Dubare Elephant Camp
A riverside camp inside the Dubare forest where Karnataka Forest Department elephants used in the Mysuru Dasara festival are trained and cared for. Run jointly by the Karnataka Forest Department and Jungle Lodges & Resorts on the eastern bank of the Cauvery, Dubare has long served as a training and holding camp for elephants captured from the wild or transferred between reserves, including several later paraded in Mysuru’s Dasara festivities.
Dubare Elephant Camp at a Glance
Essential information about Dubare Elephant Camp.
Weather & Best Time to Visit
Overview
Run jointly by the Karnataka Forest Department and Jungle Lodges & Resorts on the eastern bank of the Cauvery, Dubare has long served as a training and holding camp for elephants captured from the wild or transferred between reserves, including several later paraded in Mysuru’s Dasara festivities. Visitors can watch or assist with the mahouts’ morning bathing and feeding routine, and coracle crossings and river rafting launches from the camp add to its use as an adventure-tourism base within the surrounding reserve forest. Dubare Elephant Camp sits at an elevation of 850 m and is typically explored in about half day. The most favourable months to visit are January, December, November, and February, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Nearby points of interest include Elephant Feeding and Training Demonstration, Elephant Museum and Interpretation Centre, and Nature Walk and Bird Watching Trail. Other notable highlights include watching the morning elephant bathing ritual in the Cauvery, feeding bananas to the camp's resident elephants, and seeing mahouts prepare elephants for the Dasara procession. It falls within Coorg and Kodagu district, India.
Highlights
- Watching the morning elephant bathing ritual in the Cauvery
- Feeding bananas to the camp's resident elephants
- Seeing mahouts prepare elephants for the Dasara procession
- Guided jungle walk to spot wild bison and deer
- Coracle ride across the calm river waters
- Observing elephant training demonstrations with wooden logs
Getting There
Things To Do
Coracle Ride on the Cauvery River
Take a circular bamboo coracle boat across the calm river to the opposite bank, where you get a distant view of the elephant camp and the forested hills. The ride is gentle, and the boatman often points out river birds like kingfishers and egrets along the way.
30 minutes
Elephant Dung Paper-Making Workshop
Visit the small on-site craft shed where dried elephant dung is processed into handmade paper, then try your hand at pressing a sheet with flower petals embedded in it. This unique eco-friendly activity is a favourite among senior travellers – you get to take home your own souvenir sheet.
45 minutes
Evening Elephant Feeding and Sunset Viewing Deck
Return to the feeding platform at dusk for the final round of treats (bananas and palm leaves), then climb the gentle ramp to the wooden deck overlooking the river. As the sun sets behind the Western Ghats, you can watch the elephants being walked back to their night enclosures.
1 hour
Morning Elephant Bathing and Feeding Session
Watch the mahouts lead the elephants into the Cauvery River for their daily scrub and splash, then hand-feed them sugarcane, jackfruit, and horse gram from a safe platform. This is the camp’s signature ritual, where you see the gentle giants up close.
1.5 hours
Guided Forest Walk with a Naturalist
Join a forest department naturalist on a short, shaded trail through the adjoining Dubare Reserve Forest, spotting hornbills, langurs, and occasional sambar deer while learning about the local flora and the elephants’ natural habitat. The walk ends at a small watchtower overlooking the river bend.
1 hour
Elephant Training Demonstration (Mahout Skills)
Observe a live demonstration where mahouts show how elephants are taught to obey voice commands, lift logs, and kneel for riders – a practice that prepares them for the Mysuru Dasara procession. You can also ask questions about the camp’s daily routine and the bond between elephant and keeper.
45 minutes
Travel Tips
Book the elephant bathing and feeding sessions in advance
These activities are popular and have limited slots, especially during peak season. Reserve your spot through the forest department or a trusted tour operator at least a day ahead to avoid disappointment, and confirm the exact timing for your group.
Carry your own water and light snacks, but avoid feeding elephants
The on-site café has limited options and queues can be long, so bring your own hydration and simple snacks like biscuits or fruit. Never offer food to the elephants from your hand—only the mahouts (handlers) are allowed to feed them, as per safety rules.
Plan for a morning visit and keep the afternoon free for rest
Mornings are cooler, and the elephants are more active for bathing and interaction, making it easier for seniors to enjoy without heat fatigue. After the visit, schedule a relaxed lunch back in Coorg town or your resort, and avoid any strenuous sightseeing later in the day.
Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear and avoid loose sandals
The ground around the camp is often wet, muddy, and uneven near the river and elephant enclosures. Seniors should use closed-toe shoes with good grip to prevent slips, and walking sticks are allowed if needed.
Keep a buffer for the jeep safari and river crossing
Reaching the camp involves a short jeep ride and a boat crossing over the Cauvery River, which can be bumpy. For those with mobility issues, request the staff to help with boarding and seating, and carry any essential medication in a small bag you hold yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
The elephants are well-trained and accustomed to visitors, but you must always follow the mahout’s instructions. Do not stand directly behind an elephant, avoid sudden movements, and never feed them anything other than the food provided by the camp. Children must be supervised at all times, and photography is allowed but without flash.
Carry a water bottle, sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellent, as the area is open and near the river. Wear comfortable, quick-drying clothes and closed-toe shoes, because the ground can be muddy near the water. Avoid carrying large bags or valuables, as there are no lockers, and keep your hands free for holding the railings on the boat and the walking paths.
Yes, most activities like watching the bathing, feeding, and brushing are done from a viewing platform or at ground level with minimal walking. However, the path from the jetty to the camp is uneven and sandy, so sturdy footwear and a slow pace are recommended. The boat ride itself is short and stable, but staff can assist with boarding if you ask.
The camp is most active in the morning, between 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM, when the elephants are bathed and fed. Plan to spend about 2 to 3 hours, including the boat ride across the river, which is the only way to reach the camp. Afternoon visits are possible but quieter, as the elephants rest during the hottest part of the day.
Yes, it is strongly recommended to book online in advance, especially during peak season (October to March), as the camp limits daily visitor numbers. The entry fee is roughly ₹100 per person for Indian citizens and ₹500 for foreign nationals, with additional charges for activities like elephant bathing or a mahout experience. The boat ride to the camp is usually included in the ticket, but confirm at the booking counter.
Suggested Itineraries
2 Days in Dubare Elephant Camp
Arrival, Elephant Encounters & Riverside Evening
Begin your trip at Dubare Elephant Camp, where you will spend the morning watching the mahouts bathe and scrub the gentle giants in the Cauvery River. After a relaxed lunch, take a short nature walk along the riverbank to spot birds and wildlife, then return for the evening feeding session. End the day with a quiet riverside stroll as the sun sets over the forest.
- Morning elephant bathing and scrubbing session at the river (best before 9:30 AM)
- Guided forest walk with a naturalist to see deer, peacocks, and river otters
- Evening elephant feeding and interaction with mahouts, learning about their training for the Mysuru Dasara
Coffee Estate, Nisargadhama & Local Culture
After a peaceful morning at the camp, drive to the nearby Nisargadhama island, a bamboo grove island on the Cauvery with a deer park and hanging bridge. Then visit a traditional Coorg coffee plantation for a short tour, where you can see the beans, smell the roasting process, and enjoy a cup of fresh coffee. Wrap up with a visit to the Omkareshwara Temple in Madikeri, a unique blend of Gothic and Islamic architecture, before heading back.
- Nisargadhama island walk, including the hanging bridge and deer park
- Coffee plantation tour with a tasting session and a brief history of Coorg's coffee trade
- Omkareshwara Temple visit in Madikeri, followed by a stroll through the local market for spices and honey
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