Riding an elephant is one of the most popular tourist activities in Asia. World Animal Protection claims their study revealed that more than three quarters of nearly 3,000 elephants used for tourist entertainment in Asia are kept in severely-cruel conditions.

Where can you ethically visit elephants?

Here are 35 sanctuaries in more than a dozen countries where you can have a more enjoyable and interactive experience with elephants AND be guilt-free!

CAMBODIA             Mondulkiri Project             Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center

  Elephant Valley Project      Elephant Sanctuary Cambodia

INDIA                      Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation & Care Center 

  Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre’s Elephant Facilities

INDONESIA            Barumun Nagari Wildlife Sanctuary

KENYA                     David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

LAOS                        Elephant Conservation Center

MALAYSIA              National Elephant Conservation Centre (see “Public” on website)

MYANMAR             Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp

NAMIBIA                Elephant-Human Relations Aid

NEPAL                     Tiger Tops Elephant Camp

SOUTH AFRICA     Tembe Elephant Park               Camp Jabulani

SRI LANKA             SLWCS’s Volunteer Program          Elephant Transit Home

  Millennium Elephant Foundation          Elephant Freedom Project

THAILAND             SEF’s Elephant Nature Park & 7 other projects

  Burm & Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary             Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

  WFFT’s Thai Elephant Refuge           Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary

  Friends of the Asian Elephant             Elephant Hills

  GVI’s Volunteer With Elephants          Elephants World 

                                 Samui Elephant Sanctuary

UNITED STATES     Performing Animal Welfare Socitey’s Ark 2000       

ZAMBIA                    Game Rangers International’s Orphanage Project