Gandah Elephant Sanctuary was set up about 20 years ago as the transit center for elephants' relocation program
. As the number of elephants at the center increases, some of them were not suitable to be relocated, as they are either too young or too old to survive in a new foreign environment. Slowly these elephants readjusted to the new surrounding and accept the presence humans in their daily activities. They became tourist attraction and started to draw large number of visitors especially in the weekends.
The sanctuary is located in the state of Pahang, about 2 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur. You will pass through the small town of Karak and Lanchang before you get into local road towards Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary. The signage will be visible from the town of Lanchang.
Visiting the Gandah Elephant Sanctuary is different from visiting your local zoo. This is becuase you are able to have a close contact with the animals. During the feeding time, you can join the elephants' trainers to feed them. In the afternoon, you can join the elephants for a swim in the nearby river. It is really a different kind of experience. The elephants are enjoying it too, sometime if they are in the mood, they will give you a spray of water from their long trunks.
The sanctuary is also playing the secondary role of educating the public and getting the support in the champaign to save the elephants. The visitors will be given a chance to view films on the plight of the elephants and the capture of the wild elephants meant to be relocated. Toward the end of the visit, the visitors are encouraged to donate to support the center.
Spending half a day in this unique place is a great experience. You can enjoy the activities closely related to the elephants and at the same time support the good cause of conservation. Most hotels in the capital can make arrangement for you visit.