Dubare Elephant Camp is located on the banks of River Cauvery in the district of Kodagu in Karnataka.

Dubare Elephant Camp is located on the banks of River Cauvery in the district of Kodagu in Karnataka. The Karnataka Forest Department has about 150 Elephants in various camps and Dubare has been historically an important camp. Dubare Elephant Camp beckons wildlife enthusiasts as well as travelers. The greatest charm of this place you can get close to the indisputable King of the jungle.

Dubare is the perfect destination for the tourists to get an adventurous stay and a memorable fun trip. Dubare offers to its visitor’s fun, fishing, rafting and trekking in the wild hilly terrains.

Tourists spots

Dubare Elephant Training Camp is a project undertaken by forest department and jungle lodges and resorts. This camp has plenty of elephants which are trained under naturalists. It is located between the right bank of the Cauvery and the Dubare Reserve Forest. These gentle giants are allowed to get near tourists in a safe environment.

Earlier this was where the elephants for Mysore Dasara were trained, which is why most of the animals are quite docile. Now they are mostly used for jungle rides and for capturing rogue elephants.

Now the camp serves as a practical information center with a trained Naturalist on hand to explain the various aspects of Elephant history, ecology and biology. The visitors can not only observe and learn but also participate in various activities involving Elephants.

Elephant Interaction Program The three-hour elephant interaction is destined to be the most unforgettable experience at Dubare camp. It kicks off with a 45 minute bath in the Cauvery, where you scrub an elephant and groom with oil from close proximity. You can also participate in feeding the elephants with ragi, jaggery, sugarcane, banana and coconuts. And finally, take a 45 minute elephant ride into the jungle. Rides around the camp can be arranged between 10 AM and 12 noon and between 4PM to 5 PM

Resident Manager, Dubare Elephant Camp can be reached at Mobile: +91-94495-99755

Wildlife Safaris This remains one of the less explored forest patches in South India. So facilities are very basic, although there is a lot to see. You can get to see tigers, sloth bear, marsh crocodiles, elephants, Indian Bison or Gaur and bears are also seen in these forests.. Bird life in Dubare is wonderful with peacocks, partridges, kingfishers and woodpeckers topping the list.

Note: Permits can be collected from District Forest Officer Phone: (08272) 228305 or Forest Ranger Mobile: +91-94484-01848

Fishing At Valnoor Fishing Camp, the Cauvery river broadens into pools populated by rohu and mahseer fish. Angling is strictly per catch and release philosophy, you must toss the fish back into the river after you take your photographs. You need to get fishing licenses from Coorg Wildlife Society which protects this short stretch of river.

Rafting during the monsoon months of July, August and September, The Coorg Adventure Club organises river rafting on the Cauvery river. The river is wide and the rapids here are less, which makes rafting easy. There are two rafting options available for the rafters 8.5 km run and 12 km run. The longer run depends on the water level. Rafting begins near the riverside cottage at Valnoor and ends at the Last Resort at Hosapatna.

Trekking is the best way to explore and discover Dubare. The trekking trail leads you through wilderness, forests, hillocks, river banks, but remember to hire a local guide. A short trek from the fishing camp is Doddakalbetta or Big stone hill it is a wonderful place to watch the sunset. If you wish to take a slightly longer trek deep into the forest don't forget to visit the Ganapati temple which is believed to be over thousand years old.

Note: Geoffrey Muthanna of Coorg Dale organizes guided treks around the area. Phone: (08276) 267496 or Mobile: +91-94497-47696

Best time to visit is between September and May

How to Reach

By Air - Mangalore 180 Kms and Bangalore 230 Kms
By Rail - Nearest railway-station Mysore 100 Kms
By Road - The route from Bangalore is via Mysore, Kushalnagar, Gudde Hosur (4km from Kushalnagar on BM Road), then a left turn towards Siddapura. About 15 kilometer on the Siddapur Main Road visitors would find a JLR Dubare Camp board
Around Dubare

Harangi Dam is a beautiful reservoir built across the tributary of the Cauvery near Kushalnagar. The dam is 174 feet high and spans over 2,775 feet. The dam is an ideal place for picnic, and there are some short walks along designated paths. One can access its beauty when the reservoir is fully filled with water during the monsoon period, primarily in the months of August and September. You can also visit the Cauvery temple.

How to get there

From Dubare drive towards Hosapatna and Guddehosur until you a reach a intersection Harangi Dam is 7 Kms from this intersection. Harangi Dam is a about 36 km from Madikeri.

Best time to visit is between September and May

Where to stay

Bamboo Loft
Phone: (08276) 267800
Mobile: +91-98458-48224

JLR Dubare Elephnat Camp
Phone: (08272) 200651/653

Coorg Dale
Near Cauvery River
Valnoor Post
Via Kushalnagar, Coorg Dist
Phone: (08276) 267-496
Mobile: +91-94497-42332

The Last Resort
Hosapatna, Kodagu
Phone: (08276) 267540, (080) 25485705
Mobile: +91 94484-06469

Dubare-Inn-Resort
Nanjarayapatna Post
Kushalnagar- 571 234
Phone: (08276) 267855, (08276)- 321149
Mobile:+91- 94480-05724, +91 -94487-42332

Riverside Cottages
(08276) 267476

Tourist Information

Coorg Wildlife Society
C/o Kodagu Planter's Association
Post Box 111
near DFO quarters
Madikeri 571201
Phone: (08272) 223505

Jungle Lodges and Resorts
Shrungar Shopping complex
MG Road
Bangalore 560001
Phone: (080) 2559-7021/7024
Email: Junglelodges@vsnl.com