Morgan Taylor is a passionate about wildlife conservation, and recently joined the team at Elephant Hills. She shares her first experience at the new Chiang Mai Bush Camp here.
My first day in Chiang Mai was spent with a truly wonderful guide, Nink. We spent the whole day exploring all the main sights together, temples, markets, monuments, iconic walks, incredible food – we fit a lot in – even the expansive mall!
I feel my understanding of Chiang Mai is much greater having had this day out. It’s a brilliant city with SO much on offer. I knew I would love it, but it truly touched my soul. I will never forget this day. A waterfall so powerful it gave me chills, landscapes that never seemed to end and some very off-the-beaten-track routes. It was heaven. A rural cafe with a delightful owner, buffalo by the side of the road, rice fields, I get emotional thinking about this first day. This day is something that will stay with me forever.
I wasn’t expecting the Bush Camp to impact me so much. I don’t know if it was the location or the scenery, but I could have sworn I was deep in an African National Park. The surroundings were familiar to Hwange, The Namib bush, and KZN province, all in one.
The welcome from the team here was so warm, I felt ‘home’. My tent was enormous, the bed and the ensuite left me without words. Air-con was a welcome component – it was hot! Dinner was delicious, the children’s performance left me with tears in my eyes and I was blown away at the feeling of this place, it was magic.
My guide Nink explained the plans for the coming day, I couldn’t wait. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening video presentation here, I think it’s important to hit pause and truly appreciate where we are.
We started the next day with the elephants, our guides, Chai and Sherlee were both an absolute joy. In the morning, we had a huge laugh making the elephant dung paper. Our artwork was not amazing, but gosh I enjoyed making this with Nink. The coconut pancakes were insanely yummy, and the Thai coffee and tea was so, so fantastic – and seeing the elephants right by us was very special.
Heading back to camp was an experience, the drive so picturesque. We even saw elephants and mahouts on the way. Lunch was so yummy and so generous; I could not fault the variety or quantity at all.
Our afternoon was another elephant session, these elephants, compared to those I met in the south, bore many scars of their past lives. It was very moving to see them with such kind and engaging mahouts and in this beautiful setting. I loved this experience and could see the whole group I was with did too. There was a moment spending time with an elephant called “Mae Buap” that I was moved to tears, I’m so grateful she has found herself at The Bush Camp.
We then walked to the Karen village. Sherlee was so thorough with her knowledge and explanation of this and I did not realise the scope of this whole set up, it was absolutely extraordinary. I appreciated the care taken to go into detail at each point we visited and it felt like we were all very much welcomed to get involved and hands on.
It was special and quite humorous for us all to try and use the traditional methods for preparing the rice – I was for one, terrible at this. The cooking demonstration was much more a cooking lesson and so interactive. I will never forget this experience. Everyone got so involved, especially the children, it was joyous.
Before sunset, we saw more around the property. On the way I was lucky enough to see three endangered peacocks – I could not believe it!!
The Bush Camp Chiang Mai is, in my opinion, a total gem. It is tranquillity, luxury, beauty and warmth. Even though such a short visit, I feel I’ve left a part of my heart there.
Even weeks on, I’m missing it. Whether agents are booking families, couples or older clientele, I would personally recommend this camp to everyone. What it offers is exceptionally unique and is in a setting that cannot be fully explained in words – it’s the feeling, too.