BEES - Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary

BEES - Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary

BEES - Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary
5
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
You MUST make a booking in advance. Please do NOT just show up at the Sanctuary. We do NOT run a daily day program or overnight stay, you must get in touch to check available days and program fees. Our normal program is Mon-Thurs/Thurs-Sun OR 1 week Mon-Sun. We are an Elephant Sanctuary and Animal Rescue Centre located in the valley of Mae Tan, in the town of Maechaem. We are near lush forest land and rivers and have a beautiful view of Doi Inthanon the Highest mountain in Thailand. Book a stay with us and help us to create a better future for the elephants, animals and community. Please note: This is a high welfare facility where you can come to observe elephants in a more natural setting, we have adopted a hands off policy. No Riding, No Exploitation, just a place where you can see elephants at a respectful distance that is putting their needs first. We cannot survive without paying guests. Help us help elephants, book a stay!
Mae Chaem, Thailand
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles133 reviews
Excellent
130
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Di C
8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Solo
My overnight stay was too short but a very rewarding experience. Burm, Emily and their friendly and welcoming staff run a beautiful small sanctuary where I met three lovely lady elephants who retire each night safely to large enclosures in natural surroundings with the sounds of a river running beside them. Our group of visitors helped prepare a mashed up meal for Thong Dee, the old elephant who has no teeth. She takes life a little quieter these days.
Combined with helping and observing the elephants, Burm provided a gorgeous day of sightseeing while journeying to the property, including a picnic beside a waterfall in the Doi Inthanon National Park. The rice paddy views were stunning as we continued. All timed perfectly to arrive at their property in time to see the elephants arriving back home after being out in the jungle foraging, all day. A leisurely jungle trek next day, observing the elephants at close range, but leaving them alone, topped off my two day stay in this beautiful part of the world. Thankyou to all the BEES team. I will be back but for lo ger next time.🐘🐘🐘
Written 25 November 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.

Kate L
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Solo
If you want a unique hands off experience watching elephants trek through forest to the river this is a must! Burm and Emily have put their heart and soul into caring for these retired working elephants. The staff are all amazing, ‘Em, Te, Nei Nei, Go, Joy all make your stay extremely comfortable and the food is amazing. Seeing elephants in their natural habitat is what I came to see and BEES delivered in spades. Other activities included tubing down the river, swimming in the fresh water spring pools, visiting the village temple, enjoying a herbal sauna, patting the dogs and cuddling the cats. The best experience in a very relaxed environment. From an overnight stay to volunteering for a week this is an absolute MUST. You will not be disappointed, a truly magical experience. Thank you so very much BEES I will definitely be back. !
Written 25 January 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.

Anno2013
48 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
We where so amazingly received by Emily, Burm and their team. A special shout out to Ty, Em and Tanjung who took extra care of us.

Really, if you are looking for a place that is super chill and works so hard to provide as good and ethical as possible for the elephants, look no further. Think home stay care and community with a lot of info about elephants, their care and history and Forrest adventure. We felt like having a private experience. There where 3 other guests and they have a maximum capacity of 12.
With the elephants there is a no touch policy and they where very careful with the distance to the animals so there is no interference with their daily stroll through the wide forest and river. It was amazing to see them so happy! What a good experience of seeing these beautiful girls enjoying life to the fullest. This place is on the world animal protection list for a reason. I would totally want to be an elephant at BEES!

We stayed one night and where so surprised with the full package of activities they organised for us. Visiting a waterfall, preparing lunch voor one of the elderly elephants, trek through the forest, lunch in the banana fields, tubing, playing games and making bracelets together. We even got a good bye gifts. And oooo all the other rescues (dogs and cats) were so friendly and cuddly. We miss everybody (people and animals) already. Thank you for this amazing experience!

Please don’t hesitate to book. BEES is on the frontline of ethical elephant care in Thailand. The people are so passionate. There can only be change for these amazing animals if we support such good causes! With your stay you also contribute to the movement of not using the elephant for tourists and labour but putting knowledge to organisations so that everybody takes good care of mistreated elephants and they can have a better life.
Written 9 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.

Tess J
London, UK12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Solo
What a beautiful experience. It’s a shame that not more people know about what a great sanctuary Burm and Emily are running. Everyone at the sanctuary was so welcoming from day one and the people made the experience as much as the elephants.

Seeing the elephants doing their thing was an amazing experience. It was also great to chill with all the dogs and cats in the downtime.
Written 10 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.

John E
23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
An amazing opportunity to learn more about Elephants in Thailand. We followed them as they were led by their Mahoots down a meandering river to their waterhole, where they wallowed! The river walk through the jungle would have been a beautiful experience even without the elephants. Mucked in by mixing their food, collecting banana s and sweeping their pens.
Staff were knowledgeable and attentive, accomodation comfortable.
Special thanks to Burm and the amazing Tea ( our guide most days)
Written 10 February 2024
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.

Isobel
United Kingdom29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2024 • Solo
I stayed at BEES for 5 nights and couldn’t recommend this place more. I came as a solo traveller which I was slightly nervous about but I was instantly made to feel so at home here by everyone. Ty in particular was so lovely and introduced me to all of the animals and brought me local food and drinks to try!

Seeing the elephants in their natural habitat was surreal, and walking through the jungle was a really cool experience. The dogs and cats at the shelter are also so cute and affectionate, some of the dogs slept outside my room every night ❤️ you can tell the people here really want the best for all of the animals and work really hard to make sure the elephants get the best treatment possible.

I would really recommend coming here for at least a few days to get the most out of the experience. Just to name some of the things I did: planted trees, prepared food for the elephants, went to a local market, went to see the rice paddies and local waterfalls, as well as observe the elephants and walk through the jungle with them most days.

I will cherish my time here forever and hope more people will come and support a great cause!
Written 30 June 2024
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.

Hawki45
Southend-on-Sea, UK31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Solo
BEES was recommended to me & i was not disappointed. What an amazing place. The reason i chose to visit is because it is an ethical sanctuary and completely hands off. Burm and Emily, and all their staff, are very friendly and welcoming. I stayed 2 nights but wish it had been longer. I got to cut down some banana trees and help prep some food for the 3 lovely eles. My highlight was going for a walk with 2 of them, just watching them be elephants was fabulous. Also, loved all the dogs and cats there aswell, especially the puppies!
Written 31 January 2024
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.

AshLehto
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Friends
My partner and I had a fantastic time at BEES! We picked this sanctuary based on recommendation and the fact that they are hands-off, focused on letting the elephants be elephants safely instead of forcing them to be fed and washed by tourists. But that doesn't mean we didn't have a special experience! All the staff were wonderful and fun, and you could tell they care a lot about what they do. We ate great food (Vegetarian options were delicious), hiked through the jungle, were given a great tour of town (thank you Burm and Em), learned how the elephants are cared for, played with friendly dogs and cats, and got to observe the elephants in such a special way. We will carry this experience forever. We did the three-night stay and I could have done longer! If you go anywhere in Thailand, it should definitely be too visit the team and elephants at BEES 🐘
Written 4 November 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.

M E
USA5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2017 • Solo
I recently spent three nights / four days at BEES and have already booked a return trip. Emily and Burm have created an outstanding elephant sanctuary in Mae Chaem where one can enjoy being immersed in the beautiful Thai countryside and watch elephants being elephants. There is no riding, no bullhooks, no performing.

The journey starts in Chiang Mai where you will be met by a member of the BEES staff and driven to BEES which is located in Mae Chaem. The trip from Chiang Mai to Mae Chaem is approximately three hours and a good portion of the drive is through the lush Doi Inthanon National Park. You even get to have lunch in the park by a stunning waterfall.

Upon arrival at BEES you will be warmly greeted by other members of the BEES team. Emily, Burm, Leo, Diana, Chin, Tan, the mahouts, and the cooks have created an environment whereby you feel instantly welcome and right at home.

There are two types of accommodations: on-site and an off-site homestay (the homestay is within a very short walking distance to BEES). I stayed on-site and my room was rustic, but completely comfortable. There was a mattress on the floor, blankets, pillows, mosquito net, a fan, and plenty of places to hang clothes. Located a few steps from the on-site rooms are the bathrooms - four individual rooms each with a Western toilet and hot / cold water shower. I had the opportunity to see the homestay rooms and found them very nice as well.

There is a main meeting area where you have meals together (food is delicious!) and relax. There are books to read, information about elephants, hammocks to lie in, a small gift shop stocked with BEES t-shirts, Thai handicrafts, and they even have some soft drinks for sell in case you need a Coke or Coke Zero fix. You can also help prepare meals for the BEES resident cats and dogs at breakfast time and dinner time.

The main stars are, of course, the elephants! ~ Thong Dee, Mae Kam, and the newly arrived Mae Mor. The elephant walks are a definite highlight. I was able to spend quite a bit of time observing the magnificent Mae Kam and Thong Dee. It was a privilege to walk alongside them through the forest and also cool off in the river while watching them bathe and play in the water. On the elephant walks you are on 'elephant time' and walks can last more than three hours. Not to worry, Burm prepares a yummy packed lunch to enjoy in the forest.

I also got to prepare food for the elephants, clean their nighttime areas, go tamarind picking, and help cut banana stalks for their evening snack. Other activities while at BEES may include teaching English at a local Thai school, a visit to the local temple which Burm was instrumental in helping to build, or a trip to the town of Mae Chaem for a Thai iced coffee.

As others have mentioned, there is no Wifi at BEES, but you will not need it or miss it.

I highly recommend a visit to BEES to experience for yourself this ethical and tranquil sanctuary Burm and Emily have created for the well being of the elephants in their loving care.
Written 30 April 2017
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.

Kim_Thelesa
Burlington, Canada3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2013 • Solo
In early December 2013, I visited BEES for a few days. It is located up in the mountains near Chiang Mai and is very nice. The cabins are very Thai and are hand made by Burm's dad. I felt that I really got a taste of what it was like to live in Thailand. They had two elephants when I visited them and I got to spend as much time as I wanted with them. I fed them, helped to bathe them and went on lovely walks down the river with them. There is some talk of getting another one so, soon there might be additional elephant bliss at BEES. There are quite a few rescued dogs and cats there and I made a few friends, especially Gizmo the cat who followed me everywhere. Since I left, they have rescued a few more dogs and cats - there are always dogs and cats in need in Thailand.

The food is fantastic and Burm is a great cook. We had a meal of rice cooked in bamboo and tea in just made bamboo cups on one of our walks which was amazing.

One day we went to the temple where I got a blessing from one of the monks. The temple also has a few dogs and cats that they've rescued as well as quite a few chickens and chicks roaming around. There is a traditional Thai apothacary there where you can buy Thai medicine, if you know what you're looking for.

As I am older (60) I really appreciated that the walks down the river were shorter than usual and that they took care to accommodate me. I think that younger people would get so much more out of BEES and be more helpful to them. As they are still building up the sanctuary, there are always jobs to be done there and if I had been in my 20's or 30's or even 40's I would have been able to chip right in and help out. I have already recommended it to my sons as a great place to go to make a difference.
Written 26 January 2014
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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BEES - Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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