Elephant Pride Sanctuary: A Quiet Day That Spoke Loudly
Nestled in the Northern Chiang Mai mountains, Elephant Pride Sanctuary is home to some of the most awe-inspiring domestic elephants I’ve ever encountered.
The sanctuary is family-owned, and they lovingly describe their life as “living in the jungle.” Surrounded by lush rice paddies, sweet corn, and sugarcane fields, the area feels so serene. I had been longing for mountains. After living in Calabasas for 30 years, waking up to mountain views and going on hikes was part of my rhythm. These Thai mountains offered a different kind of connection, one that grew deeper as the day unfolded.
The family that runs the sanctuary not only cares for the elephants but also lives, farms, and feeds directly from the land. I came to see elephants, but I left with far more than I expected.
The day began with us washing our hands and feeding the elephants, a grandmother, a mother, and a baby named JoJo. We were told the elephants would lead us through the day, and they did exactly that.
Each guest was given a full bag of sugarcane and bananas, with instructions to feed them only half at first. Elephants eat about 10% of their body weight, and if you want their attention, just call out “Bo!” They’ll calmly extend their trunk so you can place the treat right in. I fed them both by hand and trunk. The grandmother and mother weigh between 3,000 to 5,000 pounds, while little JoJo weighs in at 500.
After feeding, they led us into the mountains. While “led” might not be literal, some staff guided them, it truly felt like we were following their rhythm. Standing midway up the mountain, we paused. The view was breathtaking. As the elephants climbed toward us, they nibbled on branches, moved at their own pace, and eventually came to our waiting hands. We walked in quiet observance, feeding them, connected in a kind of unspoken sync.
Except for one moment: JoJo, hoping for more treats, wrapped her trunk around my son’s legs in a playful tug. He fought to keep his balance, and we laughed about it for the rest of the day.
After our hike, lunch awaited us, rice, chicken, an omelet, and a spread of fresh fruit, all beautifully wrapped in banana leaves. Once we finished, the leftovers were shared with a mama chicken and her chicks, and of course, the elephants. It seemed they never stopped eating.
Next was the mud bath. Guests have the chance to help the elephants coat themselves in mud, then rinse them in the river. The elephants led the way again, carefully bathing themselves. The mother and grandmother stood and scratched against rocks, while JoJo rolled and tumbled with joy in the mud, her size perfect for ground-level play. After the first bath, we followed them to another pit of reddish mud, where JoJo put on a playful show.
Then, in perfect unison, all three elephants walked toward the river. Watching them descend the hill into the water was like witnessing a quiet procession. And once they reached it, the water play began.
Before the day ended, we fed them one last time, watermelon and sugarcane. JoJo made her preferences clear: watermelon first, then bananas. Soft and sweet, just like her spirit.
This day was quiet, but it spoke volumes. Elephant Pride Sanctuary is more than just a place to see elephants. It’s a place of deep family roots, abundant agriculture, kindness, and mountains that hold stories. I came for the elephants, but I left having learned about the people, the land, the animals—and myself. I’ve been in Thailand for four months now, and this was the most unexpected and memorable moment of my pivot.
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