Visiting Malaysia’s National Elephant Conservation Centre (NECC) at Kuala Gandah has been on my bucket list since 2017 so I am thrilled beyond words to finally have experienced it. This particular elephant sanctuary is the top rescue haven for wild elephants living in the jungles of Malaysia. Come along with me and explore the NECC. I’ll also show you the #1 luxury place to stay when you’re there, which just happens to be the Kampung Bongsu Farmstay!

** NOTE/UPDATE: a commenter on YouTube has had the same concerns I had about the elephants having to do a show and the staff carrying bullhooks, which I explain at the start of the video. Here is my reply to her valid concerns, “I spent hours one-on-one talking with their team — many of whom have been there for decades — and they are doing the best they can with the space and budget they have. I prefer sanctuaries like Elephant Nature Park in Thailand personally, Lek is a true inspiration to me. And the team understands the perceptions of everything you mentioned, I had the same concerns and they hear it all the time and know it’s time for change. Little by little they will change things there…. I’m excited to see what they do and have high hopes they are on their way to a being a true sanctuary by international standards.” I fully believe they are moving towards being a true sanctuary and that the NECC is worth supporting and following. **

This is an ideal excursion from Kuala Lumpur. It takes about 2 hours to arrive, a little less to get to the farmstay from KL. The NECC sits within the Krau Wildlife Reserve, which I wish I had taken a day to explore as well. It looks beautiful and you can hire a guide very inexpensively to really make the most of your time there.

Visit Malaysia’s Top Elephant Sanctuary

• For the detailed hour-by-hour plan for the National Elephant Conservation Centre (NECC) at Kuala Gandah, visit their website
• For more information or to make a booking at Kampung Bongsu Farmstay, visit their Airbnb listing