Mason Elephant Park & Lodge
Having been to Bali on previous occassions and having seen the treatment of the animals at the Safari Parks, i really wanted to see the Elephants again but i was hoping to see them in a way where they weren't being treated in an ill manor and so in my research i found, 'Mason Elephant Park & Lodge.' This Lodge is a park fully committed to conservation and it was shared that they have a new set of standards in how to care for elephants in a purpose built environment.
Nigel Mason - Managing Director of 'Mason Elephant Lodge' has this statement on their website:
Our Dedication is our Difference
'I am proud to say that we are the only dedicated elephant rescue park in Bali and for the last 20 years been involved in the upkeep and breeding of the 27 elephants that we originally saved from government camps in Sumatra. These elephants have now successfully bred naturally to add 4 babies to our herd which showcases our commitment to both saving these endangered species, all of which would have died, had they been left in the Sumatran camps. We are fully committed to giving this herd of elephants a comfortable and happy existence for the remainder of their lives as well as educating the public to the plight faced by this endangered pachyderm, due to the devastating deforestation happening in their homeland.
The 'Mason Elephant Lodge' is located in Ubud so depending on where you are staying will depend on how long it will take you to get there. We were staying in Seminyak so we combined a number of Ubud experiences and made a day of it. It's worthwhile noting that not only can you visit the Park on a one off experience but you can also stay at the Lodge which means waking up to Elephants! That would be quite a view if you ask me! Entry into the park itself was approximately 25US dollars but even with this price tag I think it was well worth the experience. I had decided that i wanted to get up and close with the elephants but didn't want to be involved in riding them etc (this was the one thing i was sad to see existed at the parks, it would be nice if this was removed completely) so when i saw the option to pamper an elephant by giving it a wash and brush i was in! My Mum decided she was too!
It was raining that day so nearly going A over T happened quite a few times so if you are going to go to the park and it looks like it may rain, this is your reminder that thongs are not the way to go. Clearly wasn't thinking! Anyhow, we got to walk out the back of the entry museum (yep there is a museum in the park too) and were led to an area where a beautiful gentle giant walked up to me ready for her scrub! Gosh i love Elephants. They really are just gentle giants, out to eat everything and just be stunningly beautiful in all they do. I got to spend a good amount of time washing and scrubbing her while she repaid me by spraying water everywhere trying to get at the hose as she was clearly thirsty after her bathing efforts haha. We were then allowed to feed her and if we wanted to (as it was pouring by this stage) watch her have a bath. What's a little rain when you get to experience such beautiful moments so Mum and I stood in the pouring rain just in awe of these creatures as they surfaced and disappeared again rolling around in their bath. I couldn't recommend it enough. I think we both could just spend days with these creatures and not get tired of it. Was absolutely worth the drenching and visit.
