we used to make a lot of money from riding elephants...

 

 

Everyone makes mistakes, but the important thing is how you learn from them. That’s why after undertaking research with World Animal Protection, in 2014 we became the first global travel company to ban elephant riding on our tours.

But just because we stopped riding elephants, it doesn’t mean all the issues around elephant welfare are solved. We realise there is plenty more that can be done.

That’s why we are getting behind initiatives that practice ethical elephant tourism in South East Asia – supporting the local people who work with the elephants with training and jobs, educating tourists and of course, caring for the elephants themselves.

How you can help

Through our not-for-profit The Intrepid Foundation we are working with MandaLao, the first non-riding elephant sanctuary in Luang Prabang, Laos. MandaLao provides travellers with the opportunity to connect with the elephants who roam freely through lush forest and the Nam Khan river.

We are working to raise funds to build a second elephant night enclosure, with mahout (elephant handler) housing, as well as constructing an elephant food storehouse and leasing more land for the elephants.

Donate to MandaLao

 

Wildlife trips that put elephant welfare first

Seeing elephants up close doesn’t just have to take place in a sanctuary – there also plenty of ways to see these gentle giants responsibly in the wild too.

18 Days From 48238

Spend 18 days exploring Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe with included safari...

13 Days From 22894

Travel from Bangkok to Vientiane on a tour through Thailand and Laos. Visit Thailand's...

8 Days From 13962

Travel from Bangkok to Sukhothai and Chiang Mai on this scenic tour through Northern...

9 Days From 20608

Join Intrepid for a rollicking nine-day safari adventure through Hwange National Park,...

12 Days From 29061

Begin in Negombo, travel north to the imperial ruins of Anuradhapura, visit off-the...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

30 Days From 63900

Travel into the heart and soul of South East Asia on this comprehensive tour of...

16 Days From 71550

Visit Africa and travel through southern Africa's beautiful regions. Visit South Africa...

22 Days From 47324

Discover the unique and contrasting lands of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South...

9 Days From 20995

Visit Thailand, a country with all the ingredients for a holiday in paradise – pristine...

9 Days From 37418

Discover the culture, wildlife and waterways of Botswana on this upgraded adventure...

10 Days From 27968

Experience Thailand’s greatest hits on a 10-day comfort adventure through Bangkok,...

63 Days From 198375

Set out on a mighty African adventure through Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe...

10 Days From 20950

Visit Thailand, a country with all the ingredients for a holiday in paradise. Pristine...

9 Days From 36630

Travel from Zimbabwe to South Africa via Botswana. The Okavango and Beyond trip is the...

8 Days From 11458

Starting in Bangkok, see the Thai-riffic northern enclaves of Chiang Mai and...

16 Days From 41320

Rice paddies, coral reefs, elephants, temples and tuk-tuks, Thailand doesn’t get much...

17 Days From 38460

The delights of the north combine with the spoils of the south on this unforgettable...

30 Days From 60274

Take a 30-day southern African adventure from Cape Town into Namibia, Botswana and...

14 Days From 23860

Take a trip to Laos, checking out Thailand’s Bangkok and Chiang Mai, then heading over...

16 Days From 27028

From bustling Bangkok, go deeper for a taste of real Thailand. From temples in...

48 Days From 135870

Tour Africa's best from Kenya to Cape Town through Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zimbabwe...

28 Days From 60495

Discover East African wilderness and the animals that call it home on an adventure...

43 Days From 141451

Take a 43-day trip through eastern Africa, via Victoria Falls, the Serengeti and...

35 Days From 61353

Join us for the South East Asian trip of your dreams – a little bit of Bangkok, a pinch...

22 Days From 40842

South East Asia Uncovered snakes its way through the delights of Thailand, Laos and...

20 Days From 28906

Travel from the thundering Victoria Falls to the spice plantations of Zanzibar via...

49 Days From 93433

Experience the ultimate African adventure on this 49-day tour including Kenya, Botswana...

52 Days From 170305

The waterways of Botswana, the beaches of Zanzibar, the savannahs of the Serengeti and...

9 Days From 21770

Travel from Zimbabwe to Botswana and South Africa on a real African adventure. Visit...

31 Days From 105345

Take a 32-day tour through Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and...

40 Days From 75117

Explore Africa on a 40-day wildlife-rich adventure from Tanzania to South Africa while...

8 Days From 33295

Track your way across the plains of Kenya on this thrilling safari, covering Nairobi,...

21 Days From 33108

From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the jungle of Khao Sok, sleep on a raft, kick...

22 Days From 57385

Take an Asian adventure from Thailand to Singapore via Malaysia. See Bangkok, Krabi,...

41 Days From 68107

See Africa on this incredible overland adventure from South Africa to Tanzania. Soak up...

23 Days From 50835

Discover the best of Thailand’s west on a trip that takes you from the jungles of the...

 

Learn more about animal welfare on The Journal

 

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 what it means to be a B Corp certified company, and our stance on the environment and sustainability.