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The Karnataka Forest
Department has about 150 Elephants in various
camps and Dubare has been historically an
important camp. The Elephants for the famous
Mysore Dassehra were trained at Dubare elephant
camp. But presently after logging operations
have ceased, the Forest Department does not
really know what to do with all its elephants!
They (elephants) have been practically retired
except for giving some rides to odd tourists. At
the same time, the Forest Department spends
quite some money to maintain them and their
mahouts. With this as a background, Jungle
Lodges & Resorts (JLR) has struck upon a
unique idea to utilize the Elephants at Dubare
Camp to provide the tourists with 'an intimate
experience with Elephants'. JLR seeks to build
upon the un-ending fascination that man has for
Elephants! At the Dubare Elephant Camp, a
visitor can spend hours simply watching
Elephants and of course, learning more about
them. A trained Naturalist 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 Elephants.
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| ACCOMMODATION |
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Presently there is 10 luxury cottage with well-furnished accommodation with all modern facilities. |
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Apart from the comfortable accommodation, the Gol Ghar which is a circular, open-to-sides gazebo is the guests dining area, providing an extraordinary close to nature
experience
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| ACTIVITIES |
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Elephant
Grooming: Visitors
can watch Elephants been given a scrub-bath in
the River and also watch how oil is applied on
their forehead, tusks and other aspects of
Elephant grooming.
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Elephant
feeding: Visitors
can watch the food being prepared for the
Elephants and how they are fed. They can even
participate by feeding the Elephants themselves
- for this, we can give them some sugarcane,
coconuts or bananas.
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Commands: The Mahouts will then
demonstrate the various commands the Elephants
can obey. This can be vividly portrayed by
making Elephants perform some mock logging
operations.
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Naturalist: While visitors are going
through all these activities, a Naturalist will
explain to them about all aspects of Elephant
ecology, history, conservation etc. The
visitor's interaction with Elephants will be as
participatory as possible. Further, a leaflet
giving interesting information on the same will
be given to visitors.
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Elephant
Ride: Finally, visitors will be
taken on a 45 min - 1 hour Elephant ride into
the Dubare Reserve Forest. Before, they get on
to the Elephant they can watch how the Howdahs
is actually tied etc.
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Coracle
Ride: Visitors have an option of
going on a coracle boat ride (native boats,
circular in shape made of bamboo and hide) on
the River Cauvery. This facility is provided
only between the months of November and
May.
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Monsoon River
Rafting: During the months
of July, Aug and September, JLR river rafts on
the River Cauvery along the stretch adjacent to
the Elephant Camp. Run by John Pollard and his
team, rafting on the Cauvery - a gorgeous yet
wild river during the rains, is an exhilarating
experience.
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| THE CUISINE |
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A delicious spread of South and North Indian dishes, buffet style is served at the Ghol Ghar. A choice of both Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian is available.
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| LOCATION |
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Dubare Elephant Camp is located in the
popular district of Coorg (Kodagu) and is easily
accessible from Bangalore. The route from
Bangalore is via Mysore, Kushalnagar, Gudde
Hosur (4km from Kushalnagar on BM Road), then a
left turn towards Siddapur. 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
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