GoEco > Asia > Thailand > Elephant Forest Refuge > Elephant Forest Refuge – Videos
This program is now open to international volunteers!
Volunteer at an elephant sanctuary south of Bangkok that allows these majestic creatures to live chain-free in natural surroundings! This project takes place at a refuge in Thailand for rescued and injured elephants.
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Two-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Bangkok Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK), PCR test, and transfer to the volunteer base in Hau Hin.
Culture Week (Mon – Fri): Enjoy a week filled with cultural activities and experience authentic Thailand.
Free weekend (Sat – Sun): Weekends are free to relax or explore.
Elephant Volunteer week (Mon – Sat): Transfer on Monday morning to the Elephant Sanctuary near Hau Hin to start your meaningful volunteer program with Elephants. Scroll down to “Volunteer Work” for more details.
Departure is on a Saturday: Farewells and transfer to Hau Hin to continue your trip or depart for home.
Location of the Project: Hau Hin
Project length: 1 – 3 weeks
Arrival Airport: Bangkok Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK)
Volunteer Work: Wildlife care
Age: Min age of 18.
Number of Volunteers: Up to 20 international volunteers. Please note that this sanctuary has many employees and long-term volunteers whom you will be assisting.
What’s Included
Accommodations: Shared rooms in a dorm-style accommodation
Food: Three meals per day, 2 meals per day on the weekends
Airport Transfers: Airport pickup and PCR test is arranged before arrival for an extra fee of 5500 Baht. (to be paid upon arrival)
Orientation: Orientation and training are provided upon arrival
Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
What’s not Included
Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, personal expenses, airport pickup and PCR test (extra fee of 5500 Baht, to be upon arrival)
The initial Culture Week takes place in Hua Hin, one of Thailand’s most popular beach destinations. It is located 280 kilometers southwest of Bangkok, in the southern Thai province of Prachuap Khiri Kha. The Elephant Refuge is located 1 hour north of Hau Hin in Tha Mai Ruak.
As a volunteer on this project, you will assist an ethical refuge that provides rescued and injured elephants the opportunity to live chain-free. A renown local non-profit organization created this impressive sanctuary for elephants to retire after a strenuous life in the tourism industry. Forested land around the rescue center allows elephants the chance to roam around in near natural surroundings. The largest elephant enclosure is 20 hectares with natural trees, lakes, and grazing areas. This gives them space to move around and socialise with other elephants.
Volunteers will spend their time with the mahouts (elephant handlers), following a daily schedule of elephant care. Some of your tasks may include:
Please note that volunteers may interact with some of our elephants, as they cannot return to the wild. However, we do not ride or swim with the elephants.
Work Schedule:
Your day starts at 6:30 at the volunteer House and ends around 17:00 with several breaks included breakfast and lunch. Volunteers work 6 days a week with one day off. The work can be physically demanding, yet is well worth it. The volunteer co-coordinators will assign you each day to work-groups and tasks. Each participant can work at their own pace, according to their strengths and abilities. Volunteer coordinators will be around to answer questions, and monitor and support each group throughout the day.
Internet: Wi-Fi is available in a communal area
Laundry: Laundry service is available for around 7 BHT per item
Accommodations: Culture Week: Comfortable shared rooms for 4 people with private bathroom and hot shower. A communal swimming pool is available for the volunteers. Private room upgrade is available for an extra fee.
During the volunteer week, you will stay in European style, concrete and brick bungalows. Rooms are single gender with 2-3 volunteers per room. All rooms have either en-suite or shared bathrooms with a western style toilet and a cold shower. A few Hot showers are available in the communal area. You will also get a pillow, blanket and bedsheets during your stay.
Food: The Thai staff prepare 3 meals a day. Breakfast includes various items such as bread, jams and butter, eggs, seasonal fruit, pancakes, milk, tea, coffee. Lunch and dinner are usually local Thai cuisine. Vegan and vegetarian options are available as well. Note: During the Culture Week, we provide 2 meals during the weekend.
Laundry: Laundry facilities are available for use at the accommodations. Washing powder can be purchased on-site.
Accommodations: Volunteers will be staying onsite, in the middle of the sanctuary so elephants can be viewed and heard from the rooms. The rooms are single-gender, with up to two volunteers per room. The rooms are equipped with fans and mosquito protectors. There are private bathrooms on-site with hot showers and Western-style toilets.
Food: Three meals per day are provided. Meals are mostly rice, fish and vegetables. Vegetarian and vegan diets can be accommodated with advance notice. We cannot guarantee that the food will be completely free from nuts, seafood or be gluten free.
Program requirements
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