Elephant Tourism in Koh Samui

For years elephant tourism in Koh Samui has been popular. There are numerous companies offering elephant trekking tours in the jungles. The elephant tourism trade is changing and sanctuaries are becoming ever more popular across Thailand.

Koh Samui now has three sanctuaries an alternative to the elephant trekking. Without prejudice, our representative has participated in both tours and given a brief outline below.

Samui Elephant Sanctuary Tour

The Samui Elephant Sanctuary in Bophut is dedicated to elephant reform. I watched a short animated video and a listened to a talk about daily life in the sanctuary. I fed the elephants and was close and personal with them. The children delighted in the feeding experience. I made my way through the jungle walking side by side with the elephants feeding them as I walked. At the pool area, the elephants took a cooling dip from the Samui heat. The mud baths were fun, the elephants sprayed themselves with the guests getting a splash too. The elephants wandered in the forest rubbing their giant frames against the trees and the tourists mingled amongst the elephants. I purchased a hand-made bag from the on-site shop and I enjoyed a lunch and chat with the other guests before leaving.

Trekking Elephant Tourism in Koh Samui

The mahout was a pleasant man who spoke little English. I purchased bananas and the mahout began our trek in the jungle of Samui. We walked through the dry ground with the inclines and at times uncomfortable terrain. At times I felt I would topple out as the elephant followed its bumpy path. The elephant did not need instruction it knew exactly the route to take and how to behave. The views were not spectacular and the elephants behaved like robots. It was not the trekking experience that I had once imagined.

Elephant Sanctuary or Elephant Trekking

What is your experience with elephant tourism in Koh Samui? Do you agree with the elephant trekking? Do you support the elephant tourism? Is the elephant reform important to you? Share your stories and experiences with our readers.