The Elephant Nature Park is located in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand and is a place where elephants can roam free from abuse in a wild environment.
There are opportunities to visit the nature park and see these magnificent animals or you could stay longer and really help by volunteering. International volunteers are welcome all year round. This is a really special place for elephants and it is amazing to visit and see them in a wild environment. Elephants can be treated terribly in Thailand, they are no longer needed due to the end of the logging industry and their normal environment is being destroyed.
The Elephant Nature Park offers a unique experience where you can really help elephant conservation. You will love our placements and we highly recommend volunteering with wildlife in Thailand at the Elephant Nature Park. The aim of the nature park is to rescue, help and provide a safe environment for elephants to live out their lives. The nature park is close to Chaing Mai, and easy to find if you contact for more information. At any one time there are lots of elephants being cared for here and the work the team to at the Elephant Nature Park is amazing. Lek, the founder is an inspirational person who you should meet when volunteering here.
The setting for the elephants is spectacular, there are large spaces, a big river, forests and nature which provide a great place for the elephants to live. You can make a big difference volunteering with elephants here, these are great if you are planning a gap year or volunteer vacation in Thailand. You can visit daily, or join volunteer programs depending on your availability.
Visiting the Elephant Nature Park was by far my favorite part of my trip to Thailand. I learned so much in relation to conservation and the protection of elephants as well as veterinary, behavioral and dietary observations. It really opened my eyes to a whole new culture and the way other groups of individuals practice their morals. And in the adventure bonus week, I was able to push myself out of my comfort zone and experience the natural wonders of Thailand! I will never forget this experience, as it has truly changed my whole mindset for the better. :)
It is really wonderful what people have done here! It was one of the best things on my life going there.. I would recommend doing the overnight-stay.. you get to know the elephants so much more.. and at night or in the morning you can watch the elephants go to sleep or wake up.. the sunrise there is also very very beautiful!
After spending 2 days at the Elephant Nature Park I felt so moved and inspired I created this video: https://youtu.be/z627QbACUcI
Let’s re-shape the way we interact with elephants. Join the elephant movement.
I have volunteered twice at the Elephant Nature Park (Elephant Freedom). I read all of the rescue stories on their website of the elephants before I went. This made me realize how impactful and important the park is. These elephants need a voice and someone to help them. I am so happy I went and look forward to going again soon! If you’re in Thailand this is the number one thing you must do!
I took the 1 day Karen experience south of Chiang Mai, a long ride from the city especially when you are the first to be picked up but comfortable AC minibus. Our guide Mai was very nice, we spent the day with 2 elephants, they seemed very well treated and it was fun to give them food, playing in the mud and the water. The vegetarian lunch was excellent. My only regret is that we got few answers about the elephants and there were no information about he Karen. I thought we would learn more about their life, their traditions, ...
But overall a nice experience to try once, you don’t get to touch we’ll treated elephants every day !
