Jordy Meow (Offbeat J.
Google
This is a difficult review to write, because perspective matters a lot here. I did enjoy my day, it was a nice day overall, and Brigitte is engaging, funny, and clearly cares about her elephants 🥰 Playing Uno while elephants were eating around us was a really special moment 🌴That said, I removed 2 stars:
First, the ethical aspect. The experience feels gentle and well intentioned, but in retrospect it aligns more with rebranded elephant tourism than with a truly ethical sanctuary. Close visitor interaction, heavy banana feeding, and overnight chaining suggest conditioning and control rather than full freedom of choice. It is far better than riding or abusive practices, but by current welfare standards, this cannot be considered a genuinely ethical sanctuary, especially considering the age of one elephant.
Second, the tourist experience. It is not bad at all, but it feels a bit too planned. I would prefer something more flexible and elephant-led: starting from what the elephants want to do that day, and then letting the team adapt, either with quiet observation, learning moments, or activities nearby rather than always direct interaction.
Finally, the quality of food and drinks could be clearly improved given the price. Better coffee and a nicer meal would make a real difference, even if it meant asking a little more.
That said, it was a very pleasant and friendly day with good intentions, but with room to become a much stronger, more thoughtful experience ☺️ I hope my review will help.