Hello fellow Fodorites!
I apologize for my delayed trip report, but better late then never. (and more to come on
our Burma trip, I promise!)
But just to give a bit of a background to my blog link with pics, I'll fill in a couple of blanks.
I've been to Elephant Nature Park for the Past 2 years with my 18 year old son and obviously, we love it. We've made it "our thing". The blog link will explain that.
But here's the the tactical details I left out in my blog:
They pick you up from your hotel on a Monday morning and bring you to their office.
After finishing up some paperwork you get a volunteer t-shirt and much needed water bottle.
The vans bring you up to the park and the ride is about an hour and 15 minutes.
Accomodations are rustic, simple but very clean.
Food is terrific, all vegetarian, but not a problem for us.
Be prepared to work and bring clothing you don't mind getting real dirty or ruined. You really do work! Basically, you're broken into groups and given 2 volunteer activities a day.
Those being: shoveling poo, elephant kitchen duties, cutting grass, cutting corn, planting new crops, painting walls ,fixing fences. and the favorite, visiting the local school. You do get down time in the mid afternoon. My son and I would usually go to the dog shelter and help out there. In the evening the local ladies come to the park to give Thai massages. That cost is about $5 and they're really terrific. They also have evening activities for about 4 of the 6 nights we were there.
Basically, it's just like summer camp. The other volunteers you meet are terrific, all ages and from all over the world. And the staff is terrific too.
I think my blog post and pics really say what I think about this place is all about, so take a look.
http://wp.me/1mHbG
And If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Volunteering at Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai
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Thank you for sharing your blog. We are scheduled to spend a day at the nature park in December. My 18 year old daughter will probably get bit by the volunteering bug & want to head back there every year. I am sending my kids a link to your blog so they can read it for themselves. I guess I will have to put Borneo on our list. It looks as amazing as the Amazon!
A day is good if that's all you can do. But if you don't have the full week to be a volunteer, then maybe look into an overnight stay at the park.
And feel free to reach out to me on my blog or here if you or the kids have any questions. Happy travels!
http://www.saveelephant.org/new/index.php/enp-menu/visit-the-park/day-visit-a-overnight-stays
It's nice to be there when the day visitors have left. The massage ladies are pretty awesome. They come to the park about 4pm. And my favorite...hearing the elephants trumpet in the middle of the night.
Yup, she'll probably get the bug. My son already told me he's heading back this summer for the 3rd time! And it's perfect for kids that age. There are so many 18-20 something year old from all over the world. And they've all been really nice. It's kinda like camp with a great cause.
Sounds like you travel in a similar fashion. We've been to the Amazon as well and stayed with a tribe there. Borneo is similar, but different. The Amazon jungle is much more lush. But seeing Orangutans and wild elephants are super cool. And, I really enjoyed the culture of the Iban tribe. So yes, put that on your list!
Aaah, so many places, so little time
The Elephant Nature Park is an amazing place. Even if you can spend only a day, you will come away changed by the experience. It's been several years since my last visit and still I think about it almost every day.
What a great report! So glad others are spreading the good word about this place -- it still ranks amongst the highlights of all my travel experiences to-date.
Lek is a national treasure.
Loving this blog -- sounds like an amazing time. You're making me want to go back now!
Thank you both. And I'm sure the Park thanks all of us for spreading the word about our terrific experiences!
PS...filmwill...they told us at the park this year when my son and I returned, once you come back for a second time, you're a "lifer". Guess what, they were right. I'm already planning to be there this coming summer.