The "Following Giants" project on Koh Lanta is an ethical tourism initiative dedicated to the protection and well-being of elephants. In this ethical elephant sanctuary on Koh Lanta, you can observe the animals without ever touching them. You may not feed or bathe them, they will not pose for selfies, and you are absolutely forbidden from riding on their backs. It is one of the most ethical ways to experience domesticated elephants in Thailand. The sanctuary is located on a 6-hectare wooded property on the edge of Mu Koh Lanta National Park and was formerly a trekking camp where elephants were used for tourist rides with saddles. Thanks to the awareness of the current generation of owners and the collaboration with World Animal Protection, one of the world's most reputable animal welfare organizations, the area has been transformed into a purely observational model. Today, the elephants can roam freely, graze, and bathe in an environment that respects their natural and social needs. Following Giants provides a safe haven for rescued elephants from other trekking camps, allowing them to live free and happy lives in a stress-free environment. Visitors can participate in programs of varying lengths – from two hours to a full day – or even volunteer for several weeks. Activities include walking with the elephants, learning about their behavior, and participating in reforestation projects to protect the local ecosystem. By visiting Following Giants, you can not only admire the elephants on Koh Lanta but also contribute to a broader movement for more ethical animal treatment in tourism in Thailand.

To book one of Following Giants' visitor programs or volunteer weeks, please visit their website. The two-hour basic program in the park costs 1,800 THB per adult and 1,000 THB per child. Hotel pick-up and drop-off after the tour are included. We recommend booking at least one day in advance. As group sizes are limited, we advise booking even earlier during Koh Lanta's peak tourist season (December to the end of February). Please note that Following Giants has also recently opened a location in Krabi, near Ao Nang.

If you are able to get to Following Giants yourself (a four-wheel drive is recommended for the last part of the unpaved road, especially during the rainy season), pick-up from your hotel is included in the price, so you can use this service to be picked up and dropped off again.

How to get there

How do you get to Following Giants? If you can reach Following Giants independently (a four-wheel drive is recommended for the last section of the unpaved road, especially during the rainy season), hotel pick-up is included in the price. Therefore, it's best to use this service for both the outward and return journeys.