Login

Select travel dates to see prices

Excellent 4.84rating (25)

Photography Internship

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

Highlights

  • Hike to find elephants in their natural habitat
  • Spend your time taking photos of all aspects of the project
  • Immerse in the local culture of the Karen community

Highlights

  • Hike to find elephants in their natural habitat
  • Spend your time taking photos of all aspects of the project
  • Immerse in the local culture of the Karen community
  • Make memories you will never forget on weekend trips with your fellow team mates
  • Work on your own unique project depending on your own interests, or KSES needs

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    This is a great experience for any photography/art students or graduates who need more experience in the field or anyone with an interest or experience in photography.

    Our Sanctuary

    If you want to have a unique experience hiking in the forest to find the elephants everyday, 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 everyday, 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 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 firsthand about their culture and even help out with the community when required.




    Typical day

    Your Stay & Tasks

    A photography intern's tasks vary from day-to-day. Our days begin with early morning hikes through the forest to find the elephants, staying with them while observing and taking high-resolution photos to help us with our social media. Some days lunch is eaten with the elephants in ...

    Typical day

    Your Stay & Tasks

    A photography intern's tasks vary from day-to-day. Our days begin with early morning hikes through the forest to find the elephants, staying with them while observing and taking high-resolution photos to help us with our social media. 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 but the day doesn’t end there. 

    Sometimes you will be needed to go to the school or stay in the village to get some community shots. You will also be given a project to work on during your stay as well as helping the staff with any visitors or volunteers. 



    Free-time activities

    We have many add-ons in the village that volunteers can take part in if they wish, such as: basket weaving, scarf weaving, river tubing, Thai massage, night hikes, cooking class, bamboo rafting and forest sleep outs.

    Free-time activities

    We have many add-ons in the village that volunteers can take part in if they wish, such as: basket weaving, scarf weaving, river tubing, Thai massage, night hikes, cooking class, bamboo rafting and forest sleep outs.


    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/resume and Cover Letter

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    All interns must provide their own photography equipment to bring with them. ​

    Time Commitment

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

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Included in these fees are: transport to/from project/Chiang Mai on arrival and departure, food & accommodation

    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 homestays 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 homestays 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

    Basic western breakfast and Thai lunch and dinner and filtered water included.

    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

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

    Program Fees

    $452 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
    4.8
    Top Pick
    One of the top picks on Volunteer World, according to travelers
    2023
    De perfecte combinatie tussen fotografie, conservation en community! Een unieke kans om bij te leren op vlak van wildlife photography. ..
    2016
    Here at Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary, there are four elephants which makes the experience here much more intimate. Every day we hike ...
    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

    2024
    I've booked a 2 nights experience and it was wonderful! After we arrived there was a welcome drink prepared and we were introduced to our ...
    Nadine Reichert

    Visit and Help Elephants

    Location

    Asia > South East Asia > Thailand > Chiang Mai

    Meet your project coordinator

    Cristina
    25
    reviews
    4.84
    Excellent
    2015
    Founded

    Verified

      Good response rate
    Spoken languages: Italian, English, Spanish, 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
      Good response rate
    Italian, English, Spanish, 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