When most people think of Thailand, elephant experiences are one of the first things that comes to mind. And while this can be a great experience, it’s important to make sure you’re doing it ethically. In this blog post, we’ll tell you where to go to see elephants ethically in Thailand. So if you’re looking for an elephant-friendly adventure, read on!
There’s something special about elephants. Elephants are enormous, yet kind, with a distinctive personality and a close family bond. Their eyes appear to look deep into your soul.
While elephant trekking is a popular tourist activity in Thailand, not all elephant treks are created equal. When choosing an elephant trekking company, make sure to do your research to ensure the elephants are being treated ethically. A good way to tell if an elephant trekking company is ethical is to see if they allow you to interact with the elephants without riding them. If you’re able to feed and bathe the elephants, that’s a good sign!
There are many Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand where you can have an up-close and personal experience with these gentle giants. At these sanctuaries, the elephants are free to roam and live in their natural habitat – no chains or cages here! You’ll be able to feed and bathe the elephants, and even give them a mud massage if you’re feeling adventurous.
On a recent trip to Thailand, I was lucky enough to join a three-day jungle trip in Khao Sok National Park, where I saw elephants at Elephant Hills Jungle Lake Safari. I combined the jungle trip with a city stay in Bangkok and a beach escape in Phuket. Really the best of all worlds in my opinion!
Elephant Hills has won awards for its conservation work and animal welfare. The elephant camp is set in lush rainforest and the elephants have a huge natural playground to roam, forage, swim and play.
At Elephant Hills there is no elephant riding, no performing and no chains. The contact between humans and elephants is limited to a few hours each day. So if you go, you may get to feed the elephants, bathe them or watch them splash around in their mud pools. They are then left to their own devices in a stunning national park of deep forest and towering mountain ranges. As it should be.
Elephant Hills works closely with the local community and a children from a nearby school often comes in to do a performance at the camp in the evening. If you want to take school supplies such as colouring pencils with you, they are very happy to take them and pass them on to the children in the local community.
The buffet at Elephant Hills is cooked fresh on site each day, and the bartenders are skilled mixologists. Perfect for relaxing after a long day enjoying the elephants and the jungle.
If you love nature and wildlife, and want to add something utterly unforgettable to your Thailand holiday, I would highly recommend Elephant Hills Jungle Lake Safari.
It was an unforgettable experience getting to know these majestic creatures and I would highly encourage anyone visiting Thailand to consider adding an ethical elephant experience into their trip! There are many Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand where you can have an up-close and personal experience with these gentle giants. At these sanctuaries, the elephants are free to roam and live in their natural habitat – no chains or cages here!
So there you have it – our experience of ethical elephant trekking in Thailand. We hope you’ll consider an ethical elephant experience the next time you’re planning a trip to Thailand!
Contact Kerry by clicking the button below to get advice or a quote for your next holiday.
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