Volunteer travel guide
Volunteering abroad used to be a long term commitment for a highly qualified few but that has since changed.
Elephant trekking holidays
Elephant trekking, or elephant riding, has long been on the Asia traveller’s bucket list. Whether learning how to be a mahout in Thailand, tracking rhinos and tigers through the jungles of Nepal or riding a rescued elephant in a Sri Lankan sanctuary, elephant rides have traditionally been seen as a way of getting closer to nature while simultaneously conserving this endangered species.
However, more and more travellers and tour operators are starting to question the ethics of riding these wild animals, as well as the methods used to train them. And the more questions that are asked about elephant riding, the clearer it becomes that not only is this not an ethical means of conserving elephants, but it is, in fact, precipitating their extinction in the wild.
No more than 45,000 Asian elephants remain in their natural environment, scattered across 13 countries in ever decreasing patches of land; they are classified as endangered throughout their range. The more elephants that are taken from their natural habitat to supply temples, sanctuaries and camps, the smaller their chances of survival. These days, no animal lover would dream of purchasing ivory, yet riding an elephant while on holiday could ultimately have the same impact on elephant populations.
However, more and more travellers and tour operators are starting to question the ethics of riding these wild animals, as well as the methods used to train them. And the more questions that are asked about elephant riding, the clearer it becomes that not only is this not an ethical means of conserving elephants, but it is, in fact, precipitating their extinction in the wild.
No more than 45,000 Asian elephants remain in their natural environment, scattered across 13 countries in ever decreasing patches of land; they are classified as endangered throughout their range. The more elephants that are taken from their natural habitat to supply temples, sanctuaries and camps, the smaller their chances of survival. These days, no animal lover would dream of purchasing ivory, yet riding an elephant while on holiday could ultimately have the same impact on elephant populations.
For the millions of tourists travelling to Asia every year, a captive elephant encounter will be high on their wish lists. But so often there is a tragic story behind the elephants in these camps, as many of them will have been taken from the wild. The capture and smuggling of endangered Asian elephant calves for tourism is having a catastrophic impact on some of the last wild populations of the species.![]()
– Jo Cary-Elwes, Elephant Family
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Volunteer with the Big Five in South Africa.
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Rhino and elephant conservation in Zimbabwe
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South Africa volunteering with the big five
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Breaking the spirit
Elephant riding is frequently compared to horse riding, husky sledding or the use of livestock in farming. Asian elephants have been domesticated for generations – centuries – so how can this be any crueller than riding a horse?
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Information provided by Elemotion, Elephant Family, FAADA, Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary and our partner The Beyond Tourism Co.
Our top trip
Elephant conservation project in Namibia
Preserve the beautiful desert elephants of Namibia!
From
£995 to £4995
11 days
ex flights
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Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Elephant conservation or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
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A future without trekking
Dave Tucker from our partner The Beyond Tourism Co. says: “I keep hearing stories of elephant camps that are changing to be ‘no rides’ within Thailand because of what customers are saying to them. It’s having a ripple effect, people are seeing that places like Boon Lott's and Elephant Nature Park can be successful without offering rides and they are coming to them for advice on how to phase it out. That kind of leadership and example is having an effect on turning round other camps. Once people see that it is still profitable then the ball will start rolling. So my advice to tourists is: if the camp is doing shows or rides, avoid it. Even better, write them an email and tell them why you are avoiding it so that it’s very clear and unambiguous and puts more pressure on them to change things.”
Press release from our partnerIntrepid Travel:
“Intrepid Travel ended elephant rides and visits to entertainment venues on all of its trips earlier this year, following an extensive three year research process to assess the welfare of captive elephants at entertainment venues in Asia. The research was conducted by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) with the support of Intrepid Travel, who have worked with the animal charity since 2000.
According to Intrepid Travel, the change has been popular with their travellers. ‘Intrepid Travellers want to know that their travel choices are not causing harm and appreciate learning how elephants are cared for without seeing them do unnatural performances,’ said Geoff Manchester, Intrepid Travel Co-founder.”
“Intrepid Travel ended elephant rides and visits to entertainment venues on all of its trips earlier this year, following an extensive three year research process to assess the welfare of captive elephants at entertainment venues in Asia. The research was conducted by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) with the support of Intrepid Travel, who have worked with the animal charity since 2000.
According to Intrepid Travel, the change has been popular with their travellers. ‘Intrepid Travellers want to know that their travel choices are not causing harm and appreciate learning how elephants are cared for without seeing them do unnatural performances,’ said Geoff Manchester, Intrepid Travel Co-founder.”
More Elephant conservation articles
The terminology surrounding elephant sanctuaries can be confusing, but we explain the differences between sanctuaries, orphanages and camps and discuss their ethics.
Asia has a long history of keeping elephants in captivity, to be used in wars, in the logging industry and now in tourism, and we ask what their role might look like in future.
We explain why Responsible Travel no longer promotes elephant rides in sanctuaries or in national parks, based on recommendations by holiday companies and wildlife charities.
Did you know there are two species of elephants? Can you tell them apart? And did you know that elephants, can be right- or left-tusked? Read on for more elephant facts and useful links.
Nothing beats seeing elephants in their natural habitat, whether that's in the jungle, savannah or desert. Our interactive map reveals where to encounter elephants in the wild.
Performing elephants, chained elephants, ivory, zoos and howdahs all make for very sad images, which we really don't want on our memory cards after a holiday to Southeast Asia.
Read our list of elephant sanctuaries we do and don't support, based on our comprehensive review of all the elephant sanctuaries featured on our site.
In 2007, we looked into Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage to find out if it really was an ethically-run sanctuary. The following year we removed all trips featuring it from our site. Find out why.
Elephant trekking and captive elephants are complex issues. We spoke with holiday companies, wildlife charities and NGOs to help us form our stance on elephants and tourism.
Is bathing with elephants ethical? It’s a question we’re asked regularly.
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