When you think of an elephant experience in Thailand, you might picture riding these majestic creatures or watching them perform tricks. But as the conversation around animal welfare grows, more travellers are seeking experiences that are both unforgettable and ethical. If you’re in search of an elephant encounter that mostly fits animal welfare standards, two luxury resorts in northern Thailand deliver just that: Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort and Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle.

Perched on a ridge overlooking the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is a sanctuary for both guests and elephants. Nestled within a 160-acre bamboo forest and gardens designed by the renowned landscape architect Bill Bensley, the resort offers a nature-rich experience while staying true to its commitment to elephant welfare.

At the heart of Anantara’s mission is its long-standing partnership with the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF). Since 2003, this collaboration has enabled the rescue of elephants from Thailand’s city streets and illegal logging camps, providing these gentle giants with a safe haven. The foundation’s work extends beyond the elephants themselves—also supporting the mahouts and their families, ensuring that both the animals and their caretakers are treated with some dignity and respect.

What sets Anantara apart is its ability to create intimate, hands-on experiences with these majestic creatures. The resort’s Elephant Guardian programme invites guests to engage in the daily care of the elephants, offering a rare opportunity to prepare medicinal food for elderly elephants and learn about their rich cultural significance from the mahouts who have dedicated their lives to them.

For those who wish to take their experience even further, Anantara’s ‘Elephant in the Zoom’ programme, developed in collaboration with The Human Elephant Learning Programs Foundation (H-ELP), allows guests to connect with the elephants through live video calls, all from the comfort of their natural jungle habitat—a modern marvel of conservation education.

The resort also offers the chance to sponsor an elephant through its Elephant Sponsorship programme, which helps cover the substantial costs of food, medical care, and upkeep. The GTAEF, which serves as a sanctuary for elephants, mahouts, and their families, rescues animals from illegal logging camps, city streets, and exploitative elephant shows. The care for each elephant requires around GBP 14,000 (630,000 Thai Baht) per year (as of 26 August 2024).

For those seeking an immersive arrival, Anantara offers the Explorer’s Arrival programme, where guests are met at the airport and whisked away by private car to Chiang Saen, before boarding a longtail boat for a scenic cruise along the Mekong River. As they approach the jetty, they are greeted not by porters, but by the resort’s gentle giants—a welcome that sets the tone for a truly unique stay.

Just a short distance away, the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle offers another way to connect with elephants in a setting that feels worlds away. This tented camp is set in the rolling hills of northern Thailand, where the Ruak and Mekong rivers meet. Here, guests can enjoy an adventure of a lifetime, all while knowing their presence supports a greater cause.

The Tented Camp shares its grounds with an elephant rehabilitation reserve, which rescues and adopts elephants from the streets of Thailand. Unlike traditional elephant experiences, the camp allows the elephants to roam freely, providing them with the space and care they need to live as they would in the wild.

Guests at Four Seasons can partake in a variety of activities that bring them closer to these incredible animals without causing harm.  The ‘My Elephant & I’ programme is particularly noteworthy, inviting guests into the elephants’ world through a series of educational and experiential encounters. Set in the elephants’ natural habitat, this programme offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of these extraordinary creatures, allowing guests to observe their behaviours, understand their needs, and develop a deep, personal connection with them.

For those who appreciate the finer things in life, the ‘Elephant Camp Dinner’ is an experience not to be missed. Dining beneath a canopy of stars, with the soft glow of candlelight illuminating your table and the gentle strains of classical Thai music providing the perfect accompaniment. The menu, curated to your preferences, presents a choice of Western or traditional Thai dishes. Before you indulge, take a moment to engage with the gentle giants that grace the camp, adding a touch of wonder to your evening.

For a truly immersive encounter, the 'Elephant Bathing' experience allows guests to join the elephants and their mahouts during their morning ritual. It’s a peaceful yet invigorating way to start the day.

For those who wish to learn more about the conservation efforts at play, a visit to the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) is a must. Here, guests can gain insight into the foundation’s work, which is dedicated to the well-being of the elephants, as well as the mahouts and their families who care for them. The foundation’s commitment to sustainable practices ensures that these majestic creatures continue to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. All contributions from this visit go directly to supporting the Foundation’s mission.

Like Anantara, the Four Seasons Tented Camp has built its reputation offering experiences that are as ethical as they are luxurious. By prioritising conservation and education, the camp ensures that every interaction with the elephants is a positive one—both for the animals and for the guests.

While Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort and Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle each offer their own distinct take on the elephant experience, they are united by a common goal: to redefine how we interact with wildlife in a way that is both ethical and sustainable. Both resorts are committed to creating experiences that allow guests to connect with elephants in a natural and meaningful way, without contributing to the exploitation of these majestic creatures.

For those who wish to walk through the jungle with elephants and learn about their care, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is the ideal choice. But if an intimate and immersive experience, complete with elephant bathing and personalised encounters, appeals to you, the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle may be the perfect fit. Each resort offers meaningful interactions with these majestic animals, tailored to slightly different tastes.

However, for travellers keen on engaging with rescued elephants, these resorts provide an opportunity to support ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Thailand’s formerly mistreated elephant population.

• They exist first and foremost for the elephants. The needs of elephants are put first, before the needs or desires of humans.

• Elephants are not put on public display. 

• Elephants are not made to entertain humans. No rides, “painting” or tricks.

• Elephants are never, ever bred. Real sanctuaries absolutely do not breed elephants. This prevents calves from being born into lifetimes of captivity. Even though sanctuaries are far better than other forms of captivity, they are still captive facilities, but with a world of differences. 

• They are true nonprofit organisations. Their nonprofit structures are not designed to cover or provide financial benefits to for-profit businesses.

• They offer hundreds of acres for elephants to roam in social groups (or solitary if that is what the elephant chooses).

• Real sanctuaries consist of a range of land features, including forests, meadows, and lakes, where elephants can walk miles as they choose.

For more information on ethical treatment of elephants in sanctuary environments visit In Defense of Animal Foundation www.idausa.org