Chiang Mai: Elephant Nature Park 清迈大自然大象公园

Elephants Nature Park is a sanctuary for Asian elephants, most importantly as a safe have for abused, mistreated, neglected, jobless, rescued elephants to live naturally for the rest of their life with dignity. The concept of 'Let Elephants be Elephants.' 

If you're a truly elephant lover and do not like to see elephants being heavily chained, pricked painfully, performed tricks or ridden by heavy people on wooden benches, then this place is for you. But if you have a weak heart, maybe the plight of some elephants will make you cry for sure. (bring enough tissues, please)

Located about 1 hour/60km north of Chiang Mai in Mae Taeng District, around a beautiful valley on a remote mountaintop, this elephant park is also home to other rescued animals like cats, dogs, cows and buffaloes.

Established in 1995 by Sangduen 'Lek Chailert, who has been passionately championing the rights of the Asian elephants for decades with her emergency medical unit - Jumbo Express raced to help elephants calling in distress. Her tireless efforts was featured in national and international media including National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and BBC. 

Because of her dedication, Lek has been honored with these awards:

2001 - Hero of the Planet by The Ford Foundation (associated with National Geographic) 

2003 - Genesis Award by Humane Society of the United States

2005 - one of "Asian Heroes of the Year" by Time Magazine.

There are over 30 elephants in the park and many of the elephants have previously suffered from terrible injuries, abused or ignorance. At the park, they can leave their past traumas behind and live a peaceful life with people who love and care for them. 

A day visit to the park involved educational study of elephants, their stories, feeding and bathe them, (if you do not like to get wet, you can watch them by the riverside) showering them with lots of love. They will appreciate your kindness because elephants never forget. The trip is inclusive of transport to/from your hotel, buffet lunch for you and the elephants - all for THB2,500 (RM250/USD 84) for adult and THB 1,675 (RM 168/USD 56) for a child.

For the itinerary: http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/tour/tour_1d.htm

If you think 1 day is not enough, you can stay for more days or be a volunteer.

For more info: http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/tour/index.htm

HOW TO GET THERE:

All visits from 1 day to homestay MUST be pre-booked online or at their office in the city at 1 Ratmakka Road, on the corner of Ratmakka and Moon Muang Road. Limited to a small number of visitors per day.

Check availability at: http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/parkfull.htm

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE ELEPHANTS:

As a non-profit organization, funds and support are very much in need. You can offer your support by various ways. 100% goes towards the benefits of the elephants. 

Check these out:

http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/howyoucanhelp.htm
http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/shop/index.htm
http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/volunteer/index.htm
http://www.elephantnaturefoundation.org/go/help

For other information of the park:
http://www.elephantnaturefoundation.org/go/park
http://www.elephantnaturefoundation.org/go/foundation

NOTE:

Elephant Nature Park welcome visitors from all ages. However, visitors are not permitted to wander off or get close to the elephants by themselves for their own safety reasons.

Visits to the park are at your own risk. Get yourself covered with insurance for a worry free mindset.

Chiang Mai: Thai Elephant Conservation Center 清迈泰国大象保护中心

Thai Elephant conservation Center (TECC) was founded in 1993, principally to conserve and protect the Asian elephants from extinction. It houses the National Elephant Institute Of Thailand, a center of learning which shares its vast library and trained specialists with other agencies and organizations.

Thailand's only government-owned elephant camp, administered by the Forest Industry Organization, (a State Enterprise of the government of Thailand) is located in lush greenery 95 km south of Chiang Mai and 35 kilometres north of Lampang.

Under the Royal Patronage, the 500-hectare beautiful sanctuary cares for more than 50 Asian elephants. It is the only elephant hospital in the world and proudly houses six of HM King Bhumibol's ten white elephants in the Royal Elephant Stables.

It is LESS touristic, but famous for its onsite Friends of Asian Elephant Hospital (FAE) that provides FREE veterinary treatments and medical care for sick/abused elephants and injured elephants. The centre also has two mobile units - clinic team and rescue team which move around Chiang Mai area giving free treatment to other sick and injured elephants that are unable to move or come to the hospital. The center is only partly government funded and so it relies on its income from the center and private contributions in order to continue to undertake its good works effectively.

Thai Elephant Conservation Center is well known for its Young Elephant Training School. After a young elephant turns three years old, its off to school to be trained. During school holidays, the young elephants go to the forest for relaxation, interspace the years of steady training until they are nine years old, when they graduated as a fully trained, working elephant. Visitors are free to visit the hospital and the Elephant Training School.

After taking their bath, the elephants made a procession to the auditorium. 

The first elephant held and waved the flag, followed by two elephants behind holding the drum supported by a stick and the one behind beat the drum to signal visitors to go to the auditorium as the show will be starting soon.

The other elephants paraded to the auditorium holding tails by tails. So Cute!

Unlike other elephant shows, the elephants here performed more educational show, demonstrating how the elephants have been trained in traditional logging techniques like moving logs, carrying logs and then staking them in order. They also demonstrate their agility and ability to do complex behaviour of their own nature. 

The artistic side of the elephants are shown in an internationally famous mini concert performed by the Elephant Orchestra - a musical ensemble consisting of 16 elephants which play live music on specially designed musical instruments like the slit drums, gong, bow bass, rattles, xylophone-like renats as well as a thundersheet or their own trumpeting. The Thai Elephant Orchestra is the first in the world; providing a musical array of elephantine vocalizations. 

Like other elephant camps, the elephants here know how to paint pictures too. Prices of their paintings range from 500 baht to 1,000 baht each. You can help support the cause of elephant conservation simply by buying one or more paintings at the gift shop.

THAI ELEPHANT CONSERVATION CENTER OPENING HOURS:
Daily: 8:00am – 4:00pm   
Show Time: 10:00am, 11:00am (1:30pm- additional show on weekends and public holidays only)
Elephant Rides: 8:30am - 3:30pm from 10 minutes to 1 hour ride

FEE: in Thai Baht
Entrance Fee: Adult 150/Child 100 (inclusive of tram ride and show)
Elephant Rides per elephant: 30 minutes - 500/1 hour - 1,000

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

1. Mahout Courses -  http://www.changthai.com/mahout/

2. Trekking Program - http://www.thailandelephant.org/en/trekking.html

3. Home-stay program - http://www.thailandelephant.org/en/homestay.html

For more information: http://www.thaielephanttraining.com/?page_id=36

HOW TO GET THERE:  Thai Elephant Conservation Center, 28-29 Lampang-Chiang Mai Highway, Wiang Tan, Hangchat District. 

1. By Your Own  

Drive about 75-80 km south of Chiang Mai, along the mountainous Chiang Mai - Lampang Highway 11 direct to Lampang.  (about 1 hour)

2. By Bus 
From Chiang Mai: Take local bus from Chiang Mai bus arcade as early as 7:00am. (lastest 11am to catch the elephant last show on weekend and holidays only) 

Fare: 70 baht and tell driver to drop you at the elephant center (or have the staff at information desk to write your destination in Thai for the driver/bus conductor) 

To catch a bus back to Chiang Mai, you need to run across a busy 6-lane highway and flag down any bus passing by. (for your info, there is no bus stop sign.)  

From Lampang: Take a bus from Lampang Bus station.

Fare: 60 baht and tell driver to stop you at the center.

To catch a bus back to Lampang, wait at a bus stop outside the center.

Fare: 80 baht. 

3. By Tour

1 day tour - prices vary depending on number of people and tour itinerary which may include an elephant ride or a trip to Lampang. (check it out with travel agents)

4. By Taxi/hire car with driver

From 1,500 baht more or less.

NOTE:

Be there before the elephant show so you can watch the elephant taking their bath. Bath time: 9:45am. (1:10pm-additional on weekends and public holidays only)

The centre has a variety of restaurants, snack shops, gift shops and also an elephant dung paper mini factory.

For more information:
http://www.thailandelephant.org/en/roadsidepark.html
http://www.thailandelephant.org/en/restaurants.html
http://www.thailandelephant.org/en/dungpaper.html

Chiang Mai: Maetaeng Elephant Park 清迈美唐大象公园

Another popular Elephant Camp is Maetaeng Elephant Park, about 56km north of Chiang Mai; on the banks of Maetaeng river in Maetaman Valley.

This Asian elephant sanctuary was started in 1995 to provide shelter and health care for elephants, particularly abused ones. The park was opened to visitors in July 1996 with just 15 elephants. Today, it is the home of over 70 elephants, managed by the Chailert family. 

My friends and i went for a one day tour. The program of the the day started with an elephant show at 10:00am. Talented, well-trained elephants performing tricks and skills which won the loud applause from the hundreds of audiences.

Elephant painting piCture StRoke by StrOke with its trunK.

Truly Amazing, this Elephant can write his name.

After the show, we had an ox-cart ride, pulled by a team of rare Lampoon white oxen along the quiet country side to a Lisu Village. Specially built for the tourists which consisted of souvenir shops and Lisu hill tribe people. 

Next was an Elephant Safari ride through the forest on a trodden path up and down a hill and wadding through a river. 

Along the trek, there were a few tree stands where you can buy bananas or sugar cane (20baht) to feed your elephant and he/she will remember your kindness because Elephants Never Forget!!

The ride ended at the camp where we had lunch. After lunch, the excitement continued with an hour bamboo rafting on the river. (wonder got crocodile or not??)



Relax and Enjoy the bamboo raft meandering gently down the cool and peaceful Maetaeng River passing through natural tropical forest. You can let the riverbanks pass you by or learn how to steer the raft with a long bamboo pole. 

The journey ended and we met up with our guide and members in our group. On the way back to Chiang Mai city, our guide asked everyone if we were interested to visit a snake farm and nobody was keen. PHEW~~

We were then en-routed to Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm. Be dazzled and admire these exotic and beautiful orchids by the array of colours and the wealth of their varieties that bloOms all year round. The neatly rows of full bloom healthy orchids makes me wanna go home and start planting orchids!!



Beautiful Mauve Orchid

Butterflies sipping pineapple juice

See tropical and other rare species butterflies in their natural habitat in a special enclosure. Feel the butterflies fluttering happily around and sometimes may even take a resting on you. Watch them sip fruit juices in slow motion.

We wander around the farm at our leisure while taking photos until it was time to leave for the trip back to the city.

MAETAENG ELEPHANT CAMP OPENING HOURS:
Open Daily: 8:00am – 4:00pm 
Elephant Show Time: 10am 

HOW TO GET THERE: Maetaeng Elephant Park, 99 Moo2, T.Keudchang, Maetang.

1. By Your Own:

Drive north of Chiang Mai through Maetaman valley, (about 1 hour drive from downtown chiang mai) second on the left of the Maetaman Village entrance.

Fee per person in Thai Baht 

Elephant show: 50

Elephant ride: 300

Ox- Cart ride: 50

Bamboo Rafting: 200 or 600 for 1 raft

2. By Tour:

1 day tour from 1,200 baht. (check it out at travel agents around the city)

Inclusive of a tour guide, transport, entrance fees, rides and lunch. 

Also available 1 Day Mahout Course at 3,500 baht.

Note:

All rides are relatively safe. However, it does not mean it comes without its fair share of risks. Purchase travel insurance for a worry-free holiday!

Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm: 3/1 Moo 7, Mae Rim-Samoeng Rd, Maerim.
Open Daily: 7:30am- 5:00pm. 
Admission fee: Adult 400/Child 200 baht.

Chiang Mai: Maesa Elephant Camp 清迈:美沙大象园林

One of the popular tourist attractions in Chiang Mai is Maesa Elephant Camp which is the home to about 78 elephants in the lush tropical jungle of Maesa Valley. Established in 1976 by Choochart Kalmapijit with his love and respect of the Asian elephant.

This way to the Elephant Show.

You will be truly amazed by the talents of the elephants.

The show (about 50 mins) with 20 elephants on parade followed by:

-Demonstration of how to get on and off an elephant

- Musical performance and dancing by the talented elephants
- How elephants sleep 

- Football matches

- Painting realistic pictures by eight elephants

- Demonstration of elephants massage by using their trunks

- Elephant stick picking competition

- Dart Game by little elephants

- Logging and lumber dragging demonstration

At the end of the show, the friendly elephants would get close and play tricks with the audiences. You can feed them, pat them, take pictures or talk to them

 Elephant Football Match

 Painting pictures stroke by stroke with their trunks.

  

Pictures painted by the elephants displayed for SALE. 

Proceeds are used for the conservation of the elephants.

Maesa Elephant camp was awarded "The Largest Painting by a Group of Elephants" by Ripley's Believe It or Not (Thailand) for its 12m long by 2.4m wide painting entitled "Cold Wind, Swirling Mist, Charming Lanna" by a herd of 8 elephants in 8 panels of canvas which was later sold for 1.8 million Baht. It was then donated to the Thai government as national treasure, setting a new Guinness World record for "The Most Expensive Painting by a Group Of Elephants" in 2005. 

If you love elephants and are interested in training them, you can sign up for a basic 1-3 days mahout course with a certificate upon completion.

http://www.maesaelephantcamp.com/mahout.html

MAESA ELEPHANT CAMP OPENING HOURS:
Daily: 8:00am – 4:00pm 
Show Time: 8:00am, 9:40am, 1:00pm (additional show for peak season) 

ENTRANCE FEE: in Thai Baht

Adult 120/Child 80 inclusive of elephant show

Elephant Rides: 7:00am - 2:30pm
800  for 30 mins/ 1,200 for 1 hour (based on 2 person per elephant)

HOW TO GET THERE: Maesa Elephant Camp, Mae Rim-Samoeng Road 

1. By Your Own: 

Drive north-west of Chiang Mai through Mae Sa valley (about 30 mins drive)

2. By Tour:

Half day tour (from 600 baht - check it out at travel agents around the city) 

NOTE:

Visit the camp early before show time to watch elephants take their daily bath in a nearby river and of course get the best seats for the elephant shows.

Chiang Mai: Which Elephant Camp to go? 清迈:去哪一个大象公园？

In 1989, Thai government banned the logging industry to preserve the existing forestland, causing 70 percent of logging elephants and their mahouts to become jobless. Hence, the outcome of numerous elephant camps which in turn became popular tourist attraction, while giving the elephants and their mahouts permanent jobs. 

There are many elephant camps in various regions throughout the country, mainly in northern Thailand. The natural forest  and scenic mountainous landscapes of enchanted Chiang Mai coupled with abundance of rivers and streams plus endless rhythmic waterfalls offered perfect opportunities for elephant camp developments.

If you're in Chiang Mai and wish to visit an elephant camp, you'll be spoilt for choice. Here's a list of camps in and around Chiang Mai region that i have collected that may ease your final decision, i hope... Have a joyful Jumbo experience!!

MAESA ELEPHANT CAMP 
Founder: Choochart Kalmapijit
Year of Establishment: 1976
Number of elephant: 85
Location: 10km north west of Mae Rim-Samoeng road, Mae Rim
Activities: Elephant show/ride, 1-3 days Basic Mahout Courses.
Tour Trip: By your own/With tour agent 
Website: http://www.maesaelephantcamp.com/

Remark: This camp is the nearest to Chiang Mai city. If you have only half a day to spend, this camp is perhaps your only choice. You can easily get a half day tour with any tour agents in the city. 

TAENG DAO ELEPHANT CAMP
Founder: Not available
Year of Establishment: Not available 
Number of elephant: 40
Location: 56km Highway 107
Activities: Elephant show/ride, River rafting, Trekking
Tour Trip: By your own/With tour agent
Website: Not available

Remark:  River-rafting through pristine and tranquil forests, or jungle trekking to neighbouring hilltribe settlements.

MAETAMAN ELEPHANT CAMP 
Founder: Not Available 
Year of Establishment: 1987
Number of elephant: 60
Location: 535 Moo 1 T.Rimtai A. Mae Rim
Activities: Elephant show/ride, Ox-Cart ride, River rafting, Mahout Courses. Trekking, Volunteer program.
Tour trip: By your own/From their website/With tour agent 
Website: http://www.maetamanelephantcamp.com/index.php  

Remark: Other activities such as wedding, celebrations, parties can be arranged. Certificates for Mahout courses. Halal/vegetarian lunch available upon request in advance.

MAE TAENG ELEPHANT CAMP
Founder: The Chailert family
Year of Establishment: 1995
Number of elephant: 70
Location: 99 Moo 2, T.Keudchang, Mae taeng
Activities:  Elephant show/ride, Ox-Cart ride, River rafting, Lisu Hill tribe, Mahout Courses, Homestay
Tour trip: By your own/From their website/With tour agent
Website: http://www.chiangmaielephants.asia/ or http://www.elephanteco.org/
Remark: Further 2km from Maetamam Elephant camp.  

THAI ELEPHANT HOME
Founder: Nayok Satiyen 
Year of Establishment: 2005
Number of elephant: 7
Location: T. Keudchang, Mae teang - 40 mins drive from city
Activities: 1 day -1 month package, Elephant Breeding program, Reforestation Program, Thai Herbal spa, Homestay, Volunteer program
Tour Trip: By your own/From their website/With tour agent 
Website: http://www.thaielephanthome.com/

Remark: Known as the most eco-friendly elephant home in its area. Insurance is included in all program.   

ELEPHANT LIFE EXPERIENCE
Founder: Anchalee Kalmapijit and Varayan Bunarat
Year of Establishment: 2007 
Number of elephant: 9
Location: Chiang Mai- Chiang Dao road, Maetaman
Activities: Elephant ride, River rafting, Homestay

Tour Trip: By your own/From their website/With tour agent 
Website: http://www.elelife.com/
Remark: An elephant boutique camp with luxurious lodge. Flexiblity of activity program with personal choice of catering. Have lunch/dinner with elephants. Further 8km from Maetaman elephant camp.

JUMBO CAMP ELEPHANT VALLEY
Founder: Co-founded with the local karen hill tribe
Year of Establishment: 1999
Number of elephant: 8
Location: 39 Moo 3, Tambon Baan Chang, Maetaeng/40kms from Chiang Mai   
Activities: 1-3 Mahout courses, 1-3 days trekking and rafting or combine package. 
Tour Trip: From their website/at their office.
Website:  http://jumbocamp.com/wordpress/

Remark: Developed based on the traditional Karen village model of housing, rice fields, vegetable gardens and lodgings for the elephants. Experience authentic Karen knowledge of living harmoniously with elephants.

PATARA ELEPHANT FARM
Founder: Teerapat Trungpakan 
Year of Establishment: Not Available
Number of elephant: 30
Location: 29 km south west of Chiang Mai 
Activities: Elephant study, Elephant ride
Tour Trip: By your own/From their website/With tour agent
Website: http://www.pataraelephantfarm.com/

Remark: 100% thai owned. Special Program "Elephant Owner for a day". The farm welcome all including children and those with disabilities.  

BAAN CHANG ELEPHANT PARK
Founder: Pom
Year of Establishment: Not Available
Number of elephant: 12 rescued elephants from street begging.
Location: 147/1 Rachadamnoen Rd (office)
Activities: 1-3 days mahout courses, Homestay.
Tour Trip: From their website/ With tour agent
Website: http://www.baanchangelephantpark.com/

Remark:  One of the cheapest camp. Treat elephants extremely well and love by their mahouts. Against the the practice of separating baby elephants from their mother, elephant tricks and ride. Vegetarian thai food available. If you stay over night, there will be a campfire with activities like making sticky rice in bamboo and releasing fire lanterns into the night sky.

CHIANG DAO ELEPHANT CAMP
Founder: Manas Yaviraj 
Year of Establishment: 1969
Number of elephant: 32
Location: 108/1 Moo 9, T.Inthakil, Mae Taeng/56km on Chiang Mai- Fang Road
Activities: Elephant show/ride, River rafting, Lisu hill tribe, Mahout Courses.
Tour trip: From their website/With Tour agents  
Website: http://www.chiangdaoelephantcamp.com/index.php 
Remark: Situated in a vast area with hills and by the Ping River. Professional photography services are available in the camp.  
  
MAE PING ELEPHANT VILLAGE
Founder: Udomsak Vanichmongkol
Year of Establishment: June 1996
Number of elephant: 70
Location: 116/2 Moo 9, T.Inthakil, Maetaeng/60km on Chiang Mai - Fang Road 
Activities: Elephant show/ride, Ox-Cart ride, River rafting, Mahout Courses, Lisu Hill Tribe Village
Tour Trip: From their website/ With tour agents
Website: http://www.elephantvillage.com/
Remark: The magnificent location has been used for shooting local and international commercials and international show/movies: The Amazing Race 2 (2002), Steven Siegel's "Into the Sun"(2005), Arigato Elephant Friend (2006), Andy Lau's "The Protege" (2007), Sylvester Stallone's Rambo 4 (2008).

ELEPHANT NATURE PARK
Founder: Sangduen "Lek" Chailert
Year of Establishment: 1995
Number of elephant: 30+
Location: 60km north of Chiang Mai in Maetaeng District  
Activites: Spend time with elephants, Homestay, Volunteer Program
Tour Trip: From their website/visit their office in the city.
Website: http://www.elephantnaturefoundation.org/go/park
Remarks: Visits must be pre-booked. Limited visitors per day.

RAN-TONG ELEPHANT TRAINING CAMP
Founder: Not available
Year of Establishment: Not available
Number of elephant: Not available
Location: Mae taeng/ 67-2 Suntitam Plaza Tepharuk Rd., T. Changpuek (office)
Activities: 1-3 days Mahout Course, Volunteer Program 
Tour Trip: From their website/visit their office in the city
Website: http://www.elephant-training.com/
Remark: The elephants live together with their family group amid the natural beauty of the forest with a peaceful stream running through the elephants natural habitat.  

MAEVANG ELEPHANT CAMP
Founder: Mr. Anek Srivichai and Mrs. Taemjun Srivichai
Year of Establishment: 2000
Number of elephant: 30

Location: 136 Moo.9 Sobwin Village, Maewin Maevang

Activities: 1-2 day Mahout Course, Elephant trekking, River rafting, Hmong, Shan and Karen Hill tribe village, 1-2 day adventure trek, Picnic lunch and swim at waterfall.

Tour trip: By your own/From their website/With tour agent 

Website: http://www.elephanttour.thport.com/index.html 

Remark: 100% Thai owned. Program inclusive of insurance and traditional mahout shirt, 1 photo CD and  Certificate to take home. Vegetarian meals available.

MAE WANG ELEPHANT CAMP

Founder: Not available

Year of Establishment: 1990

Number of elephant: 40

Location: Mae Wang Valley, near Doi Inthanon

Activities: Elephant ride, Trekking, River rafting, Hmong and Karen hill tribes villages. 

Tour Trip: With tour agent
Website: Not available

Remark: Nestled in a breathtaking countryside carpeted with paddy fields, picturesque waterfalls and scenic trekking routes where the Hmong and Karen hill tribe lives. Managed by local elephant owners who shared the benefits by the hours they worked.

THAI ELEPHANT CONSERVATION CENTER 

Founder: Forest Industry organization
Year of Establishment: 1993 
Number of elephant: 50+

Location: 70km south of Chiang mai towards Lampang on 28-29 Lampang-Chiang Mai Highway, Wiang Tan, Hangchat District.  

Activities: Elephant show/ride, Trekking, Mahout courses, Homestay

Tour Trip: By your own/From their website/With tour agent

Website: http://www.thailandelephant.org/en/

Remark:Thailand's only government-owned elephant camp with an onsite elephant hospital and 2 mobile clinics. 1st Elephant orchestra in the world.

Baby Bong Long taking his evening walk at Thai Elephant Conservation Center. So cute.

P/S Please leave a THANK YOU if you find this information helpful. Or share your experience if you have been to any of the elephant camp.