Chiang Mai, Thailand
The Northern Thailand Elephant Sanctuary enables volunteers to make a tangible difference amid a backdrop of beauty, wonder and exploration. By assisting the conservation team and fellow volunteers, this project enables displaced and abused elephants to integrate back into their natural habitat. This life changing experience will see you provide sanctuary for one of the world’s most endangered species alongside various buffalo, birds, cats and dogs that require rescuing. Here is a means of gaining a greater cultural appreciation within Asia whilst contributing to one of the great moral causes of our time.
*Feed and bathe elephants
*Clearing elephant droppings
*General elephant care
*Cleaning and preparing elephant food
*Constructing and maintaining mud pits
*Helping local villages
*Caring for dogs and other pets
*Assisting staff with mahouts while undertaking various educational tasks with park staff
After breakfast at 7am, you will prepare the elephants food before giving it to the animals. Volunteers can witness the herd bathe together in the river amid the surrounds of their natural habitat. You will participate in any number of activities, from assisting with the bathing site to cutting food and plantations to general maintenance tasks. No two days will be the same as volunteers gain an appreciation and a greater understanding of the animals and the challenges they face in Thailand. Dinner is served at 6pm as the day ends.
Minimum 18 years of age.
Volunteers must be fluent in English, be willing to work and must be able to take direction staff.
Ability to work well and integrate within a team environment
A strong initiative, capacity to learn and dynamic personality is a non-negotiable
Social network skills is a major advantage
There are numerous challenges facing the elephant conservation effort in Thailand. As the site operates to help orphaned, blind and disabled elephants who have been abused, there is a confronting reality to their plight. Each individual working on the site will have their own instinctive reaction to these tough and heart breaking moments.
By working with the volunteers, you are making a tangible impact by removing them from gruelling and inhumane working conditions and off the streets to integrate back into their natural habitat.
Every Monday, all year.
Up to 2 weeks (volunteers) or up to 4 weeks (student vets).
9am to 5pm.
You live on site in comfortable accommodation sharing with at least two other volunteers. Here you will fall asleep to the sounds of elephants calling. WiFi and phone service are also available with an operating laundry that charges a small fee per kg.
The food is excellent, with a large buffet style lunch and dinner with many different dishes to choose from. Vegan and vegetarian food is always available, and all dietary restrictions are catered to. There are three meals per day with a mix of delicious Thai cuisine.
From AUD $157 a day
| Duration | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| 1 week | $1100 |
| 2 weeks | $2200 |
| 3 weeks (vet students) | $3300 |
| 4 weeks (vet students) | $4300 |
What’s included:
- Pre-departure support
- Project Information Pack
- Project Orientation held
- Training
- Field coordinator
- Return transport from Chiang Mai to the project
- International phone calls in case of emergency
- Certificate of Participation, if requested
- 24-hour in-country support
- 24-hour O2E emergency phone
*Please note some items are not included in the project fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country tours and return airport transfer (unless mentioned above). Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the O2E Volunteers Terms and Conditions.
Brad R.
Australian
"Fantastic place where Elephant and all other
animal welfare comes first. Volunteering here
was one of the most rewarding and enjoyable things
that we’ve ever done. The staff and the other volunteers
were fantastic and the vegan food was even pretty good "
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