Chang Chill – An Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai

As animal lovers and travel photographers, we’re always cautious about engaging in any kind of animal tourism. 

Let’s be honest, figuring out what’s actually ethical can be confusing, especially when you’re trying to find an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai.

Or anywhere in Thailand for that matter.

Every website seems to use the words “ethical” and “sanctuary”. It’s a minefield of confusing information and contradiction out there. And it’s hard to know what to believe.

The good news is that elephant riding is becoming less and less common.

The bad news is that it’s often just been replaced by other practices, such as bathing elephants, which seem more ethical on the surface but still place a huge amount of stress on the animals.

We completely understand the appeal. The idea of getting in the water and bonding with these beautiful creatures sounds magical, we’ve been there too.

When I first came to Thailand 11 years ago, I visited a so-called “sanctuary” and took part in elephant bathing. I genuinely thought I was doing the right thing. But since then, I’ve learned so much more about what ethical elephant tourism really looks like. And once you know better, you have to do better.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: elephant bathing isn’t ethical.

No matter how tame the elephants seem or how well the experience is marketed, close contact like this isn’t in their best interest. These are still wild animals and keeping them under control for repeated bathing sessions, day after day, strips away their freedom and natural behaviour.

Just think about it. Would we pay to bathe a dog every day for our entertainment? It would feel uncomfortable, even exploitative and dogs are domesticated. So why is it seen as acceptable with elephants? The answer is simple.

It’s clever marketing and a hefty dose of ethics washing , when organisations make things appear more ethical than they really are.

But don’t worry, this isn’t a post about judgment. It’s about learning and doing better once we know better. And we know that seeing elephants in Chiang Mai is almost always at the top of most people’s bucket list.

There are truly ethical sanctuaries out there, places where elephants aren’t expected to perform or interact, but are simply given the space to live as naturally as possible.

One of those places is Chang Chill. After a lot of research, we chose them for our own visit.

It’s just an hour from Chiang Mai, easy to reach and left us feeling inspired and reassured that we’d supported something that genuinely prioritises animal welfare.

In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Chang Chill, from what makes it special to how to book your visit, plus a few other ethical elephant experiences you might want to check out while you’re here.

What makes a sanctuary ethical?

Not all sanctuaries are created equal, even if they use the word “ethical” in their name. So what actually makes an elephant sanctuary truly ethical?

Finding an ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand takes a bit of research, but it’s more than possible, especially in the Chiang Mai region.

At its core, an ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand puts the elephants first.

That means no riding, no bathing and no direct interaction. The elephants are allowed to move freely, form social groups and behave as naturally as possible within the space available.

Here are a few key things to look for:👇

✅ Elephants are free to roam and forage

✅ No forced performances, tricks, riding on bathing or contact with visitors

✅ Mahouts use positive reinforcement, not fear or punishment

✅ Elephants live in social groups, not isolation

✅ Breeding is avoided unless there’s a clear plan to reintroduce them into the wild

If you’re specifically looking for an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, it’s worth taking the time to research before you book. Not everywhere that calls itself a sanctuary truly prioritises the animals.

Regardless of whether they’re taken from the wild or born in captivity, elephants used for close tourist interactions like bathing have typically been subjected to a deeply distressing training process known as the ‘crush’.

This brutal method involves tearing young calves away from their mothers, isolating them, withholding food and water and often subjecting them to repeated beatings until their spirit is broken and they respond out of fear.

In a truly ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand, bathing won’t be offered at all. 

We used resources like Call to Conserve, Connie Needham, Animals Asia and World Animal Protection to guide our research and we highly recommend checking them out if you want to dig deeper.

You’ll also find a full breakdown of what to look for (and what to avoid) in our dedicated post on How to Choose an ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand.

Why we chose chang chill?

With so many places claiming to offer ethical experiences, finding a truly ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai can be a challenge.

Seeing elephants is on almost everyone’s Northern Thailand bucket list and like many visitors, we initially looked at Elephant Nature Park, which is the most famous and easily the most visited elephant facility in the region. It’s also the closest to the city and has done some genuinely important work over the years.

We’re not here to badmouth them, the founder clearly cares deeply about the elephants and Elephant Nature Park has played a huge role in shifting public perception away from riding and performances. But after reading through the guidance provided by Call to Conserve, we realised that it still allows activities like feeding and, in some cases, close-up photo opportunities with the elephants.

On the Call to Conserve site, it’s listed as ethical with an asterisk, which means the park could still improve by reducing unnecessary tourist interaction. According to their guidelines, activities like feeding can increase stress levels in elephants by creating anticipation and breaking natural routines. You might notice behaviours like swaying or head bobbing, which are signs of stress.

And that’s why we chose Chang Chill.

It’s listed by Call to Conserve without any caveats and it aligns fully with the standards we now follow when it comes to ethical elephant tourism in Thailand.

There’s no feeding, no bathing, no touching,  just respectful observation from a distance. It felt like the best choice not just for us, but more importantly, for the elephants.

Another big factor? It was still close to Chiang Mai, only around 90 minutes away and they offer free pick-up and drop-off as part of the visit. Since we didn’t have our own transport, that made things so much easier. Everything from the values to the logistics just felt like a good fit.

An Amazing Day at Chang Chill: What Ethical Tourism Really Looks Like

This isn’t a generic review; this is our honest, first-hand experience of spending the day at Chang Chill so that you know what to expect when visiting.

We did the full day tour and at the location View Doi we believe. There wasn’t two locations when we visited, but looking at the galleries, that looks to be the spot. 

We’re sharing exactly what the full-day tour involved, how it felt and what stood out to us, from the logistics to the emotional impact of seeing elephants living more freely.

If you’re wondering what a truly ethical elephant sanctuary looks like in practice, here’s what to expect.

Pick up, getting there and first impressions

We were picked up from our accommodation in Chiang Mai just after 7.30am by our guide for the day, Vid and from the moment we got in the van, he made us feel welcome and informed. As we drove out of the city, he began explaining what to expect at Chang Chill, from the layout of the land to how the elephants live and why the sanctuary operates the way it does.

Along the way, we made a quick stop at a 7-Eleven for snacks and a toilet break, which is always appreciated on a long drive.

The drive took around an hour and a half and when we arrived, the van parked up and Vid led us on a 15-minute walk to the sanctuary. It’s not a place where you just step out and you’re there and that’s part of what makes it feel special.

The walk took us through rice paddies, across bamboo bridges and over a gentle river. We were even joined by a little dog called Noi, who trotted along as if she knew the way better than any of us.

At the entrance, there were western-style toilets (with loo roll!), coffee and a water refill station. There’s also a lovely wooden viewing platform that overlooks the river and forest. It was the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee and read the information boards before heading off to find the elephants. Here we learnt all about the elephants at Chang Chill, where they came from and their personalities.

Tracking elephants in the forest

After a short introduction at the viewing platform, we set off into the forest to find the elephants. This part of the day felt almost like a guided wildlife walk, quiet, respectful and focused on observation rather than interaction.

I was so excited and the anticipation of seeing our first elephant was almost overwhelming!

The sanctuary sits on 20 acres of land and the elephants are free to roam wherever they like. That means you have to go to them, not the other way around. Sometimes they’re easy to spot, other times you’re weaving through bushes and forest trails hoping for a glimpse. It felt a lot like seeing elephants in the wild,  unpredictable, exciting and not guaranteed.

We walked for about two hours in total and it’s worth saying that the terrain isn’t always easy. The paths were uneven, sometimes narrow and we definitely picked up a few bugs and caterpillars along the way. You don’t need to be super fit, but a basic level of mobility and confidence walking through forest trails is definitely helpful.

One of the first elephants we saw was right near the trail, which meant we ended up closer than the recommended 15 metres. The path was only a few metres wide with thick forest on either side, so there wasn’t really anywhere else to go. But Vid, our guide, was brilliant, always reminding us to step back, stay calm and give the elephants space. The mahout also stayed nearby, just in case the elephant decided to change direction.

At one point, an elephant came walking down the trail towards us. You could feel the power in her movement and she made a noise and whacked her trunk as if to tell us to move out of her way. Vid quickly asked us to move back. The mahout stepped between us and the elephant and gently guided her down the path.

There was no panic or stress and we didn’t feel in any danger, but in that moment we realised just how powerful and wild elephants really are. The fact she felt able to communicate with us in this way also reassured us that they were able to behave naturally even after a life of captivity.

Throughout the walk, we were constantly reminded: no touching, no feeding, no getting in the way. And honestly, that distance made the experience more meaningful. You’re not disturbing them, you’re witnessing them. They’re doing their thing, foraging, and walking around and you’re lucky enough to be allowed to quietly observe it.

As photographers, we really appreciated how the experience was designed with the elephants’ well-being at the forefront. We were free to take photos throughout and Vid was more than happy to help us get a few shots with the elephants in the background. But we were never encouraged to get close to get a shot.

In fact, some of our favourite moments were when the elephants were half-hidden in the forest, unposed, unbothered and just being themselves. It was the complete opposite change from the staged photo ops you see on social media and it felt far more rewarding.

Learning along the way

One of the things we really appreciated about our visit to Chang Chill was how thoughtful and honest our guide, Vid, was throughout the day. He shared so much valuable context about the elephants and their history in Thailand, not in a preachy way, but in a way that made you think. He wasn’t there to say “all the right things” and was honest.

As we walked, he explained how elephants were once used for logging and war, long before modern machinery or cars were common. Later, they became part of the tourism industry, with riding emerging as something tourists came to expect as an “authentic” experience.

But what stood out to us most was how Vid approached these topics. He didn’t shame anyone or deliver a lecture. In fact, he openly said he didn’t want to dwell on the negative. Instead, he focused on helping us understand the complexity of the situation, that it’s not black and white.

At one point, we talked about elephant rescues and he gently reminded us that sometimes, when an elephant is taken in by a sanctuary, (rescued) a family loses a vital source of income. It’s not always as simple as “bad person, good sanctuary” and hearing that from someone who clearly cares deeply about the elephants added so much depth to the day.

It was clear that Vid was passionate about giving the elephants as much freedom as possible, but he also helped us understand the reality. The elephants can’t just be left to wander. Even with 20 acres of space, they would eventually cross into farmland, damage crops, or pose a risk to local people or animals. That’s why each elephant has a dedicated mahout who stays nearby, not to control them constantly, but to guide them safely and step in if needed.

He also addressed the use of sticks or hooks. Mahouts at Chang Chill don’t carry them all the time, but they do have them available in case of an emergency. It’s another one of those controversial topics and not something anyone loves to see, but when explained, it made sense. It wasn’t about dominance or fear, but about safety for everyone.

By the end of the walk, we felt like we had a much clearer, more grounded understanding of what ethical elephant care looks like in the real world. It’s not perfect and it’s not wild but it is respectful and they’re doing their best.

Cooking for elephants and Observation

After our forest walk, we returned to the main centre for a vegetarian lunch which was delicious and there was a lot of it. It very welcome after a morning on our feet. It also gave us the chance to rest, chat with the rest of the group and soak in the setting before the afternoon’s activities. 

Once lunch was done, we got involved in preparing the elephants’ food and supplements. As a group, we chopped sugar cane and pumpkin, then mixed up vitamin balls made with tamarind, banana, salt and Szechuan pepper. Each ingredient supports different aspects of the elephants’ health, from digestion to dental care.

Vid explained that while the elephants are able to forage across 20 acres of land, it’s not enough to fully sustain their diet. These supplementary feeds ensure they get the nutrition they need, especially in the drier seasons when natural food sources are less abundant. It’s a practical but thoughtful approach to managing their care.

After we’d prepared everything, we tucked some of the sugar cane into hollow wooden tubes set into the ground near the riverbank. These aren’t just feeding stations, they’re enrichment tools, designed to encourage natural foraging behaviours and give the elephants a bit of mental stimulation, which we really liked. Rather than just having them eat from a bowl, they had to work for it.

With everything ready, we moved to a shaded viewing platform and waited. There are benches to sit on and clear signs everywhere reminding visitors not to touch the elephants and to keep a safe distance.

Before long, the elephants came down from the forest, clearly remembering the routine. They walked straight to the feeding area with quiet purpose, searching out the sugar cane we’d hidden earlier. It was amazing to watch them up close, we were only a few metres away behind a rope so it still felt very respectful and not over crowded.

Even better was watching them interact with one another. There were moments of bossiness, protectiveness and even playfulness, all signs of a healthy social group. You could see there was a social hierarchy, just as you would in the wild.

After feeding, they took their time. One wandered off to the river for a drink, another gave herself a mud bath and two stood together quietly in the shade. Later, one of the elephants with a healing abscess was gently guided into the river by her mahout for a quick bath to clean the wound.

We were told that the elephants sometimes choose to bathe in the river and sometimes don’t. It’s not a scheduled activity or something they’re encouraged to do on cue, it just depends on the day and how they feel. That, for us, was one of the clearest signs that this place really lets elephants be elephants.

Final Impressions

By the end of the day, we felt genuinely moved by the experience. Not just because we’d seen elephants up close, though that was incredible, but because the whole day had been built around their wellbeing, not our entertainment.

The group was small, just eight people, which made everything feel calm and personal. There was no rush, no shouting over crowds, no pressure to get the “perfect photo.” Just time and space to observe the elephants, learn about their lives and appreciate their presence.

It was also clear that the no-touch, no feed, no interference policy wasn’t just for show. From the signage to the staff reminders, boundaries were always respected and because of that, the elephants were relaxed, curious and totally themselves.

Watching them from the viewing platform in the afternoon was a particular highlight. They wandered where they wanted, interacted with each other naturally and did exactly what they felt like doing whether that was taking a mud bath, standing in the river, or simply having a quiet moment under the trees.

We left feeling like we’d been part of something genuine. Not a tourist show, just elephants living more freely, in an environment shaped around their needs, not ours. Chang Chill isn’t trying to wow you with up-close encounters or Insta-worthy experiences. And that’s exactly why it’s so authentic and special.

If you’re trying to choose an ethical, hands-off elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai that puts the elephants first and avoids all the usual tourist gimmicks, Chang Chill is a place we wholeheartedly recommend.

A short video of our favourite Moments at chang chill

A day at Chang Chill - an ethical elephant sanctuary near Chiang Mai in Thailand! #thailand

How to visit chang chill and Visiting tips

How to book

Booking your visit to Chang Chill is simple and everything can be done directly through their team on their website.

👉 If you’d prefer to book through a tour company for ease, the ONLY company we recommend for ethical elephant tours in Thailand is Seek Sophie, an ethical and responsible tour organisation that only hosts tours thoroughly researched and vetted by the team.

If you want to book direct with Chang Chill here’s exactly how it works:👇

Step 1: Visit the Chang Chill website
Head to their official website where you’ll find all the details about the full-day and half-day experiences, along with information about the two locations: View Doi and Hillside.

Step 2: Choose your experience
Decide whether you want a half-day or full-day visit. Both include transport and a guided walk, but the full-day gives you more time with the elephants and includes lunch and enrichment activities.

Step 3: Select your location
You’ll also choose between View Doi (mountaintop with rice fields) or Hillside (forest and mud pools). Both offer the same ethical approach, it just depends on the scenery you prefer.

Step 4: Enter your details
Fill in your name, preferred date and your hotel or accommodation in Chiang Mai so they can organise your pick-up. You’ll also need to provide a contact number or email.

Step 5: Confirm and wait for your email
You’ll receive confirmation from the team, usually immediately. If you’ve got questions in the meantime, they’re quick to respond via WhatsApp.

Step 6: Pay on the day
Payment is made in cash when you arrive. There’s no deposit or online payment required in advance, just bring the correct amount with you on the day.

That’s it – it’s an easy booking process with everything clearly explained on their site. And because you’re booking directly with Chang Chill, you can trust your money is going straight to the people (and elephants) who make the experience possible.

What’s included on your visit to chang chill?

Here’s what’s included in your visit: (Be sure to check their website for up to date information at the time of booking)

✅ Return transport from your accommodation in Chiang Mai

✅ English-speaking guide (ours was Vid – informative, kind and completely non-judgemental)

✅ Small group size – just eight people when we went

✅ Guided walk – through the forest to observe the elephants in their natural environment

✅ Drinking water – available throughout the day plus tea and coffees

✅ Vegetarian lunch – (included in the full-day tour)

✅ Enrichment activities – like chopping sugar cane and making vitamin balls (full-day only)

What to bring with you

Chang Chill isn’t a staged experience, it’s a real walk through forest terrain, with uneven ground, bugs and weather to deal with.

Here’s what we recommend bringing and wearing to make the most of your visit:

What to wear

👉 Lightweight, breathable clothing – it gets hot, especially in the forest

👉 Long sleeves and trousers – not essential, but helpful for bug protection

👉 A hat or cap – for shade when you’re out of the trees

👉 Comfortable walking shoes or trail trainers – nothing fancy, but something with grip. The forest floor is uneven in places and you’ll be walking for a good couple of hours

What to take with you

✅ A reusable water bottle – we recommend Water-to-Go filter bottles, as they can be used almost anywhere and filter out viruses and bacteria. Keeping you hydrated and safe and reducing single-use plastics!

✅Sunscreen and insect repellent – you’ll need both

✅ Tissues or toilet paper – the toilets are clean and Western-style, but always good to have your own just in case

Photography Gear

✅ Camera or phone – totally fine to use both or one or the other, the main thing is to have memory, as I promise you’ll take way more photos than you imagine!

✅ Spare battery or power bank – it’s a long day and you’ll take more photos than you expect

Photography tips for visiting Chang Chill

If you’re visiting Chang Chill with photography in mind (like we were), here are a few practical tips to help you capture the moment without overloading your gear or getting in the way.

• You don’t need a huge zoom lens – the elephants were generally close enough for standard or mid-range lenses. A zoom is handy, but not essential.

• Leave the tripod at home – you’ll be walking for 1–2 hours through uneven forest trails, so keep your kit light. There’s no space or time for tripod setups and it’ll only slow you down.

• Be mindful of the group – everyone wants a good photo, so be patient and share the space. Move aside once you’ve got your shot and give others a chance.

• Don’t crowd the elephants – stay back and follow your guide’s instructions. If you’re told to move, do it straight away. The elephants always come first and that respectful distance often results in more powerful, natural images anyway.

• Quiet shutter mode helps – if you’re using a DSLR or mirrorless camera, switching to a silent or quiet shutter setting keeps things peaceful and unobtrusive.

There’s no need for anything fancy or overly technical, the experience is about observation and patience. And honestly, the best shots are often the natural, candid ones. Let the elephants move through their space and capture what unfolds, rather than trying to get the perfect pose.

Best time to visit chang chill

Chiang Mai has distinct seasons and each one offers a slightly different experience at Chang Chill. Here’s what to expect throughout the year, including one key season we wouldn’t recommend.

☀️Dry Season (November to early February)

• Best overall time to visit – dry, clear skies and more comfortable temperatures
• Great for walking and easier forest trails
• Photographers: clear skies, softer light in the mornings and late afternoons, with golden tones through the haze
• This is also the busiest time, so it’s best to book ahead

🔥 Burning Season (mid-February to April)

• Not ideal – this is northern Thailand’s smoke season, when farmers burn agricultural land
• Air quality can be poor and views are often hazy or completely obscured
• If you’re sensitive to smoke or planning to photograph landscapes, it’s worth avoiding this time
• Temperatures also start to climb heading into the hot season

🌧️ Rainy Season (May to October)

• Lush and green and the forest looks its absolute best
• Expect daily showers, especially in the afternoons
• Trails can be muddy and more challenging
• Fewer tourists around, which can make for a more peaceful visit
• Photographers you may meet more cloudy days and less golden light in the mornings and afternoons

We visited in December, during the cool season and it was great, dry enough for comfortable walking and clear blue skies. If you’re planning your trip, we’d recommend visiting between November and early February, or waiting until the later part of the rainy season once the heaviest downpours have passed.

Other Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai

While Chang Chill was the right fit for us, there are a few other places doing fantastic work when it comes to running a truly ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai.

If you’re looking for alternatives or hoping to spend more time with elephants during your trip, here are a few more places to consider. (Many are still on our bucket list!!)

These are all listed by Call to Conserve as ethical and each has its own unique focus – whether that’s rewilding, community involvement, or long-term volunteering.

🐘 Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary – around 4 hours from Chiang Mai
🐘 Mahouts Elephant Foundation – around 3 hours from Chiang Mai
🐘 BEES – Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary – around 3.5 hours from Chiang Mai
🐘 Isara Elephant Foundation – around 2 hours from Chiang Mai
🐘 Elephant Nature Park – just 1.5 hours from Chiang Mai * (could improve on reducing unnecessary human contact with their elephants)

Seeing Elephants in the Wild in Thailand

We haven’t done this yet ourselves, but seeing elephants in the wild is definitely on our bucket list. It’s one of the most respectful and non-intrusive ways to experience these incredible animals, if it’s done right.

The two main places to see wild elephants in Thailand are:

• Kui Buri National Park (in Prachuap Khiri Khan province)

• Khao Yai National Park (a few hours from Bangkok)

• Kaeng Krachan National Park: (Western Thailand and probably not the easiest to get to)

Even if you’re planning to see elephants in the wild, remember that not every wildlife tour is ethical. If a company guarantees sightings, that’s a red flag.

Ethical wildlife experiences are unpredictable by nature and they should be. As always, do your research. Read recent reviews, check whether the park or tour operator has conservation credentials and don’t be afraid to message ahead with questions. If it feels too easy, it might not be what it claims to be.

Volunteering with elephants in thailand

If you’re looking to spend more time around elephants and support their care long-term, volunteering can be an incredible experience but it’s essential to choose carefully.

We volunteered for a month at Somboon Legacy Foundation in Kanchanaburi.

Somboon Legacy Foundation is a rare example of an ethical elephant sanctuary near Bangkok, offering hands-off volunteering just a few hours from the city. While they do host tourists for educational visits, there’s no feeding or bathing by visitors, ensuring the elephants can live as naturally as possible.

We booked our placement through Workaway, (a work exchange website) and the cost was minimal, covering accommodation and food. This affordability made it accessible, unlike many animal volunteer programs that can be prohibitively expensive. While we understand that higher fees often support the sanctuary’s operations, it’s worth noting that Somboon offers an ethical and budget-friendly option for those passionate about elephant welfare.

Other sanctuaries, like Elephant Nature Park, also offer volunteer programs. However, we preferred Somboon for its stricter no-contact approach and believe it’s the only ethical sanctuary in the area.

As always, do your research.

Read reviews, ask questions and ensure that the sanctuary’s practices align with ethical standards. Be cautious of programs that might inadvertently exploit animals or take jobs away from local communities. The elephants’ needs should always come first.

How You Can Help Change the Elephant Tourism Industry

We totally get it, it can feel utterly overwhelming.

When we travelled through Thailand for four months, we saw it all: elephants chained by the roadside, camps offering rides and heartbreaking scenes dressed up as “eco-tourism”. And even worse? Friends and family posting their elephant bathing experiences online, while calling us dramatic or “over the top” for speaking out.

Honestly? It’s disheartening.

But here’s the thing.

We can be the change. In fact, we have to be.

If you’re someone who cares (and if you’re reading this, we reckon you are), then here are 4 powerful ways you can help shape a kinder future for elephants:

1. Book Ethical, Hands-Off Sanctuaries – and Shout About Them!

Support the sanctuaries that put elephant welfare first. The truly ethical places, the ones where there’s no touching, no bathing and no riding often don’t have massive marketing budgets, so they rely on us to help spread the word.
Post your visit on social media. Write a review. Tag the sanctuary. Share your experience with friends and family. Your voice helps these places grow and pushes people towards the right choices.

2. Support the voices making a difference

Follow and amplify the work of people doing incredible things for elephants. Conservationists like Danielle and Connie, for example. A simple like, comment, or share really does matter and it helps push their educational content to more people via the algorithm. The more people see it, the more they learn.

Here are some amazing accounts to follow that support wildlife conversation:

👉 Danielle4wildlife

👉 Connie.needham

👉 planeta_praneetha

👉 wildtesa

👉 wildlifewithmia

3. Don’t engage with bad stuff

We know how hard it is. Seeing elephants hugged, touched, or bathed in videos can be frustrating and your first instinct might be to comment. But engaging with those posts actually gives them more reach. Instead, report them (especially on Instagram) and then move on. Use your energy to comment on and share the good stuff, the content that educates and inspires.

4. Speak out, even when its uncomfortable

It can feel awkward. It can feel like you’re going against the grain. But speaking up matters. So many people simply don’t know that elephant bathing is harmful or that riding is a result of brutal training. I didn’t know either, 11 years ago.
But since we started sharing, we’ve had so many messages from people saying, “Thank you – I honestly didn’t know.”
That’s the power of speaking out. You could be the reason someone makes a more compassionate choice.

Ethical Elephant Tourism FAQs

Resources to learn more

If you want to dive deeper into the world of ethical elephant tourism, these are some of the people and platforms we trust. They offer practical guidance, honest conversations and up-to-date resources that can help you travel more consciously and avoid the marketing traps.

Call to Conserve / @danielle4wildlife – Danielle is the founder of The Call to Conserve and a brilliant advocate for ethical wildlife travel. Her Instagram is packed with reels, resources and sanctuary recommendations and her website includes a vetted list of elephant-friendly facilities across Asia, including Thailand.

Connie Needham / Project Wild (projectwild) – Connie shares honest, clear insights into the realities of animal tourism, especially around elephants and monkeys. Her reels are super informative and she breaks down complex topics in a really accessible way.

Animals Asia – A long-standing voice in animal welfare across Asia, including campaigns around the treatment of captive elephants and the importance of responsible tourism.

WWF – Offers a global view on elephant conservation, their threats and the role tourism plays in both protecting and harming these animals.

World Animal Protection – a global charity that works to end the exploitation of animals, including advocating for ethical elephant tourism by promoting sanctuaries where elephants are free from riding, feeding and other harmful human interactions.

If you’re unsure about a sanctuary or tour, start with these accounts. And if you haven’t already, check out our full post on what makes an elephant sanctuary ethical, it walks you through everything from red flags to practical booking advice

Why We Talk About Ethics in Animal Tourism

You might be wondering why we’re talking about ethics in a travel and photography blog and the short answer is: because it matters.

Wildlife is a huge part of travel. Whether it’s spotting elephants in Thailand, watching monkeys leap through the jungle, or photographing birds in the wild, these encounters often become the most memorable parts of our trip. But how we experience wildlife makes a world of difference.

We’ve learned a lot over the years. We’ve made mistakes, like feeding monkeys before we knew the impact it had and bathing elephants.

And we’ve grown more conscious of how our actions as travellers and photographers can affect the very places and animals we love so much.

That’s why we’re so passionate about recommending ethical animal experiences like Chang Chill. They truly put the welfare of the animals first. We choose to highlight places like this and not recommend random elephant tours, because we believe it’s the right thing to do.

If a tour or experience doesn’t align with what we believe is best for the animals, we simply won’t share it, and we always try to point people in the direction of ethical tour companies like Seek Sophie.

Ethical travel and photography are central to who we are. We want to help protect the planet, not just photograph it. And we know so many of you want to travel in a more mindful way too.

So this is just the beginning, we plan to share many more responsible animal experiences here on the blog, along with the dos and don’ts we’ve picked up along the way.

Our hope is that it helps you travel better, experience more genuine encounters and contribute to a more ethical future for animal tourism.