Why Chiang Mai is Thailand's Best Elephant Destination? (Top 9 Sanctuaries)

When it comes to traveling in Chiang Mai, a visit to an elephant sanctuary is a must. I would argue that Chiang Mai is the best destination for elephant experiences in Thailand—and even in Asia. Why?

With so many options available, how do you choose the right one, especially if you care about ethics?

Continue reading to find answers and inspiration from our team, which has conducted over ten inspections in Chiang Mai and gathered feedback from thousands of clients.

Why Chiang Mai is Best for Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand?

I would like to say Chiang Mai is the best place in Thailand for elephant sanctuaries. Why?

Nestled in the mountains, the area offers a natural habitat and beautiful natural scenery where rescued elephants can thrive.

Unlike Phuket or Pattaya, which often focuses on entertainment, Chiang Mai's sanctuaries prioritize the care and well-being of elephants. Many allow elephants to roam freely, giving visitors a real connection with these animals.

Home to over 30 sanctuaries—half of Thailand's total—Chiang Mai offers a range of experiences from observing elephants to volunteering, making it easy for visitors to engage in meaningful ways.

What We Stand For: Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries

If, like us, you're committed to finding ethical elephant sanctuaries, you're in the right place.

There are no universally adopted ethical standards for elephant sanctuaries, but we've taken the time to identify those that prioritize the well-being of their elephants.

The sanctuaries we recommend adhere to the principles: no riding, no shows, and no chaining or bull hooks. Elephants should be free to roam in their natural environment.

Regarding the controversial issue of elephant bathing experiences, we accept there is a good argument for continuing to visit sanctuaries that offer this activity, as some see it as a relatively harmless way to secure essential funding, given the high costs of caring for elephants—around $100,000 a year—and the many elephants in need.

However, we encourage observation-only visits. By expressing your reasons for this choice, you can help show sanctuary owners that there is a demand for more ethical elephant tourism.

Top 9 Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai

With so many options, we know it can be hard to choose a sanctuary that's both ethical and offers a memorable experience.

That's why we've done the legwork for you—visiting the sanctuaries ourselves, comparing factors like distance, tour programs, and activities, and gathering honest feedback from our clients, along with checking Tripadvisor reviews.

After all this, we're confident these nine sanctuaries are the best ethical choices in Chiang Mai. Updated on October 18, 2024)

1. Elephant Nature Park: the Best-Known and with Most Elephants

• Distance from Chiang Mai: 1½ hours
• Elephant number: 100+
• Programs available: half-day/1-day/overnight tours/week-long volunteer program
• Cost: from 2500THB/76USD
• https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/

As the first elephant sanctuary of its kind in Asia, Elephant Nature Park is home to the largest number of elephants in Chiang Mai, boasting over a hundred rescued elephants alongside various other animals. It's also the top-rated elephant sanctuary on Tripadvisor, with more than 10,000 five-star reviews.

The park is dedicated to a hands-off philosophy, ensuring that all elephants roam freely, no riding, and no bathing.

If you prefer a fully hands-off experience, you could take the SkyWalk tour (observe elephants from above). If you are looking for some interaction with elephants, feeding is their only hands-on activity, starting after COVID-19. You could choose one of their two day-trip programs: "Care for Elephants" or "Elephant Highlands."

For those who want to stay longer with elephants, overnight stays and volunteer opportunities including food and accommodation are also available. It is the only sanctuary that offers week-long volunteer programs in Chiang Mai.

2. The Bush Camp Chiang Mai: Best Overnight Camp

• Distance from Chiang Mai: 2½ hours
• Elephant number: 10
• Programs available: overnight tours only
• Cost: from 13875 THB/420 USD
• https://thebushcampchiangmai.com/

If you're seeking an immersive elephant experience combined with a comfortable overnight stay, the Bush Camp is the perfect choice. Nestled in nature, the camp offers luxurious glamping with all-inclusive services.

Unlike most sanctuaries that provide day trips, the Bush Camp exclusively offers overnight options (2-day or 3-day). With just 10 luxury tents, reminiscent of African safari accommodations, the limited number of visitors ensures a tranquil environment for both guests and elephants.

During your stay, you'll have multiple opportunities to feed and observe the elephants, as well as make elephant dung paper. However, for ethical reasons, bathing the elephants is not permitted; instead, you can observe them during bath time. You'll also have the chance to explore Karen culture by husking rice and cooking traditional Northern Thai dishes.

(I visited the camp in early September 2024, and the experience was amazing. The tranquil setting was incredibly enjoyable, with only six guests and 10 elephants, creating a sense of a private getaway. Their off-season (April to May and September to October) is particularly worth considering for a more exclusive experience.)

As one of their few exclusive partners, we could offer special agent rates for your hassle-free bookings! Contact us for even more early bird discounts!

3. Elephant Rescue Park: with Budget-Friendly Private Half-Day Tours

• Distance from Chiang Mai: 1-hour drive
• Elephant number: 10
• Programs available: half-day/1-day/overnight tours; group/private tours
• Cost: from 2200THB/67USD
• https://elephantrescuepark.com/

Compared to other camps, Elephant Rescue Park typically hosts smaller groups, allowing for a more personalized experience and deeper interactions with the elephants. They offer private half-day tours for an exclusive elephant experience.

During your private tour, you can feed, observe, and interact with the elephants, walking alongside them through beautiful scenery. You'll also walk down the hillside to the elephant bathing area, where you can enjoy bathing and brushing them in their own pool.

For their group day tours, you would help prepare food and learn to make herbal medicine for the elephants beyond the half-day private programs.

4. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai: Tailored Experiences for Visitors

• Distance from Chiang Mai: 1½ hours' drive
• Elephant number: six camps with 4+ elephants inside each camp
• Programs available: feeding only/half-day/1-day/overnight tours
• Cost: from 690THB/20USD
• https://elephantjunglesanctuary.com/chiang-mai/

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary offers a variety of programs to meet different customer needs, ranging from a quick 1-hour feeding session to a relaxed 2-day overnight stay.

• "Feed Me" Experience: Perfect for those with busy schedules who want to spend quality time with elephants.
• "Watch Me" Experience: This observation-focused program is ideal for photography enthusiasts.
• "Walk With Elephants" Experience: Designed for those eager to learn more about elephants and observe the beautiful rescues as they forage through the jungle.

For deeper connections, you can choose half-day, full-day, or overnight experiences, participating in activities such as feeding, bathing, walking with elephants, enjoying a ‘mud spa' with them, and meeting them in a natural setting. You'll have plenty of time for personal photos or can opt for an on-site photographer to capture amazing moments (included in the price).

There are six Elephant Jungle Sanctuary locations in Chiang Mai, each hosting a minimum herd size of at least four elephants, with some camps featuring baby elephants. Additionally, operational locations exist in Phuket, Pattaya, and Koh Samui.

Insider tip: Considering the quite limited basic accommodation, an overnight tour is not recommended.

5. Kanta Elephant Sanctuary: the Most Affordable Half-Day/Day Tours

• Distance from Chiang Mai: 1 hour
• Elephant number: 15
• Programs available: half-day/day tours
• Cost: from 1500THB/46USD
• https://kantaelephantsanctuary.com/

For a high-quality elephant experience on a budget, Kanta Elephant Sanctuary is a top choice. Their excellent service has earned them over 90% of 5-star reviews on Tripadvisor.

You could choose their half-day and day tours only, including feeding, walking, and bathing elephants. Their activities are quite gentle, without strenuous activities like jungle trekking. So it is ideal for families with young kids and elders.

Besides, you could expect the same high-quality experience but a more affordable price (saving around 12%) there. If you're traveling with a larger group, Kanta Elephant Sanctuary could help to save costs without sacrificing the experience.

6. Into the Wild Elephant Camp: Hike with Elephants in the Jungle

• Distance from Chiang Mai: 1½ hours
• Elephant number: 5
• Programs available: half-day/1-day tours
• Cost: from 1700THB/52USD
• https://www.intothewildelephantcamp.com/index.php

With similar activities to those of other ethical camps, Into the Wild Elephant Camp stands out for its immersive jungle hike with elephants.

You would hike along muddy and slippery mountain trails while observing elephants roaming freely in the forest. As you explore, the elephants lead the way, creating an intimate experience like no other.

Along the hike, your knowledgeable guide also shares fascinating insights into elephant behavior, enriching your connection to these giant creatures.

7. Elephant Pride Sanctuary: the Most Serene Camp

• Distance from Chiang Mai: 1½ hours
• Elephant number: 4
• Programs available: day tour only
• Cost: from 3000THB/91USD
• https://www.pride-elephant.com/

Nestled in the jungle near Doi Inthanon National Park, Elephant Pride Sanctuary is a family-run gem that offers a serene escape into nature.

They offer day tours only with a maximum of nine people per day. So you could have the chance to feed, bathe, and observe the elephants without the crowds often found at larger camps.

The winding roads to get there could be a bit bumpy, so it might not be great for those sensitive to travel sickness.

8. Maerim Elephant Sanctuary: Closest to Chiang Mai

• Distance from Chiang Mai: 45 minutes
• Elephant number: 7
• Programs available: feeding only/half-day/day tours
• Cost: from 800THB/24USD
• https://www.maerimelephantsanctuary.com/

Mae Rim Elephant Sanctuary is the closest to Chiang Mai, only a 45-minute drive away, perfect for those short on time.

Beyond the regular activities, you would enjoy a truly hands-on experience: you'll not only feed the elephants but also get to harvest banana trees and corn stalks at the field to treat them. Meanwhile, you could learn how to make your own traditional Thai noodle soup for lunch.

There is also a professional photographer to capture your every precious moment. If you'd like, you could pay extra to buy them, as the money goes back to support elephants as well.

9. Chai Lai Orchid: the Most Diverse Experiences

• Distance from Chiang Mai: 1½ hours
• Elephant number: 16
• Programs available: half-day/1-day/overnight tours
• Cost: from 2500THB/76USD
• https://chailaiorchid.com/

Besides the half-day elephant experience, you could enjoy more activities for 1-/2-day tours at Chai Lai Orchid. You could take jungle hikes, visit Karen villages, go bamboo rafting, and swim in a jungle waterfall.

In contrast to its highly-rated elephant experience on Tripadvisor, the feedback on overnight stays there is mixed. Staying overnight allows you to reconnect with nature and be rewarded with a unique wake-up call from the elephants! But the accommodation is basic: there is no air conditioning, and insects are unavoidable.

What You Need to Know When Visit an Elephant Sanctuary?

1. When Are the Best Times to Visit an Elephant Sanctuary?

For a dry and cool experience, visit from November to February, when daytime highs reach their lowest at about 30°C (86°F) with almost no rain. This allows you to fully enjoy the outdoor elephant experience.

If you're looking for budget-friendly prices and want to avoid crowds, consider June, September, or October. There are fewer tourists and some camps offer discounts during these low-season months. The weather is still good, so avoid the heat (over 35°C/95°F) of the hot season (March to May). Rain usually bursts short, minimally affecting your plans.

2. What Tours Do Elephant Camps Usually Offer? What Are Their Differences?

Regarding the elephant experiences, you could easily find feeding-only, half-day, 1-day, and overnight tours in Chiang Mai.

For a taste of elephant experiences, half-day and full-day tours are the most common option. Their itineraries are almost the same, but the full-day tour allows for a more relaxed pace. You could find the following sample half-day or full-day elephant experiences:

• Hotel pick-up and change into the sanctuary uniform upon arrival
• Introduction to Thai elephants, including their lifestyle and behavior
• Feed elephants with bananas and sugar cane
• Lunch (note: some half-day tours do not include this)
• Jungle walk
• Enjoy bathing your elephant in a mud spa
• Drop-off back at your hotel

For deeper interaction with the elephants, overnight elephant camps are great options. They typically provide a unique experience of staying on-site and include additional cultural experiences or nature exploration. However most of them offer limited accommodation except for Bush Camp.

3. How Much Is the Fee?

Here are the prices of different tours for your information.

• Feeding elephants only: from 690THB/20USD to 800THB/24USD
• Half-day tours: from 1500THB/46USD to 2500THB/76USD
• Day tour: from 2000THB/62USD to 3000THB/91USD
• Overnight tour: from 4900THB/150USD

4. How to Get There?

• Private Transfers: Most sanctuaries are about 1-1.5 hours outside of Chiang Mai's city center. The sanctuary or your hotel can arrange a private transfer, which typically costs between $20-$40 USD depending on the distance and group size.
• Group Shuttles: Many sanctuaries offer shared shuttle services from central Chiang Mai, included in the price of the tour.

5. What to Wear When Visiting an Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai?

• Take some comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting muddy.
• It's a good idea to wear a swimsuit underneath your clothes and pack an extra pair of dry clothes and a light towel to freshen up in case you get wet.
• A rain jacket is essential during the rainy season (May to October).
• Choose sturdy hiking shoes, and consider taking bringing flip-flops for bathing elephants.
• Don't forget a hat, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent.

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