from 1,256€

Brilliant 4.7rating (201)

Elephant Care and Rehabilitation

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Play an important role in caring for elephants in their natural habitat.
  • Help with daily activites around the centre, such as feeding and cleaning
  • Work with rehabilitation centre staff who’ll guide you and teach you on how to care for these animals
  • Observing elephant behaviour

Especially good for

Age 16+
Singles
Couples
Families
50+

About the program

Based in a sanctuary that provides a safe haven for old, sick, disabled, previously abused, or illegally-owned elephants. Help clean elephant areas & prepare food.

For approximately 5000 years, elephants have been employed by humans to carry out various tasks. Although this relationship has been advantageous for people, it has not been so for the elephants. In Thailand, elephants are held in high regard and have had a significant impact on the country’s ...

About the program

For approximately 5000 years, elephants have been employed by humans to carry out various tasks. Although this relationship has been advantageous for people, it has not been so for the elephants. In Thailand, elephants are held in high regard and have had a significant impact on the country’s culture, myths, and religion. Unfortunately, the profound respect that the species deserves is often not reflected in how individual elephants are treated. The rapid decline in elephant numbers is due to widespread abuse, poaching, deforestation, increased tourism, farming, and a considerable reduction in their natural habitat, which has led to the Asian elephant being listed as an endangered species.

Therefore, this project operates in a sanctuary where old, sick, disabled, previously abused or illegally-owned elephants are now provided with a home. Our focus is on caring for the elephants, rather than exploiting them, so there will be no elephant riding involved in the program. Instead, you will have the opportunity to interact and bond with these gentle giants by  preparing their food, which usually consists of sugarcane and banana plants. Moreover, the elephants roam freely around the sanctuary during the day and are taken to the forest in the early evening.

You will be working alongside experienced mahouts who have dedicated their lives to understanding elephants and providing them with the best care possible.  Please bear in mind that our primary focus is to care for these graceful creatures, and the program does not engage in any form of animal exploitation.

Location

Chiang Mai is a city in northern Thailand known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. It is a popular destination for tourists, with attractions such as ancient temples, night markets, and trekking in the nearby mountains. In addition to its religious sites, Chiang Mai is also famous for its vibrant night markets, where visitors can find a variety of local crafts, souvenirs, and delicious street food.

Project Tasks
  • Take care of relocated, injured, ill, previously abused or illegally owned elephants
  • Gain a unique and memorable experience in care taking for elephants.
  • Assist the local sanctuary staff by providing an extra hand, cleaning areas and preparing food

Motorbike Hire
Please note, motorbike hire is strictly prohibited for volunteers, including when outside the centre on weekends. If a participant is found to have hired a motorbike, this will result in termination of the program with no refund. 

Typical day

Monday to Friday -4 hours a day

Monday
  • Breakfast
  • Introduction to Asia Elephants
  • Lunch
  • Learn and Prepare Thai herb medicine for Elephants.
  • Dinner
Tuesday
  • Breakfast
  • Clean and Renovate the Elephant Area
  • Lunch
  • Observing Elephant Behaviors
  • Dinner
Wednesday
  • Breakfast
  • Clean and Renovate Elephant Area.
  • Lunch
  • Making ...

Typical day

Monday to Friday -4 hours a day

Monday
  • Breakfast
  • Introduction to Asia Elephants
  • Lunch
  • Learn and Prepare Thai herb medicine for Elephants.
  • Dinner
Tuesday
  • Breakfast
  • Clean and Renovate the Elephant Area
  • Lunch
  • Observing Elephant Behaviors
  • Dinner
Wednesday
  • Breakfast
  • Clean and Renovate Elephant Area.
  • Lunch
  • Making Nutrition Ball for Elephants
  • Dinner
Thursday
  • Breakfast
  • Clean and Renovate Elephant Area.
  • Lunch
  • Learn Mahout Basic Skills.
  • Dinner
Friday
  • Breakfast
  • Clean and Renovate Elephant Area.
  • Lunch
  • Prepare food for Elephants.
  • Observing Elephant Behaviors
  • Dinner

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***

*Schedule possible to change due to the project and community needs at the time. Volunteer flexibility and adaptability is important to a positive volunteering experience. 



Free-time activities

  • Visit ancient temples – Chiang Mai is home to over 333 Buddhist temples, many of which are centuries old. Some of the most famous temples include Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Phra Singh.
  • Explore the night markets – Chiang Mai has several night markets, where visitors can ...

Free-time activities

  • Visit ancient temples – Chiang Mai is home to over 333 Buddhist temples, many of which are centuries old. Some of the most famous temples include Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Phra Singh.
  • Explore the night markets – Chiang Mai has several night markets, where visitors can shop for souvenirs, handicrafts, and local cuisine. The most popular markets include the Sunday Night Walking Street and the Night Bazaar.
  • Trek in the mountains – Chiang Mai is surrounded by beautiful mountains and forests. Visitors can go trekking, hiking, or mountain biking in the nearby Doi Inthanon National Park or Mae Sa Valley.
  • Learn about the local culture – Chiang Mai has a rich cultural heritage, and visitors can learn about traditional crafts, music, and dance at places like the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center or the Lanna Folklife Museum.
  • Take a cooking class – Thai cuisine is famous worldwide, and visitors to Chiang Mai can take a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional dishes like pad Thai or green curry.
  • Attend a festival – Chiang Mai hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Yi Peng Lantern Festival and the Songkran Water Festival.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 16 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Involvement Volunteers IVI

Accommodation
3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
1 day orientation
Daily transportation to project
In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
Fundraising support
University course credits (where applicable)
Certificate of Completion

Airport Pickup at Chiang Mai International Airport

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.


A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Chiang Mai Airport (CNX), Level 1, Door 5. You must arrive between 08.00 and 16:00 on Sunday.


If arriving outside the pickup times you will need to pay an additional fee for any extra night’s accommodation, and a private transfer to our accommodation.


Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).


From the airport to the accommodation in Chiang Mai, it takes around 30-45 mins by Taxi/Song Teaw. This is not including any delays that may occur.    

Accommodation

You will stay in a nice volunteer house with all the standard facilities like WiFi, hot showers and aircon/fans. Rooms are single gender and fit 4-8 people. Private rooms can be booked for an additional fee. We also have an open and lovely lakeside where you can get some fresh air. There is also a beautiful dining area where you can have a cup of tea and coffee and hang out with fellow volunteers. Table tennis is also available!

*Accommodation may be in our local centre or in close proximity, depending on availability and time of year.

Food & Beverages

3 meals a day are provided, and 2 on weekends. All the meals served inside the accommodation are homestyle, vegetarian-friendly and you can expect that they will be typically Thai style dishes, including plenty of rice or noodle dishes with vegetables and occasionally some meat and fish will be provided as well, along with seasonal fruits for dessert.

While we do our best to accommodate our participants, what we provide for most meals is local cuisine. If you are a picky eater or allergies, have dietary restrictions, or if you think that you will not be satisfied with the local dishes provided, you might want to consider supplementing our menu with your own western type foods and snacks that are more to your liking. 

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) in Chiang Mai. We assist you to find cheap flights to Thailand. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Thailand provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Thailand you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Thailand. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Program starts every Monday. Arrivals on Sat/ Sun. If arriving on Sat, an extra night is charged.


Minors traveling to Thailand

Minors traveling to Thailand with/without parents/legal guardians are required to adhere to instructions of the Thai immigration. For more information, please check here.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 1,256€
3 weeks 1,988€
4 weeks 3,645€
8 weeks 6,959€
12 weeks (max. stay) 10,273€
Average fees 1,056€/week

Program fees

1,056€ per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 16 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Involvement Volunteers IVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Involvement Volunteers IVI

Brilliant 4.7 rating (201 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 1989

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Lauren

Spoken languages: English

About the project

IVI are a non profit org with 28 years experience providing responsible volunteer placements in 15 countries worldwide. We help you connect with inspiring opportunities

Meet your organization

Involvement Volunteers International delivers positive social change to developing communities and vulnerable populations through local, national & international volunteering.  Our projects empower the skilled & un-skilled to catalyse the efforts of local partners in creating a better world.


WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1989, IVI is a pioneer of overseas volunteering.  Back when there was no internet and phones were a luxury in many parts of the world, we traveled to developing countries in search of credible NGO's in need of manpower and global volunteer resources.  Some of the many relationships we forged are utilized to this day. 

We are passionate about volunteering and giving back to society and in particular developing communities which are less fortunate than us.  In this way, we combine travelling with volunteering to help people make a positive impact overseas.

SOCIAL EXPERIENCES
All of IVI’s projects have a strong social element at the core.  With more manpower (& womanpower!) we can truly catalyse the efforts of our local partners.  This means you're sure to meet loads of like-minded people from all parts of the world.   This type of experience truly broadens your understanding of the world and yourself, opening your heart to new enlightened ways of thinking .   With your new found travel companions, you'll have plenty of opportunity to explore and have fun!  

Our projects create a unique platform to experience the true heart and soul of a destination rather than simply the tourist areas.   We'll involve you in meaningful & responsible volunteer work that really benefits the local communities.

AFFORDABLE VOLUNTEER TRAVEL
As a non profit org, we are not motivated by shareholder profits.  Our fee structure is fully transparent to ensure volunteers hard earned money is going directly to the areas where it is most needed.  It is vitally important to us that the presence of volunteers has a positive and sustainable impact on the local communities we work with.   

We charge a one off US$275 application fee per volunteer to cover the running of IVI including administration overheads, project inspection costs, marketing, and salaries.

The program fee starts at $150 p/week and goes straight to the in country management to cover arrival airport transfers, on the ground coordination, orientation, accommodation, meals, in country 24/7 project support, project development, donations and related administration costs.   

In comparison to many of our competitors, our programs are incredible value.

SAFETY & RESPONSIBLE PROGRAMS
With approx 80-90% of our volunteers being single young female travelers, volunteer safety is of the utmost importance.  All of our projects include a dedicated 24/7 in-country management support contact as well as a dedicated placement manager pre/post journey.  This ensures you will be cared for every step of the way.    The local teams are highly experienced and qualified to manage emergency situations.

All IVI projects have been personally inspected to ensure the standards meet necessary guidelines for quality and safety.  In addition, we monitor and maintain communication with local embassies to oversee potential issues in order to notify volunteers and their families accordingly.   

Our Australian team are available 24/7 and only a phone call away.

Our responsibility also extends to the local people which is why volunteers working in childcare related fields must provide a criminal background check before they travel.   Our ultimate goal is the long term development of the communities we work with, hence we work closely with our local partners to ensure that projects are needs driven and sustainable. 

SUPPORT

From your very first inquiry, right through to your welcome home, you'll have the same dedicated volunteer manager at every stage.  We are experts in the field and will provide you in depth insights about what to expect and how to prepare to ensure you have an amazing experience overseas.  Every project includes a detailed welcome pack which provides all aspects needed such as in country contacts, what to pack, cultural values, basic language guides and much much more.   

On arrival at your destination, you'll be greeted by one of our in-country team and in many cases 1 week orientation is provided to help ease you into the way of life and ensure you're equipped with the right customs to ensure a successful volunteer abroad experience.  

FUN!
Volunteering abroad is quite possibly the most rewarding experience you will have in your life!   We know this not only through our own experiences, but through the testimonies from thousands of volunteers we have successfully placed worldwide over 27+ years in operation.  Volunteering overseas is not only rewarding.   It's fun!   You're meeting new people, you're seeing new sights, and you're expanding your understanding of yourself and the world.  You're experiencing something real and life changing in many ways...  

GET INVOLVED WITH IVI TODAY!

201 reviews · rating4.7

What a fantastic trip. Getting the opportunity to live in a village for a week was so incredibly special, and all of our hosts quickly became like family. The work itself was challenging at times but very rewarding, and I felt like we were making a difference within the communities that we worked ...
The team of us who were placed in Moala were instantly taken in by the family we were living and were made to feel part of the family. I am grateful for this experience, for the people I met and for the wonderful people who cared for us throughout the 2 weeks. This trip has inspired me to pursue ...
What an incredible experience to be able to live in amongst the island community, fully immersed in village life. I really really enjoyed my stay and it was so amazing to explore the island in my free time. In the classroom, it was mostly helping kids one on one with the work assigned by the ...
I am so blessed to have been lead by amazing dietician and naturopathic professionals who have inspired what I hope to be in this field one day. Words and pictures could never capture how life changing this experience was, and what beautiful souls these people hold. Pictures also don’t capture how ...
There were so many highlights to this trip! However the one that stood out the most was living in Moala village for one week. The team of us who were placed in Moala were instantly taken in by the family we were living and were made to feel part of the family. The people we visited in Moala, Yako ...
hannah rupp rating5

2024 at Primary Teaching Support

I had such a great time in Zanzibar. The accommodation is really good, it’s clean, you have a very sweet balcony and the bedrooms are good. Also the roommates and coordinators are were really nice 🥰 I really enjoyed my time at the school and I loved to work with the kids 🥰 I made so many ...

Location

Asia > South East Asia > Thailand > Chiang Mai

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English

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