This is one of the best organized and most popular of the many elephant camps in North Thailand. It’s also about the nearest one to the city, so is very convenient to visit. If you’ve already visited one of the north’s elephant camps, though, you’ll find nothing much different here.
Most people visit on tours that take in several of the attractions in the Mae Sa Valley and turn up in time to watch elephants have their bath before the show at 8am, 9.40am or 1.30pm, and some hang around after for a ride on an elephant.
The show is well organized and has the elephants performing all kinds of tricks such as playing football, picking up the mahout’s hat and giving the mahout a massage, but they are also allowed a creative outlet in the form of painting pictures (which visitors can buy), playing a harmonica and dancing.
These type of elephant shows are declining in popularity somewhat as other places (such as Patara Elephant Farm) offer a more close-up and personal experience with elephants. However, the fees for such an experience are quite steep, and if you just want a brief and cheap elephant experience, this might be your best spot.
Getting There
If you don’t go on an organized tour of the Mae Sa Valley, make sure you leave Chiang Mai in good toime to arrive before the show begins - the journey takes around an hour. Drive north from Chiang Mai on H107, then after passing through Mae Rim, turn left on to H1096 and drive up into the hills. You’ll find the elephant camp on your left after about 12km.
Need to Know
- What is it? An entertaining elephant show.
- When to go: At showtime (08:00, 09:40 or 13:30)
- Nearest Town: It’s about 15km northwest of Mae Rim and 30km north of Chiang Mai.
- Don’t Miss: Take a walk round the nursery to see the baby elephants.
- Website: www.maesaelephantcamp.com
- Opening hours: 07:00-14:30
- Entrance fees: Adults 200B, children under 10 120B.