Swaying through grassland and jungle  - sitting high up on an elephant’s back – is an unforgettable experience.  Most National Parks offer short Elephant Safaris lasting upto one hour.  To climb on top an elephant’s back from a platform in the cool of the morning and make your way through grassland in Kaziranga National Park or through dense jungle in Corbett National Park is an experience in itself. The baby elephants follow the mothers through the jungle – a sight not to be missed.

You will see a variety of animals -  Rhinos, Hog Deer etc in Kaziranga,  Wild elephants , deer etc in Corbett. If you are lucky you may even spot a tiger. In Kanha National Park elephants are kept on the ready in case a tiger is spotted nearby. You are then hoisted onto the elephant’s back and trek into the jungle to see the ‘Tiger Show’ – in case you are lucky. An unforgettable experience.

The Kipling Camp at Kanha has a resident elephant ‘TARA’. She will take you along the river. You may bathe her and enjoy her frolics. Picnic by the river and ride back for another safari into the park.

Some other resorts such as the Green Magic Resort in Wayanad National Park, and some resorts near Corbett National Park have a resident elephant too.

Some of the resorts  near Corbett also offer five day Elephant Safaris. As elephants move quite slowly you will not be going a great distance but will see lots of unusual sights.

Below is a sample five day itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive at resort.   In the evening you will see a cultural folk show and a talk on the park itself.

Day 2 – The day starts early with breakfast at 6am. From then on you will go on a game view drive on the hunt for tiger sightings along the Ramganga River. The night will be spent in Dihikala Forest Rest House. 

Day 3 –  You will wake up surrounded by the various calls and sounds of nature in the early morning. You will follow the jungle paths from here down into the valley where you may  get to see wild deer roaming the forests or tigers returning to their slumbers after roaming the jungle for their food.   After a  stop for lunch  the afternoon takes you onto a gentle journey further into the valley and beyond into the rice fields which lend themselves ideally to bird watching. Here you will set up camp for the night.

Day 4 – Visit the Sonanadi sanctuary (River of Gold). This is a haven for game and indeed has so much of it that it has now been made part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. In the morning you will follow the old path that the British Officers used long ago on horses. After  lunch the journey continues  through the bamboo forest, this forest has the largest concentration of elephants who gather here to feed themselves on the young tender bamboo. You will continue onto the banks of the Palain River where you will spend the night. This is where many elephants come to bathe and drink, you will be able to observe all of this and more from the safety of the watch tower.

Day 5 –  Unfortunately  you will have to say  goodbye to your elephant . A  jeep will take you on an alternative route back through another part of the park.

Combine your Elephant Safari and wildlife experience with much else that India offers – be it the Taj Mahal, temples or tribes or simply a Flavour of India. See our various itineraries