When you’re making an allowance for going to the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, I’m right here to let you know that it used to be a bucket record second I’ll by no means overlook. There are many elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, however this one gives a novel alternative to connect to those majestic creatures in a cruelty-free setting.
Curious what it’s like? We’ll be diving deep into ENP’s historical past, what a normal day discuss with comes to (spoiler alert: it would contain dust!), assembly the superb elephant herd, and a few most sensible pointers for making plans your discuss with.
The Tale of Elephant Nature Park
The Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation camp based within the overdue Nineties by way of Sangduen “Lek” Chailert, a lifelong elephant suggest, and Adam Flinn, who ran an ecotourism corporate. This moral sanctuary prioritizes the elephants’ well-being, that specialize in commentary and averting using or displays.
Observe: You are going to no longer be capable of journey the elephants and so they received’t be appearing any “tips”. There are too many horror tales concerning the coaching tactics for those. Did you spot Water for Elephants? I’m no longer pronouncing that every one trekking or ellie display corporations are dangerous, however the Elephant Nature Park is a spot the place the elephants are rewarded for excellent conduct, no longer punished for dangerous.
Those animals have steadily persevered harsh stipulations, and right here they get to are living freely in social teams, shower in dust wallows, and principally be elephants! Plus, the park isn’t near to elephants. They deal with all kinds of rescued animals, like canines, cats, or even buffalos, and your discuss with is helping reinforce their unbelievable paintings.
What to Be expecting From a Day Discuss with
The day begins with an hour-long journey from the town heart. The park even picked me up proper from my resort – main issues for comfort! Alongside the way in which, despite the fact that, a number of trekking corporations have a few of their elephants tied whilst looking ahead to for his or her subsequent expedition.
After which, the fields open up with never-ending stretches of inexperienced and there may be the pretty sight of ellies roaming loose. That’s once I knew I had arrived to Elephant Nature Park.
We began the day with an informative excursion of the grounds and an advent to its animal citizens. They’re an eclectic bunch; some outdated, some younger, some blind, some injured from running within the logging trade, some abused and a few rescued from the circus. All gorgeous.
It used to be attention-grabbing (and unhappy) to be informed about their particular person tales and the park’s venture to supply them with a secure and wholesome sanctuary.
In a while, it’s time to refuel for lunch. The elephants were given to revel in baskets stuffed with end result (fed to them by way of the guests!) whilst we loved a scrumptious and numerous vegan buffet lunch (assume yummy Asian and global flavors!).
Again after we visited, Pete and I had been in a position to revel in bathing the elephants ourselves. However since then, they let the elephants shower themselves with none customer interplay so they may be able to are living their lives as naturally as conceivable (staring at them frolic within the dust continues to be a sexy particular sight to peer, to be fair.)
The park then took us again to Chiang Mai and dropped me off proper at my resort. It used to be the very best method to spend an afternoon, finding out about those unbelievable creatures and supporting their well-being.
Meet the Herd
There’s not anything reasonably like coming face-to-trunk with a rescued elephant on the park. Those mild giants, over 100 robust, roam freely right here, forming deep bonds with every different in circle of relatives herds. It’s unbelievable to peer! The Kham L. a. herd, the park’s largest bunch (consisting of round 9+ elephants), is reasonably a sight.
Observing them have interaction – from playful nudges to shared dust baths – is a heartwarming reminder in their intelligence and social nature. Understanding those elephants are in any case secure from abuse makes the revel in much more particular. Consider me, this isn’t your reasonable elephant come across – it’s a bucket record second you received’t overlook!
Guidelines for Visiting
Elephants splashing in dust? Test. Feeding a ellie some yummy treats? Test and take a look at! This park is a dream come true for any individual who’s ever sought after to connect to those wonderful creatures. Right here are a few things I discovered to make your discuss with even higher:
- Highest Time: The dry season (November – April) gives delightful climate for out of doors actions. Alternatively, the park welcomes guests year-round.
- Get dressed with ease: Pack at ease garments and sneakers with excellent tread – you may well be strolling via some gentle dust to fulfill the elephants. Don’t overlook a hat, sunscreen, computer virus spray, and a refillable water bottle to stick cool.
- Admire the animals: Elephant Nature Park puts a top worth at the welfare of elephants. Remind your self that those are wild creatures and that you simply must at all times abide by way of the park’s laws when attractive with them.
- Display your appreciation: The guides at Elephant Nature Park are extremely an expert and passionate (plus they take a lot of excellent photos and movies!) You’ll be able to specific your gratitude to them for making your keep so memorable by way of leaving them a tip.
- Pricing: Elephant Nature Park gives more than a few systems with other pricing buildings, like half-day, unmarried day, or even in a single day. A unmarried day discuss with normally prices round 3,500 THB ($90 USD), with a 50% bargain for kids.
Visiting the Elephant Nature Park used to be one adventurous day, and a reminiscence will remaining an entire life. No using. No displays. Simply rescued elephants doing issues they must were doing ever since: being elephants.
You’ll get to witness their mild nature firsthand, know about their previous, or even have the same opinion (or must I say, a bucket?) with their day-to-day care. It’s a bucket record revel in that is going past the thrill – it’s a heartwarming revel in that’s equivalent portions tutorial and unforgettable.