Elephant Conservation Center Discovery
Highlights
- Explore the shores of Nam Tien lake, Sayaboury
- Experience amazing boat ride
- Enjoy a Laotian style picnic on a lakeside platform
- Observe one of the elephants’ daily baths and learn more about our giant guests’ playful characters
Overview
Welcome to the only real Conservation Center in Laos. Enjoy your time with the largest herd in the country: 34 elephants under human care that have been rescued need your support!
Discover our projects, set up for the conservation of the elephants and listen to the explanations of our experts.
Join us for an overnight stay and discover our Center and elephants. Stay one night in your private bamboo bungalow and enjoy a view of the majestic lake surrounded by untouched tropical forest.
- Day 1 - A day in an elephant´s life
Nursery
When you arrive at Nam Tien Lake, we will transfer you to the Center by boat. You will have time to settle into your private bungalow before your guide takes you to the forest.
After enjoying a Laotian style picnic on a lakeside platform, you observe the elephants bathing at the nursery, an area in the forest reserved for our youngest elephants and their mothers.
Hospital
When the elephants have drunk enough and returned to the forest, you will take the boat back to the Center for the hospital visit.
Our Laotian vet assistant or our biologist will introduce you to their world and tell you more about common and uncommon injuries and their respective treatments.
Elephant bath
You will then observe one of the elephants’ daily baths and learn more about our giant guests’ playful characters. The bath is a time to socialize and strengthen ties in the herd through playing together.
Elephants & Mahouts
After the elephants have washed themselves, you will have the opportunity to see them up close. Their ears flapping, tails swatting while they use the trunk and the trees for a good scratching.
Meanwhile, the guide will tell you a little about the background of each elephant. They have all been worked hard before they came here.
Back to the forest
Now it’s time for them to walk back to the forest. After a short trek the mahouts will decide on a place where the elephants can graze for the night.
On the way back, our guide will show you one of our plantation and the tree nursery.
Conservation talk
Before dinner, take in the surroundings from one of our viewpoints. You can also go for a swim in the lake, take out a canoe, or visit the museum.
At 6 pm one of the staff will give a presentation on our conservation efforts, feel free to ask your unresolved questions. After diner you can relax at the bar.
- Day 2 - A meeting with the gentle giants
Forest
On the second day, you will pick up the elephants in the forest. Enjoy strolling together with these magnificent animals through their natural habitat.
After spending the night in the jungle, it is time for the morning bath.
Socialization area
The Socialization Area is an area where the elephants can freely interact during a big part of the day, recreating a semi-natural living environment.
Follow the guide to the different platforms to see how a new herd is being formed, something which is very special about our program and difficult to find anywhere else.
Departure
Lunch is served at the Center. You will have some time to relax before we bring you back to Luang Prabang by minivan.
You can say your goodbyes to the staff at the restaurant or walk around the Center one last time.
- Transfer from and back to Luang Prabang / English speaking team on site / Set menu meals: Day 1 (L, D), Day 2 (B, L) / Unlimited drinking water refills / Accommodation: a wooden bungalow with communal wash facilities (hot shower) / Activities as described.
Important Information
During your visit at the center you will spend a lot of time walking through our protected area. The area is forested and might not always be accessible without you getting dirty. Activities in the forest vary during the rainy season between May and September.