Wild Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai
An ethical day with the elephants of Samui.
Thailand8 hEasy
Best time
Nov – Mar
Currency
THB
Climate
Tropical
Flight
11h
Language
Thai
The Wild Elephant Camp takes in elephants retired from trekking camps and conventional tourism. The place embraces an ethical approach: no elephant rides, no staged show, but time to watch and interact gently in a setting close to their natural habitat.
After the introduction to the sanctuary and the story of each resident, visitors put on traditional dress and prepare baskets of bananas, pineapple and sugar cane. The main moment takes place in the open enclosure, where the elephants roam freely: you hand-feed them, learn to tell them apart, and stroke them when they come of their own accord. A bath session extends this contact.
Good to know: pick-up is between 8am and 8.30am, with the return to central Chiang Mai around 5.30pm. The programme can also be done as a half day, on request.
Highlights
No riding, no show
An open enclosure
A bath session
Small groups
Rest and care areas
What's included
Round-trip transfer from your hotel
An introduction to the sanctuary and supervision by the keepers
Traditional dress and fruit baskets
Thai lunch in an open-air dining area
Itinerary
- 1
Introduction to the sanctuary
How the place works and the story of each resident.
- 2
Preparing the baskets
Bananas, pineapple and sugar cane, in traditional dress.
- 3
In the open enclosure
Hand-feeding, with the elephants roaming freely.
- 4
The bath session
The animals roll in the mud and splash themselves with water.
- 5
Lunch and a tour of the camp
Rest areas, veterinary practices and conservation projects.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Local partner
Globeasy local partner
Runs the excursion on the ground
