Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve

Genuine ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket, Thailand. Co-founded by Louise Rogerson. Endorsed by World Animal Protection & Responsible Travel.

Opened Dec 2023 providing lifelong sanctuary to 10 beautiful rescued elephants on 70 rai of stunning forest.

12/08/2026

Today is WORLD ELEPHANT DAY!!! 💖🐘🌍

Today, 12th August, we celebrate World Elephant Day - and the freedom, friendships and second chances that every elephant deserves.

Yesterday, Wassana gave us the perfect little reminder of just how special life can be for a rescued elephant.

After enjoying a long bath in the pond, she decided it was time to join her friends Nong Fai, Ton Oi and Boon Yen. Rather than taking the easy route out, she attempted to climb straight up the steep bank! 😂 After a few determined attempts, she finally made it out - greeted by a chorus of rumbles, trumpets and excited elephant chatter from her best friends.

These moments may seem simple, but they mean so much. Our 10 rescued elephants spend their days roaming, foraging, bathing, dusting, playing and choosing who they want to spend their time with. They form strong friendships, wait for one another, communicate, and most importantly, get to live their lives in peace.

Sadly, thousands of Asian elephants are still used for rides, shows, bathing programmes and other tourism activities, where they have little choice, little freedom, and are often denied the opportunity to live naturally, form natural friendships and social bonds.

At Hidden Forest, our mission is to give rescued elephants the life they deserve, whilst helping visitors understand the reality of elephant tourism and inspiring positive change.

This is what rescue looks like. This is what freedom feels like.

Happy World Elephant Day from all of us at Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve here in Phuket, Thailand! xx 💖🐘🌴🇹🇭

10/08/2026

Our Young Monitor Lizard Has Appeared Again!! 🦎💕

This time, our cheeky little visitor appeared near the smaller pond, just as Nam Paerng and Gaw Boon were thinking about going for a swim.

Our Head Mahout, P Navin, happened to be nearby and captured this lovely video as the lizard casually made his way up the bank, through the grasses, and then slipped into the pond - completely at ease with the elephants standing nearby.

Nam Paerng was just approaching and you can see her hesitating, and Gaw Boon is also looking towards the pond. We think they may have decided to wait a little while, knowing that our little friend was swimming around in there.

It really is such a wonderful reminder of what makes days here at Hidden Forest so special - wildlife sharing the same beautiful piece of forest, each going about their day.

And this little monitor lizard is certainly becoming quite the character around here, completely at ease around our elephants, and they seem to be becoming accustomed to his cheeky appearances!

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To visit us, please book directly through our website.

We are home to 10 beautiful rescued elephants roaming across 70 rai of stunning forest in the hills of Chalong, South Phuket.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hidden Forest here in Phuket, Thailand xx ☀️🌧🐘🌴🇹🇭

06/08/2026

Ton Oi Playing With An Old Tree Trunk!!! 🌿🐘

Sometimes, the simplest things really do bring the greatest joy.

Hidden beneath the tall grasses, Ton Oi discovered an old tree trunk - which she simply couldn't resist, of course! 🤣

She picked it up with her trunk, then excitedly kicked it around with her feet as though she'd just found the greatest toy in the forest.

Before long, her best friends - Wassana, Nong Fai and Boon Yen - became curious. They wandered over to investigate and soon gathered around to share in the fun... a beautiful reminder that joy is often meant to be shared.

Play is such an important part of an elephant's life. Every fallen branch, tree trunk, or muddy patch of earth becomes natural enrichment. These moments may seem simple, but they are signs of an elephant who feels safe, relaxed, and free to express their natural behaviours.

Ton Oi is so wonderfully funny and seeing her so playful and free is incredibly special. Just 2½ years ago, her life was very different when she was giving rides. However today, she spends her days in the forest, making her own choices, socialising as part of a herd often communicating with lots of squeaks, trumpets and roars!

For us, there is no greater gift than witnessing her transformation. Every happy moment reminds us exactly why giving elephants the freedom to simply be elephants matters so much. ❤

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To visit us, please book directly through our website.

We are home to 10 beautiful rescued elephants roaming across 70 rai of stunning forest in the hills of Chalong, South Phuket.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hidden Forest here in Phuket, Thailand xx ☀️🌧🐘🌴🇹🇭

04/08/2026

Pearl and Fah Sai in Our Emerald Green Forest 🌿🐘

At the very back of our reserve lies a beautiful emerald green forest. Lush from the recent rains, peaceful, and full of life, it's one of our favourite places to simply sit quietly and watch the elephants.

Pearl and Fah Sai love grazing on the natural vegetation here while enjoying each other's company. Their gentle friendship is a beautiful reminder that some of life's most special moments are also the quietest.

There is something truly magical about simply observing elephants. They don't need entertainment or constant activity - just peace, space, a calm environment, and plenty to eat. Every day, an elephant consumes around 10% of its body weight, so much of their day is spent slowly moving through the forest, foraging on leaves, grasses, and bamboo.

This video offers a little glimpse into that tranquil world... elephants peacefully wandering through the forest, cicadas singing in the background, while our visitors were watching from the restaurant, taking in the beauty of this gorgeous forest beyond.

From our playful herd enjoying their daily swim to peaceful moments like these, where all you hear is nature, every day at Hidden Forest offers something different... and every moment is truly special.

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To visit us, please book directly through our website.

We are home to 10 beautiful rescued elephants roaming across 70 rai of stunning forest in the hills of Chalong, South Phuket.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hidden Forest here in Phuket, Thailand xx ☀️🌧🐘🌴🇹🇭

31/07/2026

The Sounds of Happy Elephants! 💕🐘

There are few sounds more beautiful than the joyful trumpets, playful squeaks, loud roars and excited rumbles of happy elephants.

Watching our elephants gather at the edge of the pond is one of our favourite moments of the day. They communicate constantly and simply enjoy being elephants, and moments like these remind us why providing freedom, space and companionship is so important.

In this video, you'll see Wassana, Nong Fai, Boon Yen and Ton Oi enjoying each other's company. Although they now share such strong bonds, every one of these elephants spent much of their lives without the opportunity to form lasting friendships. Many were kept in isolation while giving rides, performing in shows or working in the tourism bathing industry.

Elephants are deeply social, intelligent animals. In the wild, they live in close-knit family groups, relying on one another for comfort and security. For rescued elephants, learning how to trust, communicate and build friendships again is a gradual journey.

One of the most rewarding parts of our work is watching this little herd grow closer with every passing day as they become more and more confident and their playful personalities shine through.

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If you would like to visit us, please book directly through our website.

We are home to 10 beautiful rescued elephants roaming across 70 rai of stunning forest in the hills of Chalong, South Phuket.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hidden Forest here in Phuket, Thailand xx ☀️🌧🐘🌴🇹🇭

29/07/2026

P. Navin Giving Wan Mai a Banana Tree 💕🐘🌿

Elephants eat around 10% of their body weight every day, which means sourcing enough fresh, natural food is a huge part of caring for them.

Our mahouts (elephant carers) work incredibly hard to ensure our elephants have everything they need. Their day begins at sunrise... cutting grasses, vines, palm fronds, and banana trees so the elephants can enjoy a varied, natural diet throughout the day.

Here, our Head Mahout, P. Navin, carries a freshly cut banana tree to Wan Mai. Watch how she cleverly uses her foot to hold the trunk steady while peeling away the tough outer layers to reach the soft, juicy inner fibres - her favourite part!

And here’s a fascinating fact!… Although they're commonly called banana trees, they're not actually trees at all! From a botanical perspective, they're the world's largest herbaceous (non-woody) flowering plants. Their trunks are made up of around 90% water, making them an excellent source of hydration in Phuket's tropical climate. They're also rich in fibre, potassium, and other important nutrients that support healthy digestion, making banana plants one of an elephant's favourite natural foods.

Moments like these are one of the many joys of watching our elephants enjoy sanctuary life!

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If you would like to visit us, please book directly through our website.

We are home to 10 beautiful rescued elephants roaming across 70 rai of stunning forest in the hills of Chalong, South Phuket.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hidden Forest here in Phuket, Thailand xx ☀️🌧🐘🌴🇹🇭

27/07/2026

Elephants Love the Warm Tropical Rains 🐘🌧️☔

The rainy season has definitely arrived here in Phuket, and after several days of torrential downpours, our elephants couldn't be happier. They love the cooler temperatures and playing in all the fresh mud the monsoon brings.

As the forest becomes saturated, it transforms into the perfect playground for them. Fresh mud, flowing streams, the earthy scent, and vibrant shades of green bring the rainforest to life. It's a beautiful reminder of how nature renews itself.

In this video are Wassana, Nong Fai, Wan Mai, and Boon Yen - best friends roaming peacefully around the sanctuary and simply enjoying the refreshing weather together.

For our guests, experiencing the rainforest during the wet season is incredibly special. The forest feels more alive than ever, and watching the elephants enjoy the rain - just as they would in the wild - is a truly unforgettable experience.

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To visit us, please book directly through our website.

We are home to 10 beautiful rescued elephants roaming across 70 rai of stunning forest in the hills of Chalong, South Phuket.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hidden Forest here in Phuket, Thailand xx ☀️🌧🐘🌴🇹🇭

25/07/2026

An excited Pearl running around! 🐘💚

We’re not quite sure what sparked this little burst of excitement, but Pearl suddenly made a beeline for the tree near the middle of the pond! Fah Sai followed after her and together they stood for a few moments, quietly scanning the area as if they’d spotted something.. and then, just as quickly, they turned around and charged straight back to their favourite place... the mud!

The most wonderful part is that like Ton Oi, Pearl has also found her voice. She let out beautiful, short rippling trumpets that echoed through the forest. It could have been a warning after hearing something in the distance, or perhaps it was simply pure excitement with her tail also high in the air.

Elephants are incredibly vocal animals. They are constantly communicating with one another through a fascinating range of sounds, from deep rumbles to gorgeous trumpets like Pearl’s, and hearing their conversations is something truly special.

Pearl and Fah Sai were rescued at the beginning of this year. To see them confidently exploring, playing, trumpeting, and expressing their unique personalities is incredibly moving and a sign that they are feeling safe, happy, and truly at home. ❤

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If you would like to visit us, please book directly through our website.

We are home to 10 beautiful rescued elephants roaming across 70 rai in the hills of Chalong, South Phuket.
We look forward to welcoming you to Hidden Forest here in Phuket, Thailand xx ☀️🌧🐘🌴🇹🇭

22/07/2026

Ton Oi has certainly found her roar! 🐘📣

For the first two years after arriving at Hidden Forest, Ton Oi only made the cutest little squeaks. She had never made this beautiful, loud roar.

That all changed when she recently formed close friendships and joined Wassana's herd, alongside Nong Fai, Boon Yen and Wan Mai.

Now, she greets her friends with an adorable little head wiggle, followed by the most magnificent roar - with her tail held high in the air with excitement too!

Watching Ton Oi blossom is a beautiful reminder that healing doesn't happen overnight. Sometimes it can take years to feel safe, loved and accepted before an elephant truly begins to express who they are.

One of the greatest gifts we witness at Hidden Forest is the power of friendship. Elephants learn from one another, encourage one another and help each other heal. As their bonds grow stronger, new behaviours emerge - playfulness, confidence, curiosity and, in Ton Oi's case, a voice she had kept hidden for so long.

Knowing that Hidden Forest is her forever home has given Ton Oi the security to simply be herself. Seeing her discover how to socialise, build lasting friendships and embrace life with such confidence is nothing short of magical.

Every head wiggle, every rumble and every roar tells the story of an elephant who has finally found her voice - and we are so incredibly happy for her. ❤

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If you would like to visit us, please book directly through our website.

We are home to 10 beautiful rescued elephants roaming across 70 rai in the hills of Chalong, South Phuket.
We look forward to welcoming you to Hidden Forest here in Phuket, Thailand xx ☀️🌧🐘🌴🇹🇭

20/07/2026

Gaw Boon & Nam Paerng lay down together for the first time! 🐘 🥰

A peaceful start to the week with Gaw Boon & Nam Paerng lying down together in the pond.

Gaw Boon usually stands protectively over Nam Paerng when she’s lying in her favourite spot, having a little nap… so we couldn’t believe it when she decided to lie down right next to her today!

This is how elephants should enjoy their bath time - in the silence of the forest, with no people around them.

The trust and friendship these two have for each other, and the comfort they now feel in their forest home, shows just how relaxed they have become - closing their eyes and enjoying a little snooze as the cool water gently laps around them.

Moments like this are so special because they remind us that, when elephants finally feel safe, they can truly relax and simply enjoy life the way they were always meant to.

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If you would like to visit us, please book directly through our website.

We are home to 10 beautiful rescued elephants roaming across 70 rai in the hills of Chalong, South Phuket.
We look forward to welcoming you to Hidden Forest here in Phuket, Thailand xx ☀️🌧🐘🌴🇹🇭

ที่อยู่

38/1 Village No. 5
Changwat Phuket
83130

เบอร์โทรศัพท์

+66952566912

เว็บไซต์

http://www.hiddenforestelephantreserve.com/

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