MY · Pahang · 3.59°N 102.14°E

kuala gandah

Rescued wild elephants and their mahouts, a family day out off the highway near Lanchang.

Best time
Any time of year. The river bath depends on the weather and water level, and heavy rain or a high river cancels it. Weekends and school holidays are the busiest.
How long
Half a day
Getting there
About 1.5–2 hours' drive from KL on the Karak Highway and East Coast Expressway. Exit at Lanchang and follow the signs. It's about 45 minutes from Temerloh.
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MY · Pahangkuala gandah3.59°N 102.14°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Rescued wild elephants and their mahouts, a family day out off the highway near Lanchang.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingKuala GandahMY, Pahang
KLkuala gandah
≈ 71 km from KL, as the crow flies

Malaysia's national elephant conservation centre, run by PERHILITAN in the forest near Lanchang. The elephants here were rescued or moved out of farms and plantations, and the team that relocates wild elephants works from here. It makes an easy family day out: watch the herd, help feed them, and see the adults go down to the river with their mahouts.

Makan

  1. Patin masak tempoyakPahang's river fish in fermented durian curry. Temerloh, 45 minutes away, is the place for it.Map ↗
  2. Breakfast in LanchangRoti canai or nasi lemak at the kedai makan in Lanchang town before the drive in.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Feeding the elephantsStaff hand out the food, and you feed the elephants over the fence at the observation area.Map ↗
  2. The river bathIn the afternoon, the adult elephants walk down to the river with their mahouts to bathe, when the water level allows.Map ↗
  3. The baby elephantsThe young ones have their own area beside the river, and you can get close when they're well.Map ↗
  4. The translocation videoA short film in the auditorium shows how the team catches wild elephants in conflict areas and moves them to the forest.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The elephant stage show has been off since July 2026, so don't plan the day around it.
  • Arrive soon after the gates open. You register at the main building first, and it's busiest by midday.
  • Bring hats, water and spare clothes for the kids. Most of the visit is outdoors, and it gets muddy by the river.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.