Mahawangchang Elephant Camp

Hours (Open/Closed) Monday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Wednesday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Thursday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Friday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

📍 Location of Mahawangchang Elephant Camp 🚘 Directions to Mahawangchang Elephant Camp

About Mahawangchang Elephant Camp

The location in question is a place where visitors can interact with elephants, a unique experience that is not commonly available in many parts of the world. However, the treatment of these majestic creatures has raised concerns among some visitors. They have reported witnessing the use of bamboo sticks with hooks on the end to prod the elephants into performing tricks, such as dunking visitors in the water or blowing water out of their trunks. This has led to some distressing scenes, with elephants, including babies, appearing to be in distress. Some visitors have also reported seeing the elephants being separated from their mothers and chained up, which has caused further concern.

Despite these concerns, some visitors have had a positive experience at the location. They have reported having fun swimming with the elephants in the river, with the elephants appearing to be playful and enjoying the experience. The elephants are reported to have a good bond with their trainers, and visitors have the opportunity to feed them, as they consume a large amount of food each day. Some visitors have recommended booking the experience through a hotel to get a better price.

The location also offers other experiences, such as elephant trekking and bamboo rafting. However, some visitors have reported that the site is not as natural as they had hoped, with litter and elephant dung scattered around. There have also been reports of the trainers using hooks to control the elephants, which has caused some visitors to feel uncomfortable. Some visitors have expressed disappointment at the lack of educational aspect to the experience, and have reported feeling that there is a lack of compassion in the business.

Despite these concerns, some visitors have enjoyed the opportunity to get close to the elephants and feed them bananas, which are sold on site. However, visitors are advised to remember to wash any food thoroughly before eating it, due to the risk of illness. Some visitors have also purchased statues as mementos of their visit, and have expressed a desire to return in the future to see how the location has changed.

However, there are alternative locations where visitors can interact with elephants in a more natural environment. These include the elephant haven, where visitors can spend the whole day with the elephants in the wild, and the Kanchanaburi Safari Park. At these locations, the elephants are not trained to perform tricks for human entertainment, and the trainers are reported to be less aggressive towards the animals. Visitors who are concerned about animal welfare are advised to consider these alternatives.