Elephant Nature Park is a sanctuary for elephants that is located outside Chiang Mai in the northern part of Thailand.
Contrary to many other parks with elephants, this is not a zoo, which primarily caters to visitors. Instead, Elephant Nature Park exists solely for the benefit of elephants and their well-being. The elephants living here have been rescued from logging, circuses, riding, and other means of abuse.
The park was founded in the 90s by Saengduean Chailert, more commonly known as Lek. She’s an advocate for the rights and well-being of elephants.
I have been to Elephant Nature Park and it is a lovely experience where you get to know more about these gentle giants, and come close to them on their terms and conditions.
In this article, you can read more about my visit, learn how to get there, and see other useful information before visiting Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai.
The elephants can move freely within the park area in their natural habitat. Many of them have endured both physical and psychological abuse.
More than 100 elephants are living in the park, and they have all been rescued from varying conditions. In addition, there are also lots of other rescued animals living here such as buffaloes, dogs, cats, and so on.
Volunteer
Besides visiting the park, it is also possible to sign up and do some volunteer work at Elephant Nature Park. Meals and accommodation are included in the stay. The volunteering is a minimum of 7 days, and the paid amount goes fully to maintain the park.
My Experience
Visiting the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai is one of my favorite moments from my travels around the world. I love animals and have always been fascinated by elephants, so it was obviously a dream come true to see and meet elephants in real life.
Our day started with us being picked up outside a hotel. Then we went with other visitors in a minibus that took us from Chiang Mai to the Elephant Nature Park, which is about 90 minutes away from the city. During our trip, we got to know the other people, which was nice as these were the ones we would spend the rest of our day with.
Once at the park, we were welcomed by Lek. I’m not sure if all groups will be met by her, but we were lucky enough to accompany her for a whole day.
Before we were allowed to enter the park, we went through the rules and were reminded that the park exists for the sake of the elephants. As a visitor, it is therefore important to keep this in mind at all times and to show respect for the elephants in all situations.
After the briefing, we got to go around to different parts of the park. Since the elephants roam freely, they are not all gathered in the same places. Different kinds of stations are available to encourage playtime or where the elephants can get a snack, such as a juicy watermelon.
Lek taught us a lot about the elephants, and she knew every one of the elephants we met personally. You could tell her love for them easily, and it makes you feel even better when visiting.
The elephants living in the park are never forced to do any tricks or anything else that could be harmful to them. Everything happens on their terms. There is therefore no guarantee that you can get so close to the elephants that you can touch them.
Some of the elephants keep more to themselves, while others like to socialize with visitors. But you have to remember that they are giant animals and therefore it is important to allow all contact to take place with respect and to follow the safety rules at all times.
Many of the elephants living in the Elephant Nature Park are curious and several of them were happy to come and examine us up close.
Besides the chance to get close to these amazing animals, it is a joy to see the herd interacting, to see them play and just elephanting around. Another favorite activity among the elephants is scratching themselves against various tree trunks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you ride the elephants?
No, it is strictly forbidden to ride the elephants in the Elephant Nature Park. It has never been allowed.
Can you swim with the elephants?
Since 2018, it is no longer allowed to bathe with the elephants. Initially, this was allowed when there were fewer elephants in the park, but on April 16, 2018, new rules were introduced to allow the elephants to live as naturally as possible. However, it is possible to watch the elephants bathe from a viewing platform overlooking the river where they bathe.
Is Elephant Nature Park ethical?
I would say that Elephant Nature Park is as ethical as it gets. In the best of all worlds, the elephants would of course have been allowed to roam freely in the jungle, but that is unfortunately wishful thinking and no longer possible due to illegal logging, kidnappers, and poachers.
Since its foundation in the 90s, the park has come a long way in its work to give elephants a sanctuary where they can live as naturally as possible. Elephant Nature Park is continuously evolving with the mantra that everything is done for the sake of the animals.
What organization is behind the sanctuary?
It was originally founded by Sangduen “Lek” Chailert, and it is now a part of the Save Elephant Foundation (SEF), which is a registered charity. Serengeti Foundation (USA) is another charity that supports SEF, which is based in the USA.
How to book your visit
There are different tours to choose from. You can either visit the park in the morning or in the afternoon. You can also stay overnight, which gives you more time to see the elephants and follow some of the park’s daily routines.
Some of the tours include being accompanied by a guide and the elephants as they roam freely in the forest. A memorable experience that I can recommend if you have time for it during your trip.