Галина Буданова 3 weeks ago
I stayed at Chai Lai for my birthday and absolutely loved the experience. I was honestly surprised by some of the negative reviews, because many of the complaints seem to come from expectations that I don't think are quite appropriate for a place like this.
Yes, there are insects, the roads are difficult, and getting there is not easy — but this is a place in the middle of nature, not a city hotel or an Airbnb. There were mosquito nets and insect repellent in the room, as well as a shower, toiletries, towels, a hairdryer, and everything I needed after spending the day outdoors. I personally had no issue with getting dirty or encountering insects — that's part of being in nature, and I actually enjoyed it.
The food was fine and, overall, tasty. We also had a traditional meal prepared in the mountains over a fire. It was intentionally very simple, without the salt and spices we are used to, and I saw it as part of the cultural experience rather than something to judge as “bad food.”
What mattered most to me was the experience with the elephants. I spent a lot of time observing how the guides interacted with them. During the time I was there, I did not see any sticks, whips, hitting, or other obvious forms of abuse. The guides I observed used food, such as sugarcane and bananas, to interact with the elephants. The elephants were free to move around the park and I did not see them restrained by ropes or collars.
Of course, I cannot personally guarantee what happens outside the time I observed, so I don't want to make absolute claims about the ethics of the sanctuary. But based on what I personally saw, I did not witness anything that made me uncomfortable about the way the elephants were treated.
For me, Chai Lai was not about luxury or perfect roads and rooms. It was about spending time in nature and being able to observe elephants living, bathing, playing, scratching themselves on trees, covering themselves in mud, and simply being elephants. Actually, one of the sweetest moments was when a baby elephant got a banana from a tourist, couldn’t figure out how to peel it off, and then went straight to his guide, handed him the banana, and got a peeled one back, he immediately ate it, and I was absolutely delighted watching this!
