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Chiang Mai Elephants

There are a number of elephant parks, sanctuaries and riding centres located in and around Chiang Mai.

It is important for visitors to do their own research about what these services offer, to ensure that they are attending an ethical centre that is run for the benefit of the elephants.

Trek, Ride & Volunteer at Ethical Elephant Parks, Chiang Mai Thailand




Many of these camps allow visitors to interact with their elephants on varying levels. Some allow visitors to feed, pet and take photos of the elephants. Others offer jungle treks and riding of elephants.

The Elephant Nature Park is a sanctuary for elephants that have been rescued from all over Thailand. They do not allow riding but offer a full day of up-close experiences with elephants including feeding, bathing and walking with them.

There are also a number of parks that allow riding of elephants. They include Eddy Elephant Care Chiang Mai and Baanchang Elephant Park which allow bare back riding and Maesa Elephant Camp which allows up to two people at a time to ride the elephant in a howdah (chair) as well as having the elephants put on a show for visitors.

Below is a more detailed look at each of the parks in Chiang Mai. Click the links below for more information.



Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

Mae Wang, Mueang Chiang Mai
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The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is an ethical and sustainable sanctuary that cares for rescued and injured elephants that are located 60kms from Chiang Mai city. The Sanctuary opened in 2014 and is a joint initiative run...

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Patara Elephant Farm

Patara Elephant Farm

Ban Pong, Hang Dong

The Patara Elephant Farm is one of the best animal experiences in Chiang Mai. Compared to other sanctuaries, what makes this place unique is that it provides a more intimate encounter with these majestic animals. If...

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Maesa Elephant Camp

Maesa Elephant Camp

Mae Raem, Mae Rim
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Mae Sa Elephant Camp is a prominent elephant park located just an hour’s drive away from Chiang Mai. The idyllic environments make this a must-visit.

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Elephant Retirement Park

Elephant Retirement Park

San Pa Yang, Mae Taeng
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The Elephant Retirement Park is a sanctuary in Chiang Mai for retired elephants. Located just one hour away from the city centre, the park’s main objective is to create a haven that is comfortable for old...

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Elephant Rescue Park

Elephant Rescue Park

Ban Chang, Mae Taeng

Elephant Rescue Park is one of the best animal encounter experiences in northern Thailand. They offer an incredible environment where elephants can roam freely in their natural habitat, while humans can interact with...

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Tours

Baanchang Elephant Park

Ki Lek, Mae Taeng

Baanchang Elephant Park is dedicated to offering elephants the best care while preserving their environment. This attracts tourists from far and wide.

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Hug Elephant Sanctuary

Hug Elephant Sanctuary

Chang Wat, Mueang Chiang Mai

Hug Elephant Sanctuary is a park for elephants that have been rescued from all over Thailand. Please note that there is NO ELEPHANT RIDING. Hug Elephant Sanctuary was founded in 2015 in response to the exploitative...

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Chiang Mai Elephant Legend

Chiang Mai Elephant Legend

Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Elephant Legend is a highly recommended elephant sanctuary. If you’d like to make a difference during your travels, or love animals, this place will be a fulfilling and fun experience. Chiang Mai...

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Into The Wild Elephant Camp

Into The Wild Elephant Camp

Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai

Into The Wild Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai provides a unique elephant encounter that all ages will love. Unlike other elephant experiences, all the elephants here are free to roam in their natural habitat, play in the...

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Karen Tribe Native Elephants

Karen Tribe Native Elephants

Samoeng Tai, Samoeng

Karen Tribe Native Elephants is one of Chiang Mai’s top eco-tourism experiences. They offer ethical elephant-centred activities with a unique cultural twist: that’s because it’s a non-profit...

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Thai Elephant Conservation Centre

Thai Elephant Conservation Centre

Wiang Tan, Hang Chat

The Thai Elephant Conservation Center is a government-owned and run Elephant Park that was founded in 1993 under royal patronage. The Thai Elephant Conservation Center offers visitors opportunities to watch elephants...

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Doi Inthanon Elephant Park

Doi Inthanon Elephant Park

Hai Ya, Mueang Chiang Mai

The Doi Inthanon Elephant Park offers unforgettable and ethical elephant encounters in Chiang Mai. The park was established by a man named Taksin, who wanted to share him and his family’s love for the elephants...

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Elephant Discovery Chiang Mai

Elephant Discovery Chiang Mai

Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai

Elephant Discovery Chiang Mai is an excellent place for travellers who want to meet and connect with elephants. Interact with these respected and honoured creatures as they roam through the rainforest situated deep in...

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Elephant Dream Valley

Elephant Dream Valley

Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai

The Elephant Dream Valley is a highly recommended family-friendly activity in Chiang Mai. They provide responsible and ethical encounters with elephants who have been rescued from trekking and entertainment camps...

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Elephant Family Sanctuary

Elephant Family Sanctuary

Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai

If you’re looking for an ethical, wholesome elephant activity in Chiang Mai, look no further than the Elephant Family Sanctuary; located near the Karen hill tribe village, around 60 kilometres from Chiang Mai. No...

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Elephant Green Park

Elephant Green Park

Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai

Elephant Green Park is a beautiful sanctuary in Chiang Mai. The park takes care of these precious animals by providing them with a safe home where they can live free from the abuse that comes with working in the tourism...

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Elephant Jungle Paradise Park

Elephant Jungle Paradise Park

Mae Win, Mae Wang

Elephant Jungle Paradise Park specialises in offering ethical elephant encounters in Chiang Mai. All the elephants they work with have been rescued from logging and riding camps, and now you can get to spend time with...

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Elephant Rescue National Park

Elephant Rescue National Park

Mae Win, Mae Wang

Elephant Rescue National Park is an excellent eco-tourism adventure in Chiang Mai. Here, you’ll get to learn all about why elephants play such an important role to the people in Thailand. They have been used in...

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Elephants At Home

Elephants at Home

Bo Kaeo, Samoeng

Elephants at Home provides a magical but responsible animal encounter in Chiang Mai. It is located in the village of Maetoh, a Karen hill tribe village where around 200 people live alongside the elephants. Elephants at...

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Happy Elephant Care

Happy Elephant Care

Mae Win, Mae Wang

Happy Elephant Care is an animal lover’s dream come true. They offer responsible human-elephant experiences that are ethical and ensure that when the activity is over, both elephant and human are fulfilled and...

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Maetang Elephant Park

Maetang Elephant Park

Kuet Chang, Mae Taeng

The Maetang Elephant Park is an elephant sanctuary nestled along the banks of the beautiful Maetang River – just 50 kilometres away from Chiang Mai. The story of the park’s history goes back to 1989 when the...

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Ran-tong Save & Rescue Elephant Centre

Ran-Tong Save & Rescue Elephant Centre

Ban Chang, Mae Taeng

The Ran-Tong Save & Rescue Elephant Centre is an elephant sanctuary which is dedicated to the conservation and protection of the endangered Asian elephants. Located just north of Chiang Mai, the elephants you meet...

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Blue Daily Elephant Care

Blue Daily Elephant Care

Hai Ya, Mueang Chiang Mai

Blue Daily Elephant Care is a heart-warming elephant sanctuary ideal for visitors of all ages who are looking for an authentic elephant encounters near Chiang Mai. The majestic elephants that we all love, and which are...

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Chang Sanctuary

Chang Sanctuary

Mae Win, Mae Wang

Chang Sanctuary offers an incredible elephant encounter for visitors who are interested in supporting animal welfare. This place is different compared to other elephant encounters in Thailand, most of which make big...

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What are the most popular elephants to visit in Chiang Mai?
Where are the most popular elephants in Chiang Mai located?
The most popular elephants to visit in Chiang Mai are:
  • Kuet Chang
  • Mae Wang
  • Ban Pong
  • Mae Raem
  • San Pa Yang
Check out the whole list of elephants in Chiang Mai.

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