The Story of Chiang Mai’s Elephant Nature Park
The Elephant Nature Park is an incredible project set in Northern Thailand, only 65 kilometers from the city of Chiang Mai. Since the 1990s, it has provided a sanctuary and haven for elephants and many other rescued animals from all over Thailand.
It’s the only place to experience elephants in the country (or another sanctuary recommended by the park’s staff) that operates ethically and responsibly and has the peace and well-being of the animals in mind. The sanctuary does fantastic work for the animals, allowing them to live happily, healthily, and with minimal interaction.
Sadly, wildlife tourism is a massive part of the standard backpacker trip in Thailand, with most being unethical and even cruel. Many of the elephants in this nature reserve have been saved from the tourism industry, tree logging, circuses, and poaching. Besides taking them in, the owner, Lek, and her team do a lot of work raising awareness of the mistreatment of elephants in Thailand.
The wildlife reserve is a sanctuary for those who can’t speak for themselves, home to 114 elephants, 670 dogs, and 2000 cats, as well as cows, buffalo, rabbits, and more. Watch how the majestic creatures interact with one another, just as they would in the wild. The Elephant Nature Park is the perfect place to admire how beautiful wild animals actually are.
Did you know? Thailand even has its own day to celebrate the elephant. Since 1998, March 13th is the Thai National Elephant Day.
How to Visit Elephant Nature Park
If you’ve booked a trip to Elephant Nature Park, pick-up and drop-off are included in your ticket. Early in the morning, you’ll be picked up outside your accommodation in Chiang Mai and brought to the nature reserve for the day.
The comfortable minibus takes 60 – 90 minutes to get to the park, allowing you to get to know the rest of your tour group. After a quick stop for coffee, you’ll be at the sanctuary in no time. At the end of your experience, no matter how long (day trip, overnight, or week volunteering), you’ll be brought back to the city.
Tip: Planning on visiting an elephant sanctuary somewhere else too? Check with the park guides where else in Thailand you can find an elephant sanctuary that provides ethical care for the animals. The Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai is the best one to visit in Thailand.
Things to do in the Elephant Nature Park
Seeing elephants up close as they roam across their camp or bathe in the river is an incredible experience. While you observe the herd, take your time to relax and learn about the elephants. Throughout, you’ll get a better understanding of the sanctuary’s purpose.
There are a few things you can do at the nature reserve, depending on how much time you’d like to spend amongst the animals and mountains. Visit for the day, overnight, or even volunteer for seven days!
Visit on a Day Trip
On a day trip, you’ll walk through the park with a guide. The elephants walk around too, and you might even have to step aside as they don’t stop for you. You’ll spend your time learning about their daily routine, watching them bathe and cover their skin in mud (as sunscreen).
Every elephant has their own mahout (trainer), whom they’ve been with for a long time. As you meet the herd, made up of 2 to 100-year-old elephants, you’ll witness this trustful bond between the elephant and its caretaker.
A day visit is for a full day (07.30 AM – 5.30 PM or later), and a delicious vegetarian lunch with a selection of Thai and Western dishes are included in the price. Make sure to book ahead, as this experience sells out quickly, particularly at peak times.
Sleepover in a Lodge
Fall asleep in the midst of thriving elephant herds and the lush northern mountains of Thailand. After a day of meeting the elephants and learning about the beautiful conservation work that’s being done, you can wind down at the park.
Overnight guests stay in private huts with mosquito nets, bedding, and an attached bathroom. Enjoy the simple rustic nature while the sun sets over the mountains, and get a better glimpse at what happens at night in the sanctuary.
Volunteer at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai
If you wish to contribute to the incredible work that’s being done at the reserve, you can sign up to volunteer for a week. During this time, you’ll help take care of this endangered species and many other animals in the park. From preparing food and harvesting crops to creating mud pits or cleaning the shelters, there’s a lot to do!
Also read: Best Places to Visit in Thailand
Volunteering is a fantastic experience abroad and the perfect opportunity to do hands-on work in a unique program that helps protect Asian elephants. Meals and accommodation are included, as well as WiFi. There are several different packages that you can choose from on the Elephant Nature Park website.
Did you know? An average elephant needs around 200-300 kg of food and over 100 liters of water daily! This makes work at the sanctuary incredibly important, including help from the volunteers.
Tips for Visiting Chiang Mai Elephant Nature Park
Visiting the sanctuary is one of the most memorable things to do in Thailand. Here are some tips to make your trip to the elephant nature park unforgettable:
- Respect the elephants and follow the park’s rules for interacting with them. Elephant Nature Park’s animals roam freely, meaning you’ll have to keep an eye on them as you’re in their habitat.
- Wear comfortable clothes and good shoes (no slippers) that you don’t mind getting dirty. Prepare to be walking around a lot in slightly humid temperatures. Make sure also to bring your reef-safe sunscreen, bug repellent, a hat, and plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- If you want to snap a few photos to remember this incredible experience, make sure to be mindful of the animals. Turn off your flash, and don’t make any loud noises.
- Plan ahead by booking in advance. The park can be busy, and tickets are known to sell out pretty quickly.
- Consider staying overnight at the park’s lodge to experience the elephants and the beautiful surroundings fully. Take your time to learn more about the park’s mission as it promotes ethical wildlife tourism and conservation efforts.
- The park is in a hilly area, meaning you’ll also travel and walk there. Prepare for some steep uphill areas!
- Tip your park guides – the guides do an amazing job here, providing you with lots of information. They help out with taking tons of pictures and videos for you too!
Also read: The best things to do in Phuket, Thailand
Hotels near the Elephant Nature Park
The Elephant Nature Park lies in the mountainous North of Thailand, roughly 65 kilometers from Chiang Mai. If you plan on visiting the sanctuary on a day tour, the park will arrange to pick you up from your hotel in the city.
In Chiang Mai, there are many incredible accommodation options for every budget, from backpacker hostels and mid-range guesthouses to luxury apartments. The Old Town is the best location as it’s where you’ll find most hotels, all within walking distance from the top sights and temples in the city.
Wildlife Tourism
Seeing wildlife up close is an incredibly special travel experience and one of the highlights of a trip abroad. However, it should always be ethically done, with the animals’ well-being in mind. Visit wild animals in their natural environment and treat them with respect, not as something for entertainment.
Unfortunately, many wildlife experiences mistreat animals and leave them in cruel conditions. Thailand, in particular, is a popular spot for negative forms of wildlife tourism, such as tiger selfies and elephant rides. Always remember that: the less money we put into funding this kind of tourism, the more likely it will come to an end.
Though it can be difficult to find ethical sanctuaries, there are databases you can check. Elephant Nature Park is a legitimate rescue center that takes care of injured and orphaned animals. They promote the importance of responsible tourism and ethical animal care.
What to Pack for the Elephant Nature Park?
Depending on how long you plan to visit the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, prepare to bring a few items with you. Here are some necessary things to pack when you visit the reserve:
Packing List
- Sunscreen and a hat – protect yourself from the sun throughout the day. Read about alternative sunscreens here.
- Comfortable clothes and shoes – opt for loose-fitting clothing and good walking shoes as you’ll be outdoors most of the time.
- Bug repellent – if you’re not wearing long sleeves or pants, bring insect repellent. Get a non-toxic product so it doesn’t harm nature or animals.
- A change of clothes – during jungle walks with the elephants, your clothes and shoes might get very muddy, so having a spare set is good.
- Water and snacks – though you’ll have lunch at the sanctuary, bring some water to stay hydrated.
- Your camera – to memorize this incredible experience. Make sure to have the flash (and sound) off when photographing the animals.
- Cash – to pay your admission fee, tip your park guides, and maybe get a souvenir.
- Refillable water bottle – you can fill up your water bottle at the park.
- Rain jacket – if you’re visiting during the wet season of April to October.
If you’re staying longer than a day, make sure to pack:
- Layers – Layers of clothing are essential to add or remove items when the temperature changes.
- Microfiber Towel – extremely useful to take microfiber towels as they dry much faster and are incredibly lightweight.
- Flip-flops – to use at the showers or walk around the lodge.
- Long socks & trousers – For some hikes, night walks, or evenings outside, you might also want to take long socks and trousers to cover your legs and prevent being bitten by mosquitos.
- Power bank – having a power bank to recharge your phone is helpful. (Get one here)
Best Time to Visit the Elephant Nature Park, Thailand
Though there’s no bad time to visit the Elephant Nature Park as the park’s open year-round, your visit may depend on the weather. The climate in Thailand varies throughout the country, but the best months to visit are October – November. This is the end of the rainy season which provides a cooler environment, especially in the mountainous North.
However, seeing the elephants walk together across the grounds is a magical experience, even with some rain.
Tip: this is a popular activity to do in Chiang Mai, so it’s good to book ahead!
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