National Elephant Conservation Centre, Kuala Gandah, Lanchang

“Such a hidden gem in Pahang and definitely worth the visit! It’s conveniently located less than a two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, making it perfect for a short getaway or a day trip. The Elephant Sanctuary is very well maintained, and you can clearly see that the elephants are cared for with great attention and responsibility. The place is quite popular with both local and international tourists, yet it still feels organized and family-friendly. One of the best things is that entrance and parking are completely free, which makes it even more attractive. The area is easily accessible, stroller-friendly, and suitable for families with kids of all ages. Unfortunately, I arrived a bit late and didn’t get the chance to catch all the scheduled shows, which was a bit disappointing—but that just gives me a good reason to come back again. Overall, it’s an educational, enjoyable, and meaningful experience, especially for animal lovers and families. Highly recommended if you’re visiting Pahang or looking for a unique nature experience close to KL.”

“We had the most incredible time at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary. We had the absolute privilege of being guided by Udah (apologies if misspelled!) for four hours, and he was truly exceptional. He went above and beyond, sharing fantastic stories about the elephants, their conservation, and even personal memories of growing up in Kuala Gandah. The sanctuary has come such a long way over the years — no more elephant rides and no more allowing visitors to mount the elephants for bathing. Only their keepers can ride on their shoulders carefully. Their ethical practices were well explained, and all the exhibits were informative and well maintained. The grounds were clean, and every staff member we met was friendly and clearly passionate about the animals. Don’t miss the 20-minute presentation on elephant translocation — it was fascinating and gave us a deeper appreciation for the work they do. Overall, an amazing and educational experience. Highly recommend!”

“Terrific experience in this hidden place. The journey was amazing, roads were great, and the location was easy to navigate. Clean environment. If you’re not keen or have other plans, then you can go in the morning when there’s no crowd at all. Calm and peaceful where you can just take photos and see the elephants all you want. 1.30pm onwards, crowd starts to appear as they have the elephant bathing session and a short ‘get to know’ show(not circus). Entrance is free, contributions are excepted. You can buy sugar cane to feed the elephants. Separate charges to see baby elephants bathing, after the big ones. Toilet in the entrance is clean and usable but not the one inside the sanctuary - no light, no water, not safe You can get snacks and food inside, but dint expect great taste. Plenty of parking, for buses too.”

“It is a 2-hour drive from KL and is definitely worth the visit. Admission is free, with donations welcomed. The place is well maintained, and while guided tours are available at an additional cost, we didn’t opt for one and still enjoyed exploring the centre. The elephants are clearly very well taken care of, and we had the opportunity to feed them and help bathe them, which was a really meaningful experience. They also demonstrated how they train and care for the elephants, which was truly fascinating. Overall, an amazing and educational visit — highly recommended for anyone who loves nature and wildlife.”