There is something incredibly humbling about standing beside an elephant. At Mason Elephant Park, the encounter goes beyond the initial thrill of coming face-to-face with the gentle giants; it is an invitation to understand, appreciate and connect with one of the world’s most extraordinary creatures.
The NOW! Bali team spent a full day exploring Mason Elephant Park and experiencing its newest programmes – Picnic with an Elephant, Elephant Wellness Walk, and Elephant Wash & Bathe – offering a glimpse into the daily routines, conservation efforts and relationships that shape life at the park.
Set amid the lush landscapes of Taro village, north of Ubud, Mason Elephant Park was established in 1997 by Nigel Mason. Home to 24 elephants, Bali’s largest rescued herd of Sumatran elephants, the park has spent three decades providing lifelong care for elephants displaced by deforestation and poaching in Sumatra. Today, its approach is increasingly focused on more natural interactions, with guest experiences stepping away from elephant rides towards encounters that prioritise welfare and understanding.
A Walk Through the Story
That philosophy becomes apparent almost immediately upon entering the park. Rather than heading straight towards the elephants, the first stop is the recently expanded Elephant Museum and Education Centre. Among its highlights is a replica of a mammoth skeleton, offering a fascinating reminder of just how ancient the elephant family tree is.
From here, the park opens into a sea of green. Tropical trees, palms, ferns, orchids and flowering plants surround the pathways, creating a lush botanical setting that feels more like a sprawling jungle garden than a conventional attraction.
A Picnic with Bores
Our first close encounter came through the Picnic with an Elephant, reached via the park’s Treetop Walkway. Perched five metres above the ground, the elevated wooden pathway offers 360-degree views across the property before leading down to the picnic area.
The idea behind the new programme is simple: not everyone wants the more active experience of walking alongside an elephant, but that does not mean they have to miss out on a close encounter.
“We wanted people to be able to have a choice. Not everyone wants to walk with an elephant, but they may want to be near one, so we’ve created the new Picnic with an Elephant,” explained Nigel Mason. “Guests can sit at the bench, and we give them a whole picnic basket full of fruit for the elephant and another tray for them. Then afterwards, they can take photos with the elephants as well.”
Our companion was Bores, a 41-year-old male elephant. Sitting across from him with a basket of fruit between us felt wonderfully simple. As we enjoyed our own platter, Bores calmly accepted his treats, reaching out with his trunk as we watched his gentle movements against the surrounding greenery.
The appeal was in its unhurried nature. Sitting quietly with Bores, watching him eat at his own pace, felt less like a scheduled activity and more like a moment to simply observe one of the park’s magnificent residents.
Walking with Tagor
The day becomes a little more active with the Elephant Wellness Walk, which begins at the Nursery area. Once used primarily as a space for baby elephants, the area has been transformed into the starting point for the new experience, with additional gardens and planting enhancing the surroundings.
Here, guests prepare the elephants’ nutritious treats before setting off on a guided walk through the park. Along the route, there are several stops to feed the elephant, while the Mahout remains with the animal and a guide shares insights about the park and its residents.
For this experience, we met Tagor, known for his gentle, charismatic nature and distinctive downward-growing tusks. He quickly demonstrated that food is an excellent way to build a friendship.
Walking beside Tagor made the facts we had learned feel much more tangible. His enormous presence was impressive, but it was his individual personality that held our attention – a reminder that these are not simply animals being presented to visitors, but individuals with their own quirks, routines and relationships.
Getting Wet with the Elephants
Meanwhile, the Elephant Wash & Bathe brings an entirely different energy. Set at the Elephant Lake, the programme allows guests to hose, wash, scrub and caress one of the elephants while learning more about their care.
Water splashes, trunks reach out, and the elephants enjoy the ritual at their own pace. Under the guidance of the park team, guests step into the lake to bathe the elephants, creating a wonderfully tactile and memorable experience.
Seeing Them Roam
After these close encounters, one of the most rewarding parts of the visit is knowing when to step back. The redeveloped Free-Roam Area gives the elephants space to socialise within their groups, stroll, eat and enjoy their surroundings.
“We’ve moved the free-roam area out to the jungle where we used to do the elephant walk; it’s allowed us to redevelop the area to make it different,” said Nigel.
From a respectful distance, visitors can watch the elephants make their way through the jungle-like landscape, stopping to eat or spending time together. After sharing fruit with Bores and walking alongside Tagor, seeing the elephants simply roaming on their own terms offers a different perspective on the park’s approach to welfare.
The elephants were rescued from Sumatran containment camps rather than taken directly from the wild, and their lives today are shaped around care, routine and welfare. The park follows the Five Freedoms of animal welfare and has developed a natural breeding programme that has welcomed six baby elephants since 2009.
After a full day at Mason Elephant Park, it becomes clear that the most memorable encounter is not necessarily the closest one. Sometimes, it is simply being there, paying attention and giving these majestic creatures the space to be themselves.
Mason Elephant Park is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
For more information, please contact +62 811 3979 480 or follow
Mason Elephant Park & Lodge
Jl. Elephant Safari Park Banjar Desa Taro Tegallalang, Taro
+62 811 3979 480
@elephantsbali
masonelephantpark.com
