If you wish to be close and personal with the Elephant, the place is Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary in Lanchang, Pahang, Malaysia!!!
Watch Man and Beast at Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary!!!
KUALA GANDAH is located at the river mouth of River Gandah and River Tetris although what you see is only the River Tetris whereas River Gandah is a small stream nearby. The name Gandah is combined words of ‘Ngan’ (bird) and ’Dah’ (curse). The legend says that a pair of Hornbills is cursed to remain as a couple for the rest of their lives and can only be separated by death.
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| River Tetris |
Approaching the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, you will see several bamboo houses on stilts. These are the homes of CHE WONG ABORIGINE TRIBE for many generations. They are the smallest groups of indigenous people which can only be found in the Krau Wildlife Reserve in Pahang. There are only over 350 residents from 100 families at the Kampung Orang Asli Che Wong Lanchang. The house is built from bamboos rattans, attaps, tree barks and hard wood. Actually each house is a bedroom with basic sleeping mats or mattresses with mosquito nets. There is no attached bathroom, fancy dresser, cupboard or fan. Although they are given a 2 Bedroom single storey bungalow by the Government, they still prefer to stay in their simple houses. They still uphold and preserve their traditional way of life. Like all other Aborigines tribe in Malaysia, Che Wong tribe’s social, health and economic welfares are being taken care of by the Department of Orang Asli Development (JHEOA – Jabatan Hasil Ehwal Orang Asli) under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development. The elders still goes to the nearby diminishing jungles to collect forest products for own consumption and making handicrafts such as head gears, small souvenirs and traditional games. The younger generation works at the nearby Oil Palm plantations and Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary as laborers, security guards and elephant trainers or ‘mahout’.
Just at the entrance of the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, there is a Che Wong Community Cultural Hall donated by Genting Malaysia Berhad under their Corporate Social Responsibility ‘We Care’ Program. This building houses a mini museum, exhibition centre, reception room, mini library and classroom.
At the Registration Center, after paying the Conservation Fee of a minimum of RM30.00 per person, you will be given a Colored Sticker. The Red Sticker A labels you as a Visitor that can feed and bath with the Baby Elephants. The Yellow Sticker B is for Visitor who can participate in the afternoon activities such as feeding, riding and bathing with the Baby Elephants. This is limited to only 150 persons each day, hence come early on weekends, public and school holidays. Bathing with the Elephants is subject to the water level and at the discretion of the staff. The Green Sticker B is for Official Visitor for the morning sessions activities such as feeding and riding the elephants only. This is for a group of 40 persons and above with prior arrangement.
Whilst waiting for the activities with the Elephants to start, you may spend time at the new Information Centre. Watch a 30 minutes National Geographic documentary titled ‘Return to the Wilds, the Homeless Elephant’ in an air-conditioned mini theatre that sits 120 visitors. This video shows issues regarding the wild elephants, diminishing habitat and translocations. Video Time: Monday till Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 1,00pm, 1.30pm and 3.45pm, Friday 1.00pm. 1.30pm, 2,00pm and 3.45pm
Learn fun facts of the Elephant
Ø The Elephant’s Tail serves as a Fly Swatter. Flies are its biggest enemy as it can lay its eggs under the thick skin that cause extreme itch. The tail of the Elephant weighs only 10kg equivalent to a weight of a bicycle. Watch out for ‘Sanum’ the Tailless Elephant at this Kuala Gandah Sanctuary.
Ø The Elephant is a habitual animal. It will use the same path for the rest of their lives and disregard whatever comes in its way. This fact explains the normal sighting of a Herd of Elephants crossing the Butterworth - Kulim – Gerik highway in the Northern States of West Malaysia during the early wee morning.
Ø Elephant are gentle Giants. Mother Elephant will constantly cuddles, strokes and protects its baby. The more matured and experienced Elephants help to calm down the Wild Elephants by touching the eyes, face and ears of the Wild Elephants during the Translocation Exercise. When one of the elephant dies, the rest of the herd will grieve by lowering their trunks coupled with drooping ears and sad eyes.
Ø Each day, an adult elephant eats pellet, papaya, watermelon, carrot, sugar cane, a mix of grass, banana trucks and fruits worth RM 100.00 and drinks about 100 to 150 litre of water. For daily diet of the Baby Elephant is ANLENE Gold Milk 51, DUMEX DUGA for the 1 to 3 years old, NESVITA OMEGA PLUS, Glucose, Palm brown sugar and 10 kilograms bag of rice. All donations in kind can be handed to The Visitor’s Registration counter.
FACILITIES at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary
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| Toilet |
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| Picnic Areas |
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| Resting Shacks |
Baby Elephant Platform
Adult Feeding Platform
Adult Riding Platform
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| Children Riding Platform |
Bathing with the Elephant Platform
ACTIVITIES at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary
Feeding the Baby Elephants
Feeding the Adult Elephants
Riding the Adult Elephants
Riding the young Elephant
Bathing with the Baby Elephant
Photos with Baby Elephants
Leisure & Incentive Tours Sdn Bhd, a licensed Malaysia Travel Agency organizes a Day Trip to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary
All tours (ex-KL) are based on minimum 2 adults. Child is between 4 to 11years. | |||||
Tours | Commences | Duration | Price (2 – 3 persons) | Price (4 – 8 persons) | |
Elephant Sanctuary at Kuala Gandah | 10.00 am | Approx 8 hrs (Include simple local lunch and conservation fee) | RM 225.00 adult RM 150.00 child | RM 190.00 adult RM 120.00 child | |
For reservation, enquiry or quotation, kindly contact us at 603-2260 2667 / 3667 / 4667, fax 603-2260 5667 or email leisureincentivetours@gmail.com
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