Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre, Genting Highlands Overview

The Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre is a conservation facility located Lanchang town, a two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. Home to Asiatic elephants from Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the centre provides a fascinating insight into the world of elephant conservation.

Opened to the public in 1989, the Centre helps rehabilitate elephants from the nearby rainforests. Join these gentle giants on their daily routine, and get a chance to bathe and feed them too! Learn about how they were rescued and adopted from different areas, and understand the nuances of protection programs for these endangered species. Interact with the mahouts and visit the museum and learn all there is to know about these tuskers!

Functioning as a resort and training facility for orphaned and relocated elephants, Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre is perfect for families with children and nature lovers.

Activities at Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary

Elephant bathing: Arguably the most exciting activity at the Centre, one can wash, scrub and bathe young elephants under supervision. This is ideal for older children and young adults. Note that elephant bathing is subject to water flow in the river, and may be suspended without notice. Bring along a change of clothes if one wants to bathe the elephants. There is a changing facility available nearby. Remember that skimpy bathing suits are not allowed.

Video presentation: This half-hour presentation is a collaboration with National Geographic, to showcase the perils faced by these pachyderms and the conservation efforts in place.

Elephant crossing: Watch the elephants parade with their mahouts as they get their daily dose of exercise. This is a great photo-op!

Guide service: One can opt for an authorized guide to be shown around the Centre for a price of MYR 50. The Nature Guides give a local perspective on the conservation and care of the elephants.

Observation deck: If getting up close and personal with the elephants doesn’t seem too appealing, one can stay at the observation deck and watch them from a distance. This is recommended for small children who may be too afraid of these animals.

Elephant feeding: This activity is perfect for children eager to interact with the pachyderms. Supervised by mahouts, feed elephants sugarcane, coconuts, papayas, and hay. This is the perfect time to get some photos with these gentle giants as well.

Museum: The museum at Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre has great displays on elephant anatomy, conservation efforts and the history of the region. There is a charming exhibit about the story of how elephants evolved and their interaction with humankind.

Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre, Pahang — Elephant bathing at Kuala Gandah (Source)

Best Time to Visit

It is recommended to reach the Centre early morning, around 10:00 AM, to take part in all the activities offered. It is best to visit the Centre during the weekdays as it tends to get crowded Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

How to Reach Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre

The Conservation Centre is located at Kuala Gandah, 28500 Lanchang, Pahang Darul Makmur.

Car: The town of Kuala Gandah is 160 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. A drive through the Karak Highway East Coast Expressway (LebuhRaya Pantai Timur) takes about two hours. From Lanchang toll, take a right and follow the signs to the Conservation Centre.

One can rent a car or hail a long-distance taxi from Kuala Lumpur, or opt to stay in Lanchang or Temerloh towns. Car rentals start from MYR 90 per day, while a one-way taxi would cost upwards of MYR 200.

It is advisable to reserve a taxi in advance on the return trip as not many cabs linger near the centre, especially during the weekdays.

Bus: Catch a Temerloh-KL Express bus to Lanchang from Puduraya, Pekeliling or Duta bus stations. The bus departs hourly from 7:00 AM, at a price of MYR 10 per person per way. From Lachang town, take a taxi to the Centre for a price of MYR 30. The last bus to Kuala Lumpur from Lanchang leaves at 6:00 PM.

Train: The nearest train station is at Mentakab, but there is no direct train to Mentakab from Kuala Lumpur so it is not advisable to take this route.