If you’re seeking a truly compassionate encounter with elephants in Chiang Mai in Thailand, look no further than the Elephant Nature Park. This sanctuary stands out as the premier choice among the best elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai. Unlike many other places that exploit these gentle giants for profit, the Elephant Nature Park is a beacon of ethical wildlife tourism, where the welfare of the elephants takes precedence.
How to get to the Elephant Nature Park?
You can book a day trip to the ENP that includes pick-up and drop-off at Chiang Mai city center. It’s a 1,5 hour ride to the park so departures are typically between 8:00 and 8:30 AM. You’ll have the option to book directly at the Elephant Nature Park Office in Chiang Mai city center, or to book a tour via one of the hotels you’re staying in. However, if you book directly with the ENP office, you’ll get to choose which type of visit you’d like to do. Their ‘care for elephant’ tour package includes a visit to ENP and you get to prepare food for them.
If you prefer a more independent adventure like we did, consider driving to the ENP on a scooter. You can meet your group at the entrance of the park. Though you’d have to pay the same amount of money as you’d go by bus, the unique experience it provides is undoubtedly worth it since you get the chance to explore beautiful spots along the famous Mae Hong Son route!
What is an ethical elephant sanctuary?
In Thailand, you’ll get lots of opportunities to watch elephants. These intelligent creatures have long captured the hearts of travelers, drawing them in with their undeniable charm and allure. Amidst the vast array of experiences, however, lies a hidden truth that many tourists may not be aware of, and as a responsible traveler and passionate advocate for ethical wildlife encounters, it is essential to shed light on this matter. An ethical elephant sanctuary stands in stark contrast to the practices mentioned below, avoiding any actions that compromise the well-being and natural behaviors of these magnificent creatures:
Elephant bathing
While bathing with elephants in Thailand might seem appealing to your Instagram profile, ethical sanctuaries refrain from this practice. Ethical sanctuaries recognize that elephants are capable of bathing themselves without human interference. However, many of the so-called elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, prioritize the thrill of tourists over the well-being of the animals. They are led to the river for bathing every day, even though they don’t feel like swimming.
Elephants in chains
Tragically, a lot of elephant sanctuaries keep the elephants in chains during the night (sometimes even during visitors hours!). They taint the image of elephants as free animals, while being kept in cages or in chains.
Often you see elephants, which are restraint from their freedom, swaying their heads from left to right all the time. This reveals a deeper mental health issue than you could imagine. This stereotypic behaviour in captive animals is a big mental health concern all over the world. It’s a repetitive behaviour pattern without any function on its own and is shown when the animal is not capable of performing its natural behaviour. It’s a coping mechanism for the stress and depression they are experiencing.
Elephant riding
Elephant riding involves a cruel and abusive process in which young elephants are separated from their mother and beaten up in order to stand still. Elephants are highly social creatures and their family bond is the most important aspect in their life. If they don’t perform tourist riding, they are kept in chains under very stressful conditions which could cause them to break their legs. An elephants’ spine is also not made to carry humans and it can cause serious spinal injuries. Riding an elephant causes immense physical and psychological harm to these intelligent creatures which is absolutely not worth the pleasure of a short elephant ride in Chiang Mai!
Close interaction with elephants
Ethical sanctuaries avoid encouraging close interactions with humans to prevent habituation, ensuring the elephants retain their natural instincts and behaviours as much as possible. The rehabilitation process of elephants is not at all an easy task. Avoiding human-animal interaction as much as possible, reduces the risk of vulnerability to poachers and road accidents once they are reintegrated into their natural habitat. However, if an animal will stay at a sanctuary for the rest of its life, sometimes even in sanctuaries they are used to some hand-feeding.
An ethical sanctuary places the well-being of ellis above all else. Visitors actively contribute to the conservation efforts by paying an entrance ticket or by giving a donation. This enables sanctuaries, like the Elephant Nature Park, to provide the best care possible for the elephants.
An introduction to the Elephant Nature Park
The Elephant Nature Park is the most ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand and is the place to go to if you would like to experience an elephant tour in Northern Thailand. The sanctuary takes in very badly injured elephants (some even stepped on a land mine during mining activities on the border of Myanmar).
All are saved from the abusive tourist sector or land mining and logging activities.
Awe-inspiring in size, the park provides an expansive haven where elephants roam freely, basking in their newfound freedom. To ensure their well-being, each elephant is thoughtfully assigned a personal guardian. In moments when female herds pester one another, guardians gently lure them away with delightful bananas, creating harmonious moments within the park’s lush boundaries.
Additionally, the park has a secluded section where recently arrived or very traumatized elephants find solace. In this sanctuary, they can heal and rediscover peace, away from the gaze of visitors. A bridge separates this area from the public, ensuring their uninterrupted tranquility.
The Elephant Nature Park doesn’t only rescue elephants; it extends its compassionate embrace to other animals as well such as cows, horses, dogs, and cats.
Visiting happy elephants in Chiang Mai
A daytrip costs 2500 baht per person and starts at the entrance of the park at around 10 am, after the one and a half hour bus drive from Chiang Mai city center. It’s not the cheapest option to see elephants in Thailand, but it’s definitely the most ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai which makes it worth every penny!
Once you arrive in the park, you’ll be divided into different groups of around 10 people, all accompanied by a guide who will share stories about the elephant’s past. As you walk among these magnificent creatures, you’ll find yourself captivated by their natural grace, observing them in their element, eating, playing, and thriving in their sanctuary home. The experience is a poignant reminder of the value of ethical wildlife tourism, where the elephants’ happiness takes precedence over mere spectacle.
After a first introduction to the elephants, lunch will be provided at the main entrance point and you can enjoy a completely freshly made vegan lunch with an unforgettable elephant view!
Sleeping near the elephant nature park
If you opt for the adventurous journey by scooter, you’ll find several excellent accommodations within proximity to the elephant nature park. Nestled in the serene surroundings, these accommodations provide the perfect respite after a day of enchantment with elephants.
As you venture near the Elephant Nature Park, don’t miss the opportunity to support the local community by visiting the ‘Just for Rest’ café. This charming family-run establishment not only offers delectable refreshments but also embodies the spirit of responsible travel as you really support the local community.
Volunteering at the elephant nature park
if your heart finds it challenging to bid farewell to the gentle giants after just one day, fear not! The Elephant Nature Park offers the opportunity to volunteer with elephants. By spending a week at the park, you’ll have the privilege of engaging in meaningful activities, such as preparing food for the elephants. These grey cuties consume a substantial amount of food every day!
Other conservation projects of the elephant nature park
Recognizing the hardships faced by farmers unable to sell their crops during the global pandemic, the sanctuary initiated a feeding bank for elephants. By purchasing their crops, ENP ensured that their gentle residents continued to receive the nourishment they deserved, even in uncertain times.
Moreover, the park extended its support to the local community by empowering women who had lost their income due to the Covid pandemic. By teaching them the art of crafting bracelets, ENP provided a source of livelihood. The bracelets are sold in the visitor shop, so it’s a contribution to the well-being of both the elephants and the community. You can read more about their projects at the entrance of the park.
ENP also works together with the Save the Elephant Foundation. They educate local people who use elephants for logging or mining activities on how to treat the elephants in a respectful way. They focus on raising awareness about the welfare of the Asian giants.
The commitment to the welfare of the elephants comes with a cost, making the Elephant Nature Park a more expensive park to visit. However, for those who prioritize the ethical treatment of these majestic creatures, and choose for visiting truly happy elephants in Chiang Mai, it is undoubtedly the destination of choice!
