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ethical sanctuary

A labour of love for elephants

Find ethical elephant sanctuaries, all in one place

We research every sanctuary before adding it, so you can spend less time searching and more time planning a visit, meeting the elephants, or giving directly to their care.

An elephant calf with its trunk raised, standing beside its motherPhoto · Hu Chen · Unsplash

Today’s five

Sanctuaries in the spotlight

Monday, October 19
Sanctuary

Mae Chaem, Thailand

BEES – Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary

A small sanctuary in rural Mae Chaem, Chiang Mai, where visitors keep their distance and simply watch retired elephants without touching them.

  • Open to visitors
  • Accepts donations
Orphanage

Maun, Botswana

Elephant Havens

The only elephant orphanage in Botswana, beside the Gomoti River on the fringe of the Okavango Delta, where orphaned calves are raised until they can go back to the wild.

  • Open to visitors
  • Accepts donations
Rescue & rehabilitation

Samburu, Kenya

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

A community-run sanctuary in Namunyak Conservancy, Samburu, that takes in orphaned elephant calves and returns them to wild herds.

  • Open to visitors
  • Accepts donations
Browse all 3 sanctuaries

What we look for

What we look for before adding a sanctuary

We’re not an official authority — just people who care, doing our homework. Before a sanctuary is added, we read, ask around and look for these signs of genuine care. We always recommend doing your own research too.

Seen something that doesn’t feel right?

Let us know about a listing or a page using a sanctuary’s name. Share a concern ↗

  1. No buying or selling animals for profitAnimals are rescued, not bought or sold for commercial gain.
  2. No breeding for tourism or tradeThe sanctuary doesn't breed animals for tourism, entertainment or sale.
  3. No chaining or confinementElephants aren't kept on chains or in small enclosures, except briefly when needed for veterinary care or safety.
  4. No ridingAnimals are never ridden. No saddles, howdahs or bareback rides are offered to visitors.
  5. No shows or performancesAnimals are never made to perform tricks, paint, play games or take part in shows.
  6. No bathing with visitorsVisitors don't bathe, wash or swim with the elephants. Elephants bathe and swim on their own terms.
  7. Observation-based visitsVisitors watch animals behave naturally from a respectful distance. Direct contact is limited to carers, for the animals' welfare and safety.
  8. Rescue, rehabilitation and release where possibleThe sanctuary exists to rescue animals in need and, wherever it is possible and safe, return them to the wild.
Read everything we look for →

Red flags

A few things that are worth a second look.

  • Elephant rides
  • Bathing “experiences”
  • Painting or shows
  • Baby elephant selfies
  • Chains or bullhooks
  • Donations to personal accounts

Browse by region

Where elephants are safe

Asia1 sanctuary
Africa2 sanctuaries