THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Elephant Rescue Park

Had a blast with Kid the owner in our private morning tour! Kid was knowledgeable and passionate about the elephants in his care which gave us the reassuring feeling that the elephants were being treated well. We began the morning tour with a hotel pick up which was prompt and seamless. We arrived and were given the opportunity to eat/drink before changing and getting our informational speech about the sanctuary from Kid himself. Then we got to meet the elephants and introduce ourselves before our trek in the woods. The trek was great and kid took the time to tell us about the area and local plants and their healing properties. We then got to watch the elephant handlers wash the elephants and we got to join in. The elephants were playful and calm we felt safe the entire time despite being in close proximity. Then we got photo opportunities which was amazing to capture the once in a lifetime day. Then we had a wonderful lunch cooked on site and got a surprising treat which was to see the one month old baby elephant! On the way home our driver took us to a local national park and we saw some waterfalls. Highly highly recommend this tour/visit!

We had the most amazing visit to the Elephant Rescue Park and would highly recommend a visit to meet the elephants and learn more about their experiences at the rescue park. We decided to arrange for the Serene Boutique Elephant Care package and didn’t regret spending a bit more. We were picked up at our hotel at 6:30 am and on the journey out to the park we learned about the elephants and their rescues from farming, circuses and mistreatment. The elephants have been rescued but remain domesticated and as such, the park offers them a safe home and gentle life. Our package allowed us (my husband and I) to be the only guests with 2 elephants, their handler and our guide. We started our morning by changing into the centre clothing that the elephants are familiar with then meeting and greeting the elephants. We fed them a range of food suitable for their diets and then took an amazing walk into the hills with them, going at their pace and wandering beside them. After about an hour or so, we then walked down to a reservoir area and went into the water with them to give them a wash a scrub. The elephants appeared very relaxed and at ease the whole time. When asked, they also enjoyed playing a few tricks on us by splashing us and getting us wet. We then returned up to the centre and had a delicious lunch before heading back to our hotel. En route we visited the Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park which was fun and interesting. We would highly recommend spending the extra money to have your private time with the elephants and their handlers. It is well worth the money for the great interactions you have during your visit.

Our second time back at the park, and didn't disappoint. We did the full day tour, and with only 7 of us in the group was a very personal experience with the elephants. Lovely to touch and spend time with them, with the icing on the cake seeing the 2 month year old baby elephant. The tour is very educational, and you have plenty of time to get close with the elephants. It is great to see the whole team being so dedicated to the elephants welfare, with only their best interests at the heart of everything they do there

Had the pleasure of visiting the elephant rescue park today and the experience didn’t disappoint one bit. From being collected at our hotel until we were returned the whole day was amazing. After arriving and getting dressed in local attire suitable for what we were going to be doing that day. We spent time learning about the elephants that had been rescued from logging, circuses and used for rides. We then had the opportunity to prepare food for one of their oldest elephants who no longer had any teeth. She was eagerly awaiting us as we arrived with our tray of goodies and was the perfect lady as we fed her firstly the herbal medicine we had prepared and then more bananas than I cared to count 😊. We then made a fuss of her and watched as she found a tree to scratch an itch. We then left her to rest while we were generously fed and watered ourselves and relaxed before we headed for the afternoon’s activities. We changed into some wellies gathered some coconuts and bananas and headed to visit another heard of elephants who were relaxing but soon got excited when they saw us arrive with a large bucket of bananas and coconuts. There were 4 adult females and one male and we proceeded as a group of 4 to feed these wonderful majestic animals until all the fruit was gone. Then accompanied by their handlers we had the pleasure of walking beside them on a trek until we reached a large stream where the could drink and cool down. Along the way the elephants helped themselves to what ever food took their fancy and wondered off exploring at every opportunity. Once they had the opportunity to drink and cool down we were all led to a lake when we all had the opportunity to bathe these beautiful animals an experience I shall remember for all my days. This is most definitely the highlight of my trip to Thailand and I can’t thank them enough for this amazing experience. Our guide effortlessly led us and made this a truly memorable trip.

Great staff, owner and experience! The "Main" Elephant handler were great at english and had a good energy and humor 👍🏻 They were really kind and good to the animals and you could tell this is a place run by people who care about the Elephants. Would recommend 10/10 ⭐🐘

When we came to Chiang Mai we were not sure we wanted to do an elephant experience, but after reading the reviews for Elephant Rescue we decided to book a half day tour and we are glad we did! Our guide Arm framed the rescue operation really nicely and was a fun and knowledgeable companion for the day. All aspects of the tour were well run, starting with the initial communication via email and WhatsApp and the timely pick up. The rescue is a small operation and our half day tour had around a dozen people from all different continents. We loved the elephants and got a lot of time to interact with them. The lunch was excellent and we got more time to hang out in beautiful surroundings and exchange stories with other visitors. I would highly recommend this experience and the Elephant Rescue for all ages!

First of all I highly recommend the private tour - this was amazing… they picked us up from the hotel - quite early but definitely worth it. We drive about 1.5 hours up to the park which is north of Chiang Mai - along the way, the driver was telling us about the area - and in fact, many of the things he told us about we did the next day!! We arrived at the park and got into our uniform — I advise to bring a change of underwear and socks since you will get wet - your clothes will not get wet but your underwear and socks will! We start by feeding the elephants - wow they are such amazing animals so gentle and so much personality. It is amazing to watch them eat with their trunks - they use their trunks for everything!! Then we walk with them over to the pond and get in the water and bath them (this is when you get wet!!) It is a really great experience. I am not sure it would be the same with a large group… We interact with three elephants - each has his own person accompanying them. When we are done, we head back and change back into our clothes and have the most delicious breakfast — omelet made with the freshest eggs and Pad Thai simple but delicious one of our best meals thus far on our trip… We drive back to Chang Mai… A truly memorable experience…

Visit unforgettable, visit this elephant rescue center and see how they are cared for 24h and live by and so they can be well and happy is something that has shocked me. Both the person responsible, Kid, who gives his all so you can fully understand the previous lives of these poor elephants who have had to be rescued and all the other workers who care for them at all costs. I loved the main explanation, the bathroom, the treatment of the workers,... You can't miss it for the world!

I highly recommend. Both the English guide and Kid, the Spanish guide, love their work and convey it in what they talk about. The love they have for what they do is evident from the moment you arrive. Plus it is a very different experience. At the end of the meal very good.

An absolute ‘must do’ if you are staying in the area of Chiang Mai. What an incredible experience at Elephant Rescue Park. And ‘rescue’ is exactly the right word because the elephants all had a difficult past and are now living a very caring, free and wonderful life together with the great help of the carers. Our 2 guides, Mr Shawn and Mr Chai were great company and enjoyed every minute in their and their colleagues company. They picked us up by minibus from our hotel in the centre of Chiang Mai We first fed the elephants, walked a beautiful route in the nature and then washed and scrubbed the elephants in the lake with the clothes, hats and boots we were given. After that a fresh and tasty lunch too. Plenty of time for photos during the trip. They also have a photographer who takes really nice photos for a certain price. We’d like to say thanks to Shawn, Chai and team for the best day out so far in Thailand. The kids and us recommend it to everyone!! Best regards, The van Tuijl family