Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary

Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary

Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary
4.5
About
Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) is a small, family run, home for elephants and all other animals in need. Established in 2006, BLES focuses on saving land from deforestation and helping elephants recover from their traumatic pasts.
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See what travellers are saying
  • Sally K
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing!!
    I found it hard to put into words how wonderful our experience was at Boon Lotts! We spent four days at the sanctuary, Katherine and her team are amazing hosts, we learned so much during our time observing these beautiful elephants, Katherine’s passion is clear to see and we felt we had made friends for life when we left! The elephants here are allowed to live their best life roaming the jungle enjoying their freedom! We will definitely return!
    Hi Sally, Thanks so much for your glowing review and for sharing your experience - we loved seeing your photos! We really appreciate your support and hope to welcome you both back again soon! Trunks of love from the BLES Family xx
    Written 31 August 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 April 2023
  • segovianoj1
    St. Petersburg, Florida5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Incredible!
    If I could have given a 10 I would. BLES is an amazing organization doing amazing things for the elephants. This is a true sanctuary where the elephants can just be elephants. I felt welcome as soon as I met Katherine and her beautiful family and staff. Right off we went on an elephant walk and found Lotus. She was making a rumbling sound hoping to find her other elephant friends. Once she did, the sound of pure excitement coming from them was so incredible. We would also have lunch delivered to a treehouse where we could watch the elephants below just be elephants. There is so much to rave about I can’t wait to return.
    We can not thank you enough for taking the time to share your experience and are touched by your beautiful review. Thank you for choosing to support BLES - we are looking forward to welcoming you back again sometime soon! Trunks of love from the BLES Family xx
    Written 31 August 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 28 August 2023
  • Danielle C.
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A beautiful home for elephants!
    One of the absolute best experiences!! I have visited elephant sanctuaries across Asia, and BLES remains among the best of the best. Katherine and her skilled team of mahouts truly understand their elephants and cater to each individual's needs. Being a rescue and retirement center, it's so critical that elephants are being given the resources needed to heal both mentally and physically from the trauma they've endured. I can say without a doubt that BLES does an incredible job of assisting this healing by providing daily veterinary/preventative care to those elephants who need it, putting elephants in herds/groupings to facilitate socialization, and, most importantly-- offering a sense of autonomy to all of their elephants. As a volunteer and visitor, you have the opportunity to experience what life is like for these elephants without disrupting their daily routines. Katherine guides you on walks, explaining the behaviors and stories of each elephant so you can better understand where they came from and how they have adjusted to life at the sanctuary. By keeping the experience hands-off, you can rest assured knowing that the elephants are not being forced into any interactions, nor are they being pushed into any uncomfortable contact in order to entertain the visitors. If you are looking to visit an ethical elephant facility during your travels, I cannot recommend a visit to BLES more highly!!!
    Hi Danielle, Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a lovely review - we are all so thankful to have your ongoing support and can not wait to welcome you back! We really enjoyed seeing your photos too! Trunks of love from the BLES Family xx
    Written 31 August 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 29 August 2023
  • Barbara M
    Ocean City, New Jersey9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Immersive Experience
    I have been to BLES 4 times and plan to return. It is a beautiful experience with ups and downs. The best is going walking with the elephants and their mahouts. The best is reaching a grazing point watching the elephants eat. Each day the route is different with a different spot to eat lunch. The housekeepers make the most delicious food ever! The best was also listening to the mahouts talk and laugh and drink the coffee they make in the forest out of bamboo mugs. And the best was when an ele would approach knowing their mahout had something special. We helped cutting up apples and filling the truck w corn on food runs. After long lunch the elephants were ready to head back. Dinner is just as amazing as lunch. The downs are when an injured animal is brought to BLES at any hour. Katherine is lovely and an amazing person who has embraced living in Thailand, building the sanctuary and creating a family atmosphere with her 5 children the mahouts their families and the local community. And sharing her experiences and elephant knowledge. Each day can bring a different adventure. It is also a great sanctuary for a family to visit.
    Hi Barbara - Thank you so much for your kind review! All of us at BLES appreciate your ongoing support and are very much looking forward to welcoming you back for your fifth visit! Trunks of love from the BLES Family xx
    Written 31 August 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2022
    Travelled with friends
    Written 31 August 2023
  • BrigFairylights
    33 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Find yourself among the elephants...
    From the first time I visited BLES, back in 2011, I have been blown away by the space and freedom that these lucky elephants are able to enjoy. Seizing every opportunity to enjoy the ponds and streams, they spend many happy hours each day in the elephant ecstasy of throwing mud over themselves and onto their friends. Free to forage naturally, they select which delicacies of the huge forest buffet they want to devour, and simply help themselves. Over the years I have treasured following each elephant's journey, as they relax into the rhythm of sanctuary life and find their true selves. Some who once were skittish, or were perhaps a little too used to human company have become progressively wilder, more confident, and well... just more "elephanty" . Their joy is infectious and spreads through the air, helping human visitors to also find something more of themselves, among the elephants of BLES.
    Thanks so much for writing such a beautiful review of your BLES experiences - we are truly grateful for your support and can't wait to welcome you back! Trunks of love from the BLES Family xx
    Written 1 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 1 September 2023
  • Aliyahhathi G
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Go to BLES!!!
    How can I describe BLES? I don't think words can convey the beauty of this place and its mission: to provide sanctuary for working elephants. I strongly recommend this place because you will be making a difference. Katherine and her staff really do a great job at making you feel welcome. The food is incredible too, fresh, vegetarian, healthy and oh so yummy. I'm a biologist and to me BLES is paradise. You are surrounded by nature, wildlife and of course the elephants as well as the other animals that Katherine and her team have rescued. You will be working a bit, going to BLES is a hands-on experience, but I enjoyed the work and the payoff is being surrounded by lovely elephants. Katherine is a very nice person. Her family is lovely. She helps the community she lives in and her mahouts are amongst the best people I've ever met. They are lots of fun and we laughed a lot, despite the language barrier (it helps to learn a few Thai words and phrases before hand though!). I've been a few times and I intend to go many more times in the future.
    Thanks so much for your kind words! We really appreciate you taking the time to write a review and we very much look forward to welcoming you back to BLES some time soon. Trunks of thanks for your support - love from the BLES Family xx
    Written 3 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 2 September 2023
  • Christian L
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Memories for life!
    Our stay at BLES was all in all an unforgettable life experience that we will cherish dearly. We quickly got to know each elephant's quirks and personality by observing them in their natural habitats from a safe distance. They are all adorable and deserve the best. Katherine and her partner made the stay the best as it gets. They arranged special trips to see the sunrise, picnics in beautiful locations and having drinks with the locals. Truly a cultural immersion that we will not forget. No place is perfect and BLES, like other facilities, could greatly benefit from having more donors. Please support this wonderful place if you can. We are already missing the elephants, the dogs, the mahouts' antics and the absolutely DELICIOUS vegan food! :)
    Hi Christian - Thank you so much for your review! We really appreciate your kind words and continued support. Hopefully, we will get to welcome you both back to BLES again soon! Trunks of love from the BLES Family xx
    Written 3 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 September 2023
  • michelefolmer
    Messancy, Belgium10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth a visit
    One of the most inspirational places on this planet. Katherine and her family of mahouts are simply amazing. First and foremost is the that BLES runs on elephant time, the elephants are paramount as are their needs, this is what makes it such a special place. Katherine carries on with her daily duties, foot care, medication preparation, etc and explains what needs to be carried out and why. You will be asked to do some chores depending on your capability and in return you will be rewarded with some beautiful home made local food. The walk around the sanctuary is amazing and sitting up in the tree house simply observing the elephants is a job. The little guest house used the time you are at BLES, is also full of character and definitely adds to the unique and wonderful experience
    Hi Michele! Thank you for your lovely review of Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary - BLES. We hope that you will be able to travel back to BLES again and we look forward to welcoming you back. Trunks of love from The BLES Family xx
    Written 8 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 3 September 2023
  • The Alsips
    Oakville, Canada229 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Life-changing experience
    My husband first learned of Boon Lott’s through a National Geographic Article in 2013 where Katherine Connor won the People’s Choice Traveller Award, and he decided it would be the perfect gift for my birthday. Visiting Boon Lott’s and staying 5 days with Katherine, her family and the rescued elephants was life-changing. I fell in love with the Gossip Girls: Wassana, Pang Dow and Lotus. Especially Lotus, who invited me to give her a hug! OMG, that an elephant can learn to trust after a lifetime of abuse at the hands of humans is a testament to the care and love that they receive at this amazing sanctuary. This is not a 5 star western style resort. You go there to learn, to give back to the elephants, walk their forest with them. This kind of experience is rare, and I shall never forget it.
    Thanks so much for your honest review of Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary - BLES. We are all so grateful for your continued support and hope to be able to welcome you back again soon. Trunks of love from The BLES Family xx
    Written 8 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 September 2023
  • Ambassador45208
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    5 * An amazing imersive elephant experience.
    An amazing imersive elephant experience. I am an elephant professional with 23 years of elephant care experience. I highly recommend Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary. The attention to detail and the extremely high quality of care provided is second to none. It's truly a very special place. I cannot recommend BLES enough. Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary is one of the very few legitimate elephant sanctuaries in SE Asia. Please contact me if you have any questions.
    Thank you so much for your amazing review! We are so grateful to have your support and are looking forward to welcoming you back again. Trunks of love from The BLES Family xx
    Written 8 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2022
    Travelled solo
    Written 3 September 2023
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles225 reviews
Excellent
195
Very good
15
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
9

segovianoj1
St. Petersburg, FL5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Solo
If I could have given a 10 I would. BLES is an amazing organization doing amazing things for the elephants. This is a true sanctuary where the elephants can just be elephants. I felt welcome as soon as I met Katherine and her beautiful family and staff. Right off we went on an elephant walk and found Lotus. She was making a rumbling sound hoping to find her other elephant friends. Once she did, the sound of pure excitement coming from them was so incredible. We would also have lunch delivered to a treehouse where we could watch the elephants below just be elephants. There is so much to rave about I can’t wait to return.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We can not thank you enough for taking the time to share your experience and are touched by your beautiful review. Thank you for choosing to support BLES - we are looking forward to welcoming you back again sometime soon! Trunks of love from the BLES Family xx
Written 1 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sally K
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
I found it hard to put into words how wonderful our experience was at Boon Lotts! We spent four days at the sanctuary, Katherine and her team are amazing hosts, we learned so much during our time observing these beautiful elephants, Katherine’s passion is clear to see and we felt we had made friends for life when we left! The elephants here are allowed to live their best life roaming the jungle enjoying their freedom! We will definitely return!
Written 3 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Sally, Thanks so much for your glowing review and for sharing your experience - we loved seeing your photos! We really appreciate your support and hope to welcome you both back again soon! Trunks of love from the BLES Family xx
Written 1 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Leila
Amsterdam, The Netherlands6 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Solo
This is not an isolated incident, and I sorely regret not reading the other 1-star reviews before engaging with BLES. After researching ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, I was sincerely touched by BLES’s story/mission and hoped a visit would be possible. I contacted Katherine 3 weeks in advance of my trip to Thailand and was so happy to hear that she had an opening. Her reply included a link to secure the booking with a €170 deposit, so I sent my deposit and asked if she could clarify where the sanctuary was actually located (there are two different locations/provinces listed on her website FAQ — Sukhothai and Uttaradit). In addition, I attached a screenshot of my bank transfer and asked if she could please confirm that she received it. Unfortunately, a complete lack of communication thereafter ultimately prevented me from visiting and sent my €170 deposit down the drain.

Complete radio silence — no reply, no out-of-office message. In order to arrange travel and logistics to the sanctuary, one would need to know where it was located in advance. I patiently waited, but as the date was quickly approaching and I received no response to my follow-up emails, I ultimately resorted to contacting her via Instagram. She finally replied, saying she was “away from her laptop” but would come back to me in a week (days before my stay at BLES was supposed to begin).

After sending one final email asking her to provide me with any information at all, it was actually too late. Going off an assumption of the location (again, two different locations listed on her website), I looked into flights, buses, or any kind of transportation to get me there. At that point, it would be impossible to travel from where I was in Thailand to make it there in time for my purported visit.

I had already researched this weeks earlier — but had I received confirmation of my booking after I sent my deposit, plus clarification of the location, or any communication at all, I could have planned everything in advance so that I could get to the sanctuary in time. I simply could not preemptively make plans and invest even more money in travel/logistics under an assumption without any confirmation, acknowledgment, or communication about my booking.

Katherine finally replied a few days before the date, giving me the excuse that she was without Wifi — but, throughout these 3 weeks, she was posting multiple times a day, every day, on social media. In 2023, claiming that you have no access to internet or your laptop, all while posting every day on social media, is not only an invalid excuse but completely dishonest.

I understand that the elephants come first, but by opening up her sanctuary to visitors and charging them money, Katherine is also running a business, which requires a reasonable standard of communication, organization, and consideration for paying visitors. This is not a trivial amount of money, and a trip across the world to Thailand is not an everyday occurrence. I patiently waited throughout all of this, and because it would now be impossible to get to the sanctuary in time, I asked to be refunded. She replied she was sad to not have me but completely ignored my request for a refund. After one more attempt to request a refund, it’s now been another two weeks with no response. Meanwhile, daily social media posts continue.

I urge everyone to seriously consider if all of this headache and risk is worth it. I hate that I’m in a position to write such a review — I had such a positive impression of BLES, but this has completely ruined that. Do not ignore the other reviews which prove this has happened repeatedly — Katherine will take your money and run with it, all while claiming to do God’s work.
Written 24 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helen Muriel Smith
Rio de Janeiro, RJ3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Solo
I just spent a wonderful five days at Bles. My cup is full! It was such a wonderful experience, my kids pooled together to send me there and I really had a most marvelous time with Katherine and the elephants, all the lovely people who work with her and her family. I do recommend this experience to those who genuinely love elephants and are concerned with their future on this planet. I loved walking in the forest with the elephants, having picnic lunches in the tree house, observing the elephants so close up. The time spent at the medicine hut, assisting in very small ways, seeing Kat caring for their feet and various lesions they have due to prior injuries received at the hands of humans who exploited them out of need or ignorance. At Bles, they are truly cared for with respect and affection - it is marvelous to see these great beasts respond in a similar manner.
Thank you for receiving me and letting me learn so much!
Written 13 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much Helen for your kind review! We all enjoyed your company and beautiful energy so much and hope to be able to welcome you back to BLES soon! Trunks of love from the BLES Family xx
Written 2 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Pamela H
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2020 • Friends
EXCELLENT! Contact response was slow due to rural and spotty communication. These workers have sacrificed their lives for elephants. It's not about people. Comfortable accomadations and good ethnic food and watching elephants! Heaven!
Written 3 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kayla K
Madison, WI8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Our time at BLES was literally a decade long dream come true. It's a trip to get there, but it is truly one of the most life changing experiences you could ever have. The ability to spend a week in the forests of Thailand with people, dogs, and elephant all coexisting in harmony seems almost unreal even now. Things may be fraught in our current cultural climate, but if I would tell you that as soon as we are all safe to travel-- GO! You won't regret it.
Written 25 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Martin66Moab_UT
Moab, UT41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
I spent one of the best weeks of my life at Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary. I spent hours researching a vacation for my family that would offer a once in a lifetime experience and I was not disappointed. Trust me, there is nowhere else on the planet that you can have the experiences with elephants than those at Boon Lott's.

When you are at Boon Lott's, throw away the schedules and put your phone and watch away. Everything at Boon Lott's is on elephant time. When the elephants are ready to go graze in the forest, you go. When the elephants are ready to go to the river, you go. If the elephants want to take their time grazing or bathing, you stay and enjoy your time with them just observing. Always being busy and with a full schedule every day at home it took me time to adjust to elephant time. But it was wonderful. And if you are a dog lover like I am, you will be in heaven! Pancake and Locker are two very friendly dogs that love attention!

I was not sure how I would adjust to vegetarian meals, but the meals were all hearty and delicious! And the accommodations at the guest house in the village were very nice. Our hosts at the guest house were wonderful and very accomodating, even doing our laundry for us! The pool and bar were very welcome after a long day in the forest with the elephants.

My review would not be complete without offering my praise and full and complete admiration for Boon Lotts founder Katherine Connor. What an amazing woman! To have the opportunity to spend a week with Katherine Connor was life-altering, and one of the best experiences of my life. I asked Katherine so many questions by the end of the week she was probably glad to see me go! But I learned from her, I learned what commitment truly means, I saw what passion truly is, what it means to be dedicated and courageous. And I know that the buckets in my life are all fuller. Thank you, Katherine!
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vacation754922
Southampton, UK6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
Just returned from a visit to Boon Lotts sanctuary, totally life changing, we didnt want to come home. We will definitely be going back. After having had a bad year I felt the happiest I have felt in a long time, the Elephants made me feel relaxed at peace and in awe of their grace, gentleness, they are such magnificant animals. How people can abuse and torture these beautiful animals is beyond me. I urge anyone going to a place where there are Elephants please do not ride on them as it does harm them and is cruel, put the animal first, think about what you are doing and not your five minutes of pleasure. Think what you are putting that animal through. Some of the Elephants in the sanctuary have suffered horrific abuse and have severe injuries that have to be treated everyday all suffered at the hands of humans and for the amusement of humans. It is however lovely to see that they are now happy and well looked after. The owner of the sanctuary has such passion as do all of the mahouts and staff who made our stay such an enjoyable one.
Written 2 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TParker922
Pittsburgh, PA53 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
My husband and I had the most beautiful and life changing experience at BLES. BLES is more than a place, they are a family.

I will be returning again and again and am honored to know each person and animal there.
Written 29 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

photostoryteller
173 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Couples
In December, 2018 we visited Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) in Si Satchenalai near Sukhothai Thailand. This is the best elephant sanctuary in Thailand. It teaches compassionate care of rescued elephants across Thailand and is the most effective advocate for responsible elephant tourism in all of Thailand. For me, a trip to Thailand is incomplete without a trip visit the gorgeous and brilliant BLES elephants!

I first met Katherine Connor, the founder of BLES in March, 2009. This is my 5th lovely visit to “my” BLES family. Katherine, Hope, Noah, Arron, Ethan & Luke, the Mahouts, the staff, and of course, the family of now 12 rescued elephants, welcome only a few guests at a time and integrate us into the daily life of the sanctuary. BLES has already been named one of the top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries in the world. And Katherine it’s founder, is widely recognized as one of the most effective and knowledgeable elephant caregivers in the world. I learn something new every time I visit!

When I visited BLES in 2009, 2011, and even in 2013, it was different from every other elephant camp in Thailand. At BLES, the majestic beasts are respected and treated to a life as an elephant. There are no shows, rides or forced breeding programs. The mahouts of the female elephants don’t use hooks or prods which is very unusual in Thailand.

Now that Katherine and her team and colleagues around Thailand have been spreading the word about responsible elephant tourism for a decade, I am seeing more camps advertising no rides with chairs and some “no elephant riding” at all. I saw this in Hua Hin, Kanchanaburi, and Chiang Mai. Change is in the air! There’s still a lot of work to be done, but so much has been accomplished in these past 10 years.

BLES, like some of its rescued elephants is now a teenager. Some things have changed with its notoriety & popularity with visitors. But I would still describe this to visitors as a homestay resort in the midst of a specatcular nature preserve. The 3 guest cottages were unfortunately recently damaged in a storm and there aren’t funds available to repair them. Fortunately, a European with ties to the local village has opened a nice guesthouse nearby. It has hot water showers and a swimming pool to cool off in after a full day at BLES. The daily fee to visit BLES covers the Guesthouse stay, all transportation, meals and other expenses. While I loved waking up to the elephants roaring or squeaking, I would also have loved a proper shower after a day on dusty roads or in the forest with the elephants. So change can bring small blessings too.

The meals at BLES are simple healthy fresh food, served at a communal table, or during the day, on a mat by the forest road, or in the shade of the lovely hut from which we can watch the elephants bathing or grazing.

With the other rescued animals there’s lots to receive your love. With lots of dogs and cats, a couple of monkeys, and Jerry the crocodile (ask to see his enclosure), there is always drama, laughter, and lots of stories. Every guest at BLES leaves a mark on BLES.

I have been privileged to watch Katherine’s family and her elephant family grow and to see the evolution of this spectacular nature preserve. Thanks to Katherine’s unusual drive and dedication, her family in England, and her supporters worldwide, 28 elephants have been rescued since its founding. More land has been acquired, trees have been saved, crops and food for elephants have been planted, stables, a first aid room and a viewing tree house, and other structures have been built. There’s always more to be done! So many needs, every visitor can make a difference.

If you love animals and nature, and you want a chance to be up close and personal with elephants, then you will treasure this place, and the BLES family, as I do. BLES’s location is definitely off the beaten tourist track. Those who make the effort to come out here will be inspired and rewarded.

Because BLES accepts only a few visitors at a time, they are usually fully booked months or longer in advance. But there are occasional cancellations, and now, with guests staying in the guesthouse in the village there is sometimes more flexibility. The information on how to visit is on the website. Inquire and be nice and be patient and you might get lucky and get in!

Most guests fly Bangkok Airways to the precious Sukhothai airport to get to BLES. The Sukhothai Heritage Parks nearby are well worth an extra couple of days there. They are like visiting Angkor At in Cambodia without the 100’s of tour buses and thousands of tourists. Be sure to check that out too, when planning your visit to BLES!
Written 12 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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BOON LOTT'S ELEPHANT SANCTUARY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)