Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai Experience

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.

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.

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!

It was indeed a unique experience. I’ve been to Thailand kostly in Bangkok but I never got the chance to have bonding time with the elephants This was my first time and I loved the unique experience! I will treasure these memories with our mighty elephants. Though it was just a half-day close interaction with them, I truly enjoyed this rare experience. This is a great activity for kids too. The foods served are kinda’ bland but maybe that’s how Northern Thai people prepare their food to preserve it’s healthiness. Overall, I highly recommend this tour!

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!

The pick-up driver wore a vest with the word "elephant" on it, which felt very professional. It was also clear what the activity was, and the pick-up was on time. In the afternoon session, you will first learn about the habits and basic introduction of elephants, then feed them bananas and watch them graze freely (very therapeutic). You can also take pictures with them while you're there. Next, you'll make healthy food and feed it to the elephants, and then go to the stream to splash water and apply mud to the elephants. Finally, you'll have lunch. If you're worried about being hungry, you can bring your own snacks. There is also coffee and cookies available on site to eat beforehand. During the activity, staff will be taking pictures from the side. Leave your email at the end of the activity, and you will receive the photos in about two to three days. The staff and environment are very good! There is no forced elephant labor or riding.

I highly recommend this tour! Our driver, guide, and photographer, Kang, was incredibly accommodating. The sanctuary was one of the highlights of my Chiang Mai trip; I had a wonderful time feeding the elephants and giving them a bath and mud spa. I also gained a lot of knowledge about their diet and the environment they need as rescued animals. ​I even forgot my jacket, and the team was so quick to resolve the issue, delivering it to me while the van was on its way! I am very grateful and will definitely book this again when I return with my family. experience: 10/10 location:10/10 instructor:10/10 safety:10/10

This was such a wonderful experience at the elephant sanctuary! Our tour guide, Mr. Handsome, was amazing-knowledgeable, friendly, and super helpful with photography (haha). The elephants seemed to live happily and stress-free with their caretakers. I really enjoy the feeding part - including preparing foods and bathing for them. Highly recommended!

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!

We had so much fun on the tour and made unforgettable memories with the elephants! The instructor's witty jokes were hilarious, and he explained the safety rules well, so my 3-year-old son had a great time too. He was scared on-site, but when I asked him later what he liked best about Chiang Mai, he said seeing the elephants. We made elephant food and gave them a bath... I was really impressed by how they treated the elephants like royalty (even studying their poop diligently!) and I'm leaving with great memories! Oh, but the tour started at 11 AM, and I thought we'd eat lunch first, but we gave the elephants bananas > observed them > made special food > bathed them > had a mud bath > and then ate lunch, so we ate around 3 PM. Maybe that's why it tasted so good, haha. Heads up for those doing the 11 AM tour!! They also took amazing photos! ❤️ Highly recommend!!!