Where to See Elephants in Chiang Mai in an Ethical Way

You likely have a picture in your mind of what it’s like to visit Thailand. If you’re headed to northern Thailand as part of that trip, a visit to an elephant sanctuary may factor into your plans for Chiang Mai.

All elephant sanctuaries aren’t created equal, though.

Some sanctuaries aren’t sanctuaries at all, trafficking instead in abusive practices behind the scenes to force these beautiful animals to perform or allow tourists to ride them.

It’s important to do your research.

Luckily, we’ve done that for you following our visit to the best in the bunch, the Elephant Nature Park. What follows is a detailed description of our visit, how to make it happen for your trip, and where else you can see elephants in Chiang Mai the ethical way.

You can see elephants responsibly in Chiang Mai.

It’s all about the research you do ahead of your trip. Choose reputable sanctuaries that prioritize the well-being of the animals and offer natural habitats.

Avoid places that exploit elephants for entertainment or offer elephant rides. These practices often include cruelty to get these magnificent animals to behave a certain way.

Is it cruel to ride elephants in Thailand?

The option is there for tourists to ride elephants in Thailand, but this is NOT an ethical way to engage with the animals. It’s cruel to elephants and supports bad habits by the places that offer elephant riding excursions.

These aren’t sanctuaries.

I’ve seen loads of travel blogs and local Thai sites promoting elephant camps and breeding facilities because elephants are “used to this kind of work.” They may also tell you that they don’t mind it if it’s just one rider.

I don’t see how anyone asked the elephants about their feelings on the matter, but I can bet they’d give us a piece of their mind if they could talk.

Do not visit elephant parks where elephant riding is an option.

Where to See Elephants in Chiang Mai

You can see elephants in Chiang Mai at ethical sanctuaries like the Elephant Nature Park. An ethical elephant park allows you to see elephants responsibly and humanely.

These sanctuaries focus on rehabilitation, provide a natural environment, and educate visitors about the importance of elephant conservation.

We only have the park mentioned above as a reference, but we did a lot of research ahead of our trip on ethical elephant parks to target this one as our preferred option.

The Elephant Nature Park consistently earns high marks for the treatment of its elephants and is lauded for the work it does for abused and mistreated animals.

Many of the elephants there have had to receive medical treatment and rehabilitative services after time spent in less-than-desirable circumstances. They rely on the care of sanctuary staff and volunteers to allow them to improve their quality of life.

While there, you’ll also likely interact with other animals they’ve rescued over the years, including several dogs. Some of those pups are on wheels, which can activate those tears if you’re not careful on a tour of this place.

How to Plan Your Day at Elephant Nature Park

This is the elephant experience Chiang Mai should be known for.

All visits to the Elephant Nature Park include transportation to and from your accommodations in Chiang Mai, with pickup in the morning between 8-8:30am.

You can also meet your ride at the park office, but you would need to do so by 7:40am if you don’t want to find yourself hitchhiking.

Note: We stayed at the Villa Sirilanna Hotel, by the way, and would highly recommend it.

Generally, though, it’s a little over an hour’s drive from central Chiang Mai to the Elephant Nature Park. On a single-day visit, you’ll return between 5-5:30pm.

The cost of Elephant Nature Park visits varies depending on the experience you’re after. Most visitors come for a half-day visit. Half-day visits cost 2500 baht (about $72) for adults and half that for children.

You’ll be asked to pay a booking fee once you pick a date online, with the remainder expected in cash on the day of your tour.

Note: If you’re interested in visiting the Elephant Nature Park, book early. This excursion’s a popular one, especially for one-day visits, and dates do sell out.

All visits include a vegetarian lunch buffet. If you’re inspired after your visit and want to volunteer at Elephant Nature Park, there are week-long volunteer experiences available, too.

That’s in addition to overnight stays if you’d like to visit with the elephants for longer.

READ MORE: Having trouble planning your trip to Thailand? Steal my itinerary!

Wear clothing you don’t care too much about and sandals or sneakers that you don’t mind getting wet and muddy in case of rain.

While full-day visitors no longer have access to bathing the elephants, you will still be walking to the river alongside the animals. That can mean some muddy terrain.

It’s also a good idea to bring along sunscreen, a towel, bug spray, a water bottle, and rain gear if you’re visiting from April through October.

Visiting the Elephant Nature Park is incredible.

There isn’t a strict schedule as to what you’ll do and when as you’re dealing with elephants here. It’s important for the staff to make sure they’re fostering a serene environment for the animals.

If you’re there for any of the full-day programs, you generally start things off by learning about the sanctuary and the herd that calls this special place home.

Some of the information you’ll hear during your introductory session can be quite the gut punch, as you’ll be learning about why these elephants are here.

You’ll learn about elephant orphans, those rescued from riding and logging operations, and those with special needs from years of begging on the streets or stepping on mines. It’s a lot.

From here, the Elephant Nature Park is there to make sure you’re meeting the elephants in the safest way possible for you and these beautiful creatures.

Fun fact: All of the animals you’ll see are Asian elephants. You can tell they’re the Asian variety and not African because of their ears. The ears of African elephants are much larger.

Depending on the experience you’ve booked, that may include spoiling them with succulent fruit provided to you by sanctuary staff.

No matter which program you book, you’ll be fed a delicious vegetarian buffet during your visit.

You’ll get a literal taste of what volunteers and staff here eat regularly. It’s simple food, but it’s welcome and nutritious. You may also have some time to check out the park on your own from viewing platforms throughout.

It was at this time that we watched a few rescued elephants chasing one another into watering holes around the compound.

Yes, it was as adorable as it sounds.

If you’re signed up for a single-day visit that includes spending time at the river, you’ll head there next, walking alongside the elephants interested in the activity with you.

You’ll learn more about the herd, depending on the elephants who have joined you, until you reach the river.

From here, you’ll be able to observe the elephants as they splash around and play from an observation deck, keeping you dry.

Prior to April 2018, day visitors were able to get into the river with the elephants to give them a makeshift bath. It’s an activity I know I’ll never forget, but understand the need to keep things as natural for the elephants as possible.

The change in protocol tells me that this place cares about not only elephant conservation but also prioritizes the elephants over its human visitors.

Would I visit again, knowing I can only observe the elephants in the river?

Of course!

It’s quite the experience just watching them in what you know is their new element, grateful for the opportunity to watch them play and cool off.

Fun fact: Elephants can smell water from 12 miles away. That’s about 19 kilometers if you’re into that.

If you’re interested in a deeper dive, the park does offer more immersive experiences. No matter how much time you spend here, you’ll want more of it.

READ MORE: Jealous of those elephants in the water? Plan a trip to our favorite Thai island once you’re done here.

Choosing an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand

You’ll know an elephant sanctuary is ethical if it does not allow elephant riding.

An elephant park that forces elephants to perform in any way is not ethical. That could mean they use bullhooks to punish or manage elephants.

If they present you with an elephant program meant to entertain rather than inform and educate, it’s likely unethical.

Real elephant sanctuaries are rescues. They do not buy or sell elephants and they do not breed elephants. They don’t give off circus vibes.

The guides available from Responsible Travel are a good place to start if you’re traveling to Thailand or elsewhere with elephant tourism.

While you’re on that site, you’ll find several listed under the Chiang Mai category. For example, the popular Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is on their caution list due to the interactive nature of visits there.

Educate yourself about ethical elephant sanctuaries before you book.

More Elephant Sanctuaries Near Chiang Mai

I’ve shared quite a bit about the best elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, but there are a few others known for being ethical in their treatment of elephants:

• Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary: This sanctuary, also known as BEES, in the district of Maechaem, invites visitors to feed and walk alongside their troupe of pachyderms. The elephants here are retirees of less ethical operations.
• Elephant Freedom Village: The motto here is, “Elephants come first!” Their mission, though, is a dual one. The sanctuary works alongside the local Karen hill tribe communities to show the deep connection between them and the elephants.
• Mahouts Elephant Foundation: At this sanctuary, the elephants roam free in the forests owned by the foundation. Visitors are invited to walk alongside them on camping-based visits.This one is about four hours east of Chiang Mai, though.

You’re probably like, “But there are dozens more! What about this and this and this one?!?”

Well, I’ve looked at the options out there, and I’ve found some problems. It’s not enough to investigate parks in Chiang Mai, either. Some facilities have offshoots in other regions of Thailand, with different standards depending on the site you visit.

That’s not cool when it comes to caring for these creatures andis not representative of a good sanctuary.

The best elephant rescue is a place that holds itself accountable and meets ethical standards. It’s not the place that allows you to do whatever feels good at the moment, potentially harming the elephants you claim to love as you live your best life.

I’ve also learned that a website telling me their place is ethical, even proclaiming it in a fun, bold font, means very little. Be careful out there, elephant lovers.

Do your research before booking your elephant visit.

Some elephants are treated well in Thailand, but some are not. While some sanctuaries prioritize ethical practices, many elephants face mistreatment in tourism. Travelers should research and choose ethical experiences.

The Elephant Nature Park has the best reputation in Chiang Mai for ethical practices involving not only their elephants but all of the animals at the park.

If you’re shopping around for your day trips, be cautious. Use the tools I’ve shared here. Avoid “sanctuaries” that feel like amusement parks and never ride elephants. I can’t believe I need to say this, but no, it’s not the same thing as horseback riding.

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