Elephant conservation in Thailand INCREDIBLE

I volunteered with GVI’s Elephant Conservation Program in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from January to February 2024. This was my second time with GVI, and it was just as rewarding as the first. The main activity involved daily elephant walks, where we observed and monitored the elephants' behavior in a semi-wild setting. It felt meaningful to support the shift from traditional elephant camps towards a more natural habitat.

The experience included hiking, camping, and even a dip in the (shallow) river. I appreciated the chance to connect deeply with the local culture, participate in village activities, and even teach English. One of the highlights was visiting a village home to teach English to two kids – a really sweet and memorable experience.

Traveling with my partner was seamless, thanks to GVI’s organization of our homestay and activities. The community feel was incredibly strong, and the support from the GVI team made everything run smoothly. I give this program a 5/5 and would recommend it to anyone keen on wildlife conservation. I’ll be returning to volunteer with GVI again and have already booked my next trip to South Africa!