With Dumbo and his friends on a jungle adventure

Elephant tourism is especially popular in northern Thailand. The animals can be ridden and petted, or you can watch a show. The owners are usually only interested in making a profit and the well-being of the animals takes a back seat. In recent years, a new awareness of how to treat elephants has developed. More and more farms offer tours where you can't ride the elephants, but instead feed them, take a walk with them, and bathe them. You have to pay a little more, but you know that the animals are well-nourished and have enough space in a natural environment. We chose to go on a day trip to Dumbo Elephant Spa. We were picked up early in the morning and drove through the jungle for what felt like an eternity. The area is very large. There is a pasture, a river, and a jungle where the elephants can roam freely. At the beginning, we are given typical clothing to signal that we are peaceful. With a bag full of pumpkin and bananas, we set off. The elephants (including a small baby elephant) are happy about the meal. We are shown how to put the food directly into their slippery mouths. It continues with a short digestive walk. The animals make their own way through the jungle. Trees are knocked down and we have to be careful not to be run over 😃 they find something to eat everywhere and trot around calmly. While we have lunch (which was super delicious, by the way), they can continue to enjoy their freedom. After that, it's time for the spa treatment. A mud bath for humans and animals. The mud is thrown around and the elephants enjoy it. As a thank you, we get a mud shower. In the river, we scrub the elephants first and then ourselves. The elephants lie down in the water and you have to be careful not to be crushed.

The staff is very nice and goes through the whole program with you. The elephants here seem to be really happy and we can really recommend the farm.