Elephant Camps – One of the most popular tourist highlights in Chiang Mai

One of the most popular tourist highlights of Chiang Mai is the large number of elephant camps that can be visited here. Spread throughout different areas in and around Chiang Mai, visitors to these camps are able to see elephants dwell in their natural habitat and engage in plenty of fun activities to observe, including elephants working and playing. Elephant rides are also provided by most of the camps.

A definite must visit elephant camp in Chiang Mai is the Maesa Elephant Camp. Home to one of the largest herd of elephants in North Thailand, the camp is situated approximately 20 minutes from the downtown area next to a bubbling river in a lush natural valley. Extreme care is taken by the camp regarding the conservation, protection and well being of these dwindling Asian elephants.

Tourists to the Maesa Camp will be delighted at the amount of elephant activities that can be seen and experienced here. The elephant show at the camp is a real treat to behold as 20 elephants parade in to welcome guests, and engage in fun games and activities for the benefit of tourists. Visitors can also enjoy the sight of elephants bathing in the river. There is an elephant nursery onsite to visit where young elephants are kept. One of the most amazing features of the camp is an art gallery which exhibits paintings done by the camp’s elephants. Known to be the world’s only gallery displaying artwork by elephants, it is astounding to see the talent of these large animals that have earned some pictures a place in the Guinness Book of World Records and on Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.

Some of the other elephant camps to be visited when vacationing in Chiang Mai are the Maetaman Elephant Camp, the Pong Yaeng Elephant Camp, the Taeng Doa Elephant Camp and the Chiang Dao Elephant Camp. The Maetaman Elephant Camp is home to approximately 60 elephants. All of these camps are set within natural jungle conditions, and feature elephants at work and at play for the benefit of the crowds of tourists who visit the camps.   

There are many hotels offering comfortable accommodation in Chiang Mai. However, tourists staying at the Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai, are ideally located for experiencing the city’s rich culture and exploring the elephants camps found here. This Chiang Mai luxury hotel provides 5 star hotel facilities in a relaxing resort style setting, and is an ideal hotel for both business and leisure travellers.