 18 years or older, physically fit, enthusiastic and able to work as part of the team in the hot Thai humid climate whether rain or sun – volunteer!

Is the volunteer program available year-round?
The volunteer program is not available from 15 November to 15 January

Why have you stopped feeding interactions as of April 2026?At Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, our mission is to let elephants live as naturally as possible — roaming, foraging, and socialising freely in a peaceful environment. While we currently offer a brief feeding moment with willing elephants, we’ve decided to discontinue all feeding interactions from April 2026 to further align with their natural behaviors and wellbeing.

This change marks an important step forward in our commitment to ethical elephant tourism. Visitors will still enjoy inspiring experiences, including observing elephants in their natural habitat, exploring our expanding Canopy Walkway, and learning about elephant care at our on-site veterinary hospital.

• Accommodation for 3 nights on-site or in a nearby home stay
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner on working days (We serve Thai vegetarian food, snacks and soft drinks)
• Umbrellas, Wellies Boots, Rain Coat & Mosquito Spray
• Complimentary T-Shirt and Water Bottle Bag
• Daily transport from the volunteer accommodation to Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and back.

• Transportation at the start and end of the program is not included and can be arranged at a surcharge

Volunteering Tasks and Activities

You will start with joining our ‘Morning with Elephants’ tour to learn about our elephants, our project and our safety guidelines. The tasks in the afternoon and following days will vary depending on the work that needs to be done. Some activities may include:

• Food preparation, cutting banana trees, loading/unloading fruits, grasses & bamboo
• Helping to prepare supplementary elephant food in the kitchen – – Cleaning and tidying around the sanctuary
• Cleaning out elephant night shelters and water troughs Moving elephant poo and composting
• Building fences, painting, and any maintenance work around the facilities throughout the sanctuary

You will be working in the proximity of our elephants including an observation afternoon near the end of the program.

As you will be working outside in hot weather, we recommend to bring clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, closed toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and if you are prone to sunburn a couple of long sleeved shirts for extra protection. We provide one volunteer shirt upon arrival as well as wellie boots, socks and umbrellas in case of rain. Chilled, purified water is also provided throughout the program.

What do I need to bring for registration?
We need a copy of your passport (printed or on your phone) for insurance purposes, and your booking confirmation (printed or on your phone)

What time and where is the check-in on the first day?
It’s between 3 and 5pm at our Meeting Point in Paklok. After registration our team will take you to your accommodation which is just a few minutes away. If you plan to arrive earlier or later, please let us know in advance.

What time is check-out on the last day?
Check-out time from your accommodation is at 1pm, and the volunteer program finishes at 5pm. You can leave your luggage at the meeting point.

What food do you serve?
We serve a delicious home made Thai vegetarian/vegan buffet. Should you have any special dietary requirements please advise our staff on arrival and they will inform the kitchen. Our three day volunteer programs, the first meal will be served on Monday morning. You will enjoy breakfast snacks, lunch and dinner at the sanctuary on every working day.

Where will I be staying?
Should you join our three day volunteer program, we provide private accommodation either on-site or at a home stay a few minutes from our meeting point and offices. You will have your own air conditioned accommodation with a bedroom, bathroom, fridge and complimentary WiFi. At the homestay there is a restaurant at the lobby as well as a 7/11 and some local restaurants in walking distance. If you stay on-site we will arrange one trip to a 7/11 every evening after work.

Can I drive into the sanctuary?
No, you can’t. There is strictly no public access to the sanctuary for safety and insurance purposes, and also as we have free roaming elephants. Please meet at our Office in Paklok, and you will be transported to the sanctuary in our vehicles.

How do I get to the sanctuary and back every day?
Our team will pick you up at 8.30am in the morning and drop you back at 5pm.

How far in advance do I need to book?
We are booked up in advance, usually one week in advance or for high season (Dec – April) up to two weeks. As soon as you know the date you wish to visit, please book.

Is any experience required to join the volunteer programs?
We do not require any previous volunteer experience as long as you are a passionate animal lover with a keen interest in wildlife. If you’re 18 years or older, physically fit, enthusiastic and able to work as part of the team in the hot Thai humid climate whether rain or sun – volunteer!

Is the volunteer program available year-round?
The volunteer program is not available from 15 November to 15 January

Why have you stopped feeding interactions as of April 2026?
At Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, our mission is to let elephants live as naturally as possible — roaming, foraging, and socialising freely in a peaceful environment. While we previously offered a brief feeding moment with willing elephants, we’ve decided to discontinue all feeding interactions from April 2026 to further align with their natural behaviors and wellbeing.

This change marks an important step forward in our commitment to ethical elephant tourism. Visitors will still enjoy inspiring experiences, including observing elephants in their natural habitat, exploring our expanding Canopy Walkway, and learning about elephant care at our on-site veterinary hospital.

• Accommodation for 6 nights on-site or in a nearby home stay
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner on working days (We serve Thai vegetarian food, snacks and soft drinks)
• Umbrellas, Wellies Boots, Rain Coat & Mosquito Spray
• Complimentary T-Shirt and Water Bottle Bag
• Daily transport from the volunteer accommodation to Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and back.

• Transportation at the start and end of the program is not included and can be arranged at a surcharge

Volunteering Tasks and Activities

You will start with joining our ‘Morning with Elephants’ tour to learn about our elephants, our project and our safety guidelines. The tasks in the afternoon and following days will vary depending on the work that needs to be done. Some activities may include:

• Food preparation, cutting banana trees, loading/unloading fruits, grasses & bamboo
• Helping to prepare supplementary elephant food in the kitchen – – Cleaning and tidying around the sanctuary
• Cleaning out elephant night shelters and water troughs Moving elephant poo and composting
• Building fences, painting, and any maintenance work around the facilities throughout the sanctuary

You will be working in the proximity of our elephants including an observation afternoon near the end of the program.

As you will be working outside in hot weather, we recommend to bring clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, closed toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and if you are prone to sunburn a couple of long sleeved shirts for extra protection. We provide one volunteer shirt upon arrival as well as wellie boots, socks and umbrellas in case of rain. Chilled, purified water is also provided throughout the program.

What do I need to bring for registration?
We need a copy of your passport (printed or on your phone) for insurance purposes, and your booking confirmation (printed or on your phone)

What time and where is the check-in on the first day?
It’s between 3 and 5pm at our Meeting Point in Paklok. After registration our team will take you to your accommodation which is just a few minutes away. If you plan to arrive earlier or later, please let us know in advance.

What time is check-out on the last day?
Check-out time from your accommodation is at 1pm, and the volunteer program finishes at 5pm. You can leave your luggage at the meeting point.

What food do you serve?
We serve a delicious home made Thai vegetarian/vegan buffet. Should you have any special dietary requirements please advise our staff on arrival and they will inform the kitchen. For our one week volunteer programs, the first meal will be served on the day after your arrival. You will enjoy breakfast snacks, lunch and dinner at the sanctuary on every working day.

Where will I be staying?
Should you join our three day volunteer program, we provide private accommodation either on-site or at a home stay a few minutes from our meeting point and offices. You will have your own air conditioned accommodation with a bedroom, bathroom, fridge and complimentary WiFi. At the homestay there is a restaurant at the lobby as well as a 7/11 and some local restaurants in walking distance. If you stay on-site we will arrange one trip to a 7/11 every evening after work.

Can I drive into the sanctuary?
No, you can’t. There is strictly no public access to the sanctuary for safety and insurance purposes, and also as we have free roaming elephants. Please meet at our Office in Paklok, and you will be transported to the sanctuary in our vehicles.

How do I get to the sanctuary and back every day?
Our team will pick you up at 8.30am in the morning and drop you back at 5pm.

How far in advance do I need to book?
We are booked up in advance, usually one week in advance or for high season (Dec – April) up to two weeks. As soon as you know the date you wish to visit, please book.

Is any experience required to join the volunteer programs?
We do not require any previous volunteer experience as long as you are a passionate animal lover with a keen interest in wildlife. If you’re 18 years or older, physically fit, enthusiastic and able to work as part of the team in the hot Thai humid climate whether rain or sun – volunteer!

Is the volunteer program available year-round?
The volunteer program is not available from 15 November to 15 January

Why will you stop feeding interactions as of April 2026?
At Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, our mission is to let elephants live as naturally as possible — roaming, foraging, and socialising freely in a peaceful environment. While we previously offer a brief feeding moment with willing elephants, we’ve decided to discontinue all feeding interactions from April 2026 to further align with their natural behaviors and wellbeing.

This change marks an important step forward in our commitment to ethical elephant tourism. Visitors will still enjoy inspiring experiences, including observing elephants in their natural habitat, exploring our expanding Canopy Walkway, and learning about elephant care at our on-site veterinary hospital.