Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai Experience

The staff were exceptionally friendly and professional, warm, and helpful. They proactively offered to take photos for tourists. At first, I was hesitant to get close, but the guides and translators encouraged and reassured me that there was nothing to fear. The elephants were very gentle and well-cared for. Everyone fed the elephants, gave them mud baths, and splashed them with water - the experience was wonderful. I booked the two-day, one-night tour, and we visited several locations. I even saw an elephant calf, just over a year old, playing chase with its handler - it was incredibly cute. The calf's eyes crinkled with happiness as it ate alongside its mother, which was so peaceful to watch. The hotel was quiet and serene at night, with so many stars - it was the perfect place to relax. I slept so well! I want to come back again! I accidentally forgot to scan the QR code to get my photos, but the staff thoughtfully emailed them to me. Thank you so much!

I was very pleased to find this is a cooperative run primarily with the aim of rescuing elephants who are unwanted or unable to be looked after by their owners. The local Karen tribespeople benefit through employment and sales of items to tourists. The interactions with the elephants could not be better with feeding bathing and patting encouraged. The guides speak excellent English and are keen to answer questions and share information. I stayed in the jungle lodge after my first day and found the peace and quiet wonderful after the hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai. The next morning was spent with mahouts feeding elephants and then a walk through the reserve to a scenic waterfall before lunch in a roadside cafe. Another waterfall then back to another reserve for a final interaction with elephants before a bus ride back to Chiang Mai. Every tourist I met over the two days was enthusiastic and enjoying every new experience.

An amazing experience! It was my first time getting so close to elephants! The class started with an explanation to help everyone understand how to protect themselves and the elephants during the process, making sure to follow the rules and respect the elephants. We spent time with the elephants while they ate, made food for the elephants, played in the river and helped exfoliate their skin, then applied mud to protect their skin, provide sun protection, and act as mosquito repellent. I was worried it might be smelly, but I realized that elephants don't smell at all! It's just the smell of nature. Being around the elephants felt very peaceful and awe-inspiring😌 They are so cute, and I marveled at the beauty of life! I highly recommend this activity to anyone who loves nature and elephants! 🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘 Our family of three, including our 6-year-old son, also loved today's activity. Although everyone was exhausted and fell asleep on the way back in the car...it was all worth it!

This tour was truly one of the highlights of my trip. Spending the day with these gentle giants in a safe, ethical, and caring environment was both heartwarming and eye-opening. From feeding and bathing the elephants to learning about their rescue stories, every moment felt meaningful. The sanctuary staff were incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable, ensuring we understood the importance of elephant welfare and conservation. Wearing traditional Karen clothing, preparing food, and joining the elephants in a mud spa and river bath made the experience feel immersive and respectful. It’s rare to find a tour that balances fun with purpose so beautifully. If you're looking for a way to connect with nature and support a good cause, this is the one. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Chiang Mai

Such an amazing excursion! Transport to the elephant camp was in an air conditioned van with about 7 new friends. The elephants looked well taken care of and eager to meet us. lunch was very good. Would recommend this excursion.

We had a wonderful experience — everything was well-organized and on time. We began by registering all the participants’ information, then moved to an area displaying various goods for sale, where we could browse and take photos. Next, our guide led us to the elephants. We learned how to feed them and offered them chopped watermelons from a large basket. After feeding, we went to another area where we could get closer, take pictures, and even touch the elephants. The guide explained that all the elephants at the sanctuary are female, as males can be more aggressive. To end the tour, we were treated to free sodas while the guide shared information about the sanctuary’s management and the products they sell. We also created a small souvenir artwork made from paper crafted using elephant dung — a fun and memorable way to wrap up the visit.

It was incredibly fun. You could tell that the tour guides were very knowledgeable about the animals, and safety was also a top priority. The group size was just right, not too big. Everything was explained very well, and all our questions were answered. The price-performance ratio was also excellent. A truly unique experience that everyone should try at least once.

The camp we visited this time was Camp No. 4, which has seven female elephants, one of whom is a one-year-old baby. She's incredibly cute and very mischievous! 🥰 Another one, who is five years old, is much calmer. 🤣 The oldest elephant there is 60. Overall, the experience was really interesting, and I learned a lot about elephants. Although I was a bit scared at first when taking photos with them, I felt much better once I got more familiar, and I even played with an elephant and her baby! 💖 Later, when we were bathing the elephants, the guide splashed me, and I got completely soaked 😅 so remember to bring a change of clothes! Then, we helped apply mud to the elephants, which was a very valuable experience. I would definitely want to go back and interact with the elephants again on my next trip to Chiang Mai!

Overall, it was a good experience. The program includes a simple buffet lunch, which was a nice addition after the activities. The interaction with the elephants was enjoyable, and it felt like they are well taken care of at the sanctuary. The caretaker at Camp 6 was very informative and also quite funny, which made the experience more engaging. He shared useful information about the elephants and their care. It was also nice that the camp has an official photographer. During activities like bathing the elephants, you usually don’t bring your phone since it can easily get wet, so it was great that someone was there capturing the moments. The photos were uploaded the same day and were available to download, which was very convenient. It’s a nice touch since you don’t need to pay extra to have good photos of the experience. For me, it was special because seeing and interacting with elephants has been one of my childhood dreams.🐘

Unforgettable experience at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary! 😊 Got up close and personal with these gentle giants - feeding, petting, and even watching them splash around in the mud bath was pure magic. The mini activities and free drinks were the cherry on top. Super ethical and responsible sanctuary, felt great supporting their cause. If you're an animal lover or just want a unique experience, this is a must-do in Chiang Mai!