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Day Trip to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary at Lanchang. |
General Information
- Also known as Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary or Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre.
- Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary is about 98km from Kuala Lumpur and it can be reached in 1 1/2 hour drive via Lebuhraya Karak.
- The centre is set up to rehabilitate abandoned and injured wild elephants before they are released back to their wild natural habitat. They also help to relocate wild elephants that come into conflict with village fields and plantations to other safer areas.
- The entrance is free of charge but all visitors are required to register at the Visitor Registration & Information building. Donation is encouraged for the Elephant Trust Fund.
- It is opened daily from 8.30am-4.30pm except on the first day of Hari Raya Puasa but the scheduled activities only start from 1pm-4.30pm. So the best time to arrive at the centre is around 12 noon to avoid waste of time.
Things To Do
- Watch their 30-min video presentation on "The Plight of The Homeless Elephant". There are a few scheduled video presentation starting from 1pm.
- Learn more facts about elephants from the display at the exhibition hall.
- Get up close with the wild elephants by feeding them bananas and peanuts sold at the stall.
- Have a short ride on the wild elephants. Number of riders is limited to about 100 pax per day on first come first serve basis. So need to register at the Visitor Registration for ride ticket.
- Splash yourself in the nearby river and experience the thrill of bathing the wild elephants in the river under supervision of the elephants' skilled trainers. The bathing activity might be cancelled if the water level of the river is high.
- There will be a short show showing simple tricks done by the elephants.
Useful Tips/Suggestions
- Dress casually and comfortably because it can get very hot in the afternoon. Don't forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and plenty of water. There are a few big trees and wooden huts for shade.
- You can bring your own food and drinks because there is not much choice in the sanctuary. There is a small café inside and some little stalls selling drinks. You can find a few warongs outside the sanctuary entrance.
- The elephant sanctuary is very popular during weekend and school holidays. So for those who wish to avoid the crowd, they better plan for a weekday trip.
- Bring a change of clothes and towel (full set) because you will get wet in the bathing activity. Proper restrooms are available for shower and change.
- Stop by at Deerland next to the elephant sanctuary to see wild animals like deers, sunbear, snake, hedgehog, peacocks etc. Open Sat-Thurs 10.30am-5.30pm. Entrance fees are RM10 for adult and RM5 for children.
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| Elephant Skull. |
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| Comparing size of Asian elephant with mammoth. |
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| Fascinating exhibits in the exhibition hall
  
     
Overall Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary is a fun and educational family outing. Kids enjoyed the activities very much and treasured the opportunity to get up close with wild elephants.Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary Kuala Gandah, 28500 Lanchang, Pahang. Tel: +609-2790391 Website: http://www.myelephants.org/ GPS coordinate : 3˚ 35’34.4”N and 102˚ 08’37.7”E From Kuala Lumpur proceed to the Karak Highway and then to the East Coast Highway. Take Exit 816 to Lanchang. Follow the signboard to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary at the T-junction.
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