MANDALAO

Thank you for an incredible day that we’ll remember forever! Mandalao is doing such good work saving poor elephants from horrible conditions. They treat them with so much respect and love and you can see every single member of staff is in line with this ethos. We were going to visit the larger (very famous) sanctuary in Chiangmai but didn’t get a chance so decided to come here instead while we were in Laos and I’m so so glad we did!

We did the afternoon tour which I was initially upset about missing out on a morning one (book in advance people!) but it ended up being so incredible. We were given tonnes of information from our guide Tan on the drive over both about elephants and general insight into life in Laos which we loved to hear. Then we sat down for a coffee/tea and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings (honestly stunning!) then made some treats for the elephants and were able to feed them and trek with them a decent amount as well. Tan told us all about the different elephants and their past terrible experiences and what their lives are now like, how they reintroduce younger elephants in the wild where they belong and a lot about elephant behaviour. After a good amount of time spent with the elephants we then had some snacks ourselves and marvelled at the day we’d had.

I can’t stress enough how amazing it was and worth every penny! Don’t even think of going for another elephant experience where elephants are ridden as it’s very cruel. You get close up enough with them here and are being kind to them.

One of the best activities I’ve done in Laos. This is sustainable tourism done right, hats off to the team. It was the perfect mix of informative and fun. The guides are very knowledgeable and seem to truly enjoy what they’re doing. The elephants look very happy and how could they not ☺️ this is a little slice of heaven they’re living on. The full day hike in the jungle was great. It’s a bit on the expensive side as far as Laos activities go, but I didn’t mind that, since the money is going towards a good cause. Keep up the great work!????

A fantastic day with the elephants. Great guides, lots of close up access to elephants and no riding! They are committed to the conservation of this beautiful creature and it vale across during the day.

Amazing experience-- highly recommend

Thank you for the great day at your facility! ????????

MandaLao strives to make the lives of elephants better which have so far been used as working/riding animals and treated horribly. You can still see the scars from riding or when the back of the legs were slapped. They also plan a reintroduction program in the future as Laos only has around 700 elephants left (half in captivity).

The experience starts with a little history about elephants and the project, which is employing almost 50 people and supports 100 families that are growing plants for the (currently) 11 animals- each eating 6% of their bodyweight daily! Half of your ticket price will go to feeding the grey giants.

Then you cross the river on a boat and start with giving the animals a little snack, before you walk through the surrounding forest. The half day tour will turn around after some km, while the full day tour continues to a little campsite. You will also have the opportunity to see and bathe at a waterfall- beautiful and a definite recommendation.

Ask all the questions you have and they will be answered. The mahouts and guide are full of respect for the elephants and are passionate about their work.