Elephant Nature Park and the rescued elephants of Chiang Mai
Published on 09/07/2026 at 06:41 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai province is an elephant sanctuary shaped around open pasture, river terraces and forested hillsides, giving rescued Asian elephants room to live together in a broad valley north of the city. Founded by Thai animal welfare advocate Saengduean “Lek” Chailert in the 1990s and established in its present form in 2003, it has become a focal point for elephant rescue and rehabilitation in northern Thailand.
A valley sanctuary built around elephants, not performances
Elephant Nature Park sits in the Mae Taeng District of Chiang Mai province, in northern Thailand, in a rural valley framed by low hills and agricultural land.Mae Taeng District The site lies approximately 60 km (37 mi) north of Chiang Mai city, far enough from the urban centre that the park is surrounded by open countryside rather than dense development.about 60 km north of Chiang Mai
The sanctuary itself extends across a wide tract of land in the Mae Taeng valley, with grassy paddocks, mud wallows, forested slopes and access to a river where elephants can enter the water on their own terms.a 250-acre valley in Chiang Mai Built structures are concentrated around feeding platforms, shelters and simple visitor facilities, while much of the park retains a pastoral character, with herds moving between the river terraces and the more wooded sections of the property.
Rescue, rehabilitation and the story of Lek Chailert
Elephant Nature Park was founded by Saengduean “Lek” Chailert, a Thai animal welfare worker born in 1961 in northern Thailand.Saengduean “Lek” Chailert Her early contact with elephants came through her family, and by the 1990s she was rescuing injured, neglected and elderly animals from logging sites, trekking camps and remote villages in different parts of the country.rescuing injured, neglected and elderly elephants
In the early 2000s land in the Mae Taeng valley was secured as a permanent base, and Elephant Nature Park developed into a sanctuary and rescue centre where elephants retired from work live in mixed herds under long-term care.permanent home in the Mae Taeng valley Over time the number of elephants has grown significantly, and the park operates alongside the Save Elephant Foundation, also founded by Lek Chailert, which supports welfare projects for Asian elephants in Thailand and neighbouring countries.Save Elephant Foundation
Life at the park: herds, habitats and visitor areas
The daily life of Elephant Nature Park revolves around the elephants and the varied habitats within the valley. Grassy areas give space for groups to forage and socialise, while shaded feeding platforms provide level ground for animals that carry injuries or are older and less mobile.soft ground and shaded feeding areas Simple open-sided shelters stand near these platforms, with roofs that keep off direct sun and heavy rain yet leave the sides open to the landscape.
A river runs along part of the sanctuary, forming terraces where elephants can walk down to the water and bathe or drink as they choose.river terraces in the Mae Taeng valley Visitor areas are generally set back from these spaces, with raised platforms and walkways that overlook the paddocks and river banks without cutting across the routes the herds use. The park’s layout brings together pasture, river access and forest edge, creating an environment where elephants with different histories and abilities can live in family groups under long-term care.
Visiting Elephant Nature Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Elephant Nature Park lies in the Mae Taeng valley north of Chiang Mai, reached overland from Chiang Mai city and Chiang Mai International Airport, which is the nearest major airport.
The sanctuary stands in rural surroundings, so visits involve a journey out of the city into agricultural and forested country. - Within the park, visitor areas are linked by footpaths and simple walkways, and reaching some platforms involves short climbs and descents on sloping ground.
The terrain includes uneven surfaces and natural river terraces, so sturdy footwear is advisable. - The region around Mae Taeng is subject to a tropical climate, with a marked wet season bringing heavy rain and a cooler dry season.
Conditions on the ground and along the river change with the season, and outdoor areas are exposed to sun and weather. - The official language is Thai and the currency is the Thai baht.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Elephant Nature Park on social platforms
These links open searches for Elephant Nature Park on each platform.
Frequently asked questions about Elephant Nature Park
Where is Elephant Nature Park located?
Elephant Nature Park is located in Mae Taeng District in Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand, around 60 km (37 mi) north of Chiang Mai city.
What should visitors expect during a visit?
Visitors spend time on raised platforms and walkways overlooking paddocks and river terraces, with views of elephants moving freely between pasture, shelters and the river.
What makes Elephant Nature Park distinctive?
The park combines long-term care for rescued Asian elephants with a landscape of open pasture, forest edge and river access, shaped around elephant herds rather than performances.
