A Magical Week Among Elephants: Eco-Volunteering in Kanchanaburi. Hidden gem just 3 hours from Bangkok

If you ever feel the urge to escape the chaos of Bangkok and reconnect with nature, let me tell you about a hidden gem that stole our hearts: a small elephant sanctuary tucked away in the countryside of Kanchanaburi, just three hours from the capital.

Perrine ventured there for a week of eco-volunteering at Baan Mama, a refuge created by Brigitte, a Belgian restaurateur-turned-elephant-whisperer. After years of working with elephants, she followed her passion and opened this haven where everything feels simple, warm, and real—good food, lush greenery, and a deeply human touch.

Here, the stars of the show are Tao, Douille Douille, Tami, and little Chuchai. Tao, the matriarch, is over 60 years old and lovingly nicknamed Tatie Danielle—she doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Then there’s the inseparable duo, Douille Douille and Tami, best friends for over 20 years. And of course, Chuchai, Tami’s baby, already a hefty 300 kilos at just nine months!

Living with Elephants (and Uno Champs)

Each elephant has a dedicated mahout (caretaker), and each mahout carries a dago—a guiding tool. Brigitte is very transparent about its use: it’s not something to be hidden or feared but a tool meant to set boundaries when necessary. Sadly, it's often misused elsewhere, leading to its bad reputation. But here, it’s about mutual respect. Safety too—after all, we’re talking about animals weighing over 3 tons.

Baan Mama is perfect for family and kids too. We met couple of 5 and 10 year olds that were enchanted in roaming around and feeding their elephants over the weekend.

Feeding Time is Sacred

Did you know an elephant eats about 10% of its body weight daily? That’s a LOT of food. Each morning, the ladies come to the fence for their breakfast—bananas, mangoes, pineapples. Tao gets her bananas peeled since she’s lost most of her teeth. The others? They crush entire stalks underfoot or snap them with their jaws.

Their daily routine feels almost ritualistic: early morning snacks, a forest stroll, banana trunk lunches, more snacking in the afternoon, rice-and-cassava dumplings at 2:30 sharp (don’t be late!), and a final round of munching before bedtime. On chilly nights, we even light a fire to keep Tatie Danielle warm.

Days at Baan Mama are filled with elephant watching and long chats with fellow travelers. We met world explorers like Simon & Alix, Thomas & Margot, Samantha & Quentin, and Romain from Lyon. Our evenings? Endless Uno games and late-night conversations under the stars. Pure bliss. We even got the recommendation from locals to visit some of the region highlights...

Saturday Adventures: Erawan Falls

One Saturday, we traded elephants for waterfalls and hiked the seven levels of Erawan Falls—an emerald cascade over 2km that ended with a breathtaking 60-meter drop. On the way down, we swam in natural pools and had the best spa pedicure ever... courtesy of the tiny fish living in pool number 5 (our favorite!).

A Bit of History, a Lot of Flavor

Another day, we explored Kanchanaburi town. We visited Wat Thaworn (a beautiful Chinese temple) and the famous Bridge over the River Kwai, built during WWII by prisoners of war under Japanese command. It's a sobering, powerful site that leaves a mark.

We also wandered through several temples around the area—but the real highlight was the Tiger Cave Temple. Perched high above the valley, the climb up is a bit of a workout (those stairs!), but the reward is an absolutely breathtaking panoramic view over the surrounding countryside. It’s the kind of place that makes you stop, breathe deeply, and just take it all in. Total heart-stealer.

And on the way back? We stumbled upon the best Ka Mu (braised pork leg) we’ve had in Thailand so far. Maybe it was the Dunkel Bier talking, but it was unforgettable.

Final Thoughts

Baan Mama isn’t a tourist attraction—it’s an experience. A place to slow down, listen, and connect. With animals, people, and yourself.

If you're ever in Thailand and want to do something meaningful, head to Kanchanaburi. Just be warned: you might never want to leave.

Feel free to book a call with Perrine or myself if you want help organizing the perfect trip in Thailand to discover Kanchanaburi or other hidden Gems.

Tulio