FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Lao Elephant Sanctuary is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, partners, and beneficiaries. This policy prevents and addresses sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment (SEAH), and violence, ensuring dignity and respect for all.

Who Must Follow This Policy:

• Staff, volunteers, interns, partners, contractors, and visitors.

Key Principles:

• Zero Tolerance: All forms of SEAH or violence are prohibited.
• Do No Harm: Activities prioritize safety and dignity.
• Accountability: Safeguarding concerns will be addressed transparently.

Responsibilities:

• Board and Management: Ensure policy effectiveness.
• Staff, Volunteers, Partners: Adhere to the policy and report concerns.

Reporting and Response:

• Any concerns must be reported to Senior Management immediately. Disciplinary action will follow violations.

For full details, please read the complete Safeguarding Policy here.

Our Policy at ECC is based on best practices and rely heavily on the  “Five Animal Freedoms” (Source: OIE International)

1. Freedom from malnutrition

• by providing ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.

2. Freedom from thermal and physical discomfort

• by providing an appropriate environment including shelter, shade, access to bathing facilities and social interaction with other elephants.

3. Freedom from injury or disease

by providing :

• Experienced mahouts or keepers who can handle the elephants without causing injury.
• Preventative health care.
• Access to veterinary care.

4. Freedom from fear and stress

• by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
• Limited use of bull hook (ankus), and efforts made to phase out its use by adopting positive reinforcement training techniques.
• Minimize public contact.
• Elephants free to move at will, escape and find refuge.
• Maintain elephants in social groups when at rest.
• Elephants should not be tethered except for welfare reasons.

5. Freedom to express normal patterns of behavior 

• By providing sufficient space and areas where elephants are able and encouraged to dig, bathe, dive, forage, dust bathe etc and company of other elephants ideally in a social structure of mixed sex and age.

At the Elephant Conservation Center, rather than taking elephants from their natural home (Nam Tien protected area) into urban tourist areas, we take YOU to THEM, in their undisturbed natural environment.

The money you pay when visiting the ECC not only sustains the Center and its residents; it also supports rescues, reproduction and rewilding of elephants. When you visit us, you contribute to the conservation of elephants throughout Laos.

Why are we different?:

• Since 2001 we RESCUE, REHABILITATE, REPRODUCE, REHERD AND REWILD elephants in Laos;
• The ECC has been granted the “Conservation Gold” award by independent auditing organisation ASIAN CAPTIVE ELEPHANTS STANDARDS (ACES);
• The ECC has been named the 4th best site in the world to observe elephants by WANDERLUST in 2023;
• The ECC is established in Sayaboury province, Lao elephants’ historical land;
• For centuries, Sayaboury provides Lao elephants with the most adapted ecosystem and natural habitat;
• ECC shelters the largest elephant herd under human care in Laos with 30 individuals in 2023;
• 70 staff work at ECC, including 20 rangers and 30 mahouts;
• ECC released 4 elephants into the wild since 2019;
• ECC runs the only Elephant Nursery and Hospital in Laos;
• ECC runs various Scientific Research programmes and has several staff members at the IUCN Asian Elephant Specialist Group;
• ECC contributes to the protection of the 192 000ha Nam Pouy National Protected Area (home to the 2^nd population of wild elephants in Laos) in cooperation with the Lao Government;
• ECC runs Wild Elephant Monitoring Units and manages 2 rangers teams in the Nam Pouy National Protected Are;
• ECC runs Education Programmes for Lao school children (“Kids in Conservation” Programme);
• ECC is a stunning natural retreat set on the banks of the Nam Tien Lake and is surrounded by the majestic “Phu Xang” (elephant) mountain range;
• As a visitor, you are guided by a dedicated team of mahouts, vets, biologists and tour guides ready to take you into the world of Asian elephants;
• As a visitor, you stay in a lake-view bungalow with a private veranda in a lush tropical garden;
• The meals served at ECC is authentic and tasty with vegetarian and vegan options;
• During your visit, you visit a variety of stations spanning 540ha including: the Elephant Nursery, Cows and Bulls Socialization Areas, Hospital and Treatment Area, Elephant Bath Area, Elephant Feeding Grounds, Information Center…
• As a visitor, you can also enjoy kayaking or our signature Sunset Cruise on the lake, or simply chill with a drink or go for a swim.

Overall the ECC is a place of learning and observation.

We define ‘responsible Asian elephant tourism’ as an activity through which tourists can observe and interact (if the opportunity should present itself) with Asian elephants in a safe environment, and which promotes elephant physical and cognitive health, as well as social and reproductive opportunities.

We believe in this kind of approach because in Asia, the alternatives are normally either:

• Physical toil for elephants and individuals engaged in the (often illegal) logging industry, where:
  • The treatment of elephants is closed to public scrutiny
  • Reproductive opportunities are usually limited
  • Overwork, mistreatment, and (sometimes) resultant death occurs

In 2019, we have received the “Conservation Gold” Award by ACES (Asian Captive Elephants Standards)

Elephants at ECC are typically rescued from the logging industry or confiscated from international traffickers, or are brought into our sanctuary by owners who are unable to support or care for their animal, or simply want to breed their elephant.

Chains: This is a very common question amongst visitors. The ECC is set in a secondary forest bordering a lake. It is also bordering villagers’ fields, and the town of Sayaboury is not too distant.

Our elephants are kept chained with a 45m long chain at night to let them feed at will and to prevent:

• Them escaping our land and wandering in to farmers’ fields where they could be wounded by owners and where they could destroy crops and goods;
• Them being stolen;
• Them being killed for their ivory and/or body parts;
• Them wounding visitors at the Center or other elephants.

While most elephants at the ECC are of the more ‘docile’ female gender (males are significantly more aggressive), all elephants have the potential to cause sudden and serious damage to people and property. At night, when chaining is used, it allows for roaming, feeding and drinking in their natural habitat.

Their mahouts always make sure that there is plenty of food for them in the area where they are chained at night for their own safety, the safety of our neighbours, staff and, of course, our guests.

For the rest of the day, elephants at ECC are not chained.

We are not a riding camp. There are many ways to spend time with elephants:

• Staying at the observation tower to contemplate them as they socialize in the afternoons
• During their bath, when you pick up the elephants in the morning at their resting place and take them back in the evening.
• Observe babies at the nursery …

You can actually choose to spend as much time observing them as you want to – you are where they live! And our guides and mahouts will never turn you down.

The Volunteering programme at ECC has been put on hold during Covid and will be re-activated in the course of 2024. Check our ‘BOOK YOUR STAY’ page for updates.

The core volunteer programme is generally 7 days/6 night’s duration with the opportunity to extend your stay. You will start by following our 3 days ‘Exploration’ programme. Then you will be asked to assist us in the Center’s development by participating in projects on site that are happening at the time. By experiencing this package, you will help the Elephant Conservation Center to develop. Our programme is all-inclusive and participants are accompanied or guided by our team members.

You will feel like part of the Elephant Conservation Center team and get to know our staff better.
Your activities may include things like:

• Development of the socialization area (cleaning, cut grasses around the electric fence, protect the trees etc.)
• Bamboo plantation and handicraft workshop
• Photography and artwork
• Observing and recording of elephant behaviour

For our activities, a normal physical condition is required. We welcome guests from all ages and our activities can fit everybody.

If you know you have a certain allergy or medical condition we should know of, please bring your own medication and inform us upon booking your stay.

Yes, elephants have their routine: every night they have to stay in a different location in order to have access to enough natural fodder to eat. In the morning, the walking time to reach the elephants in the forest can then vary from 30 min to 1 hour so this may shift the schedule of our program. Please consider our schedule as being flexible. All activities presented on our website will occur, but times may vary.

Hat, swimwear, light walking shoes, sandals, waterproof shoes (from June to October), trekking trousers and shorts. Head torch and batteries, sunglasses, sunscreen, mosquito repellent (long-sleeved shirt is also recommended for avoiding bites and stings), water bottle, your first aid kit and your camera!

Environmentally friendly products for shower and clean towels are provided by the Center.

We offer only set menus as food is purchased in town every morning for a given day. Food is local, tasty, and cooked on site with fresh ingredients from either our vegetable gardens or the market. For vegetarians and vegans, or anyone with food restrictions, we can adapt meals on request. However, Sayaboury is quite a traditional rural town and ingredients for vegetarians and vegans are quite limited, so you may wish to bring some breakfast spreads (if you don´t enjoy eggs or jam baguettes for breakfast) or extra snacks. During your booking process, please inform us about your requirements.

The tap water is not drinkable. Drinking water is provided on site free of charge.

We offer WIFI connection on site but advise our visitors to limit their use. It is really pleasant to share your experiences with others without being connected to your mobile phone while at ECC 😉

Yes

• 5 – 10 years old: 50% discount with no supplement single
• Over 10 years: full charge.

After making your reservation at the ECC, we would have to receive a deposit of 50% of the total amount. You can provide us with your credit card details through a link that you will receive automatically. When the payment has gone through, you will receive another message to confirm your reservation.

The second option would be an international transfer using the details below. Please note that the transaction costs for transfers can be very high. Afterward you would need to send us a transcript, we will then notify you of the amount we have received.

Name:               BANQUE POUR LE COMMERCE EXTERIEUR LAO PUBLIC

SWIFT Code:     COEBLALA

Account No:      121110100359357001

Name:               LAO ELEPHANT SANCTUARY CO

Details:             RUE PANGKHAM, BAN HAISOK, VIENTIANE, TEL: 55521447

Funds in USD

We kindly ask you to settle the remaining amount when you check-in at our office in Luang Prabang the day(s) prior to your departure. Our office is located on the Mekong Road. You can easily find it when you go down the street next to the tourist office and turn right when you reach the Mekong. You should see a warning sign with an elephant after walking 50m. We are open from 9:00 am to 12 noon, and from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

When you go to the office make sure you bring your passport and insurance details.

We accept the following currencies on site: Lao Kip, Dollars, Euros and Baht.

The earlier you book, the better your chance of securing your visit, especially during the high season (ranging from November until May) when we can get fully booked two weeks in advance.

No we do not offer tailor made stays. Our elephants have their routines. However we offer different possibilities in terms of time spent here: 2 days & 1 night, 3 days & 2 nights or 7 days & 6 nights eco experience (re-starting 2024). All these programmes can be found on our website by going to the ‘book your stay’ section. Stays can always be extended if there is availability. Check with our Hospitality manager on site if you would like to spend a little more time.

It is easy to get to the the Elephant Conservation Center:

• From Luang Prabang

Our minivan departs daily at 7:30am, from outside the Luang Prabang post office, main street. When you book your stay with us, the van driver will be expecting you at the pick-up point (post office) and will take you directly to the ECC wharf in Sayaboury where our boat takes you to the Center. This transfer takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours and is included in your accommodation package, and returns around 2pm of the day of your departure, arriving at Luang Prabang by 4.30 – 5pm.

• From Vientiane

The fastest and most comfortable way is to fly to Luang Prabang (check www.laoairlines.com, or www.laoskyway.com, or a travel agent) and take our minivan from there (see details above).

If you are traveling overland these are your options:

The private company called Sakura runs an air con minibus service from Vientiane (Sikhai minibus station opposite to the Sikhai market on Suphannuvong street, past the Wattay airport in the direction of RD13 North). The minibus usually leaves in the morning with departures from 9 to 11 am. It takes approximately 6 to 7 hours to get to Sayaboury. We can pick you up from the bus station or a guest house in Sayaboury.

If you need to come by your own means drive north along the Mekong river (turn left past Wattay airport in Ban Sikhay) to the crossroads just before Sanakham. There, turn right to Paklay. Board the ferry boat to Paklay. Getting to Paklay takes approximately 3 to 4 hours depending on road conditions. Once in Paklay, continue north to Sayaboury (another 2 hours drive).

Another option is to drive north to VangVieng (2.5 hours) and then onto Kasi. In Kasi, turn left across the mountains to Muang Nan. In Muang Nan, turn left to Sayaboury. The whole journey, excluding stops, lasts about 5-6 hours.

• From Sayaboury

Our minivan can pick you up from your guesthouse in Sayaboury, on its way from Luang Prabang. You need to be ready by 10am.  And if you are booking buses out of Sayaboury to your next destination, the van can get you to Sayaboury bus station in time for departures after 3pm.

• From Vang Vieng

If you wish to come from Vang Vieng, you would have to check with the local bus station. There is a bus that goes from Vientiane to Sayaboury, and it passes by Vang Vieng. But if the bus driver is not told before, he won’t stop. You would arrive in Sayaboury in the afternoon, so you won’t be in time to start the program the same day. The price for the transport is about 120 000 LAK.

There are plenty of acceptable guesthouses with prices ranging from 100 000 Kip (Bounvong, Santhipath, Mekky….) to 300 000 kip per night (Saianan Hotel…)

Our guides have knowledge in national and cultural history in Laos. They have a good command of the English language and care a lot about the elephants and their guests. They are always at your service. However, they are not elephant experts per se. For in-depth information about pachyderms, our vet and biologist will be there to answer your questions.

Our staff have working contracts, a work insurance, regular holidays, 3 meals a day and free accommodation. Staff get a monthly salary, and annual bonus. Their revenue is higher than the average Lao wage. There are many people working behind the scenes at the Center. That is why we ask you to leave your tips in the designated box at the bar. We share them evenly among the staff.