Anantara’s Elephant Haven: Where Luxury Meets Conservation

Wildlife experiences have always been a big draw for nature lovers and city folks seeking to unplug from busyness and technology and immerse into nature. It is little surprise that travelling for bespoke luxury in the wild is identified as one of the top trends for 2025. After all, it takes you off the beaten path to places of diverse natural wonders, beauty and solitude, while offering luxurious accommodation, exceptional local cuisine and a highly personalised itinerary led by well-trained, passionate wildlife experts. Coming face to face with some remarkable living beings of the land and the underwater world while savouring creature comforts could be magical, humbling and inspiring.

The allure of the untamed combined with a desire to travel with a purpose has led me to extraordinary adventures around the globe—from watching Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book come alive during jeep safaris in the misty Indian forests of Satpura, Kanha and Pench and falling in love with the critically endangered African penguins at Boulders Beach in South Africa’s Cape Peninsula to being treated to a brilliant sighting of seven bears on a walking trail in Alaska’s remote Tongass National Forest.

Some of my most precious memories amidst nature include snorkelling in the company of vibrant fish, corals and turtles in the Dhaalu Atoll of Maldives that was akin to meditation and observing the jaguars, sloths, elusive anacondas and phenomenal plant life in the Peruvian Amazon that filled me with a profound sense of discovery.

However, my recent rendezvous with the elephants at Northern Thailand’s Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort was rewarding in unique, unexpected ways. This experinece offered a different kind of magic—one rooted in connection, quiet observation, and the joy of shared existence. Perched on a hill overlooking Thailand, Myanmar and Laos and the confluence of Mekong and Ruak rivers, the 160-acre property boasts an extraordinary location in Chiang Rai. Landscapes are spectacular; ranging from woodland and rice paddies to countryside and indigenous gardens.

Where else can you swim in an infinity pool, sip great coffee and indulge in luxurious meals while appreciating the views over three countries?

Getting Intimate With The Gentle Giants In Nature

I fondly remember the morning I slipped into a chic mahout-inspired denim co-ord set and a comfortable pair of rubber boots for a one-of-a-kind elephant interaction—a two-hour morning walk with the gentle giants. A quick introduction to Kumoon and Ja Thong was followed by a stroll through the grasslands, led by their mahouts and the resident vet Prayat Dokmadua. I felt a childlike delight as I watched the elephants go about their routine; chewing on grass, cooling off in the Ruak River, splashing water using their trunks, playing in the mud, and socialising with each other. As we meandered through the forest, Dokmadua shared details about elephant personalities, biology, behaviour, eating habits and the special bond these pachyderms share with their mahouts.

The fresh forest air and the unhurried pace of walking with the elephants were beyond soul-soothing. It was a chance to befriend the intelligent, compassionate creatures. “Let it know you are there and let it know your voice,” said Dokmadua. I patted Kummoon, looked into her expressive eyes and gave her a genuine smile before moving my hand up and down her freckled trunk. She carried a calming presence, an infectious charm and a matriarch’s wise demeanour.

As I sensed the shared energy, I gently rested my head on her trunk and uttered, “Thank You for allowing me to walk with you”. Those intimate moments with Kumoon and Ja Thong reminded me of the importance of peaceful human-animal co-existence and our responsibility to be thoughtful and empathetic towards these creatures.

Dara Camp: A Safe Haven For Rescued Elephants

Set up in 2003 and currently supporting 20 elephants (two males and 18 females), Dara Camp has been working hand in hand with Anantara’s Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation to rescue street elephants and provide them and their mahout families a comfortable lifestyle. Offering meaningful and sustainable wildlife encounters to tourists is a part of the initiative.

A Dreamy Night In The Jungle Bubble

What makes this Anantara property stand out in a flock of forest stays around the globe are its exquisite and dreamy jungle bubbles; a private, dusk-to-dawn experience ensconced in nature. You could stay in transparent domes in tropical Bali, arctic Finland or the arid desert setting of Jordan, but nothing compares to coming face-to-face with magnificent Thai elephants from the comfort of your private, fully-furnished observatory nestled in the tranquil forest of Chiang Rai.

Set up at a short jeep ride from the main hotel building, these air-conditioned, fully furnished transparent domes are designed to put you in the middle of the elephant action, allowing uninterrupted time with rescued animals. My one-bedroom PVC bubble sitting atop an elevated platform features wooden flooring, a four-poster king-size bed, a coffee table set, reading lights, temperature controls, a shower cabin and a spacious deck; it was nothing short of luxurious. Additional touches included fluffy bathrobes and slippers and tasteful bathroom amenities.

Checking into the bubble was followed by a delicious Asian-inspired al fresco dinner while observing two female elephants chomping fresh grass and sugarcane stalks. They huddled together until the sky turned dark and started to drizzle. After all, elephants are social animals, not quite different from us. A hot shower in the cabin combined with my blissful, poetic frame of mind quickly drifted me to sleep. The elephants were still busy grazing when I woke naturally to the sun’s rays and jungle sounds. Elephants can eat up to 19 hours which is almost 80 per cent of their day. After making myself a cup of coffee from the minibar, I sat on the deck and enjoyed some final moments with the pachyderms before the mahout arrived to fetch them for their morning exercise and a dip in the river. Obeying the commands, the elephants made their way to the misty jungle.  I waved them farewell with a heavy heart and a flying kiss.

Villas That Blend Asian Heritage With Modern Comforts

While the safari-style Jungle Bubble Lodge is usually crafted for a single night, Anantara Golden Triangle’s 61 sprawling rooms and suites are in the main building.

My spacious, thoughtfully designed suite came with an elegant living area, a king-sized bed with crisp white linen, a study desk, a walk-in closet and shower area, a terrazzo soaking tub and a balcony overlooking grasslands and the Ruak and Mekong rivers in the distance. Rich artwork with intricate elephant motifs, dark wood panelling, a vintage travel trunk and design elements inspired by Asian heritage and textiles added ample character to the cosy haven.

What bowled me over was the attention to detail! The welcome letter placed on the trunk was accompanied by cute elephant-print macarons and pastries, refreshing ‘Mae Sui’ – a mixologist concoction made of Chalong bay rum, coconut liqueur, apple juice and lime juice, a map of the region, a detailed itinerary and a pair of binoculars. I found myself reaching out for the latter time and again, using them to track my elephant buddies as I spent hours on the balcony.

Tasting Thailand, Laos and Myanmar On Your Plate 

Meals at the main hotel began with a generous breakfast buffet at Sala Mae Nam, the hotel’s central restaurant with a view. The spread comprises Thai and international favourites, a fruit cart, made-to-order smoothies and juices, pastries, bread, eggs, and more. Lunch and dinner can be relished poolside, at the small bar area or at the newest restaurant Samsarn, which celebrates the earthy, bold, fresh flavours of the storied region where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar converge, both geographically and gastronomically.

A truly unforgettable culinary adventure was dining in a beehive-inspired canopy suspended 52 metres above the grasslands, offering bird’s eye views over the Golden Triangle. Craving local specialities, I opted for the Mekong Discovery menu which consisted of Thai Vegetable Rolls, Laos Seasonal Riverweed, Baked Curried Chiang Rai Pork, Thai Smoked Duck Roll, Burmese Rice Cake Bowl, Mango Sticky Rice paired with Thai Tea Macarons and much more. Each bite-sized delight was garnished delicately and served in cane baskets, alongside fine cutlery. Digging into the flavoursome food while observing the elephants in the jungle below, shooing away insects and communicating with each other by flapping their giant mud-covered ears, filled me with wonder. As the sun slowly began to set, I felt deep gratitude for being surrounded by natural splendour and the chance to get close to elephants in a way that respects their space and natural behaviour patterns.

While going off-the-beaten-trail might be one of the key travel trends for 2025, this experience wasn’t just about luxury in the wild; it was about slowing down, listening, and understanding that true enrichment comes not from what we take from nature, but from what we learn to appreciate.

For tariff check:

https://www.anantara.com/en/golden-triangle-chiang-rai