Baanchang Elephant Park
Baanchang Elephant Park
5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Baan Chang Elephant Park is a unique, small Thai family-run Eco-Park with 100% Thai owner, not a chain or part of a large tourist organization. We are dedicated to providing our elephants with the highest quality-of-life possible. We will not tolerate practices such as elephant dancing and circus tricks, and we work hard to create public awareness and to help improve the care and well being of Thailand’s elephants.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Baanchang Elephant Park
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
2,065 reviews
Excellent
1,731
Very good
239
Average
47
Poor
25
Terrible
23
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Alan R
10 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
This was an experience that was so extraordinary that you leave happy in the knowledge they no longer offer elephant rides, or use these beautiful animals in shows or for hard labor. We were picked up by Puza at our hotel and driven an hour to the park. Puza is one of the executive assistants and guides visiting groups of up to 12 through I can only explain as a day in the life of one of their elephants. Visiting the nursery to give morning treats of bananas, sugar cane and water to the mamas and their babies. Then off to a walk through the mountains with one of the elephants and their handler (Mahoot - each elephant is paired with a handler). After lunch we prepared a mixture of sticky rice protein balls before climbing into the man made lake to give one of the females and a five year old male (still a baby) their second bath of the day. By the way when you arrive you are given a comfortable top and stretch pants to wear throughout the day. Lockers and showers are available at days end to shower and change back into your clothes. You get so close and personal that you begin to understand the different personalities. And the babies so adorable as to make you smile everything you see them. I must be honest to say I didn’t know what to expect from this day that so far has been the highlight of our visit to Thailand.
Written March 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oren f
Israel4 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
DON'T MISS THIS EXPERIENCE!
We were here with a family of 3 children, 5,8,11, and it was an amazing day for all of us.
you get to feed, pet, hug, wash and scrub the elephants. no riding or any kind of abuse.
the guide Busa was very knowledgeable and patient, and also had a great attitude to the kids.
it is expensive, but what you get in return is definitely worth it, and your money goes to a good cause.
!לא להחמיץ
היינו יום שלם, משפחה עם 3 ילדים, 5,8,11 ויצא לנו להאכיל, לחבק, ולשטוף את הפילים בנהר.
נוצרת ביום הזה קרבה מאוד משמעותית לפילים שלא יצא לנו לחוות בפעילויות אחרות עם חיות בטיול הזה או בטיולים קודמים .
היינו יום שלם. יקר, אבל שווה את הכסף, וזה גם הולך למטרה טובה.
We were here with a family of 3 children, 5,8,11, and it was an amazing day for all of us.
you get to feed, pet, hug, wash and scrub the elephants. no riding or any kind of abuse.
the guide Busa was very knowledgeable and patient, and also had a great attitude to the kids.
it is expensive, but what you get in return is definitely worth it, and your money goes to a good cause.
!לא להחמיץ
היינו יום שלם, משפחה עם 3 ילדים, 5,8,11 ויצא לנו להאכיל, לחבק, ולשטוף את הפילים בנהר.
נוצרת ביום הזה קרבה מאוד משמעותית לפילים שלא יצא לנו לחוות בפעילויות אחרות עם חיות בטיול הזה או בטיולים קודמים .
היינו יום שלם. יקר, אבל שווה את הכסף, וזה גם הולך למטרה טובה.
Written October 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff H
Greater London, UK127 contributions
Feb 2023
Wonderful!
A truly moving learning and fun experience that it unforgettable.
The whole team looking after these magnificent beasts were great. friendly, helpful and full of knowledge.
The full contact, feeding, washing, sratching etc, and the walking along side the Elephants was one of the best things we have ever done.
A definite OMG moment
A truly moving learning and fun experience that it unforgettable.
The whole team looking after these magnificent beasts were great. friendly, helpful and full of knowledge.
The full contact, feeding, washing, sratching etc, and the walking along side the Elephants was one of the best things we have ever done.
A definite OMG moment
Written March 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roxana P
2 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Our day at Baan Chang Elephant Park was a wonderful experience, one of the highlights of our honeymoon in Thailand. We spent the day taking care of the elephants, learning about those special creatures and laughing with our guide. We would definitely recommend you stopping by this beautiful sanctuary as part of your trip in Thailand.
Written July 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christelle B
6 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
Reserve very respectful of elephants. We were able to participate in the preparation of food and we were able to feed the elephants ourselves, safely. This reserve also offers elephant washing. We had a great time with these beautiful animals and with the staff.
Automatically translated
Written January 11, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chloe H
6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This was one of the most magical things I’ve ever done. Spending so much time being with and taking care of these beautiful animals was a memory of a lifetime.
Our guide Puza was fantastic. You could tell how much he cared about the animals and the work they were doing to take care of them. He also was a fabulous photographer and videographer!
I can’t recommend this experience enough.
Our guide Puza was fantastic. You could tell how much he cared about the animals and the work they were doing to take care of them. He also was a fabulous photographer and videographer!
I can’t recommend this experience enough.
Written August 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lmturkus
St. Johns, FL21 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Highlight of my trip! Fabulous guide. Started with educating our small group about these magnificent animals. The history of their life and how they came to spend the remainder of their lives in this wonderful park. Respected and cared for, we observed how the Mahoot treated their elephant as if it were their child. We spent the day caring for these elephants as well. Fed them, walked them into the hills, prepared vitamin rich food and fed them. Had a delicious lunch and walked them down to the water to get in and bath and brush them. Such expression in their eyes. Loved every second of it!!! Thank you Baan for all you do!!
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zane v
Repentance Creek, Australia35 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We did the half day tour as a family with 2 children aged 8 and 9. The service was fantastic and the experience even better. We had so much time with the elephants,m with freedom you interact as wet pleased. It was better than expected. I can't recommend it enough.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vale D
Turin, Italy8 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
One of the most beautiful experience ever lived. The elephants are well kept and not stressed. The guys who work here are helpful and nice. Expert and professional guide, all organized down to the smallest detail. Congratulations to everyone, we’ll be back because we leave a piece of our heart.
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlierich09
Sydney, Australia36 contributions
Firstly I would like to point out that this is not a sanctuary, they say it is but I don't understand how they can say that.
We arrived at the camp and almost all the elephants were chained to the floor by one foot with half a metre chains, they're trying to interact with other elephants but cannot as they can't reach they just sway (meaning their depressed), there is no shade so they are in the boiling sun. After our mahout (best) told us a bit about the animals we fed them sugar cane and bananas which was the only part I enjoyed. After you feed them they bring over two elephants to the group and get you to get off/on and up/down on an elephant with phrases, this also seemed un natural as the elephants spent a hour getting up/down (they were being told to do so, they didn't want too). After this we then took them on a long walk, I had one elephant shared with a friend so one was on its neck and one on its back, we went around the large area and up a very steep hill, again in that heat I thought this probably isn't what the elephant wants too do! We stayed over and were having second thoughts about the second day. Best showed us the baby elephant at night time which was 9 month old cooped up in a tiny pen with its mother (mother elephant again had half a metre chain but baby didn't) it was heart breaking!
In the morning we woke up had breakfast, Again we fed the elephants and took them to the water to get bathed, I didn't want to get wet so I sat and watched and I seen with my own eyes a mahout hitting his elephant with a bull hook to make it do tricks in the water. This was the last straw and I refused to participate any longer. I told Best my reasoning and he called me a liar. We paid for the full day and at 5pm we were meant to be getting dropped off at the hotel so because we left early he dropped us off at the end of the road and told us to get a bus! Two 21 year old women in a foreign country with no clue where we were!
The mahouts are so mean to the elephants constantly tapping/hitting/shouting at them so the elephant isn't doing what it actually wants to do. I was so excited to do this and I 100% wish I hadn't, people need to open their eyes and really see Baan Chang for what it really is! It's a tourist attraction and they do not care!!!!!!! Just another way to make money in Thailand!
We arrived at the camp and almost all the elephants were chained to the floor by one foot with half a metre chains, they're trying to interact with other elephants but cannot as they can't reach they just sway (meaning their depressed), there is no shade so they are in the boiling sun. After our mahout (best) told us a bit about the animals we fed them sugar cane and bananas which was the only part I enjoyed. After you feed them they bring over two elephants to the group and get you to get off/on and up/down on an elephant with phrases, this also seemed un natural as the elephants spent a hour getting up/down (they were being told to do so, they didn't want too). After this we then took them on a long walk, I had one elephant shared with a friend so one was on its neck and one on its back, we went around the large area and up a very steep hill, again in that heat I thought this probably isn't what the elephant wants too do! We stayed over and were having second thoughts about the second day. Best showed us the baby elephant at night time which was 9 month old cooped up in a tiny pen with its mother (mother elephant again had half a metre chain but baby didn't) it was heart breaking!
In the morning we woke up had breakfast, Again we fed the elephants and took them to the water to get bathed, I didn't want to get wet so I sat and watched and I seen with my own eyes a mahout hitting his elephant with a bull hook to make it do tricks in the water. This was the last straw and I refused to participate any longer. I told Best my reasoning and he called me a liar. We paid for the full day and at 5pm we were meant to be getting dropped off at the hotel so because we left early he dropped us off at the end of the road and told us to get a bus! Two 21 year old women in a foreign country with no clue where we were!
The mahouts are so mean to the elephants constantly tapping/hitting/shouting at them so the elephant isn't doing what it actually wants to do. I was so excited to do this and I 100% wish I hadn't, people need to open their eyes and really see Baan Chang for what it really is! It's a tourist attraction and they do not care!!!!!!! Just another way to make money in Thailand!
Written January 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi，Danc，Thanks for your wonderful guided trip. May I ask where can I find the photos(taken in 20/2/2019)
Written February 23, 2019
younique4annie
Heywood, United Kingdom
HI Kam, I am trying to book for 30/12 as my time is limited there, did you pay before you went? the reservation says thank you but i havent provided any payment details!! one of the other places is closed around xmas and new year, hope i'm not going to be disappointed
Written September 9, 2018
We booked it at the front desk of our hotel. Ask them for help and they will make sure that everything is sorted out for you :) it is an incredible experience you will not be disappointed
Written September 23, 2018
Bisogna prenotare in anticipo questa escursione o si può andare liberamente e comprare il biglietto direttamente li?
Sono presenti all'interno del villaggio le donne giraffa?
Written June 9, 2018
Does anybody know a way to contact this elephant park? The email listed in the site gets no reply. Our family of four had booked a month ago for a half a day tour with them for this coming July. We payed through PayPal and never got any confirmation or receipt. The reviews are all good here but the lack of replying is not sitting well with me. So any email that you got a reply from or even a phone number would be great. Thanks
Written April 3, 2018
I did get a reply when I asked again. They confirmed our date with a receipt so all my worries are gone. The email in their website does work.
Written April 8, 2018
We did the online payment though PayPal for the four of us to visit the half day (morning) in July. We payed a few days ago but no acknowledgement from Baanchang yet. Had shoot them an email too. Good thing it’s through PayPal but I am expecting a confirmation mail with the pick time etc of that sort. How long did you all have to sit to get yours? Thank you in advance
Written February 11, 2018
Hi there, We have booked the tour few days before we went and we didn't get the email confirmation either. I just popped into their office the day before the tour was booked (the office is located in central so easy to find) and asked if we are on the tour or not. Our name was on it and everything was fine. You might get an email in a couple of days but I wouldn't worry much.
Written February 11, 2018
A Tripadvisor member
Hi, I'm going to be travelling to Thailand for two weeks and have narrowed down my animal sanctuary visits to two places; Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand and Baanchang Elephant Park, I was wondering if someone has been to both to recommend which one was better? Is it worth going to both or just visiting one of them?
Written January 15, 2018
Bonjour, nous partons en Thaïlande en février et voulons visiter Chiang Mai et une réserve pour animaux.
Pour visiter ce centre, faut il réserver à l’avance?
Quels sont les différences entre la journée complète Day Care et la journée Elephant’s friends ?
Merciii de votre retour!
Written November 21, 2017
Hi Sandy J ! Thank you so much for writing, definetely book in advance. I guarantee you will have fun !!
If you have more questions feel free to ask
Written December 4, 2017
Is the park accesible by scooter/ small bike? We will pass by on our trip to Pai and love to pay a visit.
Written October 19, 2017
hi there! they dont let you go by your own, only with a reservation an hotel pick up service. i dont know why.
Written October 27, 2017
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