Elephant Hills or Elephant Haven in Thailand?
 

We'd like to take our two kids to a humane Elephant camp while in Thailand (ages 3 and 5-1/2).

We are considering Elephant Hills in the Khao Sok National Park (there's a 2 day/1 night itinerary that includes a canoe trip and a jungle walk as well as meeting the herd--it's best for ages 4 and up, but younger are welcome, so we think we'd be okay.) Or Elephant Haven Single Day - Sai Yok Kanchanaburi (2 hr west of Bangkok and run by the same people who started Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai). Neither allow rides on the elephants.

Has anyone visited either? Or have opinions about Sai Yok vs Khao Sok?
We will be there at the end of March.

Thank you!

We haven't been to either park but did investigate Elephant Hills when spending some time in Khao sok last year. It looked lovely! Both operations have good reputations for the treatment of animals so I guess it really comes down to whether you prefer Khao Sok or Kanchanaburi and how each places fits into your overall trip.
I enjoyed both places. Kanchanaburi is all about the river and WW2 history, the latter may be of more interest to English or Australians than Americans. The river is pleasant enough but can get a little raucous at weekend with student from Bangkok who seem to rent party boats to sail up and down the river. Lots of NPs like Erawan in easy reach if you hav a car. It is an easy drive from Bangkok or the train ride might be fun for the kids.

Khao Sok NP is close to Khao Lak - a car would be essential to make the most of the area. Most people go for the hiking and canoeing which are all around. We also rented a boat to get out on to on of the big lakes. Pretty spectacular karst scenery. You could also rent a floating raft room for the night, though I am not sure how comfortable I would be with children? Khao Lak has some nice beaches and is much quieter than Phuket.

We were there in March 20 15 and had great weather. Although both areas were slightly affected by the burning season further north. Just a little more hazy than normal.

Thank you so much for the thoughtful and detailed reply, Crellston! It sounds like we won't go wrong with either choice. I'm leaning toward the Khao Sok location as it seems to offer a chance to see the lake scenery—but I agree that I'd be nervous with our three-year-old in one of the floating rafts. We'd have to have her sleep in a life vest.

It's reassuring to know that we can make a choice based on the other aspects of our itinerary. Thank you!

I'm curious: can you speak to any preference for Khao Lak over other parts of the Andaman? I was thinking of connecting Khao sok with Krabi and/or the Ko Yao Islands.

You are welcome alovesa. Just noticed your other posts. Things are quiet here over the holiday period but I am sure you will get some replies to those questions soon!

I was in Khao Lak last year but, apart from transiting in Phuket it is many Years since I was in the rest of the region. I was also travelling with other at the other end of the age spectrum I.e. My in-laws! I have been to Krabi and Koh Yao but too long ago for my comments to be of any real relevance, especially to someone travelling with children. For up to date info you could search on https://www.travelfish.org/country/thailand#islands - mostly aimed at backpackers than families, but I find the info both up to dateand accurate.

Krabi has great beaches and spectacular scenery but can be a bit of a "party" place in some but not all areas. Khao Lak has good beaches but not as spectacular, but probably quieter. With all of these places, selecting the right hotel is key. You may get better responses from those travelling with kids on tripadvisor.

A belated thank you!

We settled on this itinerary:
4 nights in Bangkok at Anantara Riverside
Fly south and get transfer to Khao Sok from the Elephant sanctuary
Two nights at their tented camp
Transfer to ferry and ferry to Ko Yao Noi Island Resort (4 nights)
Two nights at the Phuket JW Marriott

My next step is to look at a day trip or two from the Koh Yao island. I'll take a look at the Kayak company you mentioned and see if any options would be suitable for our kids.

Looks like a fantastic trip. Enjoy! Do let us know how it works out.

Have a wonderful time, and please do report back!

Nice friend This new project from Chiang Mai's renowned Elephant Nature Park has both a day trip

Hi...
I am asking right now if Lek is involved in these camps,
I will have a answer soon. As far as I know she is not!
You need to beware of camps poping up saying they are real rescue
Camps.All for profit...

Folks....I just got word....The Elephant camp you were talking about Elephant Hills
In Kano Sok is NOT I repeat...NOT.. in any way affiliated with Elephant Nature Park.
This is not a real Sanctuary for Elephants.

The other one Elephant Haven Lek DOES help.And is real.

Please do your home work. Most Elephants are tourtured taken from the wild
In these so call rescue camps.
There are no laws in Asia re. Elephants!

We just bought/rescued a Elephant from a camp in Thailand that was blinded and made deaf
Because it didn't cooperate with its owner.Her head and body was full of open
Sores/ holes from hooks.Competly blind and deaf from the owner!

zozo- just because a place is not affiliated with ENP or Lek does not necessarily make it a bad place. Elephant Hills does not permit the riding of elephants and has a resident vet looking after the animals. It has won several awards for its treatment of its elephants including from TAT and the well respected Wanderlust magazine.

I am as concerned about the treatment of animals as anyone and applaud your efforts to raise awareness of these issues, but you do have a tendency towards over dramatisation which can, IMHO detract from the message.

Hi..
No disrespect Crellston.But, there is absolutely NO drama here!
Everything I say is true if you would like
Some photos of the latest rescue from a few days ago and what was done to her
I would be glad to send to you.

I was just informing the person that said both places were affiliated with ENP
That one was not!That was wrong information that's all.

If not for ENP and Lek things would not be changing in Asia.
She is the leader in Thailand on Rescues.Has I think 65 rescue Eles.
Plus many other animals...about 2,000 in total!
I do not work for Lek nor speak for her.

Not sure on awards sorry.But I will look into it.

Just looked it up ., Elephant Hills is a Big business NOT a Rescue facility.For profit...only! Let me know if they are chained They buy or lease Eles to charge a huge amount of money to Tourists.

WE MUST STAY INFORMED that's all.
Education is key for all including myself.

Rule of thumb - if you can ride the elephants, they are being exploited.

I'm told elephant world at Sai yok is the one......there is also a wild elephant project based in that area.

you might want to check out this web site as a stepping stone to getting more accurate info about elephant conservation.....

http://www.ecn-thailand.org

The Elephant Conservation Network
Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Thank you again for all of the help! We wanted to do our best to find a reputable, humane camp that would also be appropriate for our (very young) children and our itinerary. We had a wonderful stay at Elephant Hills and found their care of the elephants to be very good. The encounter with visitors is actually relatively brief, and while we wished it had been a more substantial part of the stay, I do imagine this helps with the balance of care for the animals.

I've finished a travelogue and posted it here:
http://hitherandthither.net/travelog...national-park/

At the end are links to the other travelogues I finished for Bangkok. Now writing up Koh Yao Noi and Phuket.

Thank you again!
Ashley