To see elephants - Goa, Sri Lanka or Thailand?

agrinnall

_Andy_ wrote: »

Or you could go somewhere ethical that is actually there for the sake of elephants, not for 'rides' etc.

http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/

I would second this recommendation.

jetsetterjoe

agrinnall wrote: »

I would second this recommendation.

I vote for this option also.

It's often the case that as well presented as these places may appear, they often mistreat the elephants, regardless.

Thailand has some fantastic volunteering opportunities that you should look into, but again, it depends entirely on what you were hoping to to do/see when it comes down to it.

mcja

So wish I hadn't click on that link! Just priced up flights to take me and my son next feb, and am slightly depressed now. that looks an amazing experience.

_Andy_

Have you tried Finnair? I'm going into Bangkok in May, got £510 last month which I booked.

ENP is amazing. I did the one day as the overnight was booked. Blew me away.
They also have a dog sanctuary next door with 350 dogs which Lek's husband run.
Totally inspiring people and once you learn about the animals and how they're treated in the logging and tourism industry it will really make you think.

InsideInsurance

joaniemerc wrote: »

Where would you recommend to see elephants at their best please?

What do you mean "at their best"?

Go to Africa (eg Kenya) and you see them in the wild doing their thing. There can be other opportunities to ride them etc but its a long time since I went and I cannot particularly remember anything that stands out.

Sri Lanka you have the opportunity to see the working animals and ones in sanctuaries (eg the orphanage already mentioned) as well as more opportunities to ride them etc but when I went there is no "wild" option

delwynshd

Sri Lanka is a great place to see Elephant, if you stay in the beach resort near Colombo you can visit many national parks in the area or even visit the Pinewela Elephant Orphanage which isnt far away and it was an amazing experience

Del

harvieharvie

I have been to both India and now living in Thailand, just be careful too the place you visit many of these places (over 95%) of them beat the elephants and they live mainly to satisfy tourists.

trying visiting an place were they help elephants, it costs more but i think its better then just riding them for the sake of a few photos.

delwynshd

Totally agree with Harvieharvie the orpanage in Sri Lanka was amazing and we did the national park near Habarana. There was a gathering of over a 100 wild elephant was amazing to see them in their own environment

If you need any advice or help drop me a PM

Del

notanewuser

blindman wrote: »

Personnally I'd say Africa

Me too. :beer:

aliasojo

My Aunt is elephant daft for some reason.

She goes to Africa for this very reason. She's been several times now.