May 12

May 12 Thailand- Elephant Nature Park

Chiang Mai, Thailand was one of my favorite stops during our travels. Check out our prior post on our Thai cooking class we took while in Chiang Mai.

I had done a ton of research about where to experience elephants up close but in an ethical manner. The Elephant Nature Park had been in existence for a number of years. They rescue elephants that are older or injured and no longer useful to "circus" type activities and not wanted by the owners. They come to the Nature Park where they live out there days without whips, chains, no riding, no painting with their trunks, or other abuse. They just live freely at the camp. Please consider these things when booking any animal encounters. You can visit the park and feed the animals or volunteer at the camp for multiple days and spend more time with the elephants.

We noticed the Elephant Nature Park had a more private tour (Elephant Freedom Walk) at the owners residence. She has four elephants that were rescued and belong to her. We decided to do that tour instead of going to the actual park where all the visitors go. We wanted a more hands on experience.

The driver picked us up early and we headed off to gather fruits and veggies to feed the elephants. We washed and prepared multiple buckets of cucumbers. Once we were done we boarded the back of a pick up truck and took off to meet our new elephant friends.

When we arrived at the residence, the elephants were already waiting for their morning meal. They were patiently waiting for us to arrive behind a fence. This was a great way to keep them from getting a little too close to our buckets of food. We became fast friends with Thaibet, Koman, and Jenny.

After devouring the buckets of food we brought, they led us on a walk around the property. They made sure to stop for a few sugar cane snacks and throw some dirt on themselves (and each other) to stay cool.

After filling their bellies and play time, it was our turn to eat before heading to the river with our new friends. We learned how to make the best papaya salad and we were treated to a fabulous vegetarian lunch.

The elephants patiently waited for us before heading down to the mud pit and a rinse in the river. We got up close in personal as we covered them in mud. Our feet sunk in the mud and when it was all said in down our shoes were a total loss. But this was what we came here for.

After getting everyone cleaned up in the river it was time to say our goodbyes and feed them one last snack. This is one of my favorite memories to share with clients.

Disclaimer: There is a growing rise in tourist wanting to support ethical treatment of elephants so many vendors claim to be just that in order to continue making money. Proper research needs to be done before booking anything. The Elephant Nature Park came highly recommended and there was no evidence of abuse while we were there or on the elephants that we got to know.