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.