This is an experience you will remember for a long time. We did the full day tour. Our guide Pat, was very funny and so likeable. Him, and the other “mahouts” are so caring and respectful to their elephants. They are never forced to do anything they don’t want to do. One didn’t want to have a swim at the river. So it wandered off. No problem!
They really are beautiful and intelligent creatures and being so close to them, respectfully, was a privilege.
The surrounding jungle and hills are beautiful also, as is the drive to the place once you start getting to the hills. The road isn’t as windy as I thought it would be (I can get car sick if not sat in the front).
Lunch was good and tailored to the tourist so not spicy at all, fried rice and Pad Thai with watermelon for afters. I did pack a 7-Eleven sandwich and crisps for my middle son as he is a fussy eater and I was glad I did this. Soft drinks and ice creams can be bought also. Tea, coffee & water is free. We also bought some lovely little handmade trinkets made by the Karen people. Your belongings are locked in a room whilst you are away.
Thank you so much for such an amazing day for me and my family.
事業者からの返答
สวัสดีค่ะคุณ Chrissie 🙏
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and detailed review of your day with us. It means so much to our entire team to know that your family had such a memorable experience. 🐘💚
We especially loved reading your comments about the elephants and the freedom they have to make their own choices. Your story about the elephant who simply decided she wasn’t interested in swimming that day describes our philosophy perfectly! We want our guests to experience these beautiful animals as elephants — never as performers — and if an elephant chooses to walk away or do something different, that choice is always respected.
We’re also delighted that Pat made your day so enjoyable. He has a wonderful personality and genuinely loves sharing his knowledge, his culture, and his relationship with the elephants. We will make sure he hears your lovely comments, as well as the kind words you shared about our mahouts.
Thank you also for mentioning the beautiful journey into the hills, the lunch, our facilities, and the handmade items from the local Karen community. Those details are incredibly helpful for other families considering a visit.
Most of all, thank you for choosing Elephant Freedom Project and for treating our elephants with the same respect that we ask of everyone who visits them. It was our pleasure to welcome you and your family, and we hope the memories of your day in Chiang Mai stay with all of you for many years to come.
ขอบพระคุณมากค่ะ
ศิริพร (จุ๊บ)
Elephant Freedom Project
D
Dadof32010
May 8, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Fantastic full day at elephant freedom with 3 year old
Fantastic elephant experience at elephant freedom project from Chiang Mai. We did the full day with our 3 year old rambunctious toddler and it couldn’t have been better. Easy pick up at the hotel in the old city, about an hour drive to the sanctuary. Super close and warm experience with the elephants throughout the day, feeding them, hiking with them and even swimming with them. The professionals were incredibly kind and patient with our daughter all day. The elephants (we met 7 of them) are clearly super well taken care of and in good shape. It’s an amazing day and one of the highlights of all of our travels, ever. Great people throughout.
事業者からの返答
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review and for visiting the Elephant Freedom Project with your family. We are truly honored to hear that your full-day experience was one of the highlights of all your travels.
It means so much to us that your 3-year-old daughter enjoyed the day and felt comfortable throughout the experience. Our team works hard to create a warm, family-friendly environment where guests of all ages can safely connect with the elephants in a natural and respectful setting.
We’re happy you enjoyed feeding the elephants, hiking alongside them through the jungle, and watching them swim in the river. Creating ethical and meaningful experiences at our elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai is at the heart of everything we do, and your kind words about the care of our elephants truly mean a lot to our entire team and mahouts.
Thank you again for spending the day with us and for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback. We hope to welcome you and your family back to Thailand again in the future for another unforgettable adventure. 🙏🐘
S
Suresh V
March 13, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A Once in Lifetime experience ever with the Gentle Giants ! An afternoon making their food, walking and bathing them!
This was a Once in a Lifetime experience for my wife and I. An unforgettable afternoon with these beautiful, serene and calm gentle giants for whom we made their food, walked with them along the streams , bathed them and finally fed them.
Hats off to the team at Elephant Freedom Project for making this a memorable experience including showing us the waterfalls nearby.
We have so much respect for what they do and for allowing us to spend time with their elephants.
事業者からの返答
Dear Suresh,
Thank you very much for your wonderful review and for spending the afternoon with us at Elephant Freedom Project, our ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai.
We are so happy to hear that the experience was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for you and your wife. Preparing food for the elephants, walking alongside them through the streams, and watching them enjoy their time in the river are some of the most special moments guests can share with these gentle giants.
It’s also great to hear that you enjoyed the short visit to the nearby waterfall. The Mae Wang valley is such a beautiful place, and we love giving our guests the chance to experience both the elephants and the natural surroundings.
Your kind words mean a lot to our entire team and the mahouts who care for the elephants every day. Thank you for supporting ethical tourism and for helping us share respect and appreciation for these incredible animals.
We hope to welcome you back again one day to our elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai.
Warm regards,
Siriporn & The Elephant Freedom Project Team 🐘
R
raiiraiirawr
February 28, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
The best experience in Chiang Mai
It was truly a memorable experience. I had so much fun! All the people I met are amazing. Pat and the guides are so friendly, funny and treated us like long time friends. The elephants were so funny too! This became the highlight of my trip and I will surely visit the sanctuary again in the future. I had such a great time ❤️
事業者からの返答
สวัสดีค่ะคุณ raiiraiirawr 😊🐘
Thank you so much for your beautiful review! 💛 We’re absolutely thrilled to hear this was the highlight of your time in Chiang Mai — that truly means everything to us.
It makes us so happy that you felt welcomed like a long-time friend. That warm, family-style atmosphere is exactly what we hope every guest experiences at our elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai 🐘🌿 Pat and the entire team will be smiling from ear to ear when they read your kind words — especially knowing you enjoyed their fun and friendly energy!
And yes… our elephants definitely have big personalities and love to make guests laugh too! 😄🐘 Seeing their natural behaviors and playful moments is what makes each day so special.
We’re so grateful you chose to spend your day with us and support ethical elephant care. We cannot wait to welcome you back again in the future for another unforgettable experience ❤️
ขอบคุณมากนะคะ 🙏💕
With warmest wishes,
The Elephant Freedom Project Team 🐘✨
M
megs_khu
February 28, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing sanctuary
Such a great sanctuary! The elephants are so well taken care of and the tour guide was wonderful. Really great experience
事業者からの返答
สวัสดีค่ะคุณ megs_khu 😊🐘
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience! 💛 We’re truly happy to hear you had such a great visit with us.
It means a lot that you noticed how well the elephants are cared for. At our elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, their health, freedom, and happiness always come first 🐘🌿 We’re also delighted that you enjoyed your time with our guide — our team works hard to create a warm, informative, and memorable experience for every guest.
Your support helps us continue protecting and caring for these beautiful elephants.
ขอบคุณมากนะคะ 🙏💕
We hope to welcome you back again someday!
The Elephant Freedom Project Team 🐘✨
S
Sam T
February 16, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Unforgettable Day 🐘
We did the full day tour and would recommend it to anyone. Pat was an incredible guide and the whole place is extremely ethical. All parts of the day are dictated by the elephants, i.e how long they wanted to spend in the river. It was amazing to meet the elephants, prepare their food and walk with them. I took hundreds of photos. 🐘
Thank you to everyone there, it was a day I will never forget.
事業者からの返答
สวัสดีค่ะคุณ Sam 😊🐘
Thank you so much for your beautiful review! We are truly happy to hear your full-day experience was unforgettable 💚
It means a lot that you recognized how ethical our approach is. At our elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, every part of the day is guided by the elephants — whether it’s how long they stay in the river or when they decide it’s time to move on 🐘🌿 Their comfort and choice always come first.
We’re especially grateful for your kind words about Pat — he will be so proud to hear this! Preparing food, walking alongside the elephants, and watching them enjoy their natural environment are moments we hope guests will treasure forever. We love that you captured hundreds of photos 📸✨
Thank you for choosing to spend your day with us and for supporting ethical elephant tourism.
ขอบคุณมากนะคะ 🙏💕
We hope to welcome you back again one day!
The Elephant Freedom Project Team 🐘🌞
A
AlanPerth
February 14, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Up close and personal with elephants
Great experience getting up close and personal with the elephants, feeding and bathing with them after a riverside walk. Professional staff, highly recommended!
事業者からの返答
สวัสดีค่ะคุณ Alan 😊🐘
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you had a great experience getting up close and personal with the elephants during your riverside walk, feeding time, and bathing session 💦🌿
At our elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, we aim to create meaningful moments where guests can observe and connect with the elephants in a respectful and natural way. We’re especially happy you found our team professional — our staff works very hard to ensure both guest safety and elephant welfare are always the top priority.
Your recommendation truly means so much to us and helps other travelers feel confident choosing an ethical experience in Chiang Mai 💚
ขอบคุณมากนะคะ 🙏✨
We hope to welcome you back again someday!
The Elephant Freedom Project Team 🐘💕
L
Laura E
February 10, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Better than expected 6/5. Absolutely fantastic!
This is the reason we came to Thailand and it was better than expected!
The elephants are amazing and we soon learnt that one doesn't like green bananas for breakfast and the smallest will not have a mud bath if he doesn't fancy it but will enjoy splashing and squirting everyone in the river!
Everything was done on the elephants' terms and they let us share their environment, which was perfect 🐘.
I highly recommend the full day. However, if you only have time for half, the afternoon experience bathing the elephants was most exciting!
If possible, bring sandals like crocs/walking sandals for the afternoon to cross the river, bathe with the elephants and visit the waterfall.
Be prepared to be in wet footware for a while. There are a limited number of wellies/crocs to borrow but beware - the wellies will fill with water!
This felt like a premium experience with water, coffee, tea and snacks included in addition to the lunch and transport. Ice cream and soft drinks/beer also available for a donation.
I would like to award a huge 6/5 for this experience!!! Absolutely fantastic! I am so glad elephants are now being protected through projects like this.
事業者からの返答
สวัสดีค่ะคุณ Laura 💛🐘
Thank you so much for your incredible 6/5 review — we absolutely loved reading every word! 😊 It truly means the world to our team that visiting our elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai was the reason you came to Thailand and that it exceeded your expectations.
We smiled when you shared the little personalities of our elephants — especially the one who refuses green bananas and the cheeky little one who prefers splashing everyone in the river instead of a mud bath! 🐘💦 That’s exactly what makes each day special — everything is always on the elephants’ terms, and we’re grateful our guests can witness their unique characters in such a natural environment.
Thank you as well for your helpful tips about footwear! Crossing the river, bathing with the elephants, and visiting the waterfall definitely add adventure to the afternoon program 🌊👣 Your advice will surely help future guests prepare properly.
We’re also so happy you felt the experience was premium and well cared for — our goal is to create a comfortable, meaningful, and ethical day for every visitor while prioritizing elephant welfare above all else. Hearing that you feel glad elephants are being protected through projects like ours truly touches our hearts 💚
We hope to welcome you back again one day for another unforgettable experience in Chiang Mai!
ขอบคุณมาก ๆ อีกครั้งนะคะ 🙏✨
With warm regards,
The Elephant Freedom Project Team 🐘💕
I
I7325HBrachela
February 9, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Unforgettable experience
We have already recommended Elephant Freedom has knowledge. We loved living this day with these wonderful and kind beasts, to finish a guide and his super nice sidekicks.
事業者からの返答
สวัสดีค่ะ (Sawasdee ka) 🐘🇫🇷🙏
Merci beaucoup pour votre recommandation ! We are so happy you enjoyed your "expérience inoubliable" with our gentle giants. It was a pleasure to have you with us, and our guides are so touched by your kind words about their hospitality.
Thank you for recommending Elephant Freedom Project to your friends—it means the world to us! 🌳✨🥥
ขอบคุณมากค่ะ (Khob khun maak ka) 💖🌈
Siriporn Tanaseth
1
11gregj
February 6, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great time with the elephants!
Great time... Get a lot of interaction with the elephants!
事業者からの返答
สวัสดีค่ะ (Sawasdee ka) 🐘🙏✨
Thank you so much for your kind words! We are so happy to hear you had a great time and enjoyed the close interaction with our elephant family.
Giving our guests the chance to truly connect with these gentle giants is exactly why we do what we do. We hope the memories of your visit bring you many smiles! 😊🌿🍎
ขอบคุณมากค่ะ (Khob khun maak ka) 🙏💖
Siriporn Tanaseth
