Elephant Jungle Sanctuary - Chiang Mai, Thailand

Ever dream of petting, feeding, and bathing elephants? The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is the perfect place in Chiang Mai, Thailand to do just that. In 2018 when I spent the summer in Thailand, I took a weekend trip to Chiang Mai to explore the city and see the elephants. Spending the day with these gentle giants was a bucket list dream for me! We started the day by learning about the sanctuary and the ways it rescues, protects, and cares for these animals. Then we were introduced to the elephants. While we were there, there were mamas, babies, and even a feisty teenaged elephant to play with. Then we got to feed, pet, and take pictures with the elephants. They sure love their bananas!

After feeding them, we spent time with the elephants in the mud spa! This was a total blast! (If you don’t like getting dirty this part probably isn’t for you). We literally scrubbed the elephants with mud in a mud hole. It sounds kind of gross, but the elephant loved it (truly a spa day for her) and it was actually so much fun! I highly recommend.

After the mud spa the elephants needed a nice rinse off in the river. This, of course, meant rinsing ourselves off with buckets of water from the river too! On a hot, muggy day in Thailand, this felt amazing. After this, we were treated to a Thai style lunch before we were transported back to our hostel!

If you find yourself in Thailand and are interested in spending the day at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, check out their website! The package includes pick up and drop off from your accommodation, a buffet lunch, free photography services, traditional karen clothes, and of course lots of time to play with the elephants. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit, a change of clothes, and your camera.

https://elephantjunglesanctuary.com/chiang-mai/