Our Experience at Happy Elephant Home

Mar 11, 2020
2 min read

The best bath is a mud bath.

The national animal of Thailand, elephants are revered as a symbol of strength and longevity. Until Thailand suspended commercial logging in 1989, elephants were primarily used as labor animals, dragging timber through thick jungle. There are now more than 7,000 elephants in the Land of Smiles, and about half live in captivity. Since the ban, elephant sanctuaries and camps have popped up all over the country, satisfying a growing tourist demand to meet these majestic creatures. Welfare standards for elephants in Thailand are voluntary, so it's difficult to identify which camps are ethical (i.e., no riding) and which are not.

About Happy Elephant Home

Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai is perhaps the most well known ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand, and the largest. Just across the river, you'll find Happy Elephant Home, which has replicated ENP's model at a smaller scale. We chose HEH primarily for its group size. Pickup and dropoff from Chiang Mai is included in your full day tour, along with lunch and a slew of fun elephant interactions. Upon arrival, you change into traditional attire worn by mahouts (the elephant trainers) so that the elephants feel comfortable around you.

The HEH property is located about 90 minutes outside Chiang Mai, nestled in the mountains, with 5 elephants (all rescues) ranging in age from 12 to 45. There are no males on the property as they can be aggressive, especially during mating season. Most recently, HEH rescued a younger elephant named Bella, 22 months pregnant. Elephants have a ~2 year gestation period, so Bella is due any day now! Omo, our guide, let us know that the elephant pack can often react fearfully to newcomers, so the eldest elephant, Si Riem (affectionately known as 'grandma') keeps a watchful eye over Bella.

Note: photos below are in slideshow so make sure to click through!

Chopping Sugarcane & Feeding

First order of business: taking a machete to some sugarcane to serve up some elephant snacks!

After that, we took the elephants for a short walk, complete with lots of trunk snuggles.

Mud Bath

At mid-day, a few of us joined the elephants in the mud pit and bathed them. The mud is a natural sunscreen.

We broke for lunch and made our own noodle soup. Or soup's in Steven's case (seven bowls and counting!)

These freckles are actually an indication of age, becoming more prevalent over time.

River Walk & Playing in the Water

We concluded the day with a stunning nature walk and play time in the river, washing off the dried mud. Each elephant had their own approach to entry - some would dive right in and roll around, others would more tentatively tip toe in. Bella and Grandma remained joined at the hip, rubbing their trunks together and playing.