The GIVE Elephant Experience was truly the greatest experience I have ever had! This trip was a long time coming for me and from the moment I booked it, GIVE was extremely helpful, thorough and always reassuring. When I arrived in Thailand I was greeted with amazing energy from P'Dee and felt welcome immediately. P'Ann and P'phon also always met you with a smile and open arms and I couldn't speak more highly of them! Cassidy, our 4th guide, was the kindest person you'll ever meet. She was so helpful throughout the trip and an amazing person to talk to. The guides were all so comforting and they made us laugh and smile each and everyday. My absolute favorite part of the trip was how hands on we got to be at the Elephant Freedom Village, it was life changing to experience feeding and bathing adult and baby elephants. Another favorite part of mine was the down time we had and the car rides where we got to interact and learn so much about al the other people in our group. I met so many different people and made some real friends for life. I loved that every person we met in Thailand had so much passion for their country, the elephants and life in general. The trip was so organized from start to finish and we were given a very thorough itinerary each day to follow so you knew exactly what to wear, what we were doing and exact times. I could go on and on with how amazing this trip was for me, I wish I could stay in Thailand forever! So thank you so much GIVE for giving me this opportunity, I hope to join another group in the future!

Every day was packed full of fun and educational activities! The guides did absolutely everything to make the trip go smoothly and to ensure you were enjoying the trip to the fullest. Overall the trip was organized extremely well and I felt prepared everyday for the events that lied ahead. You fully get immersed in the culture of Thailand through visiting different villages and trying different food. This trip truly gives you an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and experience new things.

Oh my goodness!! I can't say enough good things about my experience in Thailand with GIVE!! It was my first time traveling internationally, and GIVE made it so easy and less stressful. I really appreciated all of the detail and organization in the trip preparation, and my GIVE guides on the trip were the best! I also have several dietary restrictions so I was nervous about the food situation but they were so accomodating which I really appreciated. Traveling with GIVE and being able to volunteer as well as educate myself made such a big impact on me, I can't wait for my next trip!

I could not even begin to say enough great things about this experience. Every single person involved was passionate, educated, enthusiastic, helpful, and kind. Every moment on the trip was filled with education, fun, and unique experiences. We spent tons of time learning about the elephants in Thailand from people who are dedicated to continuing to help these animals. We also had a ton of cultural immersion with the Karen Tribe, Buddhism, and Thai culture. Every minute and dollar was worth more than I could explain. I would highly suggest this trip to anyone and everyone!

I went on the Thailand Elephant excursion. I had a wonderful time learning about the culture and gentle giants. The hosts P An , P Di and P Pon Pon were absolutely fantastic and helped me when I needed it with out question. This trip pushed my hiking abilities past what I expected but I never gave up and was cheered on through out my trip. It was a blessing having P Pon Pon on my trip. He was extremely helpful to me. I would recommend this trip to all who are fit. The hiking can get a little rough especially on the incline of the mountain range.

I went on the Elephant Experience with GIVE Volunteers in summer 2025, and it completely exceeded anything I could have imagined! We traveled to places so remote and unique that I never would have found them on my own, and being welcomed into those villages and seeing a totally different way of life was eye-opening in the best way.

The time spent at the elephant sanctuaries was beyond amazing—it felt so genuine, ethical, and unforgettable. What really made it even more special, though, were the people: the locals, the guides, and the other volunteers who quickly felt like family.

I came home with memories and lessons that will stick with me forever. This trip changed the way I see the world, and I would do it all over again without hesitation!

This was the funnest trip I have been on. P’dee P’on and P’ann are the best 💕. You will have so much fun learning about these elephants and communities and seeing the greatest views of your life. I have made friends on this trip that I will have for a long time in the future. I have also been able to connect with amazing and loving people who take good care of you. The coffee is great you will never have bad coffee. Everyone is so friendly and the food is all local from different communities. You might see gibbons which were so fun to see! You get to wash elephants and learn how to love them sustainably. You get to see some of the northern Thailand Karen hill tribe and stay in their village at an accommodation. It is well worth your time to go.

After my Thailand experience, I didn’t know if any other trip could compare, but I went right to elephants. From the start, it was another amazing experience. In Elephant Freedom Village, we got to be hands on, feeding, bathing, playing, and learning directly about elephants. We learned about their way of living with their mahouts and all of the things the mahouts do to take care of their elephants. Our second stay in Huay Pakkoot Community Elephant Foundation, we did elephant trekking and observed elephants in a more wild setting. We got to see a different way of taking care of animals. The third place we visited was Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary where we got to see retired elephants in, once again, a more wild setting. Throughout each of these experiences, we were able to learn differences and similarities, one of the biggest being how much they love their elephants. Apart from just the elephants, all of the guides were incredible and taught us so much. They brought so much knowledge and energy to the trip, and it’s because of them that I enjoyed the trip so much.