Three Days, Many Trunks
My Time at The Bush Camp
Reading time: 4 min
Three Days, Many Trunks
My Time at The Bush Camp
Reading time: 4 min
Three Days, Many Trunks
My Time at The Bush Camp
Reading time: 4 min
Three Days, Many Trunks: my Time at The Bush Camp
Those who know me know this about me: I feel most at home in nature. Between plants, trees and animals of every possible shape and size. A trip abroad, for me, is never quite complete without that sense of retreat, that humbling feeling of being very small in a world that is very big.
When I planned a work trip to Thailand, it was meant to be just that: work. A conference, meetings, presentations and an impressive amount of handshakes. No jungle. No wildlife. No moments of quiet. Or so I thought. Then an email landed in my inbox, inviting me to spend a few days at The Bush Camp, just outside Chiang Mai. Luxury glamping tents, surrounded by raw nature, and the chance to meet rescued elephants. Well then. I suppose I could make the time.
My journey begins at Chiang Mai airport, where I am picked up and ushered into a minivan that immediately carries me deep into the landscape I will soon call home. Lush greenery, low shrubbery and rolling mountains slide past the window. The drive takes around two hours, and before I fully realise it, I am sipping a refreshing drink in the reception area, shown to my tent and invited to lunch. The transition from airport to nature feels almost surreal.
In the afternoon, the real adventure begins. Together with the rest of the small group, I climb into a safari style jeep and we set off to meet the elephants. We prepare snacks for them, pineapple and banana among their favourites, which they eagerly accept, slobbering with unmistakable enthusiasm.
Before I go on, a clarification. Yes, you are allowed to touch the elephants during these feeding moments. I know how that sounds. I was sceptical too. I voiced my concerns to our guide, who answered with calm clarity. With wild elephants, she explained, human contact should indeed be avoided. But these elephants are tame, rescued from lives spent giving tourist rides or doing heavy labour. Many have been in contact with humans since they were young. Removing that interaction completely could negatively affect their wellbeing, making health checks difficult and potentially creating fear or stress. In emergencies, that could be dangerous for both animal and human. As I rest my hand on the trunk of an older female elephant, her mahout standing close by, calmly watching over both of us, my doubts ease.
The day ends with a visit to the small settlement on the property where the mahouts live. They teach us how to pound rice and prepare traditional dishes, which we of course get to taste. Later, I find myself with a cocktail by the pool, followed by an impressive buffet that requires absolutely no restraint.
Day two begins in a way I never expected. By playing with elephant poop. Yes, you did read that right and no, I am not joking. Elephant dung turns out to be an excellent base for paper making. We learn how it is processed and then get to shape and mould our own sheets of still suspiciously brown paper. Flowers and leaves are added for decoration, and my freshly made poo-per dries in the sun. Jokes aside, the lesson behind it is powerful. Elephant waste is turned into something useful for the community, creating additional income for both elephants and their mahouts. Afterwards, the elephants enjoy a bath while we watch. Entirely respectful. Not creepy at all.
The afternoon is free, which gives me the perfect excuse to retreat to the pool. From there, the view stretches across farmland, bush and distant mountains, with the Ping River winding its way below. This is exactly the kind of nature I had been craving, paired with just enough comfort to make it feel indulgent.
Day three arrives far too quickly. After breakfast, I visit the elephants one last time, offering treats, learning more about their care from the mahouts and discovering that veterinary support is always on standby. Their trunks curl around the pineapple in my hand, and that simple touch fills me with the calm strength of these gentle giants. Recharged, grounded and quietly grateful, I am ready to return to the world of meetings and schedules, carrying a piece of the bush with me.
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