Amazing interaction with family of Asian elephants …. - Elephant Pride Sanctuary We had booked our visit to the Elephant Pride Sanctuary before flying to Chiang Mai. Shortly after arrival, the down town area of Chiang Mai flooded, and access to several hotels (including ours) was compromised. We were very impressed that the Sanctuary kept us informed on a daily basis what the issues were, and what options were available. On the day of our visit, their guide Koko kept us updated on his progress, and made it to our hotel on time. He did a great job on briefing us before setting off, and making sure we had all the swimming gear we needed for the visit. The drive to the sanctuary was about an hour and a half, and throughout the drive Koko kept commenting on the surrounding countryside, the rice paddies, crops and villages. He also gave a great overview of what we would be doing for the day ….. When we arrived at the sanctuary, the sun had come out, and we were introduced to the three female elephants. - grandmother Bipoh, mother Bunchan, and 18 month old baby Jojo. It was clear that they were the focus of the farm. We were very lucky that the two of us were the only visitors that day. We started by learning how to feed them, with sugar cane and bananas, both by letting them take food with their trunks, and also by putting food directly into their mouths. It’s a bit intimidating when you start, and you’re feeding two 6000 lb ladies, and an 800 lb baby, but it quickly becomes second nature to be firmly tapped by a trunk when they’re ready for the next piece of sugar cane. We were given bags of cane and bananas, and started walking into the jungle with the three elephants following us, and Koko telling us about the local flora and fauna. We spent about two hours walking along with the elephants, feeding them and watching how they rubbed themselves against trees to remove flies, tore down branches and stripped bark and leaves from them to eat, and watching Jojo play and (in addition to taking solid food) feed from Bunchan. The elephants were completely relaxed and a pleasure to be with. Wonderful to be able to walk with them in the jungle beneath a canopy of trees, and see them interact with each other and us. We returned to the farm for lunch, with was delicious, and all made with homegrown rice, vegetables, chicken and eggs, and chillies. After a rest, it was time to give the elephants their mud bath, and then get into the river with them to wash off all the mud - both on the elephants and us …. Be prepared to be covered in mud, as the elephants fling it on themselves and the staff and visitors ……. It’s a wonderful experience and the cold water in the river a marvelous contrast. We finished up feeding the elephants with fresh fruit for a while and then made the return trip to Chiang Mai. Overall, this was one of the most meaningful and moving interactions that we have ever had with elephants (or any other cognizant animal) in their natural habitat. The elephants are wonderfully looked after, and seem to welcome interaction with humans at all levels, not just as food providers - kudos to all at the Elephant Pride Sanctuary and thank you for letting us experience this interaction with these magnificent animals.

Beautiful experience at Elephant Pride Sanctuary - I had a lovely time visiting Elephant Pride Sanctuary and spending the day with 3 generations of elephants- Jojo (Baby elephant), Bunchan (Mother) and Bipoh (Grandmother). The sanctuary itself is in the beautiful and peaceful countryside set in rice fields around 1hr 40 min journey from the centre of Chiang Mai. We were picked up in the morning and there was a stop about halfway through for refreshments and a bathroom break. The day was well organised, we arrived and spent time feeding the elephants and learning about their routine and day. It was important for me to find a sanctuary where the elephants were treated well with lots of space and no unnecessary riding or forcing them out of their routine. It was clear that the elephants were well looked after and the whole day felt relaxing and not rushed. After feeding the elephants we went on a trek with them and our guide Koko was informative and knowledgeable. We had a lovely lunch with chicken, rice and fresh fruit all served on banana leaves. Afterwards, the elephant had a mud bath and bathed before having more food. It was serene to spend so much time with the elephants and was one of the highlights of my trip.

Most amazing day of my life - They keep it a small group so that the elephants are not overwhelmed by the visitors. We slowly got to know these 3 gentle giants on their terms. Jojo the baby was sweet and playful from the beginning but her mom and grandmother were more reserved. We walked up a hillside in their “back yard” as they leisurely foraged for food. All the while our guide Coco shared educational stories about elephant behavior in general and then stories about these elephants in particular. Jojo is 1 1/2 yrs old while her mother is 40 yrs old. She became pregnant naturally during the COVID shutdown while the herd was together. Her grandmother is 65 yrs old and was formerly a logging elephant. She’s a little slower; but still very gentle and patient with her granddaughter jojo. Showing her what plants to eat and correcting her behavior when she gets a little rambunctious. You can observe all this behavior up close without pressure to hurry to the next activity. Lunch was provided a was delicious and fresh. The mud bath was fun and jojo loved it! The favorite was the dip in the stream with the elephants. They were totally relaxed and laid down in the cool water enjoying the bath. I wished the day would never end. If you want a true, authentic day with elephants without the hype and crowds you need to visit Care Pride Elephants. You won’t regret it.

A real treat - This was such a special experience. A day of simply following the elephants (baby, mom, grandma), getting on their schedule, and learning about them from the wonderful family and staff who cares for them. Lots of time to feed and walk with the elephants, take a mud bath and then to the river to clean up. Everything from start to finish was great - small group, lots of nature, an amazing elephant and human family, delicious lunch, and relaxed pace. If you are looking for a loving and ethical elephant sanctuary, this is the one. Truly a treat to spend a day here.

Magical experience - Had a really magical experience here thanks to friendly staff and happy elephants. You can tell the elephants are treated very well in this sanctuary. It was the perfect day trip from Chiang Mai. Made reservation the afternoon before via email, they picked us up from the hotel in the morning and took us to the sanctuary. It’s a beautiful farm/garden area nestled in the mountains. They had three elephants, a baby, her mother, and grandmother. You can see their individual personalities and see that they are happy and well cared for. After feeding them the morning, we went for a walk in the jungle, came back for a nice lunch, then helped the elephants with a mud bath and then cleaning in the river. Very memorable experience; surpassed all expectations. Many thanks to the kind and contentious owner and staff!

Real sanctuary with big heart - The welfare of the elephants is the top priority here. The day before, the owner Chanchai had turned down a group of 25 people because it would be too much for the elephants. Feeding the elephants and bathing with them was a whole lot of fun!! I was very impressed with how well the elephants are treated, the staff were funny, nice and very well informed. And the food is served in a banana leaf and there is delicious fruit for dessert. Of all the providers, these are probably the ones with the biggest heart for the elephants. Recommended for anyone who really wants the elephants to do well.

Awesome day amongst Elephants - Definetly worth a visit if you are jn Chiang Mai! We were included in the daily life of the 3 elephants. We took a walk in the forest with them, bathed in the mud and the lake with them and were also able to feed them. The lunch was also very good. The guides were kind and informative.

Unbelievably good! - Best day of our trip so far. We were the only visit that day so had three elephants to ourselves. We walked them, had lunch, had a mud bath with them and bathed in the river. Jojo, the baby is hilarious! This has to be the best elephant experience in Chiang Mai!

beautiful experience - I had the best experience here. This was definitely the highlight of my Thailand trip. Everyone that works here treats all the elephants like family. You will get to experience so much with each one of the members of the family specially little Jojo. Our group was small in comparison to other sanctuary tours we passed by. I will definitely comeback again to visit everyone again. Thank you! :)

Elephant trip with personal care, thought and joy. A wonderful experience. - This was a trip I will never forget. From the collection by Coco to the welcome by all the family and 3 elephants it was truly unique. In a day we got to know the elephants through hand feeding, walking through the jungle and washing them - first in a mud bath then in the river! There was never a rush and it allowed us to relax with them. We also learnt more about local cultures and everyone was so helpful, thoughtful and interesting. With the stunning surroundings we came away so relaxed and happy. I cannot recommend highly enough.