Elephant sanctuary in Karnataka

Hi

A couple of years ago we spent a fortnight in Goa and for two days we visited Karnataka, taking the train from Madagoan to Udupi. We visited an Elephant sanctuary but I cannot find any details of it online. It was approximately 2 hours drive from a tourist point on the Deccan plateau where monkeys are fed (and where the Briish army carved a road into the cliffs). Sorry this is vague!

The sanctuary itself was adjacent to a large lake and village and specialised in rehabilitation of elephants which had lost their herd during migration.

Any help appreciated.

Elephant sanctuary in Karnataka

You%26#39;re probably looking for Dubare Elephant Camp, which is right by the river Cauvery.

www.junglelodges.com, click on Dubare.

If it is a lake, not a river, then there%26#39;s Kabini, but there is no rehab centre in Kabini.

- Deepa

Elephant sanctuary in Karnataka

Found it!

It was the elephant training camp at Sakrebyle on the Tunga river near Shimoga.

We visited Udupi and elephant camp three weeks ago - it was a two-day trip all-in from Goa. It cost £80 a head, plus camera and entry fees. It was not worth it.

Was not impressed when told by our guide that we should use the toilets at Margoa as those on the train were not good. It is a 6-7 hour journey if taking the slow passenger train - if paying direct it costs £1.90!

There is a faster/better train that gets in later in the evening - this could have been arranged).

Interesting 7-hour trip down from Margoa on a train with woeful toilets - so bad you could not use them!

We stayed at the Hotel Rukmini Residency - which was very basic, although our rep told us it was deluxe! The food however was excellent. Did not however appreciate the high charges for beer and soft drinks. Very much a captive audience feel about it.

Next day very interesting drive and visit into elephant camp - disappointing trip thereafter to see tigers and sambars cooped up in a very small reserve.

Highlights: Udupi temple, wonderful views from train, elephants.

Low lights: Very bad value for money - there are better, faster trains (albeit leaving later in the day) and much better hotels in Udupi. Our guide however was excellent - very knowledgeable.