Dubare Elephant Camp

The Karnataka Forest Department has about 150 elephants in various camps throughout the state and Dubare has always been an historically important camp. The elephants for the famous Mysore Dassehra festival were trained at the Dubare elephant camp. The elephants in the Dubare Camp are now used to provide the tourists with 'an intimate experience with elephants'. Here, a visitor can spend hours simply watching the elephants and of course, learning more about them. A trained naturalist/expert is at hand to explain the various aspects of elephant history, ecology and biology. The visitor can not only observe and learn but also participate in various activities involving these elephants.

The elephants are now mostly retired except for giving the odd ride to tourists. The Forest Department spends a lot of money to maintain the elephants and their mahouts. Guests would leave the Camp feeling enriched and enlightened about these magnificent and gentle animals and hopefully they would become sensitive to their plight in the wild and join the lobby to save them from extinction.

Located on the other side of the river Cauvery, the Dubare camp offers complete peace and tranquility.
This Camp has 14 luxurious cottages with attached bath.

Cuisine:
Food at Dubare is homely and delicious. The buffet includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine. Indigenous food will be served on special demand. It also has a licensed bar to help our guests relax and share their experiences with each other at the end of the day.
 

Visitors are encouraged to indulge in a 3 hour experience of a lifetime with the elephants doing some fun-filled activities:

Elephant Grooming: Elephants are given a scrub bath in the river and oil is applied to their tusks and forehead.
Elephant Feeding: Watch the food being prepared for the elephants and how they are fed.
Commands: The Mahouts will then demonstrate the various commands the elephants can and will obey.
Naturalist: A naturalist will explain all aspects of elephant ecology, biology and conservation, etc. The visitors' interaction with elephants will be as participatory as possible. Further, a leaflet giving interesting information on the same will be given to visitors.
Elephant Ride: Visitors will be taken on a 10 to 15 min elephant ride into the Dubare Reserve Forest.
Corracle Ride: Option of going on a coracle boat ride (native boats, circular in shape made of bamboo and hide) on the River Cauvery.
Monsoon River Rafting: During the months of July, Aug and September, rafting on the Cauvery adjacent to the Elephant Camp is also allowed - a gorgeous yet wild river during the rains, is an exhilarating experience.
Wildlife:
The moist deciduous forests of Dubare are home to many wild animals and a plethora of birds. Sighting of wild Asian Elephants is regular and so is sightings of sambhar and the spotted deer. The other animals spotted here are the elusive leopard, the gregarious wild dogs, the Indian Bison or Gaur, bears, amongst others. Many crocodiles can also be seen in the waters of River Cauvery at Dubare.
Birdlife is wonderful with peacocks, patridges, kingfishers and woodpeckers topping the list.
The forests are also home to many reptiles, among which are some venomous and non-venomous snakes.

Day One
12.00 noon: Walk in to Dubare and hear the gurgling sound of Cauvery River as you check-in.
1.30-2.30 p.m: A tasty lunch awaits you - just what you are looking for after a long drive.
4.00 p.m: Tune in to the long awaited adventure with a refreshing cup of tea/ coffee.
4.30-6.30 p.m: Jeep Safari into Dubare Forest with a trained naturalist can be a refreshing experience
7.00-8.00 p.m: A wildlife film show at the Gol Ghar is another opportunity to learn about wildlife
8.00-9.30 p.m: Dine around the cozy campfire or at the Gol Ghar
 
Day Two
6.00 a.m: Wake up to the songs of birds and greet the morning with a cup of tea/coffee.
6.30-8.00 a.m: Cruise through the Cauvery River on a coracle viewing and enjoying the nature around you.
8.00-8.30 a.m: Treat yourself with a hearty breakfast at the Gol Ghar
8.30 -10.00 am: At the Dubare Elephant Camp, a visitor not only spends time by simply watching the elephants but of course,   learning more about them. A trained naturalist is at hand to explain the various aspects of the elephant history, ecology and biology. The visitor can also participate in various activities like washing and scrubbing. A ride on the elephant would be the cream of all the experience at the Elephant Camp.
11.00 a.m: If you must leave, we look forward to your next visit to discover the yet unexplored secrets of these forests.

Dubare Elephant Camp is located in the popular district of Coorg (Kodagu) and is easily accessible from Bagalore. The route from Bangalore is via Mysore, Kushalnagar, Gudde Hosur (4km from Kushalnagar on BM Road), then a left turn towards Siddapura.
About the 15 kilometer on the Siddapur Main Road visitors would find a JLR Dubare Camp board. A left turn at the board and about kilometer drive would reach you bank of River Cauvery. Cross the river by a boat and you would be at the Dubare Elephant Camp.