Buffalo Search – Following the Buffalo

Buffalo Search is a three-day nature and community immersion in Ban Mae Khong Sai, where the S’gaw Karen way of living is closely connected with people, buffalo, and the forest. You follow buffalo trails, walk through the surrounding landscape, discover local plants and food, and spend time with community members and youth. Learning unfolds through observation, participation, conversation, and reflection, with each day adapted to the group, weather, and the rhythms of the community. The journey invites you to slow down, step away from everyday digital routines, and be present with the people, place, and natural environment around you.

Following buffalo and reading the forest

• Begin the buffalo-finding journey from the river and follow buffalo trails through the surrounding forest.

• Walk and hike through uneven terrain while observing the landscape and the signs connected with the buffalo.

• Discover local plants, learn about their uses, and visit the sacred forest and important trees.

• Visit rotational farming areas and learn about their place in community life.

Community knowledge and everyday life

• Meet the S’gaw Karen community in Ban Mae Khong Sai and learn about local livelihoods and relationships with nature.

• Community members and youth share their knowledge, stories, and perspectives.

• Experience everyday ways of living with the forest through walking, conversation, participation, and time spent in the community.

Food and practical participation

• Have a banana-leaf-wrapped lunch while walking into the community.

• Forage, prepare food, and eat along the buffalo-finding journey.

• Take part in simple shared activities connected with the surrounding landscape and local food.

Culture, beliefs, and reflection

• Explore places connected to community beliefs and practices.

• Experience a traditional wrist-tying blessing.

• Join welcome activities, introductions, campfire conversations, and reflection moments.

Learning through presence

• Learn through observation, participation, conversation, and reflection rather than through a fixed classroom format.

• Each day is adapted to the group, weather, and the rhythms and needs of the community.

• There is space to step away from everyday routines and digital connectivity, slow down, and make your own meaning from the experience.

This is a jointly booked three-day journey. The program begins with a meeting in Chiang Mai at 8:00 AM, followed by travel to Mae Khong Sai and a hike into the community.

1. Day 1 – Arrive and get to know the place: Travel to the community, walk in with a banana-leaf-wrapped lunch, take part in welcome and introduction activities, learn about community livelihoods and relationships with nature, and join a campfire conversation and first reflection.

2. Day 2 – Follow the Buffalo and Read the Forest: Begin from the river, follow the buffalo-finding route, walk, forage, prepare and eat food, discover local plants, visit rotational farming areas, and explore the sacred forest and important trees. The day ends with a campfire conversation and reflection.

3. Day 3 – Culture, Blessing, and Departure: Explore places connected to community beliefs and practices, experience a traditional wrist-tying blessing, pack and check out, then leave the community at 11:00 AM and return to Chiang Mai.

Participants are 18 to 35 years old and must be able to join the entire journey and all learning days. No prior nature or outdoor experience is required.

Basic fitness is needed to walk or hike for several hours and manage uneven terrain. A mandatory online preparation meeting takes place before the journey.

After booking, you receive a packing list tailored to the program and season, together with guidance on clothing systems, footwear, rain protection, and essentials. Bring practical clothing, suitable footwear, rain protection, a reusable water bottle, towels, personal toiletries, and any personal snacks, tea, or coffee you need.

Travel to and from the meeting point and breakfast on the first day are arranged at your own cost.

Shared accommodation in a community household is included. Lunch and dinner are included on the first and second days, and breakfast is included on the second and third days.

Food is organized as part of the program. Dietary needs can often be accommodated when communicated early.

No certificate is provided for this experience.