Hua Hin Wildlife Rescue Tour: Elephant Refuge & Big Cat Centre

Four rescue sanctuaries, a safari bus, lunch overlooking elephants, and hands-on feeding time

A full-day guided tour of Hua Hin's Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) rescue facilities, visiting the Wildlife Rescue Centre, Elephant Refuge, Ape Rescue Centre, and Big Cat Rescue Centre. The tour includes hotel pickup from Hua Hin or Cha-Am, a guided walking tour of rescued animals, Thai buffet lunch, a safari bus ride through the Newlands area, and the chance to prepare banana balls and watch elephants feed. The experience follows a protected-contact approach at the Elephant Refuge, where elephants choose whether to approach visitors. Your visit supports WFFT's ongoing rescue and care work.

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel in Hua Hin or Cha-Am and a drive by air-conditioned van to WFFT, arriving around 10:00 AM. A guided walking tour of the Wildlife Rescue Centre introduces you to rescued elephants, gibbons, bears, monkeys and other animals, each with its own rescue story. The centre's work in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation forms the backbone of what you'll learn throughout the day.

At noon, you sit down to a traditional Thai buffet lunch with views across a large elephant enclosure: vegan, vegetarian, and meat options are all available. After eating, you board a WFFT safari bus to explore the Newlands area and visit three more facilities: the Elephant Refuge, Ape Rescue Centre, and Big Cat Rescue Centre, where rescued animals live in spacious surroundings. At the Elephant Refuge, WFFT uses a protected-contact model: you stay in a designated viewing area while the elephants remain free to approach or move away, giving them choice and control. Toward the end of the experience, you help prepare banana balls for the rescued elephants and watch them during feeding time. The full day wraps up around 3:30 PM with your return transfer to your hotel.

The tour emphasizes responsible wildlife observation and animal welfare over entertainment. There is no elephant riding, animal shows, or forced interaction. An English-speaking guide leads the entire experience, and the small-group format keeps the focus on learning and conservation rather than crowds.

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel transfer from Hua Hin or Cha-Am.
• guided walking tour of the Wildlife Rescue Centre and Elephant Refuge.
• safari bus tour to the Ape Rescue Centre and Big Cat Rescue Centre.
• traditional Thai buffet lunch with vegan, vegetarian, and meat options.
• banana ball preparation and elephant feeding observation.
• English-speaking guide throughout the full-day experience.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by MY Holiday Centre

Is this one for you?The tour is led entirely in English, so you'll follow the guide's commentary and animal stories without translation. Small-group size keeps the focus on learning and responsible wildlife observation rather than crowds, making it suitable for anyone interested in conservation and animal welfare.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).

What exactly is the protected-contact approach at the Elephant Refuge?

At the Elephant Refuge, guests remain in a protected viewing area while the elephants are free to approach or move away as they choose. This model prioritizes the animals' welfare and autonomy, allowing them greater freedom and control over their interactions with visitors.

What animals will I see on this tour?

You'll encounter rescued elephants, gibbons, bears, monkeys, and big cats across the Wildlife Rescue Centre, Elephant Refuge, Ape Rescue Centre, and Big Cat Rescue Centre. Each animal has an individual rescue story that the guide shares during the tour.

Is lunch included, and are there options for dietary preferences?

Yes, a traditional Thai buffet lunch is included and served overlooking a large elephant enclosure. Vegan, vegetarian, and meat options are all available.

How long is the full tour, and what time does it end?

The full-day experience runs approximately eight hours, starting around 10:00 AM and ending around 3:30 PM, with hotel return transfer included.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, round-trip hotel transfer from selected Hua Hin and Cha-Am areas is included. If your accommodation is outside these areas, transfers can be arranged at checkout.

What is WFFT and how does my visit support it?

WFFT (Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand) is one of Thailand's major wildlife rescue projects focused on rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation. Your visit directly supports WFFT's ongoing rescue and care of animals in need.