Corbett Park Elephant Safari’s

We chose a seven day elephant safari leaving one of the many complexes run by private operators on the Corbett National Park’s perimeter, to stay five nights in four of the dozen or so, forest rest houses built by the British Raj in the 1890’s and 1900’s...

Some useful tips:-
Make sure you choose the right tour operator. They should be contactable by e-mail; many now have web sites and can be phoned.

The package should include: -
1. A guide/naturalist – who is invaluable in showing you the jungle signs, interpret the sounds and take you to the places where certain species inhabit.
2. All meals should be included.
3. Supported by safari jeeps.
4. All park entrance fees and other costs included..

Our tour consisted of 6 adults, three on each elephant supported by two elephant and their drivers “Mahouts” and two support staff to look after the elephants. Six other staff including the guide consisting of two drivers, a cook and his helper, and a man to make the beds, put up the tents and other various chores.

The support team had two jeeps and a 4x4 truck to carry all the beds, food, tents etc for us and of course the support team. A feel of how the British Raj may have travelled but in modern times.

Riding the Elephants.
The day started at 6.30am. with breakfast at 7am. Followed by getting on the elephants at 7.30 to 8.30pm. The rides varied in length from 2-4 hours. The benefit of riding an elephant, is the height you are above the ground, some 12-15ft. giving excellent views of the surrounding countryside. Also the elephants go where no vehicle can go. They are silent and if you are silent you have a great chance of seeing all kinds of animals.

Elephant Bath
Seeing the elephants have a bath in the river is a real treat. They absolutely love it. The Mahouts and the rest of the support team all joining in. The elephant first squirts water all over herself with her trunk so she is thoroughly drenched. All elephants doing this are female – they are better tempered. They lie down in a pool and the team splash water onto her, and wash their thick skins thoroughly using a stone, with great effort. The soles of their feet are checked, removing any stuck stones and behind the ears are washed thoroughly too. One side followed by the other side, the elephant, having to get up and turn over.

Guarding the elephants

At night the wild bull elephants will try and mate with the females and take them away. The Mahouts take it in turns to guard them. At our first forest rest house, the elephants were kept in the jungle, just beyond the forest rest house perimeter ditch defence. This necessitated the mahouts to keep a fire going all night, singing and chanting into the late hours and on one occasion letting off firecrackers to keep the wild elephants away. On other nights the elephants were secure in the forest rest house perimeter defences allowing the mahouts a good nights rest.

So what would we suggest you carry with you on an elephant?
1. A small bag to put one or two items, such as water, spare batteries for your camera, spare film or compact cards, something warm.
2. Binoculars around your neck.
3. Your camera – have this ready at all times as often you only have a few seconds, before the wild animal moves away into the forest.

Would we recommend an elephant safari? – Definitely especially supported by the jeeps, makes for an excellent trip!!

Our elephant safari at the Corbett National Park was excellent.