Have you ever wondered what it would be like to truly be yourself, free from constraints and expectations? Now, imagine being an elephant who has been told what to do for the past 20 years. It may seem impossible, but deep in the forests of Dak Lak, Vietnam, four Asian elephants are learning to do just that. Bun Kham, Y Khun, H Non, and Thong Ngan are the stars of Vietnam’s first ethical elephant tours, offering a rare opportunity to observe and learn about these majestic creatures in their own environment.
A Unique Tour for Animal Lovers
Unlike traditional elephant tours, Vietnam’s ethical elephant experience, created by Yok Don National Park and Animals Asia, does not involve bathing, riding, or direct interaction with the elephants. Instead, it allows travelers from all over the world to observe and learn about the elephants from a safe distance. Although you may not get up close to the animals, the tour offers a window into their extraordinary world and is a must for animal lovers.
A History of Elephants in Dak Lak
Vietnam was once home to thousands of wild elephants, but today, according to experts from Animals Asia, only 114 elephants remain in the country. In Vietnam’s Central Highlands, ethnic minorities like the Ede and M’nong have long captured wild elephants and trained them to transport heavy loads. However, with the arrival of modern means of transport in Dak Lak, elephant owners shifted their focus to tourism activities such as elephant riding and bathing. Now, Yok Don National Park is introducing a different type of tour, where the well-being of the elephants takes precedence for the first time.
Creating an Elephant-Friendly Experience
Yok Don National Park, spanning over 115,000 hectares of deciduous dipterocarp forest, is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Working closely with Animals Asia, the national park has discontinued its elephant care activities for tourists and has adopted an ethical approach to elephant tourism. The four elephants at Yok Don National Park – one bull and three cows – have been freed from constraints and are now allowed to roam freely under the watchful eye of their mahouts. Each elephant has its own mahout who stays nearby throughout the day to ensure their safety and prevent them from wandering into private property.
After four months of “elephant rehab,” the park reopened its elephant experience under the new model. During the guided trek through the forest, visitors are taken to where the elephants and their mahouts were last seen. Along the way, park guides and rangers provide insights about the elephants and point out signs of their activity. The moment of first encountering these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is truly special.
Putting the Elephant First
The well-being of the elephants is of utmost importance at Yok Don National Park. The first sign that the elephants are thriving in their new environment is their round bellies. In the wild, elephants forage for up to 18 hours a day, and at the park, they are free to eat whenever they choose. Healthy skin, strong toenails, and moist pads on the undersides of their feet further indicate their well-being. The park guides will explain the elephants’ signals and direct the tour to ensure the animals can roam freely. Depending on how far the elephants have chosen to forage, visitors may spot one or more elephants during their tour.
According to experts from Animals Asia, the four elephants at Yok Don National Park have shown a remarkable transformation since the tour began. As they adjust to their own rhythms, they have returned to their natural habits, forming bonds and displaying complex social behavior similar to that seen in the wild. The park is home to a total of 17 permanent elephant residents, but the four elephants available for the tour are the easiest to get to know. Each elephant has its own unique backstory and distinct personality.
Meet the Elephants
Let’s meet the stars of the show. Bun Kham, the youngest female, used to assist the park patrol missions. Once considered disobedient, she now enjoys a calm and deliberate approach to life. Bun Kham’s closest friend is Y Khun, a 60-year-old female who values her personal space after years of transporting rice and crops. H Non, the grandmother of the group, finds solace in quiet moments among the bamboo bushes, enjoys meals of young grass, and indulges in regular mud baths. The only bull in the park, Thong Ngan, at 23 years old, has retired from chores and carrying equipment. He now spends his days leisurely and never turns down a sugarcane snack.
A New Chapter for Vietnamese Elephants
Foraging is a significant part of the elephants’ daily routine at Yok Don National Park. Witnessing them knock over small trees to eat the roots or pull vines down from branches with their trunks is a true treat. Initially, there were concerns about whether the elephants would find enough food during the dry season after relying on delivered meals for most of their lives. However, these concerns were quickly put to rest as the elephants proved adept at finding sustenance. Seeing the elephants’ remarkable health has sparked interest from other elephant owners in Dak Lak.
There is hope that with enough demand for the tours, some of Dak Lak’s 45 captive elephants can also be introduced to the project and allowed to live freely in the park, with their mahouts close at hand. Until then, this marks just the beginning of a new chapter for these four extraordinary Vietnamese elephants.
Details and Booking
Prices for the tour are currently 800,000 VND per person for a half-day tour and 1,400,000 VND per person for the full-day experience, including lunch at the ranger station. For more information and booking, visit the Yok Don National Park website.
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