Thailand’s wildlife is one of its greatest attractions — however, this has also come at a cost. Populations of wild elephants, tigers, gibbons, and more have all been nearly decimated as a result of poaching, wildlife trafficking, and the tourism industry. As a result, numerous organizations have stepped up in order to help rescue, rehabilitate, and hopefully release threatened species back into the wild.
At Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve, we work to rescue elephants from captivity and promote ethical wildlife tourism through our Phuket Elephant Tours and Activities. We are one of many organizations working to save Thailand’s wildlife, with the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project located just a 20-minute drive away.
We’ve created this guide to visiting the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project in Phuket, a crucial sanctuary in Thailand helping to save one of the country’s iconic species. Keep reading to learn more about this organization, or feel free to contact us about our tours.

Saving the Gibbons in Phuket
There are four species of gibbons in Thailand, all of which are endangered. These creatures are known for their long arms, which allow them to swing with ease between the trees. Gibbons are found across South and Southeast Asia, but their populations have come under increasing threat as a result of wildlife trafficking and habitat loss.
In Thailand, gibbons have become a tourist attraction. Tourists pay money to take selfies with baby gibbons, believing it to be a cute photo opportunity. However, the truth is far more sinister. Baby gibbons are deliberately taken from the wild to be used for tourism. In order to obtain a baby gibbon, its whole family is killed in the process.
The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project began in the 1980s after a group of individuals attempted to rescue a baby gibbon, who had been tied to a pole and was near death. While they did not manage to save it, it kickstarted the group’s efforts to rescue gibbons in Phuket. After much trial and error, the project developed a successful rehabilitation system and has since rescued around 400 gibbons and released another 100 back into the wild.
Located in Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary, the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project is working to release gibbons back into the same habitat where they had previously been poached to extinction 40 years ago. It’s one of our favorite organizations in Phuket, forming part of our guide to Responsible Travel in Phuket and Supporting Local Communities and Conservation Efforts.

Protecting Phuket’s Last Rainforest — Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary
The Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Wildlife is Phuket’s last remaining evergreen rainforest. Spanning 22 square kilometers, the sanctuary is not only a haven for gibbons, but for boars, mouse deer, langurs, slow loris, and more. While you may have a hard time spotting many of these elusive mammals in the wild, the sanctuary is still worth exploring as an example of Phuket’s untouched rainforests and incredible biodiversity. There’s little wonder why the sanctuary is one of our picks for Great National Parks in Phuket, Thailand.
The sanctuary is also home to two stunning waterfalls, with a range of trails open to explore. To see both waterfalls, you can embark on the four-kilometer trail from Ton Sai Waterfall which ends at Bang Pae Waterfall. The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project is located near the Bang Pae Waterfall, making it the perfect ending to your excursion.
How to Visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project in Phuket
You can only visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project if you have booked a learning session or arrive in time for a scheduled session. Outside of these sessions, the project is closed and not accessible to visitors.
During the courses, you’ll be able to learn more about their resident gibbons, the process of rehabilitation, and the forest itself. Your ticket also includes access to the park where you can go swimming in the waterfall or enjoy a short walk. On a longer course, you’ll even get to help make food for the gibbons. Note that only 36 people are allowed at the project at a time to limit contact with the gibbons, so walk-ins may not be guaranteed a spot.

Combine Your Visit with a Tour Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve
To discover more about conservation efforts in Thailand, and safely encounter its wildlife, you can combine your visit to the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project with a tour at Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve! Similarly to the gibbon project, we rescue elephants from captivity who have been used as entertainment in the tourism industry. So far, we have rescued four elephants who now live comfortable and healthy lives at our sanctuary.
To educate people about Thailand’s elephants, we offer both a 90-Minute Elephant Adventure in Phuket and a Half-Day Elephant Adventure in Phuket. During these experiences, you can take a walk in the forests with the elephants and learn about their care. Our half-day excursion also includes a Thai cooking demo, and you’ll even get a hands-on experience at the elephant dung recycling center.
By visiting the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project and the Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve, you’ll be helping support local conservation efforts and ethical tourism. We can’t wait to have you be a part of our journey. Contact us if you have any questions about our tours.