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Thailand is renowned for its elephants, and interacting with these majestic creatures is a highlight for many visitors. However, what often goes unnoticed is the harsh reality of how elephants in Thailand’s tourism industry are frequently treated. When planning my trip, I was eager to spend time with elephants but equally determined to support an organization that prioritizes the animals’ well-being and ethical treatment.
Through my research, one name kept surfacing: Elephant Nature Park. After confirming that it operates as a genuinely ethical sanctuary, I booked a couple of visits. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Elephant Nature Park or choosing another ethical elephant sanctuary to ensure your experience is both memorable and responsible.

What is Elephant Nature Park?
Elephant Nature Park, located in the scenic countryside just outside Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, is a renowned rescue and rehabilitation center dedicated to caring for abused and neglected animals. Established in the 1990s, the park began as a sanctuary for elephants and has since expanded to provide a haven for other animals, including dogs, cats, water buffalo, and more.
Thailand’s elephant population has declined drastically over the past century, with only 3,000 to 4,000 elephants remaining. Alarmingly, nearly half of these live in captivity, often enduring severe mistreatment and deplorable conditions. Elephant Nature Park works tirelessly to rescue as many of these animals as possible, offering them a safe, natural environment where they can heal and thrive. Currently, about 70 elephants call the park’s expansive 250-acre property home.
In addition to providing lifelong care for its rescued elephants, the park is deeply committed to conservation and education. Reforestation initiatives help restore the local ecosystem, while outreach programs aim to educate communities and foster a more compassionate attitude toward these magnificent creatures. Visitors can engage with the park through various programs, from single-day visits to extended volunteer opportunities, making it a truly impactful experience.
Where Do the Elephants Come From?
Elephant Nature Park rescues elephants from a range of heartbreaking situations, with two major contributors being the tourism and logging industries. Many elephants at the park were domesticated early in life to perform in circuses, beg on streets, or give rides to tourists. This domestication process, known as “crushing,” is as cruel as the term implies.
The “crushing” process begins with a baby elephant being torn from its herd after its mother and other protective adults are killed. The young elephant is confined to a small stall or cage where its head and limbs are immobilized. It is then subjected to relentless abuse—beaten with sticks or chains, stabbed with nails in sensitive areas like the ears and feet, and deprived of food, water, and sleep. This torment continues until the elephant’s spirit is utterly broken or “crushed”, leaving it submissive and compliant.
Many of these elephants are captured and domesticated in Myanmar before being trafficked into Thailand. In the logging industry, elephants are forced to transport heavy loads of teak wood through rugged terrain, with chains harnessed tightly to their bodies. Although logging was officially banned in Thailand in 1989, illegal logging persists, and the practice remains legal in neighboring countries. Following the ban, many elephants were sold into the tourism industry.
The abuse doesn’t end with “crushing.” Elephants used in circuses are made to perform painful tricks that can deform or break their limbs. Those in the tourism industry work grueling hours giving rides, often without adequate food or water and spend nights chained up. Their backs, not designed to carry heavy loads, suffer under the weight of saddles—often exceeding 100 pounds—and multiple riders. The continuous labor results in injuries, chronic pain, and, eventually, death from exhaustion.
Elephant Nature Park steps in to rescue these elephants, negotiating their release and providing them with a safe environment. In addition to saving domesticated elephants, the park also rehabilitates those injured in the wild. This includes elephants that have tragically stepped on landmines, a common hazard in the war-torn regions of neighboring Cambodia.
By offering these animals a chance to thrive, Elephant Nature Park plays a vital role in combating the cycle of cruelty and exploitation that has plagued Thailand’s elephants for generations.
Are All of Thailand’s Elephant Sanctuaries Ethical?
Many of Thailand’s tourists are now aware of the abuse elephants endure in the tourism industry and have chosen to boycott unethical practices with their dollars. Unfortunately, some exploitative establishments have adapted by rebranding themselves as “sanctuaries” to mislead the public.
At a genuine sanctuary, elephants are never forced into activities against their will, and riding elephants is strictly prohibited. If rides are offered, you can be certain it is not a true sanctuary. The same applies to the use of chains. Some facilities chain their elephants when tourists aren’t looking. If an elephant is chained at any time, the facility cannot be considered a sanctuary.
To ensure you’re supporting ethical practices, conduct thorough research before visiting any place that calls itself a sanctuary, orphanage, or rescue. While some may appear ethical on the surface, deeper investigation often reveals otherwise. One sanctuary I can confidently recommend is Elephant Nature Park, which is widely regarded as one of the few ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand.
How to Visit an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
Elephant Nature Park welcomes visitors daily, aiming to educate the public, raise awareness, and ultimately help end the violence elephants endure. The funds generated from visitors directly support the park’s high-cost animal care.
The park offers several options for visiting, including a half-day, full-day, or even an overnight stay as a guest. These visits provide an excellent introduction to the park and its mission.
For those looking to spend more time at Elephant Nature Park, volunteering is an option. Volunteers can stay for up to two weeks, gaining a closer connection with the elephants while assisting in the care of the animals at the park.
All visits and volunteer opportunities must be booked directly through Elephant Nature Park’s official channels. Advance booking is highly recommended, as spots fill up quickly. However, if you’re already in Thailand and haven’t made a reservation, it’s worth calling to check for last-minute cancellations.
What Is a Day at ENP Like?
I had an unforgettable experience at Elephant Nature Park during my half-day visit. The morning began with a convenient shuttle pickup from my hotel in Old City, Chiang Mai (transportation is included for those staying within the Old City walls). The scenic drive to the park took about an hour and a half, winding through the lush, green countryside.
Upon arrival, our group was welcomed with an opportunity to feed the elephants a snack of bananas and watermelon, which was an incredible way to start the day. We spent the rest of the morning interacting with one of the park’s older elephants, capturing photos and observing her gentle demeanor.
A vegetarian lunch was provided, and I used the free time afterward to visit the cat center. After lunch, we embarked on a guided tour of the grounds, where we were treated to the sight of two baby elephants playing in the river.
The afternoon was spent walking through the park, learning details about the elephants’ lives, and observing their natural behaviors. The day wrapped up as we boarded the shuttle back to Chiang Mai.
What Is the Saddle-Off Program?
In recent years, the success of Elephant Nature Park (ENP) has inspired many elephant camps in the area to rethink their business models. ENP has played a pivotal role in helping these once-unethical camps transition to a “saddle-off” approach, where riding is no longer allowed. These camps are taught to treat their animals with kindness rather than cruelty, proving that ethical practices can also be profitable.
The Saddle-Off program offers several experiences, all of which are booked through ENP but take place off-site. I chose the Elephant Highlands activity, located in a remote and breathtaking part of northern Chiang Mai. With a much smaller group size than ENP, the experience is more intimate and personal. The day was spent feeding the elephants and walking alongside them through stunning natural landscapes.
At the end of the day, there was an optional elephant bathing activity. I was disappointed to learn this was included, as ENP no longer offers bathing at their main park and it doesn’t align with the otherwise ethical standards of ENP. I chose to sit the activity out, as it was clear the elephants were not enjoying it. Despite this, the experience was still incredible, and I left with a deeper appreciation for the effort being made to improve the lives of these magnificent animals.
Update 2024: I believe the bathing activity may have been discontinued, it is no longer mentioned on the website.
Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
Pingviman Hotel:
Pingviman Hotel is ideally situated within Chiang Mai’s historic Old City walls, making it a convenient base for exploring the city’s top attractions. Its prime location places you within walking distance of temples and cafes. Guests can easily also take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service provided by Elephant Nature Park (ENP).
The hotel boasts spacious rooms adorned with charming antique furnishings that exude a sense of traditional Thai elegance and the beautiful pool offers a tranquil retreat after a day of sightseeing.
Rachamankha Hotel
Rachamankha Hotel is a serene sanctuary tucked away within Chiang Mai’s Old City, featuring traditional Lanna architecture. The corridors are lined with antiques, and each room offers comfort and character. Guests can relax by the beautiful pool or explore nearby temples, markets, and cafes, all within walking distance.
Four Seasons Resort
The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, while not located within the Old City, offers such a unique experience that it deserves a spot on this list. Nestled in the tranquil Mae Rim Valley, just 30 minutes from downtown Chiang Mai, this luxury resort is designed to resemble a traditional Thai village and is surrounded by a working rice farm. Guests can also indulge in the resort’s exceptional on-site spa, making it a perfect spot for a bit of relaxation.
Whether you choose to visit Elephant Nature Park or participate in one of its Saddle-Off programs, you are guaranteed to have a fantastic day at an ethical elephant sanctuary.
Have you visited an ethical elephant sanctuary? I would love to hear about your experience. If you’ve enjoyed this post, please leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Looking for more fun activities in Chiang Mai, Thailand? Discover the top things to do in my post, “The Eight Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai.”
I went here on my trip to Thailand and had the most amazing day, they really do good work there. They are also always learning and trying to do better like when I went yig could still do bathing with elephants but they’ve since stopped that which is good.
I visited this sanctuary a few years ago and had such a great day. The first time I went to Thailand I (naively) rode an elephant but quickly educated myself about the horrors of this practice. I hope that more and more tourists do the same so that riding elephants (or anything else cruel) isn’t even possible anymore. Blog posts like this one will help to spread this message. Thank you!
I hope so too! Right now, with the lack of tourism in Thailand due to COVID-19, many of the riding camps are abandoning the elephants because they can’t afford to feed them. The current situation is pretty bad and sanctuaries are taking in the elephants that they can. I hate that they are currently suffering but hope at least some good can come from this and these camps won’t be able to afford to get their elephants back.