If you’ve been on the fence about adding Leilani Farm Sanctuary to your Maui itinerary, consider this your sign. Reviews have been pouring in across Google, Airbnb, Yelp and TripAdvisor in 2026, and they all say the same thing: this place is unlike anything else on the island.

Tucked away in Ha’iku, Leilani Farm Sanctuary is a nonprofit rescue farm founded by Laurelee Blanchard, who has spent years giving a safe, loving forever home to animals that needed one. Across nearly eight acres, goats, pigs, chickens, tortoises, deer, sheep, turkeys, geese, swans, cats, guinea pigs and more roam freely, each with its own rescue story.

What sets Leilani apart isn’t just the animals. It’s how personal the whole experience feels.

“You don’t just walk around and look at animals, you get the full experience,” wrote Emma from Edmonton, Canada, on Airbnb in May. “We got to pet, hold, and feed so many of them, making it feel incredibly personal. One of the most inspiring parts was meeting Laurelee, the founder and host. Hearing her stories and learning about the incredible work she’s done to rescue and save each of these animals was unforgettable.”

That hands-on access is something reviewer after reviewer calls out. Tina Marie, writing on Yelp in April, described it this way: “The animals are very cuddly, and even the turkey loves to be held. There are several large tortoises and they love to be brushed! I had no idea they have so much feeling in their shells. They will even fall asleep during brushing!”

Patty W., who visited in February and reviewed on TripAdvisor, appreciated both the depth of the experience and Laurelee’s warmth: “It is very hands on, you can brush the pigs, hold chickens, geese, all 42 cats. I loved how compassionate Laurelee was and how much she loved each and every one of her animals who are now living on 8 acres in their forever home.”

From the Google reviews, Zhenya and Toshi from California wrote in February: “Laurelee and the animals felt like true friends and kindred hearts instantly. And seeing them in such harmony, full of love, together and with us, is indescribable.”

And Megan, an Airbnb visitor from May, summed up the experience with a detail that says a lot: “When the rain rolled in, she thoughtfully offered ponchos so we could still enjoy everything comfortably.”

It’s that kind of thoughtfulness, in the small moments and the big ones, that keeps visitors talking long after they leave.

Becca, also on Airbnb in May, put it simply: “Spent 4 days in Maui and this was by far my favorite part. Must must must visit in Maui.”

Whether you’re a lifelong animal lover or just looking for something genuine and off the beaten path, Leilani Farm Sanctuary delivers. No gimmicks, no theme park polish. Just real animals with real stories, cared for by someone who clearly loves every single one of them.

Ready to experience it for yourself? Tours fill up, so don’t wait. Sign up at leilanifarmsanctuary.org/tour-the-sanctuary.

And you may read full 2026 reviews here.

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