Pi Mai Lao: A New Year Begins
The month of April marks a very special time in Laos: Pi Mai, the Lao New Year, a celebration of renewal, sharing, and joy.
On this occasion, the entire Mekong Elephant Park team wishes you a year filled with serenity, good health, and positive energy whether you are with family, friends, in the middle of water festivities… or simply enjoying a well-deserved break.
Pi Mai is a time of renewal. A moment to cleanse, to bless, and to start anew, just like the nature that surrounds us here in Pakbeng.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us, year after year. We look forward to welcoming you (again) very soon with big smiles… and a few festive splashes!
Sacred Blessings for 2559
To mark this new chapter at Mekong Elephant Park, we organized a traditional Baci ceremony, led by a shaman.
A very special moment, as this Baci was dedicated to the elephants. In Lao culture, the elephant is the only animal to receive such a ritual, reflecting its unique and respected place. This Baci is essential: it aims to protect the elephants, ensure their well-being in the year ahead, and strengthen the bond between humans, animals, and nature.
While the shaman recites prayers, the elephants fully enjoy the moment… A true feast awaits them: sugarcane, banana trunks, watermelons — a moment both sacred and full of life.
For us here in Pakbeng, these blessings accompany every stay, every project, and every step we take at the sanctuary.
Thank You to Association Sabaideee
We had the pleasure of welcoming once again Association Sabaidee, a loyal partner and member of APEEL, during their visit to Pakbeng.
At each visit, their commitment to local schools makes a real difference:
- Drawing and painting workshops
- Distribution of school supplies
- Awareness campaigns on plastic pollution in the Mekong
Their work directly supports children and helps prepare for the upcoming school year, essential fieldwork carried out with dedication and care
In this continuity, we have also installed fans in classrooms to improve learning conditions during the hot season.
A special thank you as well to former Mekong Elephant Park volunteers who initiated this fundraising effort and especially to Arthur, who led this wonderful initiative.
Elephant Pool Mission accomplished!
In February, we shared one of our key priorities for 2026: the renovation of the elephant pool, damaged by Typhoon Yagi. Today, we are very happy to announce that it is now complete. The work represented a real logistical challenge: transporting machinery across the Mekong, reaching the site, and carrying out construction step by step.
But the result is here: The elephants once again have access to an essential space to cool down daily. And the park is now better prepared to face the seasons ahead. The first baths did not take long to follow — a simple moment, yet a strong reminder of how essential this space is for them.
Green Season 2026 — Rediscover Our Bungalows
With the arrival of the green season, a period of transformation begins at Mekong Elephant Park: lush vegetation, a peaceful atmosphere, and a slower rhythm.
It is the perfect time to (re)discover our bungalows and experience the park differently.
Whether at sunrise by the Mekong facing Mae Kham, or at the end of the day after time spent with the elephants, every moment takes on a more intimate, nature-connected dimension.
A complete stay to slow down, observe, and fully immerse yourself in the life of the park.
Wallpaper of the month
This month, our wallpaper highlights our bungalows, set in lush greenery during the green season. An invitation to slow down, reconnect, and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of Mekong Elephant Park. Download it and take it with you, wherever you are.
