REVIEWS

"It's hard to put into words what an incredible experience I had on the journey organized by Mahouts Elephant foundation. Both spending time with the elephants and having time in the Karen village really made this a trip of a lifetime. I have been lucky enough to do a lot of travelling in my time, but this would rate as the best experience ever.

It was the perfect balance of feeling extremely well organized and at the same time, as you want on a true adventure, like anything can happen. Being so close to the elephants and learning so much about them, is life changing. Their size, their intelligence their similarity in certain ways to humans in their emotions, everyone on the trip felt by the end an overwhelming sense of love for these creatures and the want to help them be free in their natural habitat.

And watching the Karen people and their unusual closeness and understanding of them was so heart warming. It felt like finally through this project a way had been found to help both man and animal at the same time. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to have an authentic and exciting adventure in a responsible way."
- Madeline

"Our love for travel and elephants took us on our first journey to Thailand in 2014. After researching the internet for an ethical experience, we were deeply saddened to observe the reality of the lives of some elephants working in the tourist industry. Pictures of elephants chained, swaying from side to side with wounds from bull hooks opened our eyes to a dark side of elephant tourism that we didn't know existed. The pictures were heartbreaking and we knew that finding an ethical experience was a must.

Our first trip took us to Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary in Sukhothai where we saw a little piece of elephant heaven in the heart of Thailand. It was there that we were made aware of Sarah Blaine and her family. We went on to learn that they were creating a wonderful project in the north of Thailand through their charity Mahouts Elephant Foundation. We learned that the charities vision was to support a Karen Hill Tribe in developing a sustainable future that would enable their elephants and their families to return from from the trekking camps of Chiang Mai to the village and the beautiful surrounding forest.

Visiting The project involved travelling to the village of Huay Pakoot which was around a four hour drive from Chiang Mai. We were collected promptly from our hotel before being taken through the most breathtaking countryside and stopping for a delicious lunch en route. Naturally, I was apprehensive about travelling to a remote village in Thailand and camping in the forest but I can honestly say that it was the best experience and I felt completely safe at all times.

Upon arrival we were greeted by Sinchai, the deputy chief of the village, we were shown to our homestay and given some time to settle in. We were completely taken aback by the beauty of the surrounding forest, the scenery was breathtaking and the villagers were so friendly and welcoming. Living in the village is basic but we felt so immersed in culture and tradition that this really didn’t matter. Kindly, our homestay families cooked a lovely dinner for us to share before heading off to bed to get some sleep before a busy day in the forest.

The following day we trekked deep into the forest to set up camp. We were led by a small group of villagers/mahouts who took really good care of us. The Karen Tribe of Huay Pakoot live at one with the forest and utilise everything that the nature provides, they are pretty amazing people!! We were given the option to stay in a tent or a hammock, we chose to stay in a hammock that was completely bug proof and very comfortable! On a morning we would wake to the sound of gibbons, elephant roars and trumpets. It really was a magical experience.

During the day we would walk to find the elephants living free in the forest, we would follow them as they foraged and sprayed water from the cool streams nearby. It was an absolute privilege and delight to see them live in such a natural environment. Mum, Thong Kam is such a beautiful girl and her love for her small herd was so transparent. She was patient, nurturing, respectful and so incredibly intelligent, the beauty of whole experience brought tears of happiness to my eyes! We spent time observing the elephants as they went about the day doing exactly what they wanted to do. Occasionally the elephants would come walking into the camp to visit us, they chose to interact with us which was very special!

During our trip, all of our food was prepared by the villagers and mahouts. I have to say that the food was also amazing! We ate fresh fruits, rice, vegetables and items collected from the forest during the day and there was always plenty of coffee, tea and bottled water to go around. As night fell, we would sit and share stories around the camp fire, we even got to try our hand at basket weaving!

During our stay in Huay Pakoot we learned not only about the elephants but also their bond with their Mahouts. The villagers treat the elephants with respect and describe them as part of their family. They believe that to be a Mahout you have to have a “kind heart” and we witnessed this in each and every one of them. It is the dream of both Mahouts Elephant Foundation and the villagers of Huay Pakoot to see more of their elephants living back in their forest and we would love to see this project thrive. Sarah, Felix, Joe and Natasha are truly dedicated to this project and have both the villagers of Huay Pakoot, the mahouts and the elephants at the heart of their vision. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for the elephants and the village of Huay Pakoot and can not recommend a visit to this project enough!"

- Jenny and David

"Walking with Elephants has me amazed. I did a lot of research about ethical elephant experiences in Thailand, and this one was the only one offering a "semi-wild" environment for the elephants. The animals are free to roam their natural forest habitat and forage 100% of their own food. Sharing this habitat with them made for a much more inspiring and intimate experience than a "sanctuary" I had visited close to Chiang Mai. I got to stand back and watch elephants being themselves, expressing behaviors that you'll only see in the wild. I heard rare vocalizations, and watched them climb up steep hills (using their knees!).

We followed them as they sought water to bathe themselves. I marveled at their sheer strength as they broke branches to eat and scratched their mighty itches against tree trunks. We got to see herd dynamics in action. Hiking and camping in the forest with real mahouts and eating jungle cuisine (from a bamboo!) was also a huge treat.

Walking with Elephants goes way, WAY beyond the mud bath and photo op tours that you'll find in the region, addressing elephant welfare and conservation issues in a really big new way."

- Cynthia Ord 

“I can’t recommend ‘the elephant mahout foundation’ enough, not only were the elephants themselves breathtakingly beautiful but the mahouts were amazing; very knowledgeable and great company! The whole village were very welcoming and made us feel like part of their community for the short time we were with them. We never went hungry, with the villagers always making sure we had a good meal, there was always a variety to choose from at meal times and it all tasted delicious!

The mahouts were always laughing and trying to communicate with us using the little bits of English they knew, which put us at ease really quickly. You could see the great bond they had with their elephants which was a heart warming sight. After seeing elephants like this in their natural habitat I don’t think I’d ever like to see them any other way again. There is not a shadow of a doubt in my mind that these elephants are well looked after and where they need to be to get the most for-filling and natural life possible.

There were plenty of chances to take great pictures from a safe distance and the foundation staff Mint and Phoebe were always on hand to answer our questions. I am so pleased I got to have this experience and I will remember the Karen villagers, the mahouts, the elephants and the foundation staff with the fondest of memories.”

- Sabrina Wickens

“Our family have just had the privilege of spending Christmas with the wonderful people of the Mahouts foundation, the Mahouts and of course the elephants. This was a trip of a lifetime with the chance to be so close to the elephants whilst still respecting their dignity and choice in their natural environment.

As well as the elephants the people we stayed with made our time such a pleasure, everyone is so friendly, welcoming knowledgeable and enthusiastic! We didn’t want to leave and I truly hope we will make it back to see everyone again. Thank you so much”

- Penny, Ian, Lauren and James Shaw

“Our family had the pleasure of staying in their village and experiencing what this wonderful organization has helped create. Words cannot describe the whole trip. From meeting all the wonderful village people including the mahouts, the foundation staff (phoebe), the amazing food and hospitality, the jungle camping and observing the elephants as they roam the jungle, it was beyond memorable. Thank you so much!”

- Jon Burgess

“It was really great to support a foundation that puts the elephants, rather than the tourists, first. The Mahout Foundation supports a small herd of previously captive elephants to live in the forest in co-operation with the elephant's mahouts and the nearby Karen village.

We were treated very well by all the staff, and the people in the Karen village were delightful and fed us very well. We followed the elephants through the forest, along mountain streams, and up mountains. It was quite an experience mountain climb with elephants in their environment.

If you want to support the return of elephants to the forest, and if you are a little adventurous and don't mind stepping outside the usual tourist bubbles, we would recommend that you seriously consider the Mahout Foundation. Thank you so much Sarah for a memorable and enchanting few days.”

- Alan Baiss

“I had always wanted to go on an elephant conservation tour but was very aware that a lot of research must be done to make sure that it was actually ethical and not another manufactured tourist experience. After a ton of research and comparison, MEF struck me as the only one that fit the bill.

I was mainly drawn by its description of being able to observe the elephants in their most natural habitat, the forest. As such, every trip and every day will be different. We go wherever the elephants go and be treated to seeing them in their most natural and carefree state.

It was amazing getting to know the individual elephants and their personalities; and it was also touching to see how they thrived in their home and were able to forage and roam around whenever and however they like, but also carefully watched over at a distance by their incredible mahouts. It was great meeting Manit and all the other mahouts, you really could see the mutual love and respect between them and the elephants.

 Food was another fascinating experience and I was amazed by the mahouts' ability to find and cook a variety of things from the forest. From wild raspberries and mushrooms to crickets and frogs. My favourite was the mushroom soup with cherry tomatoes and some leaves that we had for lunch one day in the forest. The cricket was tasty too! I also thoroughly enjoyed the locally grown, processed and roasted coffee beans from Root - they were amazing and I wish him a lot of success with his coffee business.

 Lastly, of course it was wonderful meeting Becca and Mint - they have been so attentive and incredible in taking care of me throughout my trip and sharing so much about the elephants and the Karen people. Dee was also a good and friendly driver and the 4-hour journey to and from Chiang Mai did not feel long at all. Loved his music collection in the car lol.

 I hope that this type of community-based tourism will start to gain traction and improve the mahouts' livelihood and in turn, help more elephants in the long run. It was definitely a very unique experience overall. Thank you for everything you do, MEF!”

- Cindy Fung

“Just wanted to let you know what a wonderful magical time we had visiting. Everything was just perfect.  My girls bonded with Mint right away.  She was such a great help with the girls and they loved her! The mahouts and villagers were just so wonderful with our children.  Our girls played with some of the children and loved all the different animals around.

My 7 year old cried when we had to leave.  It was her favorite part of our whole trip! Becca was so knowledgeable and answered all of our million questions.  The food was excellent each meal and the elephants were just so majestic. We loved watching them interact with each other.  Thank you so much for slipping us in in such short notice.  

I was back and forth on going and my gut kept leading me back and I am so glad we went.  You have such an awesome program. I think it will definitely grow in the future.  It was such an awesome experience and I wouldn't change one thing about it except staying longer next time.  My girls are already asking when they can go back and I really hope we can one day.

 Again thank you so much!!  Many many great memories and pictures will be cherished forever!”

  - Vanessa

”My husband and I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Huay Pakoot with the Mahout Elephant Foundation for two nights in March. From the moment we were picked up at the airport everything was so well planned, and everyone so kind.

The villagers warmly opened up their homes to us and we had the privilege of eating their home cooked meals, all of which were delicious. Many of the villagers don't speak English, but they are so warm to tourists coming to explore the village and learn their way of life. There was a small little village area including a smoothie and coffee shop.

You must get a smoothie and also the iced coffee was heaven! Some of the women of the village make incredible garments and bags out of cloth they weave, so you must also buy a few of these gorgeous pieces. It was an unbelievable experience to live in this village for two days. 

I wasn't sure what to expect as far as sleeping accommodations before arriving, but the hut in which we stayed was extremely comfortable, protective from the elements and bugs/animals, and very clean! The mattresses in the Karen villages are on the floor, but it didn't bother me at all. In fact, I slept a full 9+ hours each night. It wasn't just clean and comfortable, but also cozy and inviting.

There were mosquito nets, though we didn't encounter any mosquitoes or other bugs in the hut at all. My husband and I had our own private room, and we shared the hut with two women also there to see the elephants. 

 The day visiting the elephants was nothing short of incredible. We spent a full day hiking out to see them, and observing their behaviors and interactions with each other. As someone with a passion for animal well-being, it was amazing to see them playing and experiencing natural behaviors in the wild. I'd just mention that you should be moderately fit to do the hike, though hiking experience isn't necessary. My husband and I aren't hikers and were fine. The mahouts that led us on the hike know everything about these beautiful elephants and their deep care and understanding for them was evident. 

 I truly cannot say enough about this incredible organization. If you are in Thailand please do yourself a favor and visit the Elephant Mahout Foundation for a once in a lifetime opportunity to see elephants in the wild, rather than the venues where elephants are not free. For such an immersive experience and travel to and from the airport, the cost is very reasonable. Elephant Mahout Foundation is doing amazing work , so not only will you experience a once in a lifetime opportunity, but you will be helping fund a program that exemplifies eco- and sustainable tourism, that benefits not only the elephants but the amazing village of Huay Pakoot”. 

- Mary and Jeff

“Elephant Conservation Project with Hill Tribes trip and walking with elephants. Enjoyed every minute of it from being picked up from my hotel in Chiang Mai up to having to say good byes to the hill tribe family and the team ... The Karen hill tribe village stay was insightful and they were so welcoming. Walking with elephants was truly amazing, they are so happy. The camping in the forest was great fun and the food was excellent. The views from the village and in the forest couldn’t be better !

Just amazing, the best experience ever! The team are wonderful, passionate about their individual roles, the location is beautiful and the elephants are enjoying life to the full”.

- Sally Hillyer

Enriching and fulfilling experience

“If you are looking for an enriching and fulfilling experience with elephants in Thailand, please look no further. The volunteering program with the Mahouts Elephant foundation was exactly what we were looking for. Being immersed in a Karen community was so culturally rewarding and the kindness we received was overwhelming.

It was truly an enlightening experience in every way. We gained knowledge about the state of elephant tourism in Thailand and, by the end, knew we had made the most ethical decision in choosing this volunteer opportunity. By clearing campsites and building dams to collect water for wildlife, we felt we were getting our hands dirty and doing some good rather than just being a spectator.

The week ended with a camp out and many hours spent observing four beautiful elephants in their natural habitat. All expectations were greatly exceeded and I encourage you to consider this exceptional week in Huay Pakoot. You won’t regret it! Da Blue!”

- Matt DiPasquale

Incredible Experience

“Cannot recommend enough! What a special experience. This was educational, impactful, inspirational and very fun. My best friend and I decided to come volunteer for a week and we were very happy with that decision. It felt really great to help with projects in the village and surrounding areas. From building dams, to village cleaning projects , to clearing campsites, it felt rewarding to help give back.

The village itself was very welcoming, open and kind to us. We loved staying with a family. Great simple accommodations, delicious food and the best company. Then the elephants!!! It was magical to watch these beautiful giants in their natural habitat, and the mahouts made us feel very safe. Camping out under the most amazing stars, sleeping in hammocks and sitting around a campfire was another huge bonus. If you are looking for a real and ethical experience with elephants, this is it.”

- Sasha Schneider

We had an amazing time learning about the local community and the daily lives of the mahouts. Our guides Mint and Kit have great personalities and really embodied the mission and goals of the Mahouts Elephant Foundation. This experience gives you the chance to be around the elephants for hours on end!It is a unique and once in a lifetime opportunity.

- Jason

Truly a magical and unforgettable experience. I got to observe the elephants in their natural habitat, which was what I signed up for. The unexpected pleasure was was the connection I could build with the people within that short time, with the Karen hill tribe and the mahouts, and with Phoebe, who guided me in every step of the adventure.

Oh and if you are a city girl like me, do make sure you prepare well according to the guideline provided by the team. What I especially found useful are a bug repellent, a walking stick, a thick pair of socks and wet wipes!

- Saim

I wanted to try something new for my birthday and I got exactly what I asked for. It was the most wonderful experience of my life. The people, the food, the culture, everything was so amazing. They made me feel very comfortable, made sure I was prepared for the trek as this was my first time.

They added their own sense of personal touch and connected with me. Travelling is all about Food, History & Culture for me and I ticked off all the three. I got to walk with the elephants, observe their habits, admire they’re innocence, laugh at their naughtiness. The most memorable part was the base, where I got to stay in the middle of the forest and they decked up my tent with fairy lights as it was my birthday and got a cake for me.

It was my first time eating roasted marshmallows out of fire, it was worth all so nice and overwhelming. Khàap-Khun Khaâ from the bottom of my heart to Sarah, Mint, Kit, Sinchai, Chatour and every one from the village.

- Rahana

What a great trip. We planned our trip to Thailand around this trek and I am so glad we did! It offered an authentic and rustic contrast to our city tours. For anyone looking to experience genuine elephant mahout life and Karen tribe culture in Thailand, this is a fulfilling and authentic way to do it- nothing about the trip felt like we were imposing or disrupting.

There are many ways to see elephants, but the Mahout Foundation tours support the elephants so that they don't need to be sent out to work in camps like many others. It's so exciting to see them happily munching on rice husks and taking mud baths together - the opposite being overfed bananas and forced to lie down for baths like at elephant camps.

The best part of the trip though was how welcome and taken care of we felt from the minute we were picked up from the airport, to staying with a family and sharing their delicious food, to spending the day with the mahouts and guides. There was some pleasant downtime too when we could walk down to get a cup of coffee from the one little coffee stand on a scenic road.

The Foundation guides, Phoebe and Kit, were really knowledgeable about the village and the families in it, explaining the culture and offering to translate questions to the mahouts. We really enjoyed letting the elephants guide the day by following them around to their hangouts and seeing Manit, Cha tor and Uncle Tiger do their jobs keeping the elephants out of trouble.

You get to spend enough time with the elephants that the end of the day you can tell them apart and who has which personality. Hint, Mario was always getting into something. Phoebe even gave us stickers of the elephants with their names on them to bring home so we can remember our big gray friends. You can get fairly close to the elephants, but the guides are good at making sure you stay at a safe distance.

Guests should be comfortable with the rustic nature of the trip (think no running water, an expected amount of bugs in the forest, and a moderate hike to get to the elephants), but that’s a big part of the fun and being out in nature! It's possible to get cell reception at the village but not at camp.

We were fine in sneakers and an overnight backpack each, although we did the glamping option so it might be different for camping. The tent was set up in a really cute way with blankets and pillows and a light so no fumbling around. It can get cold at the camp and you sweat during hiking, so I'd recommend a comfortable change of clothes.

Thank you Phoebe and Kit for the wonderful few days!

- Aubrey