Select travel dates to see prices

Excellent 4.86rating (24)

Elephant Research Internship

location
1 - 8 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Hike to find elephants in their natural habitat
  • Collect data on natural elephant behaviour
  • Immerse in the local culture of the Karen community

Highlights

  • Hike to find elephants in their natural habitat
  • Collect data on natural elephant behaviour
  • Immerse in the local culture of the Karen community
  • Make memories you will never forget on weekend trips with your fellow team mates
  • Meet people from all around the world

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    This internship is an exciting opportunity for any current or recently graduated university students who want more work experience or are interested in elephants.

    Our Sanctuary 

    If you want to have a unique experience hiking in the forest to find the elephants and observing and recording their natural behaviours in their home environment, then Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is the right place for you. Come and join us for the experience of a lifetime. ..

    About the program

    Our Sanctuary 

    If you want to have a unique experience hiking in the forest to find the elephants and observing and recording their natural behaviours in their home environment, then Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is the right place for you. Come and join us for the experience of a lifetime. Volunteers must be physically fit to hike everyday up and down the mountains to get to the elephants. In our sanctuary, you can see exactly where your donations are going and how they are benefiting our sanctuary, our elephants and our community.

    Our sanctuary has just rescued 6 elephants from the tourism industry and we have now brought them home to live out their lives in the forest, in semi-wild conditions. We need volunteers to help us keep these elephants happy and healthy in their natural habitat. With volunteer support and donations, we hope to return more elephants to the forest soon. 

    Our Village 

    Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is set amongst the rolling hills of Northern Thailand in a Karen etnic minority village. It is surrounded by a forest that is perfect for our elephants to roam and forage in. 

    The Karen people are originally from Myanmar but they have migrated to Thailand in search of a better life during the wars over many generations. Due to this they have their own language and culture, which volunteers will have the opportunity to learn and experience. They are keen weavers and are well known in Thailand for their elephant keeping. They make an income from their elephants and working in the fields, mainly growing rice and corn using rotational slash and burn. Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn more first-hand about their culture and even help out with the community when required.

    This internship is an exciting opportunity for any  current or recently graduated science university students who want more scientific work experience. It is also perfect for anyone with an interest in research or collecting data in the field of animal behaviour. Applicants must have at least some previous data collection experience, but a small amount of training will be provided on arrival.



    ******For your application******


    Please answer the below questions as thoroughly as possible in your application (motivation letter):

    1. Please describe any previous experience with in-field research.


    2. Please describe any previous experience with data analysis and interpretation.


    3. Our research internship at KSES usually involves interns focusing on one area of our research during their stay. This includes elephant foraging (watching one of our elephants for 1.5 hours each day, working with the mahouts to record what they are eating and ID-ing any new plants), elephant behaviour (watching any elephants in sight for 1.5 hours and recording what they are doing every 5 minutes), elephant association (watching any elephants in sight for 1.5 hours and recording their association to each other every 5 minutes) as well as a side project such as analysising our night time camera traps or another project that takes your interest. Personal research projects needed for your own degree or diploma are also possible. Does this sound like something that might interest you?


    4. All interns are expected to take part in a fundraiser during their time. This usually involves working as a group with the other interns, setting up an online fundraiser page, running an event onsite such as a sponsored run, survival sleep out, sponsored challenges etc. and sharing this with family and friends. Do you have any previous experience of fundraising?


    5. Living in a Karen village does mean working and living in a rural, basic and isolated environment, for example, we are a 5 hour drive from the nearest city (Chiang Mai), electricity, phone signal and running water can be unreliable at times, and sometimes you need to take cold bucket showers when there is little to no water running. Accommodation is basic (but comfortable), with your own private room in a homestay, usually with a mattress, on the ground, mosquito net and a shared bathroom. Have you ever lived rurally, basically or isolated before and is this something you think you will struggle with?


    6. As we are working and living with another culture, we must ensure the people we bring out to stay come with an open mind and understanding that things will run differently than at home and we must respect all their traditions and culture, even if you do not always agree. This includes, wearing clothes that cover you from your shoulders to your knees and always following staff instructions who know and understand the culture. Do you have any previous experience of working or living together with another culture? 


    7. Why did you choose KSES and how did you find out about us?


    8. What is the latest time frame you would hope to start the internship if accepted?



    Typical day

    Our days begin with early morning hikes through the forest to find the elephants, staying with them while observing and taking data on their natural behaviours until lunch and assisting the staff with any visitors or volunteers. Some days lunch is eaten with the elephants in the forest, a very ...

    Typical day

    Our days begin with early morning hikes through the forest to find the elephants, staying with them while observing and taking data on their natural behaviours until lunch and assisting the staff with any visitors or volunteers. Some days lunch is eaten with the elephants in the forest, a very unique experience! Hikes will usually return to the village around early afternoon. 

    The afternoons will consist of data entry and completing project work such as creating a portfolio on our elephants and improving our research ideas, with some evenings being spent giving talks and presentations on elephant research or conservation to create awareness and educate our guests. Interns will work together with our staff and volunteers both in the forest and onsite.


    Example of a daily schedule from Monday to Friday:

    8am-12pm: Elephant hike & research

    12pm-1pm: Lunch

    1pm-2pm: Data entry

     2pm-5pm: Project work

     6pm-7pm: Dinner

     7pm-8pm: Free time (Except on Wednesday: Elephant Presentation)


    Free-time activities

    During free time, interns have the opportunity to have a bamboo raft ride, Thai massage, learn to weave basket weave, weave a scarf, cooking class or explore the surrounding villages and towns. 

    Free-time activities

    During free time, interns have the opportunity to have a bamboo raft ride, Thai massage, learn to weave basket weave, weave a scarf, cooking class or explore the surrounding villages and towns. 


    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 (fluently)

    Required Documents

    CV and Cover letter

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    Volunteers must have some previous data collection experience for this internship.

    Time Commitment

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

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    The fee covers all of your food and accommodation whilst on project as well as your transport to and from project and Chiang Mai on arrival and departure. It does not include your flights, travel insurance and visa costs. 

    Accommodation

    We provide an income for our community by housing our guests, volunteers and interns in their own homestay provided by the local people.

    All of our home stays are different from each other, some being a private room inside the family home, others being a wooden hut just outside the family home. Some home stays have a western toilet, others have a traditional squat toilet. Each one beautifully unique, just like their welcoming hosts.

    The accommodation is basic but comfortable and provides all bedding, a mattress, mosquito net, extension cord to charge electronics, filtered water and usually a shared bathroom with cold showers and toilet paper provided. Hot shower may be provided at our base hut (depending on water pressure). Please be aware that during the dry season there might not be a lot of water available in the pipes for running water, but there will always be a bucket of water in your homestay toilet to be used for showering or flushing the toilet. Electricity can also come off and at different intervals during the dry and rainy seasons. 

    Food & Beverages

    We provide a basic western breakfast and basic Thai lunch and dinner as well as filtered water. Vegetarians and vegans can be catered for.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Chiang Mai International Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    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

    This program takes place all year round.

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

    Program fees

    6 days (min. stay) 485€
    2 weeks 854€
    3 weeks 1,168€
    4 weeks 1,438€
    5 weeks 1,528€
    6 weeks 1,708€
    7 weeks 1,887€
    8 weeks (max. stay) 1,977€
    Average fees 406€/week

    Program fees

    406€ per week 1 - 8 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 8 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.9
    Top Pick
    One of the top picks on Volunteer World, according to travelers

    Volunteer photos

    2025
    I was already an elephant lover... but know I know so much about them. I recommand this experience to who want's to connect with nature, ...
    Guylaine Boies

    Visit and Help Elephants

    Location

    Asia > South East Asia > Thailand > Chiang Mai

    Meet your project coordinator

    Cristina
    24
    reviews
    4.86
    Excellent
    2015
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: Spanish, English, Italian, Thai
    Travel safely by using Volunteer World for your communication and bookings. This way, you can benefit from the Flex Option, Refund Guarantee, and Resolution Support.

    You might also be interested in

    Contact Cristina
      Very high response rate
    Spanish, English, Italian, Thai

    Most volunteers ask about


    Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Cristina
    Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

    Book with Flex Option!

    Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

    Complete Support for Every Volunteer

    This helps us run our platform and offer essential services like Comprehensive Support, Refund Guarantee, Flex Option without rebooking costs, and Price-Guarantee. This includes VAT.

    Price details