Elephant Nature Park
For golfers in Chiang Mai looking to add meaning and connection to their holiday, a visit to Elephant Nature Park offers a powerful and ethical wildlife experience. Located just over an hour from Chiang Mai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort and Summit Green Valley, this renowned sanctuary allows visitors to interact with rescued elephants in a natural, cruelty-free environment — no riding, no tricks, just respect and care.
What Is Elephant Nature Park?
Founded by animal rights advocate Lek Chailert, Elephant Nature Park is one of Thailand’s leading rescue and rehabilitation centers for elephants and other animals. It provides a safe haven for abused, injured, and retired elephants rescued from tourism, logging, and street begging industries. Here, elephants roam, bathe, and forage freely in a peaceful sanctuary set in the Chiang Mai countryside.
What You Can Expect During Your Visit
- Feed Elephants: Visitors help prepare and deliver baskets of fruit and vegetables to the herd.
- Walk with the Herd: Observe elephants as they socialize and explore, accompanied by local guides.
- Educational Experience: Learn about the lives of each elephant and the center’s ethical mission.
- Dog and Cat Rescues: The park also shelters hundreds of rescued dogs, cats, buffalo, and more.
How to Get There
- From Chiang Mai city or golf resorts: Around 60–75 minutes by van. Roundtrip transportation is included in most half-day and full-day visit packages.
- From Chiang Mai Highlands Golf or Summit Green Valley: Arrange to visit the sanctuary after a morning round, or dedicate a full day off the course.
Best Time to Visit
- Dry Season (Nov–Mar): Comfortable weather for walking and animal observation.
- Morning Tours: Cooler temperatures and active elephants before midday rest.
Booking Options
- Full-Day Visit: Includes feeding, guided walking tour, vegetarian buffet lunch, and roundtrip transfer.
- Half-Day Visits: Available on select days — ideal for golfers with tighter schedules.
- Volunteer Programs: Multi-day options for travelers staying longer in Chiang Mai.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
- Sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Camera (no flash, no drones)
- Change of clothes if planning to help wash elephants (optional)
Nearby Golf Courses
- Chiang Mai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort: Award-winning 27-hole course with spa, restaurant, and mountain views.
- Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai: Championship course just north of the city with lakes and lush landscaping.
Where to Stay
Combine luxury golf resorts with eco-conscious touring. Book accommodations via our trusted travel affiliates:
- Expedia – Plan your golf + wildlife stay in Chiang Mai
- Hotels.com – Explore resorts near golf and sanctuary tours
- Orbitz – Bundle Chiang Mai golf rounds with animal experiences
Why Golfers Should Visit
Elephant Nature Park offers a soulful counterbalance to your golf itinerary. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and connect with Thailand’s deeper values of compassion, harmony, and care for all life. Whether you come alone or with family, the experience resonates long after you return to the fairway.
Conclusion
Elephant Nature Park is more than a tourist stop — it’s an inspiring reminder of the kind of traveler and golfer we can choose to be. Add this to your Chiang Mai golf holiday and walk away with more than just a great score — walk away with a story worth telling. ← Back to Places of Interest in Thailand
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