BEES – Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary

BEES – Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary

Why visit?

BEES offers a hands-off way to observe elephants in a forested rural setting in Mae Chaem, Chiang Mai Province. Visitors do not ride, bathe, feed or touch the elephants; the experience is intended for people who would rather watch and learn than take part in close-contact encounters. The sanctuary is accredited by World Animal Protection as Elephant Friendly.

About the sanctuary

BEES is a community-based sanctuary focused on rescuing and retiring elephants from working situations, including logging, tourism, entertainment and riding. It is in Mae Chaem District in northern Thailand. Public information describes its purpose as providing refuge from labour-intensive work and allowing elephants to live without pressure to perform or interact with visitors.

Details of individual elephants’ histories and the circumstances of their arrival are not provided here. The sanctuary’s setting is described as forested and rural, away from major tourist infrastructure.

The elephant experience

The visitor policy is observation-only: visitors watch elephants in their environment and may learn about their histories and personalities, but do not ride, bathe, feed or touch them. This is a low-contact alternative to hands-on elephant tourism.

Public information does not specify the visit itinerary, whether walks or other activities are offered, visit duration, group sizes, or whether meals and refreshments are included. Contact BEES to ask what a visit currently involves.

Elephant welfare and ethical approach

The clearest publicly stated welfare measure is the no-riding, no-bathing, no-feeding and no-touching visitor policy. It avoids making direct elephant interaction part of the visitor experience. BEES is listed as accredited by World Animal Protection as Elephant Friendly; check with the sanctuary or the accrediting organisation for current details of the assessment and its scope.

Available information describes the sanctuary as a refuge for rescued and retired elephants. It does not establish how much freedom elephants have to move or forage, how they are socially grouped, or whether chains, hooks or other control methods are used. These are useful questions to raise directly if you want a fuller picture of welfare practices.

Who is it best for?

BEES is particularly suited to wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and travellers seeking low-contact elephant observation. It may also suit visitors who want to support a sanctuary without participating in riding, bathing or feeding. It is less suitable if your priority is direct interaction with elephants.

Families may wish to confirm minimum ages and whether an observation-led visit will suit their children. Accessibility information, including mobility access and facilities, is not available; contact the sanctuary about specific access needs.

Getting there

The address is 34, Tambon Chang Keung, Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai 50270, Thailand. The sanctuary is described as approximately 80–100 km from Chiang Mai city, the nearest major tourist destination, in a rural area. Specific directions and transport arrangements are not confirmed in the available information. Ask BEES about routes and whether transfers can be arranged before planning your trip.

Visit length and practical information

Visit duration, opening days and hours, meal arrangements, recommended clothing and footwear, and physical or mobility requirements are not specified. Mae Chaem has limited tourist infrastructure, so confirm practical arrangements with the sanctuary and consider asking about nearby accommodation if you plan to stay in the area.

Booking and prices

Current programmes, prices, availability, opening hours and advance-booking requirements are not provided. Contact BEES directly to confirm these details and ask about transport. Information can change.

Website: bees-elesanctuary.org
Phone: +66 86 197 2519

Good to know

• This is an observation-led experience, not a hands-on encounter.
• Confirm visit arrangements, transport, accessibility and current welfare practices directly with the sanctuary.
• The sanctuary is in a rural location rather than among Chiang Mai city’s main attractions.

Why visit?

BEES combines a strict no-contact visitor policy with a forested Mae Chaem setting and a stated focus on rescuing and retiring elephants. Its World Animal Protection Elephant Friendly accreditation offers an additional point of reference, while details beyond the published visitor policy are best confirmed directly.

Directory facts

• Sanctuary name: BEES – Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary
• Country: Thailand
• Region / province: Chiang Mai Province
• Nearest tourist destination: Chiang Mai city
• Full address: BEES - Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary, 34, Tambon Chang Keung, Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai 50270, Thailand
• Latitude / longitude: Not provided
• Website: https://www.bees-elesanctuary.org/
• Year established: Not provided
• Number of elephants: Not provided
• Visit duration: Not provided
• Typical price: Not provided
• Hotel transfer available: Unknown
• Feeding permitted: No
• Touching permitted: No
• Bathing permitted: No
• Riding permitted: No
• Performances: No performances are described in the available information
• Observation-only option: Yes
• Suitable for children: Unknown; confirm minimum age and suitability with the sanctuary
• Accessibility information: Not provided
• Accreditation / welfare assessment: Accredited by World Animal Protection as Elephant Friendly; assessment details are not provided here.
• Booking URL: https://www.bees-elesanctuary.org/