November 22,2010. We came here to make a report after one and a half year ago! The Elephant camp has 18 Sumatra elephants.This elephant camp is the second big elephant park as another elephant park in the Village of Taro.We made a report of (elephant+rafting tour) as we came here last time.We walked with elephant through the forest surrounding the camp for about 30minutes and enjoyed white water rafting on Ayung River for about two hours. This report is focused on the newly renovated restaurant!
Arrived at Elephant Camp in Green Nature!!
Departed from our office by Ayung River’s transport at 08.15am.The driver is dressed in khaki. Air-conditioned car is comfortable! Departed from Kuta area,and when close to Ubud,we can see beautiful scenery of rice fields.
Less than 2 hours drive,we arrived at Elephant Camp in Ubud at around 10am.The camp is located at the same area of Ayung rafting start point,so it can be so easy if we join the activity in set.
Koni came here to make a report one and a half year ago,she dressed in a one piece after swimsuit and short pants.So it doesn’t need to change the clothes,just put one piece off and go rafting♪
Go up about 20 stairs to the camp. It is surrounded by forest.Inside of the park is very good condition like a natural park.On the left is a pool for elephants,at the end of ride,the elephants come into this pool!Take picture with elephant subject to additional charge.After a little while,we saw the guests riding elephants.
Focused on newly renovated restaurant!
←Reception & Restaurant Before Renovation
The first time we came here,the reception & restaurant was smaller.Now newly renovated reception and the restaurant become beautiful like this!!We were surprised because we didn’t know about the renovation before.
The first floor is used for reception and gallery,elephant paintings and accessories from around the world are displayed here.You can also buy souvenirs here but the cost are a little expensive.
Counter for reception and payments. Picture costs US$10/piece, handfeed Rp.30,000.Please inform in advance.
Welcome drink fruit juice. Took a seat on a big sofa and signed the agreement(in English).We found something interesting here!Insurance coverage was US$100,000 and now US$150,000!!Elephant ride is a risk-free activity but it seems all preparations are ready if something happens.
After signed the agreement,we waited until the turn comes. During waiting,we can go to toilet,go to see gallery or go for a little walk outside.The toilet is clean!!!
During waiting,we went to see the restaurant.The second floor is built in wellhole style 360 degrees,it’s very comfortable here!!This day we joined package of (elephant ride+rafting),so we had lunch at restaurant in rafting area,but for elephant ride only,lunch at this restaurant.You can take a seat overlooking a tropical jungle,seat overlooking elephant’s pool or other seats you like♪
Pork steak is one of main menu for Elephant Ride,we took the pictures!! A cute staff in kebaya took it for us.
～ Lunch Set Menu at Elephant Ride ～
Choose at the restaurant on the day.
≪Appetizer Choices≫ ※Choose one
１）Sweet Corn Soup ２）Spring Roll,Tofu and Vegetable Samosa ３）Mixed Salad
≪Main Menu Choices≫ ※Choose one
１）Indonesian Fried Rice ２）Indonesian Fried Noodles ３）Gado-Gado/Vegetable Salad（sliced green vegetables,fried tofu and tempe with peanut sauce）
４）Pork Steak（with baby potato and sauteed vegetables） ５）Club Sandwich（with fried potatoes）
６）Chicken Basket（with fried potatoes） ７）Pizza ８）Spaghetti Marinara
９）Grilled white fish with lemon butter sauce & vegetables.
≪Dessert Choices≫ ※Choose one
１）Coconut Crepes ２）Banana Split ３）Cut Fruits
Walk in the forest with elephant.
Our turn had come so we went to the back of reception to ride an elephant.Here,people who had finished elephant ride were hanfeeding and taking pictures(no additional charge). the stand has 2 meters high,started to get on the seat on the back of elephant from here.when seated,the trainer put safety bar soon,so you don’t need to worry falling from the back of elephant.
This elephant ride was conducted by Mr.Ricky,an elephant trainer. All elephant trainers can speak English,and now they are learning Japanese,however just a few people of them can speak Japanese.Mr.Ricky is one of them who can speak Japanese well!
Elephant Ride Scenes（30minutes)♪
Elephant Ride is not scheduled,as at…….am/pm daily,but it can be started at anytime if the elephants are not on ride. If all the elephants are on ride,we must wait about 30minutes until the elephants come back.Four elephants started on this elephant ride!Koni with a small female elephant named Ari.It is small but it seemed high to see the scenery from her back!
Walk on the side of pool to the forest, greeting a monkey named Joni,saw beautiful Frangipani flowers and enjoyed the view of surrounding nature.On the way,the elephant suddenly stopped walking and eating grass,excrete a very big feces,pee and in a short time become a puddle of urine…….(lol) It was interesting to see elephants live in a nature park!!
On the way,Mr.Ricky picked Hibiscus flowers for us. He speaks Japanese very well,so we enjoyed natural landscape while talking with him.On the way,we arrived at a square that can be used for wedding!The trainers getting down from the elephant and took pictures using our camera. He took many pictures for us.It was a very good service♪
After enjoyed elephant ride walking in the park,in the end,the elephant go into the pool!! The cameraman of Elephant Park was waiting here,he took the pictures for sale,US$10/piece.It seemed very deep but it’s okay!?,we didn’t get dirty or get wet.
Ride time is not too long or too short, 30minute-ride is just good enough♪
It is OK when raining!
Each elephant brings an umbrella.When rainy days or if the participants want to avoid sunlight exposure,they can use the umbrella for free.The sunlight is very intense,preventing sunburn is necessary!!
Taking a break at the restaurant after ride.Free sofdrinks are available.Choose one of Coke,Fanta or mineral water.
As much as you can take pictures! Meet a Sun Bear ☆
After taking a break,it’s time to handfeed Ali♪Just exchange the ticket that we bought at reception desk(Rp.30,000),We got a basket of pineapple and yam.
Handfeed the elephants,touch its snout,pose in front of camera…….You can interact with elephants as you like!!Koni is a little afraid of big animal,the bear hair is hard…..but the taken photographs can be memories of a lifetime.
↑ one year ago
It was a small sun bear one year ago,she grows up and getting bigger now!!
We said to staff”we want to see sun bear” then he took me to the place of the bear.Put off hair accessories and the flowers from ear,and get closer to the bear.She got on me,its weight is 70Kg.She’s cute,but so strong,Koni got nervous!
Koni spent about 2 hours to enjoy the park. At about 12.00pm we moved to rafting start point.It is located in the same area,just take 5 minutes to the rafting start point.
to be continue to second part!!（to rafting report）
Everyone can enjoy this activity♪
Since one and a half year i came at Elephant Camp,i was surprised the improvement of facilities and services! In addition,a clean toilet,a large reception,and a restaurant overlooking stunning nature scenery with a nice cool breeze blowing!! Many staffs and the trainers can speak Japanese than before,they got a good training.I was also impressed with the raise of the amount of insurance coverage.
This elephant ride took the same route as we joined elephant ride last time, Elephant Ride doesn’t go to the jungle,just walked slowly around in the area of the park.On the way,the elephant suddenly stopped walking and eating grass,pee in a short time and become a puddle of urine…….(lol),It’s funny to see elephants in natural life.!
For consideration,strong exposure to sunlight,to prevent sunburn please bring sunblock,sunglasses or hat. And don’t forget to bring your camera♪
Elephant Ride doesn’t need stamina,everyone can enjoy this activity from children until elderly. Individual participant is increased now,it is also recommended to individual travellers who want to make memories!
Company Partner Staff S-chan Impression & Comment
Elephant Camp is located in the village of Carangsari which has fresh mountain air.Ride on the back of an elephant and enjoy the stunning scenery is really nice.Reception and restaurant are newly renovated,the staffs are also friendly.
Several staffs can speak Japanese,the elephant trainers are also learning other foreign languages now,i think they are trying to improve services,most no shady place during elephant ride.Free use of umbrella is available on request or when rainy days.Recommended to bring sunblock or everything needed to prevent sunburn and wear sunglasses.It seems to be easy mosquitos bite me,during elephant ride i was bitten three times……It may be necessary to bring insect repellent spray or wearing long sleeve shirt and long pants!
At the elephant camp we can ride on the back of elephant and relax.There are also many individual travellers join the ride,it is time for you to encounter the elephant,by car transfer services or driver services☆
※This report was written based on the information when the time of visiting. Course menu and schedule might be changed without notice. In addition, the report contains individual opinion and impression, however, these are not applied for all people. Please read it just for your reference. Thank you.