Sep
01
2011
May
01
2012
Sep
01
2011
May
01
2012
Sep
01
2012
May
01
2013
Sep
01
2012
May
01
2013
Sep
01
2013
May
01
2014
Sep
01
2013
May
01
2014
Sep
01
2014
May
01
2015
Sep
01
2014
May
01
2015
Sep
01
2015
May
01
2016
Sep
01
2015
May
01
2016
Sep
01
2016
May
01
2017
Sep
01
2016
May
01
2017
Bathe the Elephants at Dubare Elephant Camp
Published by Nita Mukherjee
Country: India 
The Experience
There are a number of wildlife destinations, including elephant camps, in the south Indian state of Karnataka. The most popular and unique camp is Dubare Elephant Camp, where you can interact at close quarters with the Asian/Indian elephant. At the Dubare Elephant Camp, visitors can help to bathe and feed the elephants, watch them at a training session, and finally enjoy a short ride on one of these gentle giants. They are all tamed and trained elephants, and are not dangerous.
Dubare Elephant Camp is located in the beautiful Coorg district of Karnataka, on the banks of the river Cauvery. Therefore, the last part of the journey is a short ride in a motorboat across the river.
Visitors are greeted by unique scenes at the camp: a line of majestic elephants being led by their mahouts (care takers) down to the river for a bath. The elephants spend the night in the jungle, and return to Dubare elephant camp for a few hours every morning and evening. As they enter the river, drinking deeply, playing and splashing around, their mahouts lovingly tend to their charges. You too can wade into the water to help scrub and clean the elephants.
The bathing ritual at Dubare Elephant camp can take an hour or more, and as soon as it is over, the elephants climb up to the feeding area for the mid-morning snack. Go to the enclosure for visitors, and see the elephants lined up along the enclosure wall. You can feed them bananas and ragi balls (an indigenous cereal), with some help from the mahouts. The kitchen for Dubare Elephant Camp is within the enclosure. You can see men stirring the ragi in huge pots over open fires. At least fifteen kilograms of the cereal is cooked every day. Once the meal is over, the elephants are led back to the forest for the day.
Special training sessions are sometimes held inside Dubare Elephant Camp, such as two elephants being trained to pull down, stack and arrange logs of wood according to the mahout’s instructions. You really have to see these animals at work to believe their dexterity, precision and tirelessness. Afterwards, you can enjoy an elephant ride around Dubare Elephant Camp.
Elephant interaction is not the only activity at the Dubare Elephant Camp. You can also enjoy fishing, rafting (in season), bird watching and coracle rides (a circular, indigenous boat made of bamboo and waterproof material). Float lazily down the river in a coracle to relax and forget the stress and grime of the city. If you are a bird watcher, train your eyes on the lush green vegetation and overhanging branches along the banks. You will spot partridges, cormorants, kingfishers and woodpeckers. A trip to the Dubare Elephant Camp is bound to be an unforgettable experience, especially if you can stay there for a couple of days.
Dubare Elephant Camp is located in the beautiful Coorg district of Karnataka, on the banks of the river Cauvery. Therefore, the last part of the journey is a short ride in a motorboat across the river.
Visitors are greeted by unique scenes at the camp: a line of majestic elephants being led by their mahouts (care takers) down to the river for a bath. The elephants spend the night in the jungle, and return to Dubare elephant camp for a few hours every morning and evening. As they enter the river, drinking deeply, playing and splashing around, their mahouts lovingly tend to their charges. You too can wade into the water to help scrub and clean the elephants.
The bathing ritual at Dubare Elephant camp can take an hour or more, and as soon as it is over, the elephants climb up to the feeding area for the mid-morning snack. Go to the enclosure for visitors, and see the elephants lined up along the enclosure wall. You can feed them bananas and ragi balls (an indigenous cereal), with some help from the mahouts. The kitchen for Dubare Elephant Camp is within the enclosure. You can see men stirring the ragi in huge pots over open fires. At least fifteen kilograms of the cereal is cooked every day. Once the meal is over, the elephants are led back to the forest for the day.
Special training sessions are sometimes held inside Dubare Elephant Camp, such as two elephants being trained to pull down, stack and arrange logs of wood according to the mahout’s instructions. You really have to see these animals at work to believe their dexterity, precision and tirelessness. Afterwards, you can enjoy an elephant ride around Dubare Elephant Camp.
Elephant interaction is not the only activity at the Dubare Elephant Camp. You can also enjoy fishing, rafting (in season), bird watching and coracle rides (a circular, indigenous boat made of bamboo and waterproof material). Float lazily down the river in a coracle to relax and forget the stress and grime of the city. If you are a bird watcher, train your eyes on the lush green vegetation and overhanging branches along the banks. You will spot partridges, cormorants, kingfishers and woodpeckers. A trip to the Dubare Elephant Camp is bound to be an unforgettable experience, especially if you can stay there for a couple of days.
When to Go to Dubare Elephant Camp
Dubare Elephant Camp is open throughout the year, but the best time to visit is from September to May. The summer months from March to May are good for wildlife sightings. The monsoon rains are refreshing, when everything is lush green.
The nearest international airport is at Bangalore (the state capital), 250 kilometres away. The nearest railhead is Mysore, 90 km away. Hire a taxi or take a bus from either place to the district centre, Madikeri, or a small town like Kushalnagar, and then onto Dubare. The drive from Bangalore takes about five hours. An easy and inexpensive option is to take an overnight air-conditioned state transport bus to Madikeri, and then a taxi to Dubare.
The nearest international airport is at Bangalore (the state capital), 250 kilometres away. The nearest railhead is Mysore, 90 km away. Hire a taxi or take a bus from either place to the district centre, Madikeri, or a small town like Kushalnagar, and then onto Dubare. The drive from Bangalore takes about five hours. An easy and inexpensive option is to take an overnight air-conditioned state transport bus to Madikeri, and then a taxi to Dubare.
Odds n' Ends
Dress suitably to wade into the river and bathe the elephants at Dubare Elephant Camp. Shorts or capris teamed with rubber sandals are the best option. Green coconut water is the only refreshment available at Dubare Elephant camp, so carry some snacks and bottled water.
Tickets can be bought at Dubare Elephant Camp reception centre for individual activities (bathing, feeding, elephant ride) or as a package of INR 400 for Indians, INR 900 for foreigners. A whole day visit to Dubare Elephant camp, including lunch at the resort and coracle ride, is INR 800 for Indians, and INR 1100 for foreigners.
Tickets can be bought at Dubare Elephant Camp reception centre for individual activities (bathing, feeding, elephant ride) or as a package of INR 400 for Indians, INR 900 for foreigners. A whole day visit to Dubare Elephant camp, including lunch at the resort and coracle ride, is INR 800 for Indians, and INR 1100 for foreigners.
Want a Guide?
- Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd
- This is an undertaking of the Government of Karnataka, and runs eco-friendly resorts in wildlife destinations. The program at the resort includes elephant interaction, trekking, jungle safaris, bird watching and coracle rides.
- Karnataka Tourism
- This is the official body in charge of tourism in the state, and offers relevant information for planning trips.
Places to Eat
- Golghar, Dubare Elephant Camp
- This is the dining area of the resort near the camp, and offers a variety of delicious dishes for the day visitor's lunch. The lunch is part of the package deal for the day.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Dubare Elephant Camp (Jungle Lodges and Resorts)
- There are many options around Dubare Elephant camp, including hotels, guest houses and home stays. The latter are very popular in the Coorg district, as they allow the visitor to experience first hand the culture of the people. However, the best choice would be the eco-friendly resort within the camp itself. It is also known as the Dubare elephant camp, run by the Jungle Lodges and Resorts, a government of Karnataka undertaking. The cottages are laid out under towering trees on the banks of the river, so each cottage has a view of the river. The rooms are modern and comfortable. There are inviting hammocks under the trees, so those not inclined to any activities can simply laze away the days! Delicious buffet meals are served in the dining area which commands a view of the river and distant hills, while a bonfire and wildlife documentary enliven the evening. The program at the resort includes, apart from elephant interaction, safaris into the jungle, nature walks and trekking, bird watching, coracle rides and rafting. Note: Bathing in the river is forbidden, due to the presence of crocodiles. The price range at Dubare Elephant Camp is from INR 3700 to INR 5300 for Indians per cottage per night, and INR 6700 to INR 9900 for foreigners per cottage per night. (1000 INR = 21.95 CAD, and 22.24 USD). Address and contact: Dubare Elephant Camp Nanjarajapatna Post, Kushalnagar Hobli, Somwarpet taluk, Coorg District, 571234 08272-200651, 9449597876 Details and booking at www.junglelodges.com
- Club Mahindra Kodagu Valley Resort
- It covers 30 acres of coffee and cardamom plantations, and offers panoramic views of the Coorg valley. The well furnished modern rooms are built in the typical Kodagu style of architecture. There are two restaurants.
- Mayura Valley View Hotel - KSTDC
- This government run hotel offers a panoramic view of the surrounding areas and the valley and hills beyond. It is located at the highest point of Madikeri town. The rooms are reasonably priced and comfortable, and there is a good restaurant.
- Orange County Coorg Resort
- Set amidst 300 acres of spice and coffee plantations, it is one of the finest high end resorts in India, and offers a host of activities.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
Location. This hotel is located in Madikeri . 0 miles away
$3659 INR+
0 miles away
+ 21 others. Show all.
More Experiences Nearby
- Spot Tigers and other Wildlife in Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve
- The Nilgiri Biosphere reserve covers three states of South India, and is rich in flora and fauna. It includes a belt of forests essential for the migration and long-term survival of the Asian elephant, and it is also home to popular wildlife sanctuaries like the Bandipur National Park, located in the foothills of the Nilgiris. Bandipur National Park is also a Tiger reserve, being one of the earliest to be brought under “Project Tiger”. This is a program that was started in 1973 to save India’s national animal, the tiger, from extinction in specially designated “tiger reserves”. Located in the ...80 miles away.
Video
Video Wall
You are now being transfered to our Video Wall
Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.
Language Guides
Hindi 
,
Portugese
,
Russian
are some of the languages spoken in India. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
Discussion
Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.
Recent Tweets
Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "dubare elephant camp":
