What Elephant Nature Park does

Elephant Nature Park (ENP) is a private non-profit elephant rescue and rehabilitation center headquartered in Chiang Mai, Thailand, founded in 1995 by Saengduean Chailert (Lek). It operates the main sanctuary in Mae Taeng Valley and the 32,000-acre Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary developed in cooperation with Save Elephant Foundation, and is recognized as the first ethical elephant sanctuary established in Asia. The organization provides sanctuary to more than 75 rescued elephants — including blind, crippled, orphaned, and senior animals — alongside approximately 5,000 additional rescued animals under Save Elephant Foundation's broader care, supported by four on-site veterinarians and programs such as the Jumbo Express mobile clinic.

The core product surface consists of roughly ten visitor programs priced from 2,500 THB (half-day visits) to 15,000 THB (Living with Elephants weekly program), with a parallel USD 400/week Cambodia volunteer program. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the company's website booking system, a Chiang Mai walk-in office at 1 Ratmakka Road, complimentary hotel pickup, and select enterprise partnerships (e.g., 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts Thailand). The go-to-motion is community-led, leveraging founder Lek's international media presence (National Geographic, DW, South China Morning Post, Readers Digest Canada) and institutional recognition — including the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour awarded by French President Emmanuel Macron in November 2022 and Wildlife Sanctuary of the Year at the 2023 Prestige Awards — to drive bookings, volunteer participation, and donations.

Revenue mechanics combine transactional ticket sales, recurring donations, and weekly volunteer fees. Pandemic-era innovations (Elephant Food Bank, Eleflix streaming platform, Farm to Herd local sourcing) extended the operating model beyond physical tourism. The company is not venture-backed, has no listed parent, and operates a network of ethical-tourism sub-brands (SkyWalk, Sunshine for Elephants, Care for Elephants, Walking with Elephants, Elephant Highlands, Asian Elephant Projects) that share the 'Saddle Off' hands-off elephant-care model across Thailand.

Name

Elephant Nature Park

Legal name

Elephant Nature Park

Website

https://elephantnaturepark.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Elephant Nature Park is a Thailand-based non-profit elephant rescue and rehabilitation center, founded in 1995, operating ethical sanctuaries in Northern Thailand and Cambodia for 75+ rescued elephants and serving international tourists, volunteers, and donors through direct booking and partnership channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Sanctuary and Conservation Tourism

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release Centers (Public Viewing/Education) (THAAAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC), Safari Lodges & Tented Camps (THAAAHAC), Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF)

Keywords

• Ethical elephant tourism
• Wildlife sanctuary services
• Animal rehabilitation programs
• Conservation volunteer programs
• Elephant rescue center

Headquarters

HQ city

Chiang Mai

HQ country

Thailand

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Visitor Programs and Tours: Revenue generated from day visits, overnight stays, and weekly programs where visitors pay to observe and interact with rescued elephants. Programs include half-day visits, SkyWalk, overnight stays, and Living with Elephants volunteer experiences.
2. Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer Program: Weekly volunteer contributions at USD 400 per week covering accommodation, meals, and program activities in Cambodia
3. Donations and Support: Charitable donations from supporters worldwide, particularly during COVID-19 when fundraising provided food and resources to elephant camps across Thailand

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Elephant Nature Park operates an elephant rescue and rehabilitation center in Northern Thailand, providing sanctuary to more than 75 rescued elephants from street begging, riding, circus, and logging industries. The organization sells ethical visitor programs (half-day visits, overnight stays, and weekly volunteer experiences) across its Chiang Mai sanctuary, the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, and affiliated ethical elephant projects (SkyWalk, Sunshine for Elephants, Elephant Highlands, Care for Elephants, Walking with Elephants).

Product overview

Elephant Nature Park is an ethical elephant sanctuary offering a portfolio of visitor programs ranging from half-day experiences to week-long volunteer stays. The core offerings include Half Day Morning/Afternoon visits, SkyWalk, Overnight stays, and weekly Living with Elephants programs at the Chiang Mai sanctuary, plus the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary volunteer program. Additional ethical projects include Sunshine for Elephants, Elephant Highlands, Care for Elephants, and Walking with Elephants. The organization provides sanctuary to rescued elephants from logging, riding, circus, and street begging, prioritizing hands-off observation over exploitation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary: A conservation project spanning 32,000 acres on the edge of Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia, developed in cooperation with Save Elephant Foundation to protect and conserve jungle habitat and rescued elephants.
• SkyWalk
• Sunshine for Elephants
• Care for Elephants
• Walking with Elephants
• Elephant Highlands
• Asian Elephant Projects

Products and services

• Half Day Morning Visit to Elephant Nature Park A half-day morning program offering visitors the opportunity to observe and spend time with the elephant herd at the sanctuary, prioritizing a relaxed and immersive experience. Priced at 2,500 THB per adult.
• Half Day Afternoon Visit to Elephant Nature Park A half-day afternoon program featuring observation of elephants walking to the river and bathing, set against an evening backdrop. Priced at 2,500 THB per adult.
• SkyWalk Full Day Visit A full day visit combining Elephant Nature Park Sanctuary with the SkyWalk Hands Off project, offering elevated boardwalk views of herds roaming freely and observing elephants in natural settings including river, pools, and mud pits. Priced at 3,500 THB per adult.
• Overnight Elephant Nature Park (2 Days + 1 Night) An overnight stay experience allowing visitors to sleep in the midst of the elephant herd with rustic accommodation, meals included, and morning pasture walks with roaming elephants. Priced at 5,800 THB per adult.
• Sunshine for Elephants An ethical elephant project where visitors meet rescued elephants, feed them seasonal fruits, walk through jungle paths, and observe natural behaviors including mud baths and river swimming. Priced at 3,500 THB per adult.
• Elephant Highlands - Single Day Visit A full day visit set in northern mountain scenery with jungle walks alongside rescued elephants, including mountain trails, rice ball preparation, and herd feeding activities. Priced at 6,000 THB per adult.
• Care for Elephants A program providing care to senior elephants retired from logging and riding industries, with emphasis on healthy diet, injury treatment, and visitor insight into respectful elephant care. Priced at 6,000 THB per adult.
• Walking with Elephants A day trip following an ethical hands-off concept where elephants released from riding operations roam wild within forest areas, accompanied by English-speaking guides. Priced at 3,500 THB per adult.
• Living with Elephants Weekly Volunteer Program A weekly volunteer program where participants learn elephant care, prepare food, clean shelters, and engage in maintenance tasks supporting the elephants, with on-site accommodation and three vegan meals daily. Priced at 15,000 THB per week.
• Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary Weekly Volunteer Program A conservation volunteer program at a 32,000-acre sanctuary near Angkor Wat, including elephant observation, jungle walking, reforestation, animal rehabilitation, and community education activities. Priced at USD 400 per week, including transport from Siem Reap, accommodation in wooden bungalows, and three vegetarian meals daily.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rescued elephants from street begging, elephant riding, circus shows, and logging operations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Save Elephant FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2022Parent organization managed by founder Saengduean Chailert. Oversees Elephant Nature Park and Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. Also manages 5,000 injured or abandoned animals. Coordinates elephant rescue operations across Thailand.
• 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts ThailandminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 August 2022CSR partnership established on World Elephant Day 2022. Long-term collaboration raising funds and global awareness for elephant conservation and reforestation in Thailand.
• Asian Elephant ProjectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization established by ENP to support Saddle Off projects across Thailand. Promotes ethical practices ending elephant riding and performances, allowing elephants freedom to wander, forage, and socialize in natural surroundings.
• Kulen Promtep Wildlife SanctuarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCambodia Wildlife Sanctuary is developed in cooperation with this protected area. Located adjacent to the sanctuary, this is one of Cambodia's largest protected areas and home to endangered species including giant ibis, banteng, Eld's deer, and sarus crane.
• Cher and Free the WildminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCelebrity advocates who led the campaign for Kaavan the elephant's freedom from Marghazar Zoo in Pakistan. Cher and Free the Wild fought for 5 years to rescue Kaavan and bring him to Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Four PawsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational animal welfare organization that collaborated with Cher and Free the Wild in the campaign to free Kaavan from Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Save Elephant Foundation: Parent network managing Elephant Nature Park and the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary; coordinates rescue operations across Thailand. Closely aligned ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor, given shared founder and mission.

Direct peers

• Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary (BLES): Ethical elephant sanctuary in Sukhothai, Thailand focused on rescue, rehabilitation, and small-scale, hands-off visitor experiences. Directly comparable to ENP in mission, model, and target traveler segment.
• Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT): Large wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in Hua Hin offering ethical wildlife experiences with multiple species. Overlaps with ENP on rescue operations, volunteer programs, and visitor programs in Thailand.
• Samui Elephant Sanctuary: Ethical elephant home on Koh Samui offering guided observation of rescued elephants. Direct competitor for the conscientious-traveler segment within Thailand.
• Mahouts Elephant Foundation: Thai ethical elephant organization operating community-based projects and sanctuary partnerships. Comparable mission to ENP's Save Elephant Foundation network and Saddle Off model.
• Following Giants: Chiang Mai-based ethical elephant project offering hands-off observation experiences with rescued elephants. Competes with ENP for the same Northern Thailand ethical-tourist base.
• Phuket Elephant Sanctuary: Ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket providing hands-off observation experiences for rescued elephants. Competes with ENP in the ethical elephant tourism category across Thailand.

Broad incumbents

• Four Paws: Global animal welfare organization with sanctuaries across multiple countries, including partner role in Kaavan's rescue to Cambodia. Comparable as an institutional animal welfare and sanctuary operator, though broader in species scope.

Regional players

• David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Kenya-based elephant orphanage and rehabilitation trust with global fostering and donation programs. Comparable as a high-recognition, donation-funded elephant rescue organization, though operating in Africa.
• The Elephant Sanctuary (Hohenwald, TN): Natural habitat refuge for retired and rescued elephants in the United States. Comparable as a large-scale ethical elephant sanctuary with a donation-based funding model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ElephantNatureP
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@elephantnews
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheElephantNaturePark
• Instagraminstagram.com/elephantnaturepark
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elephant-nature-park

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Elephant Nature Park