🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Before we get into which camps are worth visiting, a quick note on why this matters. Most elephants living in these camps used to work in the logging industry or in tourism. Many are old, were injured at some point, or are blind. Elephant riding and training elephants to perform rely on methods that hurt the animals from a young age. Camps that genuinely call themselves sanctuaries have stopped the riding and the shows, and switched to letting people watch elephants live their lives, feed them, and walk alongside them at a distance the elephants are comfortable with.
Recommended ethical elephant sanctuaries
We've ordered these by how strict their elephant-welfare policy is and how well each suits different kinds of travellers — not by which one is "the best," because each camp fits a different style. Prices are rough estimates per person and can change with the program and the season, so double-check with the camp before you book.
Elephant Nature Park
Thailand's original sanctuary, founded in 1995 by Lek Saengduean Chailert. The grounds are huge, with dozens of elephants roaming freely. The main programs are about watching the elephants and feeding them — no riding, no bathing the elephants, just observing from a distance they're comfortable with, under the Saddle Off philosophy that ditched elephant riding long ago. Good if you want to see a standard that genuinely puts elephant care first. Book ahead, because it fills up fast.
BEES — Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary
A small family-run camp focused on old elephants and ones retired from the tourism trade. It bills itself as a fully non-touch sanctuary — no riding, no bathing, no touching the elephants. Visitors help prepare the elephants' food and walk to watch them out in the forest. Most programs are overnight. Good if you want a quiet, slow-paced atmosphere and you value the elephants' welfare over getting close-up photos. You have to email to book ahead — no walk-ins.
Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary
A foundation that wants to bring elephants back into the forest. The policy is very strict — no feeding, no bathing, no leading the elephants around; you only watch them live in the forest from a distance. Overnight is always required, staying in a homestay with a Karen family in the village, then waking early to hike up the hill to find the elephants. It works with a Karen community of over 200 people. Good if you want both the elephants and the community culture, and you don't mind roughing it.
Chai Lai Orchid
A small riverside resort in Mae Wang. Most of the income goes to Daughters Rising, an organization that helps at-risk women and girls. The program still includes feeding and bathing in the river with the elephants. To be straight with you, the bathing part is still debated as to whether it should be done at all — if you weigh non-touch heavily, you may prefer the first three. But if you want a riverside stay close to the city while also supporting work that helps women, this is a solid choice.
Elephant Rescue Park
A mid-sized camp in the hills around Mae Taeng, founded in 2015, taking in former working elephants to care for in a natural setting. The program centers on feeding, walking with the elephants, and making herbal treats for them. No riding, and groups per session aren't large. Good if you want a day trip close to the city without the crowds.
Happy Elephant Home
A very small camp in Mae Taeng looking after just a few older elephants that used to work in tourism. Because there are few elephants and small groups, you get an intimate, unfussy atmosphere. The program is feeding and walking with the elephants. Good if you like quiet places and a family-run camp that isn't about big numbers.
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
A chain with several camps around Chiang Mai — easy to book and plenty of programs to choose from. It's a convenient option if you're short on time or booking last-minute. Some camps still have in-the-water activities with the elephants. If you're serious about policy, ask for the details of the specific camp you're going to before you book, because standards aren't the same across camps.
Read this before choosing
Words like "sanctuary" or "rescue" aren't officially certified by anyone — anyone can put up the sign. Look at the actual policy rather than the name. A camp that puts its elephants first won't have riding, won't have shows, and won't force the elephants to perform on a schedule.
Want more out of Chiang Mai? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
How to tell which camps are genuinely ethical
If you can't remember everything, the simple rule is this: a good camp builds its activities around the elephants' comfort, not around fun for people. Here's what to check before you book.
- No elephant riding — this is the hardest line of all. A camp that still has riding saddles or lets you sit on the neck is not an ethical sanctuary.
- No shows — elephants painting, kicking footballs, standing on two legs — all of it requires training that hurts the animals. A good camp has none of this.
- Elephants have space to roam and make their own choices — elephants should get to walk, forage, and roll in mud, not be chained up waiting for people to photograph them all day.
- Groups aren't too big — lots of people around the elephants all the time stresses them out. A good camp limits the number of people per session.
- Bathing the elephants is still debated — some camps think it's fine, others have stopped because they see it as a disturbance. If you weigh this heavily, a non-touch camp is the clearer choice.
- Transparent about where the elephants came from and where the money goes — a good camp can usually tell you each elephant's story and what the money is used for.
Overnight vs. day trip — which to choose
Day trip
Convenient, nothing to pack, and good if you're short on time or travelling with kids. Travel takes up roughly half the day total. Camps like Elephant Nature Park, Elephant Rescue Park, and Chai Lai Orchid offer this kind of program.
Overnight
You get to see the elephants at moments when they're genuinely undisturbed by large groups, and you get to slow right down. Good if you want to understand the elephants more deeply. Camps like BEES and Kindred Spirit focus on this, but the lodging is basic and the roads are rough.
What to prepare before you go
- Book ahead — the good camps fill up fast, especially in high season (Nov–Feb). Book at least a few days to a week in advance.
- Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty — sneakers or shoes you can walk through mud in, and long trousers for sun and bug protection.
- Be ready for some walking — some camps involve hiking up hills to reach the elephants, especially the overnight ones.
- Bring water, a hat, and sunscreen — it's hot and humid in the forest. Most camps include lunch.
- Respect the elephants' space — listen to the staff and don't get closer than you're told. Even when an elephant looks gentle, it's a large animal you have to be careful around.
- Check whether they accept kids — some programs, like Elephant Nature Park's Saddle Off, don't take children.
How to get there from central Chiang Mai
Most of the camps are outside the city, anywhere from around 1.5 hours (Mae Wang) to 4 hours (Mae Chaem). The easiest way is to use the camp's own transfer service, which is usually already included in the tour price. Pickup points are typically your in-city hotel or a meeting point around the Nimman / Old City area. If you can drive, the closer camps in Mae Taeng and Mae Wang are doable, but for the far ones like Mae Chaem the roads wind up into the mountains — it's more relaxing to let the camp arrange transport.
Timing tip
If you can choose, go in the morning — the air is cooler and the elephants are livelier than in the hot afternoon. In the rainy season (Jun–Oct) the forest is lush and beautiful but the trails can get slippery, so come with the right shoes.
Plan your whole Chiang Mai trip
See the Chiang Mai travel guide →