We used to make a lot of money from riding elephants. And it's no wonder – elephants are majestic creatures, so you're not alone if you've wanted to ride one. But what we don't see is the cruelty that goes on behind the scenes: elephants taken from the wild and kept in chains, all for the sake of entertainment.
Being Intrepid means daring to go where others haven't. In 2014, we became the first global travel company to ban elephant riding on our tours. Putting animal rights before our bottom line sent a clear message to the rest of the industry; now more than 160 travel companies have joined us in the movement to be kind to elephants. We hope that as this movement gains momentum, and more travel companies take this stance, the cruel practice of elephant riding will end.
To pledge your support and help end elephant riding for good, make a donation to our World Elephant Day fundraiser via The Intrepid Foundation. Every dollar donated will be matched by the Intrepid Group, and 100% of your donation goes directly to the projects being supported.
Looking for a wildlife trip that puts animal welfare first? Be Kind with Intrepid Travel
Chiang Mai & Elephants
Visit Thailand's Elephant Nature Park, the centre featured in Intrepid's video. Learn the rescued elephants’ stories and see the incredible work being done to protect these creatures.
Wild Sarawak
Journey into the wilds of Malaysian Borneo in search of endemic proboscis monkeys, then spend time with critically endangered orangutans at a rehabilitation centre.
Explore Southern Africa
Embark on an ethical safari through southern Africa in search of the Big Five, supporting grassroots projects that protect these creatures and their environment along the way.
Last White Rhinos - Expedition
See some of the world’s last remaining northern white rhinos and hear conservation tales from their dedicated keepers on this once-in-a-lifetime expedition to East Africa.
Complete Galapagos
Snorkel with turtles, swim with sea lions and scale volcanoes in an environment so biodiverse and unique it inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Botswana Highlights
Swim in view of elephants, spot warthogs from a mokoro and wake to birdsong during a trip that celebrates the diversity of Botswana’s wildlife.
Sumatra Adventure
Journey to one of Indonesia’s last protected rainforests for a chance to spot endangered Sumatran orangutans in their natural environment.
Best of Costa Rica
With some of the greatest bio-diversity on the planet, with birds, monkeys, turtles, sloths, butterflies – Costa Rica is a nature-lover's paradise.
Take a look at the latest stories on The Journal.
Aug 10, 2018
There are no winners in the elephant tourism...
There are no winners in the elephant tourism industry.
Aug 10, 2018
How we changed the elephant riding industry
In 2014, we officially put a stop to elephant riding on all Intrepid trips. It was...
Aug 03, 2018
This is why we no longer ride elephants
Intrepid staff and travellers are a very passionate lot; unafraid to speak up...
Mar 07, 2018
Tracking rhinos on foot in Uganda: one Intrepid...
Amazingly, we had encountered a large gathering of six or seven rhinos – adult...
Aug 29, 2017
Turtles and orangutans: witnessing wildlife...
Sabah, a Malaysian state on the northern tip of Borneo, is home to some pretty...
Aug 10, 2017
How you can engage in ethical elephant tourism:...
In 2014, Intrepid ended elephant riding on all trips after a report revealed...
There's more than one way to Be Responsible.
Be Fair
Meet Kenya's first female truck driver, and find out what we are doing to promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
Be Aware
Find out why we no longer visit orphanages on our trips, and learn more about our community development programs.
Be Sustainable
Learn more about our stance on the environment and sustainability, and what it means to become a B-corp certified company.