Elephant Retirement Park

We had the best experience ever at the ERP, the elephants are so well looked after, the guys and volunteers who look after the elephants are so caring and you can see the bond they have with these majestic animals, please go and see for yourselves

What a wonderful morning we had at this Elefant park. We walked with the elefants, could feed them and gave them a mudbath and a clean bath. We were sceptical about Elefant visiting parks at first, but this one was just what we were looking for. The people working there treated the elefants so nice (hugging them so often) and they explained the difference in elefant care between their park and non-ethical parks. In also have learned so much about the elefants (thanks to our tourguide Jan). I would definately recommend a visit if you’re interested a ethical elefant farm.

I'm reviewing three elephant sanctuaries/parks here in Chiang Mai and felt good enough about this one to review it right away. I did the entire day solo during a very slow time so please take that into account. First, Woody and Manny took excellent care of me all day. Unlike where I was the day before as soon as our small group arrived we dove right into feeding. You and I are spending a chunk to do this and we are not interested in a lecture about the difference between African and Asian ellies. That might be relevant to some but not when we are eager to get down and dirty. Boy did we. I am VERY at ease with huge animals and so leapt right in. We waded into a pool, got wet, then got really really REALLY muddy when we took our charges and guides to the mud bath. Look. This is what I came here for, so the full immersion, getting seriously seriously filthy and muddy, feeding the animals and having ridiculous fun was right up my alley. The best part was that I stayed for the whole day, so after going to the banana plantation and cutting down a bunch of trees for food I got to do it all over again. I was able to take my time with the elephants, under supervision of course, and that's what I am paying for. Intimate time, fun time, mud and dirt time, and being able to feed them and rub their great bodies. That is why I come here. I would add that the facilities for showers are fully equipped, the lunch was excellent, and for my ellie dollar, this place gets my vote. Next time I am back I am coming here again. I value the fact that when I do this kind of event the guides watch for my comfort level and when they see they can trust me around their charges, I am allowed to play with them. Please be mindful that if you fear ellies, this is NOT for you. I like that there are only seven elephants. The mahouts sleep here, and the warm relationships they have with their animals is evident. If you do not like getting dirty, if you don't want thick mud in your hair, if you get bothered by getting stuck in sucking mud, this isn't for you. However if you enjoy a childlike day with enormous beasts, time out with one of the world's great mammals, this might be your spot. Five stars. Well done.

We completed the full day experience and enjoyed walking through the jungle with one of the elephants, Manny, our guide Woody and the mahout. We were joined by others at lunch before more feeding and joining a number of the elephants in the mud bath and bathing pool. This experience blew any other previous encounter we have had with elephants out of the water and was entirely ethical. Cannot recommend highly enough - couldn’t stop smiling all day and a real highlight of our trip

We did the half day and it seemed like a good amount of time. The drive was a bit long, so prepare for that. Once we were there we got to cut food, feed, bathe the elephants. The conditions were great and they explained why they did everything (keeping them in stalls, mud to protect from insects) and showed the path they take them on the walk. The photos were an extra charge per person which was slightly frustrating but the staff was nice.