Address: 209/2 Sridom Chai Road
Phone: 66 (0) 53 818754

http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/index.htm

Traveler Reviews

Wonderful Stay, Inspiring Project
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Sep 11, 2008


I would absolutely do the Elephant Nature Park. It is a WONDERFUL experience for both adults and children. It is an elephant sanctuary that works to provide humane treatment of the Asian Elephant (many are mistreated...eg circuses, painting, overworked in trekking) and this place has rescued many and provided them with a wonderful home. You can feed them, bathe them, and spend time watching them. The park is beautiful--river, mountains, and the people are wonderful. Lots of other animals too...dogs and cats. Lunch is excellent. We stayed for 2 nights, 3 days, just enough time to really get to understand and know the elephants. They pick you up and drop you off at the hotel. It is the best elephant experience you can have in Thailand-- you get to see them in a natural environment (they can roam free so they form their own family groups) and you are supporting an excellent project. We stayed for 3 days, 2 nights--the cabins were simple but definitely sufficed. Clean bed and bathroom and a beautiful wraparound porch. Great for all ages. The park has a camp like feel--we heard a volunteer speak about his upbringing in the local Hillside tribes, there is a "tree house" where you can play cards and get massages, and there are lots of comfy spots to curl up with a book. Please put your money here instead of other elephant experiences, and whatever you do, NEVER buy a painting by an elephant. Cheers!

The best day trip ever!
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Aug 17, 2008


I cannot tell you how much we enjoyed this day out. We organised it through their website (you can google it). We were picked up from our hotel, went to collect food with our guide to feed the elephants with and then drove around and hour-ish to get to the elephant park. The road up is pretty bumpy and bendy so if you get travel sick maybe take your tablets first. During the day we were able to learn about, touch, feed and wash the elephants and it was so exciting. The elephants are free to roam the many acres of land. This is NOT an elephant show! They do not do tricks, they are just themselves which is the best thing to see! You get given your lunch too which was actually one of the best meals we had in Chiang Mai with plenty of choice.This is a must see if you are in the area!

Totally Unforgettable!
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Aug 7, 2008


There is very little I can add to the other 5 star reviews - this is is a once in a lifetime experience for anyone truly interested in the conservation of these marvellous animals, and who is genuinely interested in experiencing interacting with them in a way that in not demeaning or exploitative. When reading the comments of those who were disappointed, however, I would caution anyone thinking of visiting Lek's little slice of paradise to do their research carefully, as it appears to me that many of the complainants went there with unrealistic expectations. This is not meant to be 5 star accommodation, nor will you be entertained by the staff and the elephants all day. It is also designed to be educational - hence the talks and the videos ( which I and many others found most enlightening), and the cost of the visit , which is not exorbitant ,flows directly back to the park and its precious charges. The dogs and the cats were clean and not flea - bitten ( I have a lot to do with domestic animals and I know a sick animal when I see it ), and I cannot imagine any of the staff being cruel to any of them. Also, this is the countryside, and it does get muddy,and there are large animals wandering around, doing what comes naturally - so yes, you will get dirty! And I might add that I and my husband are definitely not tree-hugging "hippies" and we would both go back tomorrow if we could.

Unbelievable Experience
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Jul 29, 2008


Visiting Elephant Nature Park was the most memorable thing my husband and I did in Thailand. What an experience to see these elephants, which have been so mistreated, enjoying their new peaceful lives and watching them interact with people that want to make a special connection with them. Their stories are heartbreaking. I have never had an experience like this. Feeding the elephants and getting in the water to give them a bath and watching them play happily was so much more meaningful than sitting on the back of one while it worked to trek me up a hill. I know they must be kept locked up and apart at night, but I truly believe that Lek, the volunteers, and the mahouts all care deeply for the elephants and want the very best for them. We loved our guide and felt he was very knowledgable. He knew each elephant's personal story and was emotional when telling us about them. I will cherish my photos from this day for the rest of my life and enjoy staying updated through the Elephant Nature Park website. I spent some time with Max and am helping to foster him for a year. Even though I am back at work, I can always check in on the elephants through the website. What an incredible experience!

not as good as its reputation
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Jul 24, 2008


This attraction has many good reviews but having spent 3 days at the park I feel many are completely overblown and just plain wrong. It is supposed to be a conservation project but it is nothing of the sort. More like a tourist attraction playing the ever popular green eco tourist card so popular in Thailand. I was totally disappointed. Conservation is not letting elephants walk free for a few hours a day and then being chained for far longer periods as I witnessed. One male elephant while I was there was never moved from his place chained at a tree for my whole time there. The guide, who seemed to know less about elephants than me told me it was because he is dangerous but when I asked what was in place to deal with that he just shrugged. A big play is made about the non use of bull hooks for controlling the elephant but I saw a number of keepers with small knives in their hands that they would jab into the elephants to get them to follow instructions. I advice visitors to keep a close eye on the keepers cupped hands and you will see for yourself. I was also struck by the hypocracy of being told very forcfully that other elephant camps were bad for putting on shows and then being lined up with other visitors to be 'kissed' by a baby. There are some good points to the Park but all the tours and large amount of fundraising that goes on is based on the totally false premise that it is elephant conservation in action. It is not