—Nam Tien · Sayaboury
Our Land
Protected forest on the boundary of the 192,000-hectare Nam Pouy National Protected Area — and the ground on which rewilding becomes possible.
—The peninsula
Land of the Elephants
Spreading across 530 hectares of protected forest and lakefront, the Elephant Conservation Center is set on a quiet peninsula of the Nam Tien Lake, where dense tropical forest meets open water and mountain ridgelines. The landscape is alive with birdsong, forest trails, bamboo groves and wide natural clearings shaped by elephants themselves. Paths wind between observation areas, forest viewpoints and lakeside platforms, offering an immersive sense of space, calm and wilderness at every turn.
Within this natural setting, visitors will find comfortable lakeside bungalows and forest lodges, a communal restaurant and bar, an information and exhibition center, kayaking facilities, scenic viewpoints and sunset decks. The site also hosts the Elephant Hospital and nursery, socialisation and bathing areas, research and teaching spaces, staff offices and a small shop — a self-contained conservation campus where nature, science and hospitality share the same ground.
530 hectares
Protected forest and lakefront, with clearings shaped by the elephants themselves.
The Nam Tien Lake
A quiet peninsula where dense tropical forest meets open water.
Phu Xang
The “Elephant” mountain range, along the ridgelines above the lake.
—On the ground
A working conservation campus
ECC is not a hotel with elephants next door. It is a working conservation campus: a hospital, two research laboratories, three socialisation areas where rescued elephants relearn how to be a herd, and a nursery where the next generation is born. Everything visitors see here is real work, not a show built for them.
—Interactive map
Amenities at the ECC
Elephant care & science
- Nursery
- Female and male socialisation areas — Laos’ only male-elephant programme
- Reproduction and training area
- Elephant Hospital
- Endocrinology and DNA labs, biobank, elephant skeleton exhibit
Habitat
- Bamboo forest — restoration and handicrafts
- Elephant bath
- Forest trails around Nam Tien Lake
Guest life
- Restaurant and bar, souvenir shop
- Children’s playground, petanque, chill and gaming area
- Sunset view point, yoga and meditation platform
- Kayaks and boat pier
Learning & operations
- Indoor information center, two exhibitions
- Student workspace, three classrooms
- Admin office and emergency meeting point
Hectares of forest
Employees
Elephants
Getting There
How to get there?
FROM/TO LUANG PRABANG
From Luang Prabang ECC minivan departs from the post office on the main street daily at 7:30am and arrives at the ECC at 10:30am. It returns daily to Luang Prabang at 2:00pm, arriving approximately at 5:00pm. The journey takes approximately 3 hours.
FROM/TO VIENTIANE
In Vientiane: Sakura Minivans (Sikhay station, pass the airport).
Departures at 7:00am, 8:00am and 10:00am.
In Sayaboury: Sakura Bus Station.
Departures at 7:00am, 8:00am and 10:00am.
The journey takes approximately 7 hours.
DIRECT DAILY FLIGHT FROM VIENTIANE TO SAYABOURY: fly Lao Skyway, and our team will pick you up at the Sayaboury Airfield. The flight is amazingly beautiful as you overlook the Nam Ngum reservoir, Muang Fuang's karst mountains and the mighty Mekong River!
FROM/TO VANGVIENG
In Sayaboury: Public Buses from the Bus Station.
Departures at 3:00pm.
In Vangvieng: Minivan from Vangvieng bus station.
Departures at 10:30am (reservation required).
- Luang Prabang Office: Manthatoulat Road (Mekong)
Ban Pakham, Luang Prabang
TEL: +856(0)20 96 59 06 65 - ECC: Nam Tien Lake,
Sayaboury Province, Lao PDR
WHATSAPP: +856 (0)20 96 59 06 65
