• Life On Land
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Elephant Conservation Internship

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Learn about Asian elephants and their cultural significance in Thailand.
  • Observe elephants in their natural habitat.
  • Gain experience in conservation fieldwork and training to enhance your skills.
  • Support a team of scientists and academics conducting impactful research.
  • Develop your leadership skills and receive guidance from experienced mentors.

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+

About the program

Support community efforts to help reintegrate elephants into their natural habitat, from their previous lives in the tourism industry.

In this immersive internship program you'll explore three main areas: elephant research, teaching English for community development and biodiversity conservation.

As part of the elephant program, you'll lead health checks, study herd behaviour, educate others about Asian elephants and assist with ...

About the program

In this immersive internship program you'll explore three main areas: elephant research, teaching English for community development and biodiversity conservation.

As part of the elephant program, you'll lead health checks, study herd behaviour, educate others about Asian elephants and assist with reintegrating elephants relieved from the tourism industry into protected forests.

Teaching English to kids, homestay families and elephant keepers is a big part of community development. We're also working to reduce reliance on elephants financially.

In the biodiversity program, you'll survey local wildlife like reptiles, mammals, insects and birds.

Rotating through these programs gives you a diverse skill set for your future career. You'll get to share ideas, take on leadership roles, and receive mentor feedback regularly.

Practical training sessions and mentorship will boost your leadership skills and career prospects. And you'll earn four qualifications and a LinkedIn reference, gaining international experience in remote areas.

Nestled in the heart of Northern Thailand, our research station in Chiang Mai offers stunning views of mountains, fields and forests. Surrounded by picturesque hills, we get a panoramic view of the lush landscape below. During the rainy season, clouds drift by at eye level, creating a mesmerising scene. And since we're in the jungle, elephants can be found throughout the surrounding areas. Our project work takes us deep into the mountains of the Mae Chaem District, a 5-hour journey into the mountains, where the Karen elephant-keeping community resides. This community shares a unique and sacred relationship with elephants.

Typical day

Take part in a range of diverse activities in Thailand with GVI. From gathering elephant data to teaching English and enjoying local Karen dinners, there's plenty to experience and enjoy.

Example of a typical day:

6:30 AM: Kickstart your morning with a cup of locally sourced Roots coffee from a nearby ...

Typical day

Take part in a range of diverse activities in Thailand with GVI. From gathering elephant data to teaching English and enjoying local Karen dinners, there's plenty to experience and enjoy.

Example of a typical day:

6:30 AM: Kickstart your morning with a cup of locally sourced Roots coffee from a nearby village coffee shop.

7:00 AM: Have breakfast with your team at the base breakfast bar before gearing up for the elephant hike.

8:00 AM: Head out on a forest hike to collect elephant data, including health checks and behaviour observations.

12:00 PM: Enjoy a group lunch, either packed or at the base, depending on the day's activities.

12:30 PM: Take part in conservation training, research work or self-study.

2:00 PM: Teach English, lead sports activities and promote environmental awareness at the local school.

4:30 PM: Engage in conservation activities like web innovation and recycling workshops.

5:45 PM: Reflect on the day's achievements and challenges as a team.

6:00 PM: Share a traditional Karen dinner with your homestay family.

7:30 PM: Wind down with leisure activities or join local events like quiz nights.

10:00 PM: Hit the hay for a well-deserved rest ahead of tomorrow's adventures.

Free-time activities

When you're not involved in community work or conservation efforts, make the most of your downtime exploring the area or going on weekend getaways.

  • Visit Pai, a cool backpacker hub with a buzzing street-food scene. Check out awesome spots like Pai Canyon and join tours to caves and waterfalls to hang ...

Free-time activities

When you're not involved in community work or conservation efforts, make the most of your downtime exploring the area or going on weekend getaways.

  • Visit Pai, a cool backpacker hub with a buzzing street-food scene. Check out awesome spots like Pai Canyon and join tours to caves and waterfalls to hang out with other travellers.
  • Immerse yourself in Karen culture with local festivals and hands-on activities like bamboo cup making.
  • Experience the lively atmosphere of village celebrations at the Buddhist temple. 
  • Relax in nature at a conservation forest campsite for stargazing and firefly spotting. Note, facilities are limited here.
  • Stay active with games like football, volleyball and ultimate frisbee at the nearby field, then grab a cold one and enjoy the views.
  • Explore scenic hiking trails through corn fields to catch the sunrise or venture into the forest for a chance to see gibbons.
  • Grab refreshing smoothies and noodle soup at Boh Luh's Smoothie Shop, browse handmade goods, and unwind with movie nights at the base.
  • Challenge your crew to ping pong battles at the base hut's table, including other participants and the local mahouts.
Every four weeks, you can enjoy cultural immersion through GVI Experiences. These are included in your program at no extra cost.

Examples of activities may include: 
  • Learn traditional Karen cooking.
  • Connect with the Karen people's culture.
  • Forage for forest medicine with a village elder.
  • Visit Thailand's highest peak.
  • Explore Thailand's elegant and mysterious waterfalls.
  • See amazing biodiversity on a night trek
  • Take a sunrise hike up Two Tree Hill.
  • Sleep under the stars alongside Asian elephants.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

Medical Form and Passport copy

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

The language spoken in the village is not Thai but, "Pakinyow" a dialect of the Karen villagers. Volunteers do not need to be fluent in English though they do need enough to understand all training and health and safety guidelines

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by GVI

What's Included

  • 24-hour emergency phone
  • 24-hour in-country support
  • Access to alumni services and discounts
  • Airport pickup (unless otherwise stated)
  • All necessary project equipment and materials
  • All necessary project training by experienced staff provided online 8 weeks prior to program start:
    • PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION (1 hour)
    • PROGRAM SPECIFIC TRAINING (1–5 hours)
    • OPTIONAL: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COURSE (10–15 hours)
  • Comprehensive training program that encompasses theory lectures, group study and field practise
  • Location orientation
  • Long term experienced staff
  • Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
  • Required transportation for the duration of your stay
  • Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
  • Welcome meeting
  • Your own room within homestay

What's Not Included

  • Additional drinks and gratuities
  • Extra local excursions
  • Flights
  • International and domestic airport taxes
  • Medical and travel insurance
  • Personal kit
  • Police or background check (where necessary)
  • Visa costs

Airport Pickup at Chiang Mai International Airport

GVI can provide airport pickups between 12pm and 5pm on the project start date at Chiang Mai Airport. After arriving at Chiang Mai International Airport, please make your way to Exit 2. You will be met outside the exit by pickup staff  who will be wearing a marked T-shirt and holding a sign with your name on it. 

If you are not arriving within the pick up window you will find regulated taxi stands to your left upon exiting the baggage pick-up area there you can arrange a taxi to the Eco Resort. The fee should be a flat rate of 200 THB. Alternatively, Eco is not far away, and a Red Truck Taxi or Tuk Tuk should cost between 20 to 80 THB. 

Accommodation

At GVI Chiang Mai, you'll be hosted by local families in traditional stilted houses. Homestays usually come with their own rooms or single hut, and each homestay has its own bathroom. Located throughout the village, these homestays offer easy access to the GVI research station while immersing you in the Karen culture. With amenities like cold running water for showers and filtered drinking water, along with shared bathroom facilities and collective base duties, you'll experience authentic community living.

Food & Beverages

Get fueled up for your adventures with breakfast at the base before hitting the trails. When it comes to lunch and dinner, you'll be treated to homemade meals by your host families. Think simple yet nutritious, mostly veggie-based with occasional fish or meat options. During your first week, a staff member will join you for meals to help you settle in. And every few weeks, get ready to master some traditional Karen dishes in fun cooking sessions. Join your fellow participants for these cooking adventures, where you'll not only whip up tasty dishes but also pick up a bit of the Karen language along the way.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) in Chiang Mai. We assist you to find cheap flights to Thailand. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Thailand provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Thailand you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Thailand. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

2024

  • 09 Nov 2024
  • 23 Nov 2024
  • 07 Dec 2024
  • 21 Dec 2024
2025
  • 04 Jan 2025
  • 18 Jan 2025
  • 01 Feb 2025
  • 15 Feb 2025
  • 01 Mar 2025
  • 15 Mar 2025
  • 29 Mar 2025
  • 12 Apr 2025
  • 26 Apr 2025
  • 10 May 2025
  • 24 May 2025
  • 07 Jun 2025
  • 21 Jun 2025
  • 05 Jul 2025
  • 19 Jul 2025
  • 02 Aug 2025
  • 16 Aug 2025
  • 30 Aug 2025
  • 13 Sep 2025
  • 27 Sep 2025
  • 11 Oct 2025
  • 25 Oct 2025
  • 08 Nov 2025
  • 22 Nov 2025
  • 06 Dec 2025
  • 20 Dec 2025

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 2,995€
4 weeks 3,695€
6 weeks 4,495€
8 weeks 5,095€
10 weeks 5,945€
12 weeks (max. stay) 6,595€
Average fees 1,023€/week

Program fees

1,023€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

2 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with GVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

GVI

Excellent 4.8 rating (221 reviews)

Agency - founded in 1998

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Bianca

Spoken languages: English

About the project

GVI tackles critical local and global issues by operating award-winning education and training programs on sustainable development projects around the world.

Meet your organization

Founded in 1998, GVI runs programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each manned by our own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs as well as the objectives of local partners. We welcome participants from all around the world and help facilitate their development into global citizens. This is how we achieve our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.


We are truly a global family brought together by our dedication to long-term positive impact. At the root of our success is our commitment to investing in authentic, meaningful connections with one another, which is why mutual respect and trust are central to our operations. Although we respond with empathy to difficult situations, we believe that most circumstances can benefit from taking a light-hearted approach. By sharing stories of local achievement with our teams worldwide we build the momentum to catapult us toward our vision for the future.

221 reviews · rating4.8

Tilly-Mae Cox rating5

2024 at Elephant Conservation Internship

The staff on base are some of the most genuine, caring and enthusiastic individuals I have ever met. It is very clear that they all love their jobs and are passionate for biodiversity conservation. Once you get to GVI you will have a new family, you will feel right at home. The staff are super easy ...
I spent a month with the GVI Chiang Mai program and absolutely loved it. We spent time observing elephants and recording data on morning hikes, teaching English in the local school and to residents around the village, and learning local crafts. The social side of the program is brilliantly set up ...
Georgi Jackson rating4.8

2024 at Elephant Conservation Internship

The staff and community of brilliant volunteers at this incredibly special GVI base made a very daunting and tough trip for me so amazing! The passion everyone involved in this conservation programme puts into the village community, elephants, gibbons, and forest is so admirable - l've learnt a lot ...
Joe Lomas rating4.4

2023 at Elephant Conservation Internship

It was a brilliant experience and a completely new experience to anything I have experienced before! The villagers that you stay with are very welcoming and although for a slight language barrier are very helpful and friendly. The staff are amazing, very informed on the local culture and wildlife, i ...
GVI was one of the best experiences of my life, i was a participant on the U18 costa rica trip! This program allowed me to interact with new people and make lifelong friendships, but also i was able to experience a new culture and be up close to a wide range of wildlife. If you are reading this and ...
Pam Parkes rating5

2024 at Women's Empowerment Internship

I really enjoyed my recent trip to Siem Reap. The accommodation was very good, I upgraded to a single room with aircon and en-suite and had a fabulous room overlooking the pool. Food was excellent with plenty of choice, both in the guest house and local restaurants where we ate in the evenings ...

Location

Asia > South East Asia > Thailand > Huay Pakoot

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Volunteer Abroad  >  Animals  >  Wildlife Conservation in Thailand
Contact Bianca
  Very high response rate
English

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