Elephant Nature Park Chiang Mai

Full Day Walk With Elephants+ Hotel Transfer (Joined)

Full day 09:30

Adult

Child

Kerry-Leigh Dennis

Hannah Duarte

I volunteered just after the flood/mudslide disaster in the autumn of 2024. It was a time of extreme circumstances but still I felt that communication could have been a little more forthcoming. I e-mailed from Europe and asked if I should cancel my trip and got no real reply. I e-mailed again and did not get my questions answered, so I decided to travel but booked a hotel in Chiang Mai just in case.

The website is not updated and little guidance is found there. In the end everything worked out but maybe I can help future volunteers with some information here I had liked having before I came.

1. Payment is in cash when they pick you up. They take you to the ENP-office and you must have the full amount in cash.

2. It is possible to leave the park earlier than 1 PM on Sunday and they will arrange for you to get back to Chiang Mai if you for instance have an early flight.

3. They do laundry at the park. I had no idea and brought clothes to last a week but could really have packed less.

4. You need at least one skirt/trousers that cover your knees and one top that covers your shoulders. There are visits to the local schools during the week plus, in my case, a buddhist ceremony with monks where you must dress modestly.

5. Be prepared for mud and dirt. If you can't stand it don't go. Again, exceptional circumstances now but even minus the mud the area is dusty and there are animals everywhere. Dogs roam all areas, are allowed on tables at the eating area and pee EVERYWHERE. 

Enjoy your experience!

Tips for future volunteers

I visited Journey to Freedom, which is part of the Elephant Nature Park project. This week was incredible, and Sumo was an amazing tour guide. He was kind, funny, and very knowledgeable. He made this week an even more wonderful experience!

Sumo is an amazing tour guide

One of the best days of our trip.
First, I feel important to mention the staff. We had booked a program that was unfortunately canceled due to floods and one of the two elephants of the program passing away. We were offered free of charge to change for one of two other similar programs and all our questions on them were answered very quickly.
We then went on the other program and our guide Tea (probably not written this way) was simply amazing. His knowledge, passion and love for the elephants could really be felt and the experience would have been entirely different without him. His English was the best of all the guides we had and he gave a lot of details about the elephants. 
The program itself was very respectful of the elephants with 9 person for 3 elephants. We got to feed them and when walking with them, they were pretty much doing their own life. Again, amazing experience and well worth the price and time.

Amazing experience

I went with Elephant Nature Park in particular with Sunshine for Elephants. The main park is currently closed due to flooding! Would definitely recommend! They take great care of the elephants and ensure an unforgettable and unique experience by walking with the elephants, feeding them some banana snacks, while considering the elephants mood, and their need for physical activity. The elephants are walked once a day in a group and are not forced in terms of speed nor the path. For elephant health, refrain from bathing with these giants as other tours might offer, because they are forced to bathe 4-5 times a day...

Best sanctuary out here

This is the original ethical hands off sanctuary in Thailand run by Lek Chailert who is recognised World Wide for her work with elephants. I had an amazing overnight stay there. The elephants are rescued and many have terrible injuries from their previous lives. They are all now allowed to roam the land and play in the river free of chains and bullhooks. Many have formed into family groups. You get to prepare food for the elephants, learn all about them and observe them in their day to day lives. It is a life changing experience. There are also many rescued cats, dogs and rescued buffaloes to see. The meals we ate there  were beautiful and the rooms comfortable. Sadly a terrible flood hit the area at the beginning of October and the park was badly affected. I see an untrue review has been posted by a member of an unethical camp. The elephants weren’t locked in cages. They return to their night shelters to sleep every evening and over a meter of mud filled the land in a tidal wave and it took some time to open the gates. The elephants were evacuated and are now returning to the park after the flood.  I’m going to volunteer later this month. I will also post a review to update when I get back.

The best elephant sanctuary in Thailand

Experience the incredible Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, renowned for its compassionate elephant rehabilitation efforts that promote hand-off elephant activities to care for elephants' wellbeing.

The only one in Chiang Mai, where elephant lovers can watch these gentle giants roam freely, indulging in mud baths, swimming in natural rivers, and playful interactions.

Embark on a picturesque drive through the northern countryside of Chiang Mai

Witness the elephants in their natural habitat, engaging in their daily routines of eating, bathing, and socializing without human interference.

In addition to an elephant experience, you can support and learn about the park's projects for rescued dogs and other animals.

Full Day Hike and Bike at Doi Suthep Chiang Mai (Joined)

From Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai White Temple, Golden Triangle & Karen Hill Tribe Day Tour

Chiang Mai Elephant Care Experience at Joy Elephant Sanctuary Chiang Mai

Jungle Flight Zipline Chiang Mai

Bamboo Rafting and Elephant Sanctuary Day Tour from Chiang Mai

Khum Khantoke

Skyline Jungle Luge Zipline Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Night Safari

Chiang Mai Night Safari (CM.P)

Maesa Elephant camp Chiang Mai

about

itinerary

facilities

whatToBring

knowBeforeYouGo

howToGetThere

pickupPoint

meetingAndPickup

howToRedeem

cancelPolicy

faqs

help

Ticket2Attraction

Chiang Mai

Enjoy day trip to Elephant Nature Park Chiang Mai, 100% hand-off elephant care activity. Transfer from hotel in Chiang Mai city and lunch is included.

Buy discounted ticket for hand-off elephant care in Chiang Mai - Ticket2Attraction

My time spent at ENP was the highlight of my trip to Thailand.  It is so warming to see these beautiful elephants so comfortable and well cared for.  ENP is 100% ethical and has the elephants’ best interests at heart.  I especially loved witnessing their behaviors, how they interact with each other, the mischievousness of the little ones and their interactions with their environment.

It was the most magical experience. We got to walk with the elephants and observe them up close. It was incredible being so close to such gorgeous animals. Our tour guide was so kind and told us a lot about each elephant we encountered making the experience even more incredible. The food was also delicious! We hope to return very soon!

Elephant Nature Park Chiang Mai

Highlights