About Us
Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary (KSES) is a non-profit foundation working alongside Karen communities in Northern Thailand to support elephant welfare, sustainable livelihoods and the protection of the forests they depend on.
Our elephants live in the forest, where they are able to move, forage, socialise and rest according to their own rhythms. Our approach prioritises autonomy, space and natural behaviour. Visitors do not touch, feed, bathe or ride the elephants. Instead, they hike through the forest and observe them from a respectful distance, learning to appreciate elephants as individuals with their own needs, relationships and behaviours.
Alongside our elephant welfare work, we contribute to behavioural research, community initiatives, environmental projects and education. We work closely with the local Karen community, recognising and valuing the knowledge, experience and long-standing relationships that exist within the community. Our work is based on collaboration, with initiatives developed alongside the people who live and work here.
KSES is a small organisation, and collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Our visitors, interns, mahouts, community members, researchers and partner organisations all contribute to the work we share: supporting elephant welfare, community life and the forest environment in ways that are respectful of the people and place at the heart of KSES.
Program at a glance
Why choose us?
This is a unique opportunity for photographers, visual storytellers, content creators and creative marketers who want to gain hands-on experience creating unique content. Whether you’re a photography student, recent graduate, content creator, or simply passionate about photography and storytelling, this internship offers the opportunity to develop your skills while working on real projects in Northern Thailand.
You’ll have the opportunity to build your portfolio, create photography and social media content, and develop your understanding of visual storytelling while documenting life at KSES.
If you want to have a unique experience hiking in the forest every day to find the elephants, observing and recording their natural behaviours in their home environment, then Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is the right place for you.
Come and join us for the experience of a lifetime, while developing your creative skills and experiencing life in a rural Thai community.
Requirements
- You must be at least 18 years old on the programme start date to join our internship programme. In some cases, we may be able to accept applicants under 18 if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Be fluent in English
Volunteer experience
A photography intern’s tasks vary from day to day, so no two days are quite the same. Days begin with an early morning hike through the forest to find the elephants. Once we find them, you’ll spend time observing their natural behaviour and capturing high-resolution photographs and video to help create content for our social media and other communications.
Some days, lunch is eaten in the forest with the elephants, making for a unique experience. Hikes usually return to the village around early afternoon, but the day doesn’t end there.
Depending on what is happening at KSES, you may spend time photographing life in the village, visiting the local school, or capturing community activities and day-to-day life at the sanctuary. You’ll also work on a photography or social media project throughout your stay and may help the team create content for upcoming campaigns and posts.
- 1 week (6 days / 5 nights): US$475
- 2 weeks: US$950
- 3 weeks: US$1,250
- 4 weeks: US$1,550
- 5 weeks: US$1,700
- 6 weeks: US$1,850
- 7 weeks: US$2,000
- 8 weeks: US$2,150
Volunteers stay with local host families, providing a direct source of income for the community while offering an authentic cultural experience.
Each homestay is unique and may include a private room inside the family home or a separate wooden hut nearby. Accommodation is simple but comfortable and includes a Western-style toilet, cold shower, mattress, bedding, mosquito net, fan, extension cord for charging electronics, and filtered drinking water.
- Three meals per day
- Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available
- Other dietary requirements can be accommodated
We are based in a small, peaceful Karen village in the mountains of Northern Thailand. The area is quite remote, but weekends are free for volunteers to relax and explore. Transport to nearby attractions or further destinations can be arranged at an additional cost.
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