"The Kuala Gandah Elephants Sanctuary allows you to observe and understand the handling and management of translocated Asian elephants. You can participate in daily activities, like feeding and bathing."
The Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, located near the Krau Wildlife Reserve, was established in 1985 by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and manned by the personnell of the department's Elephant Capture and Translocation Unit. The centre is geared towards the plight of the endangered and fully protected Malaysian elephants. It acts as a permanent base for the elephant capture unit, after introducing its most effective, and costly, control method for the elephant capture and translocation program in 1974. The centre also takes in orphaned and abandoned elephants and as such is also referred to as the Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary.
The sanctuary is a popular destination for visitors, both local and foreign, who come here especially in the weekends to observe and participate in the activities at the centre. The centre is open from 2pm to 4.30pm. Visitors are not charged any fees, however, it would be polite for visitors to make a donation towards the benefit of the elephants at the sanctuary. At the sanctuary, you will find a visitor information centre providing information and video presentation on the centre's elephant conservation efforts. Visitors can participate in daily activities, like feeding and grooming the centre's elephant and helping with the daily bathing of each animal in nearby river. The centre can get busy in the weekends, so it might be better for you to visit it in the weekdays, when you can enjoy the presence of these gentle elephants (almost) all to yourself!
There is also an Orang Asli settlement next door that you can visit and the Deerland Park just five minutes drive away.
For more information on the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, visit their website at : www.myelephants.org
Last viewed - February 09, 2010
Getting there
From Kuala Lumpur, take the Karak highway to Lanchang, passing Karak along the way. Once in Lanchang, turn left into the road just before the BP gas station, then follow the ample direction signage of the Elephant Sanctuary. You will pass by an Orang Asli settlement before you reach the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary. The journey takes about 2 to 2 1/2 hours (roughly 160km from Kuala Lumpur).
User recommendation
"never in my life felt so elated and excited - this is not to be missed by anyone of any age. Rare opportunity to get close to elephants in their own environment "
"Absolutely amazing!!! So fantastic I've actually adopted the elephant I bathed with. I love it love it love it. " by Nicky D
"My family rate 1 because we hired a terrible and expensive guide from Kuala Lumpur. How can malaysian tourist authority allow this type of tourist guide service? Talks a lot of rubbish but knows nothing about elephants.
We also rate 5 because a very nice man at the sanctuary, they call him Elephant Man - mister Rasali, keep us informed about anything to do with elephants and make our visit so much fun.
We will come again and we will ask for this mister Rasali to be our elephant guide. Nice to know that this sanctuary has its own website - www.myelephants.org -
best place to visit in Malaysia. nice elephants and warm friendly staff working there.
We see you again Malaysia." by mariska stahl
"after spending almost 6 months at the sanctuary as a volunteer, I think I can recommend this place to everyone. meet the fantastic elephants that I miss so much, and meet the very friendly staff. if you do visit them send them my regards!!
Marloes" by marloes
"A most enriching lifetime experience for me & my family.
We get to ride, we get to feed and we get to wash elephants in a river! We are also happy to know the people caring for the elephants also go out to save wild elephants. They have a good website, too. www.myelephants.org
Better to donate to them directly, we think." by mariska stahl
"I been here once. This is the best place to learn bout elephant. I do take a ride on a small elephant and feed it too." by casser
