Over this awful period so many have suffered and our elephants have been caught up in the middle of all this. It is very hard to keep them fed and pay for the veterinary care that so many of them need. This is why we are asking you to please consider helping them, and the other animals under our care, over this difficult time by buying an EleGiftCard from us that will be discounted off your future visit - Find out more...
All our visits include either transport to the project from each city office, bus station or the hotel you are staying at.
Arrival
We recommend that you stay in the city of your trip the night before your visit. Don't try to take a trip on the day you travel on the morning of your trip. Flights, buses and trains are often late and we cannot wait at stations or airports.
Projects starting in Chiang Mai - Northern Thailand
Our home and origin - famous for crafts, cool winter days, elephants and volunteering
Nearest Airport = Chiang Mai International (CNX)
We have single day and overnight visits as well as volunteer opportunities at our own park. You also have the chance to experience other locations to see our Saddle Off initiative in action. Your visit helps to improve the lives and conditions of elephants.
Chiang Mai Single Day and Overnight visits to Elephant Nature Park
Enjoy a full day visit to Elephant Nature Park including time at our special ‘Hands Off’ project. Observe our rescued elephants living in their chosen herd and learn about their individual histories. At the park, the elephants are free to interact and play in natural surroundings including the nearby river, custom built pools and mud pits. You will also have the chance to see our other rescued animals at the sanctuary, including buffalos, dogs, cats, horses, goats and birds.
*** Observe Bathing Only
Starts: 07:30-08:00am from Hotel or 07:20am from Office Return: 4:30 - 5:00pm 3,500 THB (Child - 50%)
A special shorter version of our popular single day visit especially set up for to those who arrive later and have less time to spend at our park. Enjoy a visit to Elephant Nature Park; a natural sanctuary for elephants, buffalo, dogs, cats, birds and many other rescued animals. On the short park visit you observe elephants bathing but do not go into the river.
*** Observe Bathing Only
Starts: 08:30-09:00am from Hotel or 08:15am from Office Return: 3:30 pm 2,500 THB (Child - 50%)
Enjoy a full day visit to Elephant Nature Park; a natural home and sanctuary for elephants, buffalos, dogs, cats, birds and many other rescued animals. Observe elephants bathing but do not go into the river, feeding time, healthy lunch, transport and more.
Sleepovers in the midst of a thriving elephant herd offers visitors the chance to enjoy the simple rustic nature of Northern Thailand in the unique company of our rescued herd. We pick up from your hotel for a scenic drive north to Elephant Nature Park where you will meet our magnificent elephant herd.
Set high in the lush northern mountains this project has some the most stunning scenery in the country. Beautiful scenery, elephants bathing, mud baths, awesome jungle walks in the company of rescued elephants make for an unforgettable day.
An elephant camp neighboring our park has decided to try out our concept of care. Several lucky female elephants have dumped their trekking seats and their mahouts hooks have been cast aside. Only small groups enjoy the honour of observing their freedom and happiness; with no riding they can now walk, scratch, swim, eat, dust and bathe all at their own pace. May this be the start of a new trend that catches on in the Mae Taeng valley and elsewhere.
Starts: 07:40am Return: 6:30 pm 6,000 THB (no children)
Some elephants find it very hard to mix with other elephants and in order to help them, we want to love them with intense freedom and affection. With no riding the elephants settle into our care, they build trust and love and this is achieved by humans showing them love, respect and care in a different way to their past lives in riding camps by mahouts, who have known no better than to treat them harshly and with force.
Starts: 07:40am Return: 5:30 pm 6,000 THB (no children)
Our outreach initiative to improve the lives and conditions of elephants under the care of independent camps. This ongoing process aims to foster understanding between elephants and owners and brings direct income to these families. These special small-group Saddle Off ! programs have limited spaces each day.
Enjoy a stunning forest walk with elephants, feeding and river bathing while observing their behavior. These Saddle Off ! visits provide a unique experience with elephants, most of whom have only recently been freed from trick-shows and back-damaging tourist rides.
Saddle Off ! (North)
These programs are located in different villages to the North of Chiang Mai city.
Elephant Wellness is a special, small group “saddle off!” program in cooperation with a Traditional Thai Lanna settlement to the north of Chiang Mai city. Our aim here is to improve the life and treatment of the elephants under the care of these independent owners. Suitable for Adults and Children over 12 yrs. This is a very unique program, learning how to provide the elephant care with Thai herbal treatment.
Elephant Heaven is a special, small group "Saddle Off!" program in cooperation with a Northern Thai Lanna settlement. These young elephants used to spend their lives street begging, performing and elephant riding service. The elephants owner wanted to bring the elephants home to provide a better life. Now these young elephants live in their natural surroundings.
Meet elephants that have been recently rescued from their daily toil of entertaining visitors. With no riding, you will feed the elephants in the early morning light and then walk with these newly rescued elephants through the dense mountain forests witnessing their natural behaviours and sense of freedom, after their recent release from the tourism trade.
Elephant pride is one of the “elephant nature park’s saddle off projects” the owners decided to take the saddle off from their elephants, visit them to see they are living in beautiful natural surroundings. Experience the happiness how these elephants now enjoying their new life after retired from work.
Located in the lush green hills of Northern Thailand. All elephants at this project are retired from work and now living peacefully at their natural surroundings. You will spend the day with elephants, enjoy feeding, bathing in the river and see them enjoy their life freely. We provide them the forever home where they can trust and live with warm love of their family.
After spending their life carrying tourists on their back for many decades, these lucky elephants were rescued to retire from work and now live free in their natural surroundings near Elephant Nature Park. The aim of this project is based on ensuring the well-being of the elephants. The small group of guests learn about elephant natural behavior, provide good care to the elephants and having quality time with them.
Majestic Elephant Project Project provide the space for the elephants to live with dignity. They are now enjoying their retirement after spent hard life working in logging and trekking business. These beautiful elephants are able to roam free, leisurely walk in their natural environment, refreshing in the river and receive a good care from our guests.
Starts: 07:40am Return: 4:30 pm 2,500 THB (no children)
At this project, the elephants have time to socialize, forage and roam free. Building trust with elephants can be a long and difficult process, especially when they have spent their lives being controlled by humans with force. Since their retirement, the elephants have put on weight, and have become more relaxed.
Starts: 07:40am Return: 4:30 pm 2,500 THB (no children)
The Elephant Green Hill project is a home for rescued elephants. The aim is providing a better life for elephants. The elephant family enjoy doing exactly what they love, free to follow their favorite daily routines. Guests get involved in the elephants enrichment activities and reforestation program in the rainy season to revitalize and preserve the elephant’s natural habitat.
A small group "saddle off!" program in cooperation with a Karen settlement to the south-west of Chiang Mai city. Bathing with Elephants - Elephant food preparation and Feeding - Short forest walk (around 30 minutes) - Vegetarian lunch - Karen tribal hospitality. This trip differs from other "saddle off!" programs as this trip offers just a short walk, ideal for any age group.
Karen Elephant Experience allows you to see Elephants roaming free in their natural habitat, living as their natural family group after their release from trekking work. This is another important project enabled by Save Elephant Foundation, changing the way people think about Elephants. With no riding, the elephants are able to roam freely whilst they forage for their food.
A special, small group “saddle off!” program. A group of Elephant owners, have agreed to stop renting their Elephants to the trekking industry committing to care for the Elephants at their homes and with Save Elephant Foundation support, the Elephants can roam free in their natural habitat without riding. This trip differs from our other ”saddle off!" programs as it offers a short walk and an introduction to Karen Tribe traditions.
For more than 20 years, Karen tribes have rented their elephants to Elephant Camps because they could no longer legally use the elephants for logging work. The elephant owners have changed their way of caring for their elephants, with the support of Save Elephant Foundation. These lucky elephants now roam free in their natural habitat, without riding. It is truly wonderful what you can see, when elephants are allowed the freedom to be themselves.
Hope for Elephants is a special, small group “saddle off!” project in cooperation with a Northern Thai Lanna settlement, to the south of Chiang Mai city. Our aim here is allow elephants harmony in a natural environment after working for their whole life. This is time to live free in their natural terrain.
Experience of visiting a 100 years old Karen Settlement where the family has been living and caring for elephants for generations. Observe the elephants natural behavior while feeding them, walking with them in nature, watching them play in the mud pit and bathe the elephants in the river. Learn how the elephants receive good care from the owner whom they take care their elephants as the family members.
Karen Elephant Serenity is located in the Mae Wang area (South of Chiang Mai), this project was inspired by a man who previously worked in the Elephant Nature Park. He has rescued elephants from a suffering life, bringing them to live in their natural environment, providing them a chance to live as elephants in their natural surroundings.
This incredible project is small group of “saddle off” program in cooperation with a Karen settlement. The elephants owner decided to stop renting his elephants and bring them home to live in their natural habitat. Observe our herd as they explore their forest home, experiencing the wonder of these majestic giants is a wonderful opportunities.
Karen Elephant Reserve is a location where you can experience the elephants living in paradise. At this unique small project, we provide the worthy experience to visit and show love to elephants. You will see how they live with freedom and happiness they truly deserve.
A special, small group “saddle off!” program in cooperation with a village settlement. With no riding, feeding elephants in the afternoon and walking with the elephant family along a peaceful twilight river side, witnessing their natural behaviours and sense of freedom. This trip differs from our other “saddle off!" programs as offers a short afternoon visit for any age group and a Traditional Cultural show from local students and a vegetarian buffet and BBQ.
Our premier volunteering experience Journey to Freedom Volunteer project is a unique project that features elephant care, learning about agriculture and community, developing local school children learning experiences and living in a cultural exchange at a tribal village in the mountains of Chiang Mai. Care for elephants and embed yourself in local tribal village culture.
Starts Mondays: 08:00-08:30am from Hotel or 07:40am from Office Return: 5:30 pm 15,000 THB (no children)
A life enhancing opportunity of direct hands on conservation work in a unique program to help protect a highly endangered species. Most volunteers leave with a proud sense of accomplishment and a deep satisfying feeling of having really done something positive. Volunteer at Elephant Nature Park and help to improve the plight of the Asian elephant. With no riding, come and make a real contribution to conservation in Northern Thailand.
Starts Mondays: 09:00am Return: 5:30 pm 12,000 THB (no children)
Volunteering with Elephant Nature Park Dog Rescue Project provides an opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of so many animals. Our daily schedule includes: walking dogs who are caged while in treatment three times a day, feeding dogs twice a day, cleaning cages and other areas, socializing with the dogs
Starts Sundays: 08:00-08:30am from Hotel or 07:40am from Office Return: 5:30 pm 7,000 THB (no children)
This program is only for Qualified Veterinarians and Veterinarian Nurses / Techs. Veterinary students are also welcome and completed hours can be used as part of your coursework / placement. University assessment paperwork can be completed by our park veterinarian as part of your field-work.
Starts Mondays: 09:00-09:30am from Hotel or 08:50 from Office Return: 5:30 pm 12,000 THB (no children)
It is time now to take the chain and saddle off of the elephants. It's now time to provide an elephant haven for them with no riding. Walk together to the green fields, roam free, play in the mud, eat well and swim in the deep river. It is time to retire them from their labors, young or old, and say goodbye to being ridden. It is time for people to come to treat them with respect.
Day 1 It is time now to take the chain and saddle off of the elephants. It's now time to provide an elephant haven for them with no riding. Walk together to the green fields, roam free, play in the mud, eat well and swim in the deep river. Day 2 and includes a visit to Krasae Cave and the Death Railway. Accommodation included is a comfortable room at a local resort.
Elephant Volunteer: Main focus is to let the elephants free from work. We brought elephants from street begging to live in their homeland. Volunteers stay with mahouts families in a traditional home stay, learn about mahouts culture, experience Buddhism activity and take care the elephants, offering them a better life.
Starts Mondays: See detail Return: 3:00 pm 15,000 THB (+16years)
The Surin Project is a unique and innovative concept aimed at improving the living conditions of captive Asian elephants by removing elephant rides and providing economic sustainability for their owners through responsible volunteer tourism. We work alongside the Gwi community in the government run Surin Elephant Study Centre located in the village of Ban Tha Klang in the Surin Province in North East Thailand.
Starts Mondays: See detail Return: 3:00 pm 13,000 THB (+16years)
We are working within the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary to protect and conserve 1 million acres of jungle habitat, approximately one hour north of Angkor Wat. The project spans 25,000 acres and aims to protect the land and all of the native species, flora and fauna, that call it home, including tigers, monkeys, buffalos, and of course, the Asian elephant. Please note - no riding of elephants.
Starts Mondays: See detail Return: See Detail 400 US$
All our visits include either transport to the project from each city office, bus station or the hotel you are staying at.
Arrival
We recommend that you stay in the city of your trip the night before your visit. Don't try to take a trip on the day you travel on the morning of your trip. Flights, buses and trains are often late and we cannot wait at stations or airports.