Land of the Elephants
- 530 hectares
- The Nam Tien Lake
- The "Elephant" (Phu Xang) Mountain Range
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—forming a self-contained conservation campus where nature, science and hospitality blend seamlessly.
Hectares of Forest
Employees
Elephants
Ready to dive into the world of Lao 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: +61 412 183 018
Amenities at the ECC
ECC
Fly over our amenities with your mouse to discover the ECC Site. Click to read information.
Communal Washrooms
Two clean, large washrooms with 4 WC and 4 hot sowers each.
Logging Museum
An outdoor exhibition about logging elephants.
Restaurant
A warm communal restaurant with delicious food.
Bar
Our Trunk's Up! bar and its cosy terrace.
The Forest House
A charming traditional wooden house on stilts nestled in our tropical garden.
Souvenir Shop
Treat yourself or your friends and family with a selection of souvenirs and gifts from your memorable visit at the ECC.
The Exhibition Center
Our exhibition center is the place to increase your elephant knowledge. The beautifully curated exhibition takes you deeper into the world of elephants and the genesis of the ECC.
Chill Area & Gaming Zone
Enjoy a game of darts, a drink, play board games , just relax with a book or dance!! under the thatched roof of our chill area.
Elephant Bath Area
This Elephant bath area is one of serveral spots where elephants can enjoy water.
Elephant Treatment Area
The place where our vets diagnose and treat sick or wounded elephants. Routine checks are also performed here daily.
Kids Playground
Monkey bridges and other fun toys for our younger visitors to enjoy!
The Kitchen
This is where our cooks prepare your meals with fresh local products.
The Yoga Shala
Yoga and meditation lessons by our partner instructors - or simply by yourself - facing the Nam Tien Lake and the mountains.
The Dormitory
A 16 bed-dormitory for volunteers and students.
Hospital Visit
Where you will learn all you want to know about elephants' biology and the role of the only elephant hospital in Laos.
Students Workspace
Our ECORE (Education, Conservation & Research) Workspace.
The Elephant Skeleton
A full elephant skeleton and elephants' anatomic information.
Deluxe Lodge 2
Our cosier accommodation option, the Deluxe Lodge overlooking the lake.
Deluxe Lodge 1
Our cosier accommodation option, the Deluxe Lodge overlooking the lake.
Communal Washrooms
Two clean, large washrooms with 4 WC and 4 hot sowers each.
Family Bungalow 1
Our Family Bungalows can accommodate parents and children under one roof with privacy and a magical view on the lake.
Family Bungalow 2
Our Family Bungalows can accommodate parents and children under one roof with privacy and a magical view on the lake.
Classic Lakeside Bungalows
Simple and rustic, but comfortable bamboo huts overlooking the lake or the garden.
Premium Bungalow
Our newer accommodation type, the Premium Lakeside Bungalow offers better comfort and a larger living space and terrace to enjoy the breath-taking view on the Nam Tien Lake.
Premium Bungalow
Our newer accommodation type, the Premium Lakeside Bungalow offers better comfort and a larger living space and terrace to enjoy the breath-taking view on the Nam Tien Lake.
Kayaks
Treat yourself with a relaxing kayaking trip on the quite and beutyful Nam Tien lake.
Dorm Washrooms
Practical washrooms for volunteers and students
Laboratory
Disgnostic Lab where our biologist analyse organic samples from our resident elephants and elephants from other owners.
Mahouts Meeting Room
This is were our Elephant Manager and ECC mahouts and biologists meet every morning to plan the day's activities and care.
Petanque Court
This is the place to enjoy a Petanque game, a real institution in Laos!
Male Elephants Socialization Area
A unique opportunity to observe group of bachelor elephants from a safe distance as they forage and spar!
Female Elephants' Socialization Area
Meet the herd and its matriarch in our observation desck overlooking the Socialization Area.
The Elephant Nursery
Your first encounter with elephants at the ECC - mothers and their offsprings - is here!
The Boat Pier
A place to come and go to the ECC, but also a great location to observe elephants as they bathe, or just enjoy the stunning view on the lake and the mountains afar.
The Bamboo Forest Project
A Bamboo Arboretum where visitors discover this remarkable plant and its many versatile uses.(work in progress)
Volunteers Workshop
The place for hands-on volunteer work and our tree nursery project.
The Sunset Deck
A place like no other to enjoy the amazing sunsets on the Nam Tien lake with a refreshing drink.