Sampran Elephant Ground and Zoo Tour from Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand

If you are looking for a family friendly day tour from Bangkok then look no further. Situated just 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of Bangkok is the Sampran Elephant Ground and Zoo, a place where the whole family can learn more about Thailand's most revered animal - the Elephant.

You'll be picked up from your centrally located Bangkok hotel and travel one-hour to the Elephant Ground and Zoo complex.

This is the perfect opportunity to take a 30-minute elephant ride (cost not included, payable direct, approximately BAHT500 per person) as well as learn, via performances, just how and why these mighty creatures are held in such high regard by the Thai people.

There are a variety of shows on display, including elephants at work as well how elephants once played an important part in the battles that took place in ancient Siam. One show in particular will depict the battle between King Naraesuan The Great and the Burmese Prince, where elephants were used by both armies. Can elephants play football? Well, you will find out at one of the many shows complete with dramatic sound and narration.

The Sampran Elephant Ground and Zoo also has other animals on display, including crocodiles which star in the crocodile wrestling shows. Don't worry, the animals are all cared for well. The Sampran Elephant Ground and Zoo was accredited by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) as maintaining one of the cleanest and most impressive public crocodile displays in the world.

USD $28.71

Review by: Priscilla B	April 2012
A great chance to get up close and personal with elephhants. The handlers encourage you to touch and approach the elephants, even holding their trunks and feeding them. The best part of this trip was the elephant ride along a well maintained, gardened path (costs an additional $500 Baht). They take lots of pictures and it was a unique experience. Keep lots of $20 Baht bills (about 50cents US)handy as the handlers ask for tips. I think of it as helping to support the elephants. We saw at least 30 different elephants. You can even touch, feed, and interact with the baby elephants. So cute! Only an hour's ride from Bangkok city. Again, a wonderful tour guide who answered our many questions about Bangkok.

Review by: Caroline C	December 2011
It was great. We loved it

Review by: Kategm47	November 2011
This tour was AWESOME- The guide was professional and enthusiastic, and really was a highlight of my trip!

Review by: MICHELE C	March 2011
Everything was well organized. Flexible pick-up as we managed to slightly change the pick-up time. However we were disappointed by the park itself. Our daughter (just 12) enjoyed it.

Review by: GAIL K	February 2011
THE TOUR WAS GREAT. I HAD BEEN TO THE PARK BEFORE. THE ONLY DOWN SIDE WAS THAT I FELT WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME WAITING FOR THE GUIDE . WE WERE READY TO MOVE ONTO THE NEXT THING and WE WERE LEFT THERE WAITING FOR HIM TO CATCH UP. STILL, IT WAS A GREAT DAY and THEY DIDN'T TRY TO GET US TO GO TO A GEM FACTORY WHICH IS A BONUS!!

Review by: Ginger	January 2011
It was nice. Our guide was very knowledgeable. The park is awesome. We did not have enough time to see the tigers and take pictures and therefore we gave a 4 star rating.

Review by: John E	November 2010
We liked the elephant, crocodile and magic shows.

Review by: Linda F	August 2010
The guide and driver were courteous and professional. The facility was excellent. I had visited 5 years ago, and enjoyed my experience just as much the second time around. I especially liked the elephant show, as it included history of the elephant in Thailand. The show is beautiful, exciting, and educational. The crocodile show is fun and entertaining. Additional opportunities are available for visitors to wander around and see baby elephants and crocodiles and the beautiful orchids. One very pleasant thing about this trip is that we were not taken to additonal places that we had not requested and were not pressured to purchase souveniers.

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	February 2010
The elephant show was excellent, very educational and cute. Loved the chance to personally interact with the elephants. The croc show was ok. Would have liked a longer show or something more educational about the crocs themselves. Overall, good to go to.

Review by: Shelley C, Australia	November 2009
The elephants and their handlers are amazing. Didn't like the crocodile show though. Loved having my photo taken with the tigers.

Review by: Colin B, Australia	November 2009
Certainly a great tour. Very special day for sure - would recommend to anyone especially if they love elephants and tigers. Guide was very helpful as well.

Review by: Gina B	November 2009
Certainly a great tour. Very special day for sure - would recommend to anyone especially if they love elephants and tigers. Guide was very helpful as well.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	March 2009
I think the elephant grounds is geared more toward kids. We enjoyed ourselves but probably won't go back again. This definitely does not need to be led by a tour guide. We wish we could have just wandered around without having to follow a group.

Review by: Duncan E, Australia	February 2009
It was very interesting at the zoo. The animals were very well trained. Elephants kicking goals was fun. I like the history battle with Thailand versus Burma. Go Thai. The crocodile show was crazy. Sliding up to them and even putting an arm down the throat. Entertaining.

Review by: Ty S, Australia	October 2008
These animals are amazing and appeared to be well looked after - I hope so. Be prepared to tip though, including the elephant you have just riden!

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	April 2008
It was more like a circus than a zoo.

Review by: Joanne C, South Africa	January 2008
Our transport was late, therefore we got to the venue as the elephant show was about to start. So we were hurriedly shepherded into the arena. But the elephant show was great (as well as the crocodile show). The highlight of course was the ride around the park on an elephant. Delightful!

Review by: Tania A, United States of America	October 2007
The elephant riding was very fun; I liked it. If you go to this zoo, you have to do it, that was why I liked it. You have to pay for this but it worth doing. Take your children here; they would have fun doing it.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	September 2007
This was a good show. The animals looked well cared for, the grounds were very clean and pleasant, and the elephant ride was fun.

Review by: Adrienne B, Australia	September 2007
Much prefer the Mae Sae Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai. If you go to Chiang Mai go to the Mae Sae camp instead.

Review by: Florence M, Cyprus	April 2007
Great fun, had a ride on an elephant.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	January 2007
What a lovely experience. Great elephant show, very good way to experience Thailand. Kids will love this.

Review by: Anonymous, New Zealand	January 2007
Well worth booking especially when its impossible to guess travelling time to an airport.