THAILAND – Phetchaburi – Elephant Experience with WFFT Visit

Description

In Thailand, like in every country in the world, animals are still being abused and exploited for profit and human gratification. There are many examples of animal exploitation within the tourist industry: for example, ‘photo animals,’ animals performing in degrading shows, and abusive elephant camps. There is still a thriving illegal trade in wild animals for pets and medicine, as well.

Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, founded by a Dutch citizen with a help of a local abbot (who loaned a large piece of land to the foundation to house rescued animals), enables travelers to learn how to protect wildlife and their natural habitats through their education program. This foundation also gives a chance for maltreated animals to return to nature. Travelers are able to interact with elephants by feeding, cleaning, and walking them around, as well as seeing more than 600 animals which make their home here, including bears, gibbons, languor, and crocodiles.

Selling points

• One of the most well-known places catering for Wildlife welfare.
• A great alternative to elephant camps and a very educational visit for those who would like to learn about the animal welfare situation in Thailand and contribute to helping them escape abuse.
• To learn about our elephant’s individual stories and about their personalities.
• To learn about the conservation issues that elephants face, and how they are exploited by tourist attractions, forced to carry lots of people and perform tricks.

Level Of The Excursion

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Environment Impact

Economic Impact

Additional Information

Time And Transportation

Duration

Half Day (Including or Excluding transfer): 10.00 – 12.00 including lunch.

Full Day (Including or Excluding transfer): 10.00 -15.30 including lunch.

Activities finishes around 15:30 before transferring guest (in case of activities including transfer) back to hotel.

Min pax

1

Max pax

35

How to sell it

• Do not offer to non-English speaking guests.
• Suitable for families with young children
• Possibly with a stay at Hua Hin/Cha Am, Bangkok and  Kuiburi National Park visit during the stay.
• Full day tour recommended.
• Join-in only.

Why this activity

• A foundation with a great cause and vision to rehabilitate captive wild animals and release them back into the wild
• A very educational visit highlighting important, often ignored matters about wildlife used in the tourism industry.
• Sustainable activities with elephants
• Possibility to hear gibbons singing.
• Good cause – money is spent on rescuing animals.

Good to combine with

• A stay at Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan/Cha Am, Phetchaburi
• Kuiburi National Park visit during the stay.
• Possibly with Bangkok stay.

Do not combine with

• Elephant riding camps (including neck riding)
• Evening activities in Bangkok (if offered a day trip)

Market suggestion

Competitor comparison

All DMCs

Pros

• Easy to book the tour.
• Easy to organize.

Cons

• Tours can’t be offered privately.
• Tours are run by English speaking westerners only.
• Many open spaces – sun exposure or rain
• Sometimes feels a bit too much like ‘brainwashing.’
• Mosquitos
• Location is outside of most classic tourist routes.

Information

• Opened every day.
• The foundation is supported by volunteers.
• Volunteers’ programs are available for booking.
• Transport can be organized by a foundation.
• At a good quality minivan visitors may watch an introductory movie about the foundation
• Staff who show clients around are English speaking only (Westerners not Thai so guide needs to know English in case translation for a third language)
• Two main options available to choose:
  • Full day:
    • more recommended which shows guests open enclosures and make them realize how big the project is.
    • starts at 10:00
  • Half day:
    • Only in the morning

Alerts

• Join-in tours only

Price range

900 THB (half day) to 1100 (full day)

Quotation guideline

Activity provided by a supplier: please refer to contract.

• Half day including transfer or/and excluding transfer.
• Full day including transfer or/and excluding transfer.

**Remark: Pick up area: Cha Am and Hua Hin is the same rate, but Pranburi pick up is more expensive**

Inclusion

• Water
• Lunch
• Elephant feeding and washing
• Transfer inside the area by a songthaew (full day program only)
• English- speaking guide

Exclusion

• Transfer in/out

Possible Extra

• Overnight stay at a lodge overlooking a vast land where elephants roam is available for booking
• Volunteer work
• Animals adoption

Important notes

• Transport can be organized by a foundation. Pick up time will be organized from Cha Am or Hua Hin area hotels between 9 and 9:30
• At a good quality minivan visitors may watch an introductory movie about foundation
• Join-in tours only
• Two main options available to choose:
  • Full day:
    • more recommended which shows guests open enclosures and make them realize how big the project is
    • starts at 10:00
  • Half day:
    • Only in the morning

Special Guide notes

• Clients need to bring mosquito repellent and sun screen
• Staff who show clients around are English speaking only (Westerners not Thai so guide needs to know English in case translation for a third language)

Contact

Kao Look Chang Travel Company Ltd

108 Moo 6,Tambon Thamairuak,

Amphoe Thayang,

76130 Petchaburi, Thailand.

Telephone: (66)32-458135 // (66)822458598

E-mail bookings: daytrips@wfft.org

https://www.wfft.org/full-day-experience/

English

Half-day WFFT visit

This morning, you’ll pay a visit to the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, an organization that’s constantly expanding their protected lands to welcome more and more abused species from around the country.

First, you will be given an introduction to the different areas of the center. Then, you will get to see some of the more than 600 rescued animals, listen to their stories, understanding why they are living there. The lunch break will not only be a time for you to enjoy a meal, but also the opportunity to interact more with the staff and volunteers, who will gladly chat more about their work!

Full-day WFFT visit

This morning, you’ll pay a visit to the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, an organization that’s constantly expanding their protected lands to welcome more and more abused species from around the country.

First, you will be given an introduction to the different areas of the center. Then, you will get to see some of the more than 600 rescued animals, listen to their stories, understanding why they are living there. The lunch break will not only be a time for you to enjoy a meal, but also the opportunity to interact more with the staff and volunteers, who will gladly chat more about their work!

In the afternoon, be sure to meet and feed one of rescued elephants, and then bathe her afterwards (weather permitting). You’ll learn more about the elephants’ stories and their distinct personalities, allowing you to really bond with them. Then, head on a driving tour around the New Lands, where you can spot the staggering number and diversity of the beautiful animals. After your day of wildlife exploration, you will head back to your hotel.

French

Expérience avec les éléphants pendant la visite de la WFFT

Demi-journée de visite de la WFFT

Ce matin vous vous rendrez à la Fondation Thaïlandaise des Amis des Animaux (WFFT), une organisation dont le but est d’étendre sa protection au maximum de terres afin d’accueillir un plus grand nombre d’espèces animales maltraitées dans tout le pays.

On commencera par vous présenter les différentes zones du centre avant de vous montrer quelques uns des 600 animaux sauvés dont on vous racontera l’histoire et vous comprendrez alors comment ils sont arrivés là. A l’occasion de la pause déjeuner vous aurez l’opportunité de discuter avec le personnel et les volontaires de leur travail et ce, autour d’un bon repas.

Journée complète de visite à la WFFT

Ce matin vous vous rendrez à la Fondation Thaïlandaise des Amis des Animaux (WFFT), une organisation dont le but est d’étendre sa protection au maximum de terres afin d’accueillir un plus grand nombre d’espèces animales maltraitées dans tout le pays.

On commencera par vous présenter les différentes zones du centre avant de vous montrer quelques uns des 600 animaux sauvés dont on vous racontera l’histoire et vous comprendrez alors comment ils sont arrivés là. A l’occasion de la pause déjeuner vous aurez l’opportunité de discuter avec le personnel et les volontaires de leur travail et ce, autour d’un bon repas.

Dans l’après-midi, vous rencontrerez l’une des éléphantes sauvées pour la nourrir avant de vous baigner avec elle, si la météo le permet. Vous en apprendrez davantage sur les histoires des éléphants et leurs personnalités ce qui vous permettra de vraiment les comprendre et de partager un moment avec eux. Vous monterez ensuite dans un véhicule pour une visite des nouvelles terres où vous pourrez voir un nombre impressionnant de beaux animaux. Après cette journée complète d’exploration et de rencontre avec les animaux, vous regagnerez votre hôtel.

Spanish

Experiencia con elefantes y visita al WFFT

Visita de medio día a WFFT

Por la mañana realizará una visita a la Fundación tailandesa de amigos de la naturaleza (WFFT), una organización que está expandiendo su terreno de forma constante y acoge a cada vez más especies maltratadas de todo el país.

En primer lugar, recibirá una presentación sobre las diferentes zonas del centro. Posteriormente, podrá ver a algunos de los más de 600 animales rescatados, escuchará sus historias y comprenderá por qué habitan ahora en dicho lugar. La pausa para el almuerzo no solo se dedicará a que disfrute de la comida, sino que será una oportunidad para interactuar con el personal y los voluntarios, quienes estarán encantados de charlar sobre su trabajo.

Visita de día completo a WFFT

Por la mañana realizará una visita a la Fundación tailandesa de amigos de la naturaleza (WFFT), una organización que está expandiendo su terreno de forma constante y acoge a cada vez más especies maltratadas de todo el país.

En primer lugar, recibirá una presentación sobre las diferentes zonas del centro. Posteriormente, podrá ver a algunos de los más de 600 animales rescatados, escuchará sus historias y comprenderá por qué habitan ahora en dicho lugar. La pausa para el almuerzo no solo se dedicará a que disfrute de la comida, sino que será una oportunidad para interactuar con el personal y los voluntarios, quienes estarán encantados de charlar sobre su trabajo.

Por la tarde, no pierda la oportunidad de conocer y alimentar a uno de los elefantes rescatados, pudiendo bañarle justo después (si lo permite el tiempo). Conocerá más en profundidad las historias de los elefantes y sus distintas personalidades, lo que le permitirá crear un vínculo real con ellos. Posteriormente, realizará una visita en automóvil por las Nuevas Tierras, donde podrá ser testigo de la amplia diversidad y belleza de los animales. Después de dedicar el día a explorar la vida salvaje, se dirigirá de vuelta a su hotel.

Italian

Esperienza tra gli elefanti con WFFT

Visita al WFFT di mezza giornata

Questa mattina visiterete la Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, un’organizzazione che sta costantemente espandendo le loro terre protette per accogliere sempre più specie abusate in  tutto il paese.

In primo luogo, vi verrà data un’introduzione alle diverse aree del centro. Poi, potrete vedere alcuni degli oltre 600 animali salvati, ascoltare le loro storie, capire perché vivono lì. La pausa pranzo non sarà solo il momento per godervi un pasto, ma anche l’opportunità di interagire di più con lo staff e i volontari, che saranno lieti di chiacchierare di più sul loro lavoro!

Visita al WFFT per l’intera giornata

Questa mattina visiterete la Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, un’organizzazione che sta costantemente espandendo le loro terre protette per accogliere sempre più specie abusate in tutto il paese.

In primo luogo, vi verrà data un’introduzione alle diverse aree del centro. Poi, potrete vedere alcuni degli oltre 600 animali salvati, ascoltare le loro storie, capire perché vivono lì. La pausa pranzo non sarà solo il momento per godervi un pasto, ma anche l’opportunità di interagire di più con lo staff e i volontari, che saranno lieti di chiacchierare di più sul loro lavoro!

Nel pomeriggio, assicuratevi di incontrare e dar da mangiare a uno degli elefanti in salvo, e poi di fargli il bagno anche (tempo permettendo). Imparerete di più sulle storie degli elefanti e sulle loro distinte personalità, permettendovi di creare un legame vero con loro. Quindi, partecipate a un tour di guida nelle Newlands, dove potrete scorgere il numero e la varietà sbalorditiva degli animali meravigliosi. Dopo la vostra giornata di esplorazione della fauna selvatica, tornerete al vostro hotel.

German

Elefanten-Erlebnis mit WFFT-Besuch

Halbtägiger WFFT-Besuch

Am Morgen besuchen Sie die Friends Foundation Thailand, eine Organisation, die ständig ihre geschützten Gebiete erweitert, um mehr und mehr misshandelte Arten aus dem ganzen Land aufnehmen zu können.

Zunächst erhalten Sie eine Einführung zu den verschiedenen Bereichen des Centers. Anschließend können Sie einige der mehr als 600 geretteten Tiere sehen, etwas über deren Geschichte hören und verstehen, warum diese dort leben. Die Mittagspause dient nicht nur dazu, Ihr Essen zu genießen, sondern bietet auch die Möglichkeit, mit den Mitarbeitern und Freiwilligen zu sprechen, die sehr gerne mehr über ihre Arbeit erzählen.

Ganztägiger WFFT-Besuch

Am Morgen besuchen Sie die Friends Foundation Thailand, eine Organisation, die ständig ihre geschützten Gebiete erweitert, um mehr und mehr misshandelte Arten aus dem ganzen Land aufnehmen zu können.

Zunächst erhalten Sie eine Einführung zu den verschiedenen Bereichen des Centers. Anschließend können Sie einige der mehr als 600 geretteten Tiere sehen, etwas über deren Geschichte hören und verstehen, warum diese dort leben. Die Mittagspause dient nicht nur dazu, Ihr Essen zu genießen, sondern bietet auch die Möglichkeit, mit den Mitarbeitern und Freiwilligen zu sprechen, die sehr gerne mehr über ihre Arbeit erzählen.

Am Nachmittag können Sie sicher sein, dass Sie einen der geretteten Elefanten treffen und füttern werden; und anschließend baden (wetterabhängig). Sie lernen mehr über die Vergangenheit der Elefanten und ihre unterschiedlichen Persönlichkeiten, sodass Sie eine wirkliche Bindung mit ihnen aufbauen können. Danach machen Sie eine Fahrt durch das Neue Land, bei der Sie die erstaunliche Anzahl und Vielfalt der schönen Tiere entdecken können. Am Ende des Tiererkundungs-Tages begeben Sie sich zurück zu Ihrem Hotel.

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