Elephants Deserve Space, Not Schedules

In the wild, elephants spend up to 18 hours a day foraging, playing, and interacting with their herd. When sanctuaries offer “feeding sessions” or “tourist bathing,” elephants are pulled away from this rhythm and placed on a timetable for human entertainment. At KES, we let them choose when to eat, splash, or rest — because that’s what real freedom looks like.

The Problem with Hands-On Activities

While feeding or bathing may look harmless, it often creates stress. Crowds of people with baskets of fruit encourage unnatural behavior and competition. Daily “river bathing” on command means elephants go into the water not because they want to, but because tourists expect it. This isn’t conservation — it’s performance.

Observation Is More Powerful

Instead of mudding or feeding, we invite you to simply watch. See an elephant tear banana trees, dust itself with sand, or trumpet happily with its herd. These unscripted moments are unforgettable. Many European travelers tell us this was the highlight of their journey — knowing they witnessed elephants without disturbing them.

Choose Ethical Tourism

By joining our programs, you’re directly supporting elephant welfare, sustainable tourism, and local farmers who provide bananas, grass, and sugarcane. True connection doesn’t come from touching an elephant. It comes from respecting its freedom.