Get close and personal with an endangered Sumatran elephant in an ethical manner. Bali Zoo's Elephant Mud Fun program enables visitors to mimic how these gentle giants interact with each other in the wild by feeding their favorite foods and bathing them in sun-protecting mud.
The program has an educational element as mahouts (specialized elephant keepers) explain how this beautiful breed became endangered and shares information on their daily diet, care requirements, and lifestyle. There are plenty of opportunities for professional photos with the elephants, both in and out of the mud, which can be purchased later at the zoo's photo booth.
The Elephant Mud Fun program runs 3 times each day, always starting with a safety talk and introduction accompanied by complimentary tea, coffee, and snacks. Next, help chop fruit and vegetables for the elephants and hit the change rooms to put on your swimsuit and lock your belongings away before meeting the animals and handing their eager trunks some munchies.
Moving to the mud pool, you'll coat yourself in mud for sun protection before the elephants come in to be covered as well. Each guest will have a little 1-on-1 time with an elephant for photos before the group moves to an oversized shower to scrub them down.
To end, return to the change rooms for a refreshing shower of your own then enjoy a buffet lunch at The Sanctoo Restaurant.
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Hours
07:30am, 10:30am, and 2pm, 7 days
Look Around
Cutting fruit and vegetables for the elephants
Baskets are ready
Mahout explains how to feed
Hand feeding - the easy way
Hand feeding - the more fun way
Getting covered in mud
Now it's the elephant's turn - a team effort!
She's happier than a pig in mud
Zoo photographer capturing the moment
Time for a rinse in another pool
Plenty of time for photos with each elephant
Scrubbing all the mud off
Final rinse in elephant-sized walk-thru wash
One last moment with the elephantsWho Will Like Elephant Mud Fun at Bali Zoo
Nature Lover
Interact with gentle Sumatran elephants in a safe, natural environment. Learn interesting facts about the animals’ behavior, diet, and lifestyle. Mud bathing is an activity that elephants do together in the wild so this encounter lets you get close to a friendly elephant in an ethical way.
Bucketlist Bandit
Get covered in mud and have your photograph taken hugging a friendly Sumatran elephant!
Fun Expert
Take a dunk in a giant pool of mud with a Sumatran elephant and have fun holding fruit and vegetables up high for them to grab with their trunks. Bring your kids along providing they meet the minimum height requirement of 120cm.
Insider Tips For Elephant Mud Fun at Bali Zoo
- All Elephant Mud Fun tickets include entry to the zoo.
- Tickets can be purchased directly from the zoo's website or GetYourGuide, and Klook.
- Phones and cameras can be brought to the feeding and mud bath part of the experience but must be left in a plastic container while you are in the mud with the elephants. This is to prevent the elephants from taking your phone and dropping it in the sticky mud.
- Buggies are available from The Sanctoo Villa and Spa lobby to the Sanctoo Restaurant and return. These are mainly for villa guests but you may be able to jump on one if it's available.
- The Elephant Mud Fun experience is closed on the 28th of each month for pool maintenance and mud replacement.
- 1 towel per person is provided to use when showering in the change rooms after the experience.
- Any dietary requirements, like vegan or vegetarian, should be advised at the time of booking so kitchen staff can prepare a special meal for you.
- Tickets are available either with or without return hotel transfers. If you choose tickets with hotel transfers, remember the number of your vehicle so the 'transfers desk' can call your driver when you're ready to leave.
- To squeeze more fun into your day, purchase a Breakfast with Orangutans and Elephant Mud Fun package. Start the day with breakfast and photo opportunities with orangutans and elephants, then join the 10:30am Elephant Mud Fun experience.
- Photographs taken by the zoo's photographers can be purchased from the Photo Booth in the zoo area.
Follow signage to meeting area
Meeting area for start of program
Light snacks upon welcome
Lockers to store bags, valuables and spare clothingVideo
Where Is It
How To Get There
Shuttle
Choose to include return hotel transfers and be collected and dropped off by an official Bali Zoo driver.
The Elephant Mud Fun experience is held in the elephant mud pools and at The Sanctoo Restaurant, both located through The Sanctoo Villas and Spa in the Kampung Sumatra area of the zoo. From the zoo entrance, walk 3-4 minutes through the zoo area to the shuttle bus, take the bus to the Kampung Sumatra area, then walk another 5-7 minutes through The Sanctoo Villas and Spa to the meeting area, following the "Elephant Mud Fun" signs.
What To Bring
- Swimsuit that can get covered in mud.
- Shorts and t-shirt to wear over your swimsuit for extra sun protection.
- Extra clothes to change into after the mud bath.
- Sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Comfortable shoes or sandals for walking around the zoo.
- Valuable jewelry or watches that shouldn’t get wet or covered in mud.
- Large bags or other items that won’t fit in the small lockers (small backpack is ok).
- Expensive swimsuits or clothing that could be stained by mud.
- Expensive or professional cameras unless a family member or friend is not participating in the mud bath and willing to take photographs for you.
Tech & Photography
Wifi
Public wifi access: None
Photography
Photography allowed: Yes
Tripod allowed: Yes
Selfie sticks allowed: Not encouraged
Best time to shoot: Late Morning
Tips: Beware that your camera must be left in a plastic container with other guests’ phones and cameras while you are participating in the mud bath. You may use it to photograph the elephant feeding before the mud bath and the elephant shower after the mud bath. Only bring one lens (preferably a 70mm zoom lens or higher) as well as a protective case or bag. If a friend or family member is not participating in the mud bath, they may be permitted to take photos from the sidelines. Alternatively, purchase photos of yourself with the elephant from the zoo’s photographers.
Drones
Drones allowed: No
Bags
Backpacks allowed: Yes
Secured bag lockers available: Yes (free, required)
Food & Drink
The Sanctoo Restaurant - Semi-open restaurant located within The Sanctoo Villas and Spa and also the location for the Elephant Mud Fun experience buffet lunch. The lunch includes Indonesian specialties like fried rice and noodles as well as salads, western favorites, fruit juice, tea, and coffee. Any dietary requirements, like vegan or vegetarian, should be advised at the time of booking.
Rice and noodle dishes on buffet
More buffet dishes
Fruit platter
Dining area of Sanctoo RestaurantBackstory
Bali Zoo's Elephant Mud Fun experience commenced in November 2018 as a half-day package allowing guests to get up close to Sumatran elephants and learn their behavior and lifestyle from an experienced mahout.
The experience aims to encourage visitors to interact with elephants in an ethical manner which mimics how they interact with each other in the wild. Since elephants have no sweat glands, bathing in mud is an essential activity to help regulate their body temperature, avoid sunburn, and stay cool.
Due to the program's popularity, the Elephant Mud Fun experience now runs 3 times each day, starting at 7:30am, 10:30am, and 2pm. The zoo's 13 Sumatran elephants take turns participating in the program and are carefully selected by their mahouts to ensure each elephant has ample quiet time to rest.
Etiquette
- Approach elephants from the front so they can see you.
- Feed and touch the elephants providing a mahout is supervising.
- Listen to mahouts and follow their instructions at all times.
- Use lockers in changing rooms to store your belongings. Phones and cameras can be taken with you for photos but must be left in a plastic container during the mud bath portion of the experience.
- Be afraid of the elephants.
- Hit or shove the elephants.
- Stand on an elephant’s feet or trunk.
- Approach an elephant from behind or stand behind them at any time.
- Pull an elephant’s tail.
- Touch an elephant’s tooth, toenail, or finger (the finger is located at the tip of the trunk).
- Stand or walk underneath an elephant’s belly.
Scorecard
- Ethical interactions with elephants by feeding them a portion of their daily diet requirements and bathing them as they would bathe each other in the wild.
- Plenty of photo opportunities with elephants. Photographers ensure each visitor has individual photos with an elephant.
- Educational element through preparing elephants’ food and learning their diet, daily care requirements, and personalities.
- Buffet lunch with several western and Indonesian options.
- 10 people per elephant can feel crowded and cramped. Smaller groups would feel more authentic.
- Cramped changing rooms with limited showers and privacy screens forces visitors to undress in front of strangers.
- Covering skin in mud and dirt may not be enjoyable for dirt-phobic individuals or those with sensitive skin.
Oh, you're so close
The awesome itinerary feature is only for VIP Members.
But that's ok! You're welcome to join the cool club for free.
Joining only takes a minute and it's... um... free! Plus you get other perks like badges, points, and unicorns.
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